WO2015011140A1 - Flute - Google Patents

Abstract

Improved Boehm flute keywork, comprising an additional key (B) located along the keywork's longitudinal axis between the C-natural key (C) and the octave and ventilation key (A), wherein the additional key (B) directly and solely acts on the octave and ventilation key (A) for forcing it in a closed position when the additional key (B) is in an open position, and wherein the C-natural key (C) directly acts on the additional key (B) for forcing it into a closed position when said C-natural key (C) is in a closed position. Flute comprising such a keywork. Optionally, for correcting G#"', the C-natural key can be split in two parts, lying on top of each other, the bottom part (C1) functioning as key closing the C- natural hole, the upper part (C2) as a layer for simultaneously closing the additional key B and the bottom part (C1). The G# key (J) can thus partially close the C-natural key (C1), without closing additional key B, which has to keep octave and ventilation key (A) closed.

Description

Flute

The present invention relates to a flute. The present invention relates in particular to an improved flute keywork, based on the Boehm system.

Theobald Boehm's invention in 1832 marked a big revolution for the flute: almost every note was provided with its own tone hole, of bigger size than before. Thanks to the Boehm system, flutes sounded more powerful, in tune and equal in all registers.

The classical flutes had already begun developing in this sense, as players started adding extra keys onto baroque flutes. However, once the fingers were on the keys, it was difficult sliding back onto the holes, inducing a more difficult and less fluent digital technique.

Boehm solved this problem, while keeping the fingers in the same position. With 9 active fingers, the right hand thumb having the task of keeping/lifting the instrument, and with 12 semi-tones to produce, one semitone being produced by the end of the flute and 1 1 by the positions of the fingers, Boehm created the two missing notes, F# and A#, by combining different fingers, but without moving them out of their respective positions.

The C# hole was the only tone hole that Boehm did not enlarge, because it had several functions:

- the emission of the fundamental notes C#" and C#"';

- facilitating the octaves of D' and D#';

- the ventilation of D"\ G#"', A#"' and C#"".

The fundamental notes C#" and C#"' need a big tone hole: For the other functions however, a small hole is required. Boehm opted for a compromise: a small hole, placed too high, which works acceptably as a ventilation hole but provides a poor C#", weak and too high, and a too low C#"'. The octave C#" - C#" is thus too small. Boehm was probably aware of this problem, but didn't want the mechanics of the flute to be too complicated. A solution to this problem is to create in the flute's body a big sized tone hole for C#, similar to the holes for all other notes in the Boehm system. This large C# hole, also known as C# trill key, is activated by the right hand index and can be implemented as an option in a standard Boehm system keywork. It is to be placed somewhat lower, i.e. further away from the tuning slide, than the original smaller hole. By coincidence, it has to be positioned exactly where a ventilation hole for G#"' would be needed. On a standard flute, G#"' is vented by 2 holes, neither of them being in the correct position: the small octave hole for C#" and C#"' and the tone hole for C natural. As a consequence, the note G#"' is too high. With the optional-C# trill key with-big sized tone hole, the notes C#", C#"', C#"" and also G#"' can thus be produced in an acoustically correct manner.

A drawback of this additional tone hole is that the flautist must adapt its fingering in order to activate the corresponding additional key in that the right hand index has to slide from its key onto the lever for C# trill key and back, and close the original smaller hole when playing the C#. This therefore significantly impacts the flautists' playing habits.

Attempts have been made to provide automatic C# systems, where, for example, an additional C# hole remains opened while the original smaller hole is automatically closed when no key is activated in order to play the C#, and where the additional C# hole is closed by closing the C-natural key when the original smaller hole is used for ventilation, for example. As explained below by way of an example, these prior art automatic C# systems are however not satisfying because they forbid the small octave hole and the C-natural hole to be open simultaneously, thereby limiting the flute's payability; e.g.: F"" can no longer be produced.

Other automatic C-sharp systems have been designed, where the large C# tone hole is closed together with key G , which is operated by left hand major, and where the original smaller hole is closed by the opening spring of the B-flat key, left of key G. Although the original smaller hole and the C-natural-key can be opened simultaneously, allowing the production of F"", these systems do not provide any improvement for the venting of G#"' and C#"", as for these notes the big C#-hole should be open and the original smaller hole closed. However, for the fingerings for G#"' and C#"", key G is pressed down and closes the big C# key while the original smaller hole stays open.

There is thus a need for an improved flute keywork that allows

automatically playing the big sized tone hole for C# and may correct the venting for G#"' and C#"" as well, without changing the standard digital technique of the Boehm system while still allowing all necessary key combinations.

An aim of the invention is to provide a flute with a Boehm system keywork that allows flautists obtaining perfect intonation and better sound quality.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a flute with an automatic-C# system that makes it possible producing F"" and provides for a correct venting of G#'" and C#"".

These aims and other advantages are achieved through a flute according to independent claim 1 .

These aims and other advantages are achieved in particular through an improved Boehm flute keywork, comprising an additional key located along the keywork's longitudinal axis between the C-natural key and the octave and ventilation key, wherein the additional key directly and solely acts on the octave ventilation key for forcing it in a closed position when the additional key is in an open position, and wherein the C-natural key directly acts on the additional key for forcing it into a closed position when said C-natural key is in a closed position.

These aims and other advantages are also achieved by a flute

comprising such a keywork.

According to the automatic C# system of the invention, a supplementary key, corresponding to a supplementary hole in the body of the flute, is integrated in the mechanism in such way that the flautist doesn't need to touch it, nor think of it: it opens and closes automatically, without any changes of fingerings. Hence the notes C#", C#"', C#"" and also G#"' are produced in an acoustically correct manner.

The functions mentioned above are divided over two holes: the original small hole and a large C# tone hole:

• the small hole is used for:

- facilitating/venting D" and D#";

- venting D"\ A'" and A#'".

• the big hole is used for:

- emitting the fundamental notes C#" and C#"';

- ventiing G#'" and C#"".

According to the invention, there is no compromise anymore: C#" and C#"' are in tune and there sound quality equal to their surrounding notes. G#"' and C#"" are equally improved.

Optionally, for correcting G#"', the C-natural key can be split in two parts lying on top of each other, the bottom part functioning as key closing the C- natural hole, the upper part as a layer for simultaneously closing the additional key B and the bottom part. The G# key can thus partially close the C-natural key, without closing additional key B, which has to keep octave and ventilation key closed.

The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description illustrated by the figures, where:

Figure 1 illustrates a flattened standard prior art Boehm flute keywork with an optional C# trill-key with big-sized tone hole and a correction of the G#"' venting;

Figure 2 shows a prior art automatic C# system;

Figure 3 represents an automatic C#-system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is an exploded and assembled view of a key system for the correction of the G#"' venting, integrated in an automatic C# system according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of an automatic C#-system according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows the keywork of figure 3 with optional C#-trill key and correction of the G#"' venting;

Figure 7 shows the keywork of figure 5 with optional C#-trill key and correction of the G#"' venting.

On a Boehm flute, for optimal ventilation, the notes in the range of D#"' to G#"' should preferably be vented with one hole.

Figure 1 illustrates the keywork of a standard flute with an optional C#- trill key E that is opened by lever F, where A is the octave and ventilation key, C is the C(natural) tone key, D is the platform for the flautist's left hand index, G is the key activated by the flautist's left middle finger, J is the G# tone key and partly closes C, L is the lever activated by the flautist's right hand index, and Y and Z are trill keys.

On a standard Boehm flute without the optional C#-trill key E, the following notes would be played as explained below:

• C#" and C#": no key is pressed down: all keys are open, except for the trill keys Y and Z that are closed by springs. C# is produced by the first open hole, small A, placed too high and too small in size for C#: C#" is weak and too sharp, C#"' is too low.

• C" and C" (natural): the left hand index closes A through D. C stays open, Y and Z remain closed. C(natural) is produced by C.

• D", D#": C and all other keys are closed, except for octave key A.

• G#^m: keys A and C are open as vent-holes, but neither of them is in the right place: G#"' sounds too sharp.

• D"\ A'" and A#"':

Key A is open as ventilation-hole : for D'" and A'" its position is acceptable, for A#"' it is placed too low.

• C#"":

C and A are open, A is placed too high for correct venting : C#"" is too high.

The ventilation of G#"' is thus performed by two holes A and C, but none of them is in the right position. The exact position for the G#"' vent hole is at the place of the standard optional C#-trill key E. Therefore, G#"' with the correct venting can be obtained manually with the fingering of G#' while opening the optional C#-trill key E through lever F. However, this causes the right hand index from going out of its position L, so that subsequent fingerings cannot be obtained without sliding back onto the initial position L, which is highly uncomfortable and hinders fast passage work. Besides, being forced to use a new fingering is a disadvantage as well.

A prior art way to correct the ventilation of G#"' is to partly close key C through a connection with the G#-key J.

Figure 2 illustrates a prior art automatic C#-system keywork, where A is the octave and ventilation key, B is an automatic C# key, C is the C(natural) tone key, D is the platform for the flautist's left hand index, and Y and Z are trill keys.

On a flute with the automatic C# keywork of Figure 2, the following notes are played as explained below:

• C#" and C#": no key is pressed down, all keys are open, except for A and the trill keys Y and Z. A, which is equipped with a light opening spring is closed by B and C that are equipped with long, flat, and thus stronger springs. C# is produced by the big sized tone hole B.

• C" and C'"(natural): the left hand index presses D down, which closes A, and B through the surrounding lever. C and the other keys remain open, except for the trill keys Y and Z.

• D", D#", D"\ A'" and A#"':

C is closed, which closes B as well; small hole A is open and functions as a vent-hole.

• G#'":

B and C are open and close A through its lever: Vent-holes B and C are open instead of A and C on the "standard" flute: G#"' is better in tune and also emission is improved.

• C#"":

B and C are open and close A through its lever; vent-holes B and C are open instead of A and C on the "standard" flute: C#"" is better in tune and also emission is improved.

This prior art automatic C# system keywork however comprises at least two disadvantages: a) it isn't possible anymore to produce F"", because small key A and key C can not be open simultaneously; b) the new and big sized tone hole for C# has taken the place of the standard optional C#-trill key.

Furthermore, applying a correction of the G#"' venting as illustrated in Figure 1 to the keywork of Figure 2 is impossible, because the movement of key C closes B and opens A, whereas for G#"' exactly the opposite is needed. Figure 3 illustrates an automatic C#-system according to an embodiment of the invention, where A is the octave and ventilation key, B is an automatic C# key, C is the C(natural) tone key, D is the platform for the flautist's left hand index, G is the key activated by the flautist's left middle finger, and Y and Z are trill keys.

On a flute with the automatic C# keywork of Figure 3, the following notes are played as explained below:

• C#" and C#": no key is pressed down; all keys are open, except for A and the trill keys Y and Z; A, which is provided with a light opening spring, is closed only by B that is provided with a long, flat, thus stronger spring; C# is produced by big sized tone hole B.

• C" and C'"(natural): the left hand index presses D down, which closes A and also B through the surrounding lever; C and the other keys remain open, except for the trill keys Y and Z.

• D", D#", D"\ A'" and A#"':

C is closed, which closes B as well; small hole A is open and functions as vent-hole.

• G#'": both B and C are open, but B alone, without help from C, closes A through its lever; vent-holes B and C are open, instead of A and C on the "standard" flute; G#"' is better in tune and also emission is improved.

• C#"": both B and C are open, but B alone, without help from C, closes A through its lever; vent-holes B and C are open, instead of A and C on the "standard" flute; C#"" is better in tune and also emission is improved. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to produce F"" by pressing the extension of key B with the left hand thumb. Indeed, the small octave key A, has become independent from key C, allowing keys C and A to open simultaneously.

Figure 5 illustrates a variant embodiment of the automatic C# system keywork of the invention, wherein the positions of A and B are inversed, B being on top of the flute and A under the flute, while the same interdependences between the keys are maintained. Post H is for example integrated in the assembled axis and is attached with a screw once the axis is mounted on the flute.

On a flute with the automatic C# keywork of Figure 5, the following notes are played as explained below:

• C#", C#":

B, which is provided with a strong opening spring, closes A that is provided with light opening spring.

^• C", C":

D closes B and A, C is open.

• D", D#", D"\ A'", A#'":

C closes B by a pinned connection on the main axis. A stays open.

• G#^m, C#"":

B is opened and closes A; C is open; G#"' is vented by B instead of A and is thus more in tune and the sound has a better quality.

• F"": playing the usual fingering, additionally the small lever A is closed in order to open key-A and close B simultaneously.

In another aspect of the invention, the issue of applying a correction of the G#"' venting as illustrated in Figure 1 to an automatic C# keywork according to the invention is solved by a split G# system of the invention as illustrated by way of example in Figure 4, wherein the key C is split in two parts: a first part C1 covering the C-natural tone hole, and a second part C2 acting as an independent lever above C1 . When C2 is not pushed down, B remains open and A closed.

Partial closure only of C1 is possible in order to allow the emission of C"", wherein its fingering implies an open G#-key as well. Nonetheless, the venting of G#"' is greatly improved.

The split G# system of Figure 4 allows an automatic correction of ventilation for G#"' in that when J opens, it closes C1 through its extended tail, whereas C2 is not pressed down. Therefore, B remains open and keeps A closed.

Figures 6 and 7 respectively illustrate the keyworks of figures 3 and 5, with the addition of the standard optional C# trill key and of the split G# system of the invention. The one skilled in the art will of course understand that each one of these two options can also be added independently from the other to the automatic C# system of the invention, and/or in combination with other options.

In the embodiments of Figures 3 and 6, the automatic C#-key B has taken the place of the standard C#-trill key in order to give priority to a reliable functioning of the system: B, which is provided with a long and flat spring, closes A that is provided with a light needle spring with conviction via the lever of A.

In the embodiments of Figures 5 and 7, where A and B are inversed, the working of their springs, a stronger needle spring against a weaker flat spring, while still realisable, is probably slightly less advantageous.

Furthermore, by placing B under the flute and A on top of the flute as in Figures 3 and 6, it is very easy for C to close B. They are next to each other and do not require long transmissions or bridges. The weight of the keywork is thus reduced and its reliability increased in comparison with the embodiments of Figures 5 and 7. According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, B rotates around its own axis, which is for example perpendicular to the trill key axis, and key D acts on the tail of B via a bridge and a lever that goes around trill key Z. Alternatively, however, B is for example mounted on the trill key axis and the key D, which is mounted on the main axis, closes B over two pivots, one on the main axis and one on the trill key axis. This alternative construction allows further reducing the weight of the keywork. It is however less precise than D acting on B by means of longer levers and having B rotating around its own perpendicular axis.

With reference to Figure 6, adding the standard C# trill key to the keywork of Figure 3 requires the placement of the trill key on top of the flute and the inversion of the action of lever F in order to open C# trill key E.

The automatic C# system of the invention can be integrated when manufacturing the flute, or added as an option to the keywork of an existing standard Boehm flute.

The automatic C# keywork of the invention was described and illustrated herein by way of example in the case of a standard construction. The one skilled in the art will understand however that the automatic C# key system of the invention can also be implemented with a pinless construction.

For C#", C#"', G#"' and C#"", the automatic C# keywork of the invention allows acting on A through B only. It does not depend on C. This allows opening A by closing B, while C stays open.

The automatic C# keywork of the invention further allows playing F"", which is not possible to produce on prior art automatic C#-systems, improving at the same time the venting for G#'" and C#"".

A flute with an automatic C#-system of the invention can be played without re-learning by all flautists and used for all different types of music, because its fingerings remain unchanged from the standard flute, except for F"".

Claims

Claims

1 . Improved Boehm flute keywork, comprising:

an additional key (B) located along the keywork's longitudinal axis between the C-natural key (C) and the octave and ventilation key (A), wherein said additional key (B) directly and solely acts on said octave and ventilation key (A) for forcing said octave and ventilation key (A) in a closed position when said additional key (B) is in an open position, and wherein said C-natural key (C) directly acts on said additional key (B) for forcing said additional key (B) into a closed position when said C-natural key (C) is in a closed position.

2. Keywork according to the previous claim, wherein said additional key (B) acts on said octave and ventilation key (A) through a lever of said octave and ventilation key (A).

3. Keywork according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said C-natural key (C) comprise a first part (C1 ) for covering the C-natural tone hole of a flute, and a second part (C2) for acting on said additional key (B), the G# key (J) of said Boehm keywork acting on said first part (C1 ) for forcing it into a closed position when said G# key (J) is in an open position.

4. Keywork according to the preceding claim, wherein said first part (C1 ) and said second part (C2) are configured for being pivotally attached independently from each other to a flute.

5. Keywork according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein said second part (C2) at least partly lies over said first part (C1 ), so that said first part (C1 ) is forced into a closed position when said second part (C2) is in a closed position.

6. Keywork according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said additional key (B) is located on a same side of the keywork's axis as said C-natural key (C) and said octave and ventilation key (A) is located on an opposite side of said keywork's axis.

7. Keywork according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said octave and

ventilation key (A) is located on a same side of the keywork's axis as said C- natural key (C) and said additional key (B) is located on an opposite side of said keywork's axis.

8. Keywork according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a C# trill key.

9. Flute, comprising:

an additional hole located along the flute's longitudinal axis between the C- natural tone hole and the octave and ventilation hole, a keywork according to one of the preceding claims.