Vibrato trainer for string instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibrato trainer (100) for a string instrument, wherein the string instrument has a fingerboard (110) and one or more strings (120). The vibrato trainer (100) has a rattle (130) and one or more straps (140) for arranging and securing the rattle (130) to a hand (160), a wrist (161), or one or more fingers (162, 163) by means of loops (150) and grip tabs (155). By means of a vibrato movement of the hand (160) and the rattle (130), acoustic and vibration sensory indications can be generated that correlate in frequency and amplitude with the movement of the hand (160), which are suitable for training and improving vibrato. The invention also relates to a method for generating such indications.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibrato trainer for string instruments. It is a training device for learning and improving vibrato on string instruments.

[0002] Vibrato refers to a slight modulation of the frequency of a sustained note. A note with appropriate vibrato is perceived as more lively and expressive than a non-vibrating note. In classical music, vibrato is used consistently on all string instruments (double bass, cello, viola, violin). An appropriate and expressive vibrato on string instruments requires intensive training.

[0003] On string instruments, vibrato is created by a periodic back-and-forth movement, a periodic rolling movement, or an up-and-down movement of the finger on a string. A periodic change in the position of the finger on the string can be achieved in various ways. A lively, vibrating movement can arise from a rotational movement of the upper arm, a movement of the forearm, or a movement of the hand. Accordingly, on string instruments, a distinction is made between arm vibrato, hand vibrato, and finger vibrato. These vibrato techniques are used in combination and can complement each other and flow seamlessly into one another.

[0004] From US 2008 / 0 190 262 A1 a vibrato trainer is known which comprises the following: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a fastening arrangement for fastening the shaft to a tuning peg of a musical instrument, which fastening arrangement is attached to the first end of the shaft; and a base attached to the second end of the shaft; a plurality of pads attached to the base to ensure stable placement of the base on the musical instrument; one or more elastic bands attached to the base to secure the base to the musical instrument; and one or more guide posts for guiding the hand and wrist, wherein the guide posts are removably attached to the shaft.In use, the mounting assembly is attached to the tuning peg of a stringed instrument, and the base is placed against the back of the instrument so that the shaft is parallel and under the fingerboard. The vibrato trainer is held in position by one or more elastic bands attached to the base, which are looped either over the wings of the instrument or around the body of the instrument. The guide posts contact the student's wrist if the hand or wrist is not in the correct position, thereby reminding the student of the correct hand and wrist position.

[0005] US Patent No. 11,138,900 B1 discloses a vibrato training device that helps position the hand of a violinist or violist so that the player can perform vibrato with support, thus learning the technique more efficiently. The student wears a glove, for example, to which a spacer is attached. This spacer adjusts to rest against a fret of the violin, allowing the fingers to practice vibrato movements while the student's wrist is supported on the violin or viola body, for example, at the fret. An oscillation indicator oscillates freely relative to the glove to provide a visual indication of the vibrato movement.

[0006] US 3 619 470 A discloses a hand positioning device for violin students, which is intended to help maintain the hand holding the violin in a posture and position that facilitates and promotes fluid and habitual movement of the fingertips of that hand directly to and from the strings. This technique is of general importance, but it is of particular importance for enabling and training the student to perform the vibrato effect. The device comprises an elastic means extending from the body of the hand positioning device as two band-like loops, each of which is adapted to extend under tension around opposite sides of the outer body of the instrument and to be releasably retained in recesses provided on opposite sides of the waist of the instrument.

[0007] JP 3 160 438 U discloses a practice aid for stringed instruments that allows practicing suitable playing techniques for stringed instruments, such as vibrato, using a real stringed instrument. The practice aid for a stringed instrument, such as a violin or cello, comprises a plate-shaped, narrow splint element extending from the back of the hand to the forearm, a holding element for holding a first end of the splint element to the forearm, and a wrist fixation element for fixing the back of the hand to a second end of the splint element. By fixing the wrist, it is possible to correct incorrect vibrato playing techniques.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a training device for learning and improving vibrato on string instruments.

[0009] The object is achieved by a device and a method according to the independent claims.

[0010] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vibrato trainer for a string instrument, wherein the string instrument has a fingerboard and a plurality of strings and the vibrato trainer has a rattle and a band, wherein the rattle can be arranged on a hand, a wrist or one or more fingers of a hand by means of the band.

[0011] The teaching of the invention achieves the advantage that the execution of an appropriate and expressive vibrato can be perceived simultaneously with the vibrating tone played on the string by means of the amplitude and frequency of another sound. Unlike the visual vibration indicator described in the prior art, the player does not have to look at the instrument or the vibration indicator, but instead checks the execution of the vibrato through a simultaneously perceptible rattle.

[0012] According to a first exemplary embodiment, the band is closed and the rattle box can be arranged on the hand or wrist by means of the band.

[0013] This design offers the advantage that the vibrato trainer can be worn like a wristwatch, primarily for checking and training hand vibrato. The vibrato trainer is advantageously worn on the top of the wrist like a wristwatch and does not interfere with playing the instrument.

[0014] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the band is open, has loops, preferably formed at the ends of the band, and the rattle box can be arranged on the fingers of the hand, preferably on the index finger and the little finger, by means of the loops.

[0015] This design has the advantage that, thanks to the proposed arrangement of the vibrato trainer on the upper side of the fingers in the area of ​​the first phalanges, finger vibrato can be tested and trained. The loops according to the invention solve the problem of reliably positioning the vibrato trainer in this area, transferring the vibrato movement of the fingers to the vibrato trainer, and minimizing the disruption to the player's performance. While the loops can be placed on any finger, positioning them on the index finger and little finger is preferred to keep the band taut with the rattle and to transfer the vibrato movement of all fingers.

[0016] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the closed band consists essentially of an elastic material, in particular a silicone material or a rubber material, and can be slipped over the hand or wrist.

[0017] This design has the advantage that the vibrato trainer can be easily put on and taken off. Alternatively, a strap with a fastener can also be used.

[0018] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the open band and / or the loops consist essentially of an elastic material, in particular a silicone material or a rubber material, and the loops can be slipped over the fingers of the hand, preferably over the index finger and the little finger.

[0019] This design has the advantage that the band and loops adapt to the movement of the fingers and the size of the hand, ensuring that the rattle always remains reliably in contact with the fingers and hand, mimicking the vibrato movements of the fingers and hand. The elastic loops and elastic band make the vibrato trainer easier to put on and take off.

[0020] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the loops have shaped grip tabs, preferably with formed grip profiles.

[0021] This design has the advantage that the loops can be slipped on and off more easily thanks to the grip tabs. The grip tabs can be formed from the same material as the loops and, thanks to their contoured grip profiles, offer an even better grip.

[0022] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the rattle box is essentially round and flat-cylindrical.

[0023] This design has the advantage that the vibrato trainer can be worn discreetly and comfortably, and has no sharp or uncomfortable corners or edges. The rattle can also be designed in a different shape, for example, rectangular, square, or polygonal, to produce a different rattle sound depending on the direction of movement. The rattle sound in a specific direction of movement depends on the dimensions of the rattle can, the thickness and texture, as well as the resonance frequency of the can wall surfaces involved. By varying the design of the can wall surfaces, a distinctive rattle sound can be specifically generated in different directions of movement.

[0024] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the rattle box contains freely movable rattle objects inside, in particular rattle balls or hollow rattle balls.

[0025] This design has the advantage of producing a sonorous, easily perceptible rattle noise, whereby the hollow rattle balls are lighter and more sonorous than solid rattle balls.

[0026] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the rattle box comprises rattle objects movably connected to the body of the rattle box, in particular rattle lamellae or rattle flaps.

[0027] This design has the advantage that the rattle lamellae or rattle flaps can be arranged on the inside and / or outside of the rattle box and, in the case of a linear movable connection, such as a hinge, with the rattle box only generate a rattle noise in certain directions of movement and thus react selectively to vibrato movements.

[0028] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the rattle box essentially consists of a strikeable and sound-generating material, in particular hardwood, sheet metal or hard plastic.

[0029] This design has the advantage that even a light tap on the rattle objects produces a reliably perceptible rattle noise and a characteristic sound of the rattle box.

[0030] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for generating acoustic and vibration-sensory indications correlated with vibrato movements of a hand on a string of a stringed instrument by means of a rattle box and a ribbon, comprising (a) transmitting translational and rotational constraining forces from the vibrato movements of the hand to the rattle box by means of the ribbon; (b) generating translational and rotational accelerations of the rattle box; (c) striking movable rattle objects against different walls of the rattle box according to the mass inertia of the rattle objects and the translational and rotational accelerations of the rattle box; and (d) generating different acoustic and vibration-sensory indications correlated with the vibrato movement according to different sound and resonance behavior of the different walls of the rattle box.

[0031] A further advantage of the invention is that, using a simple mechanical method, vibrato movements of the hand are converted into acoustic and vibration-sensory indications that are perceptible with sufficient intensity and allow an assessment of the vibrato performance of a string instrument. The rattle sounds and vibrations are generated purely mechanically, with the required energy being derived directly from the vibrato movement. Thus, no external power supply, such as the electrical supply voltage of an electric amplifier, is required to implement the method.

[0032] According to a first exemplary embodiment, the acoustic and vibration sensory indications are generated by means of rattle objects that are freely movable inside the rattle box, in particular by means of rattle balls or hollow rattle balls.

[0033] This design has the advantage that the process is very reliable and trouble-free when using rattle balls.

[0034] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the acoustic and vibration sensory indications are generated by means of rattle objects, in particular rattle lamellae or rattle flaps, which are movably connected to the body of the rattle box.

[0035] This design has the advantage that different rattling sounds and vibrations can be generated depending on the arrangement of the rattle lamellae or rattle flaps and the direction of movement of the vibrato.

[0036] The features and advantages described with regard to the first aspect of the invention and its exemplary embodiments also apply, to the extent technically reasonable, to the second aspect of the invention.

[0037] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures.

[0038] The figures show: Fig. 1 is a partially schematic representation of a proposed device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 a partially schematic representation of a string instrument comprising a further partially schematic representation of the proposed device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a partially schematic representation of a vibrato trainer 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the round and flat-cylindrical rattle box 130 is arranged on the open band 140, which has loops 150 formed at the ends of the band. The loops 150, which, like the band 140, are preferably made of a substantially elastic material, can be grasped with the free hand by means of the grip tabs 155 and the grip profiles 156 and slipped over two fingers of the hand performing the vibrato, preferably over the index finger and little finger, by inserting the fingers through the openings 157 such that the rattle box 130 is arranged on the upper side of the hand in the region of the first phalanges.By means of the elasticity of the band 140 and the loops 150, the rattle box 130 is reliably held there even during rapid vibrato movements of the hand and follows the vibrato movements performed.

[0040] However, the invention is not limited to the arrangement of the rattle 130 on the fingers of the hand performing the vibrato, but also encompasses arrangements of the rattle 130 on a closed elastic band, which can be slipped over the palm and back of the hand or over the wrist. The vibrato trainer can then be worn on the wrist or back of the hand similar to a wristwatch, whereby a band with a clasp can also be used instead of an elastic band. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous if the aim is not to train finger vibrato, but rather hand vibrato, which is preferably performed with the entire hand, or if wearing the vibrato trainer on the fingers is perceived as annoying.

[0041] Likewise, the invention is not limited to a round, flat-cylindrical rattle box 130, but also encompasses rattle boxes 130 in other designs, for example, in rectangular, square, or polygonal shapes. The walls of the rattle box 130, in particular the side walls, the lid, and the base, can be made of different materials or with different wall thicknesses, so that striking the rattle objects produces a distinguishable sound depending on the direction of movement and the striking direction, and the vibrato technique can be assessed and improved even more easily. The base of the rattle box can advantageously be made particularly thin, so that striking the rattle objects can be perceived not only acoustically but also by vibration sensors with the hand performing the vibrato.

[0042] Fig.Figure 2 shows a partially schematic representation of a stringed instrument with a fingerboard 110, strings 120, and hand 160, including a further partially schematic representation of an arrangement 180 of a vibrato trainer 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the vibrato trainer 100 with the rattle 130 is arranged by means of the open band 140 and the loops 150 on the index finger 162 and little finger 163 of the hand 160 of a player practicing the vibrato movement.

[0043] A rolling vibrato movement of the fingertip is transmitted radially to the rattle box 130 through the loops 150 and the band 140. In this case, the rattle objects enclosed in the rattle box 130 and freely movable preferably strike the peripheral walls of the rattle box 130 and generate a rattle noise of the first kind.

[0044] An up-and-down movement of the finger to generate a vibrato is transmitted in the axial direction to the rattle box 130 by means of the elastically tensioned loops 150 and the elastically tensioned band 140. In this case, the rattle objects preferably strike the lid surface and the bottom surface of the rattle box 130 and generate a rattle sound of the second type.

[0045] Due to the different resonance, the rattle noise of the second type differs from the rattle noise of the first type. The vibrations perceptible in the area of ​​the hand 160 and the fingers 162, 163 also differ when the rattle objects are struck against the bottom surface of the rattle box 130 and when they are struck against the peripheral walls of the rattle box 130. Thus, different types of vibrato can be differentiated and trained using the vibrato trainer 100. List of reference symbols 100 vibrato trainers 110 Fingerboard of a string instrument 120 strings of a string instrument 130 rattle box 140 volumes 150 loops 155 handle tabs 156 handle profiles 157 finger openings of the loops 160 hands 161 Wrist 162 index fingers 163 Little Finger 180 Arrangement of the vibrato trainer

Claims

[1] Vibrato trainer (100) for a string instrument, wherein the string instrument has a fingerboard (110) and a plurality of strings (120), characterized by that the vibrato trainer (100) has a rattle box (130) and a band (140), wherein the rattle box (130) can be arranged on a hand (160), a wrist (161) or one or more fingers (162, 163) of a hand (160) by means of the band (140). [2] Vibrato trainer (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the band (140) is closed and the rattle box (130) can be arranged on the hand (160) or the wrist (161) by means of the band (140). [3] Vibrato trainer (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the band (140) is open and has loops (150), preferably formed at the band ends, and the rattle box (130) can be arranged by means of the loops (150) on the fingers of the hand (160), preferably on the index finger (162) and the little finger (163). [4] Vibrato trainer (100) according to claim 2, characterized by that the band (140) consists essentially of an elastic material, in particular a silicone material or a rubber material, and can be slipped over the hand (160) or the wrist (161). [5] Vibrato trainer (100) according to claim 3, characterized by that the band (140) and / or the loops (150) consist essentially of an elastic material, in particular a silicone material or a rubber material, and the loops (150) can be slipped over the fingers of the hand (160), preferably over the index finger (162) and the little finger (163). [6] Vibrato trainer (100) according to one of claims 3 or 5, characterized by that the loops (150) have shaped grip tabs (155), preferably with shaped grip profiles (156). [7] Vibrato trainer (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the rattle box (130) is essentially round-shaped and flat-cylindrical. [8] Vibrato trainer (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rattle box (130) comprises freely movable rattle objects inside, in particular rattle balls or hollow rattle balls. [9] Vibrato trainer (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the rattle box (130) comprises rattle objects, in particular rattle lamellas or rattle flaps, which are movably connected to the body of the rattle box (130). [10] Vibrato trainer (100) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized by that the rattle box (130) consists essentially of a strikeable and sound-generating material, in particular hardwood, sheet metal or hard plastic. [11] Method for generating acoustic and vibration sensory indications correlated with vibrato movements of a hand (160) on a string (120) of a string instrument by means of a rattle box (130) and a band (140), characterized by that the procedure includes: a. transmitting translational and rotational constraint forces from the vibrato movements of the hand (160) to the rattle box (130) by means of the band (140); b. generating translational and rotational accelerations of the rattle can (130); c. striking movable rattle objects against different walls of the rattle box (130) according to the mass inertia of the rattle objects and the translational and rotational accelerations of the rattle box (130); d. Generation of different acoustic and vibration sensory indications correlated with the vibrato movement according to a different sound and resonance behavior of the different walls of the rattle box (130). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that the acoustic and vibration sensory indications are generated by means of rattle objects freely movable inside the rattle box (130), in particular by means of rattle balls or hollow rattle balls. [13] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that the acoustic and vibration sensory indications are generated by means of rattle objects, in particular rattle lamellae or rattle flaps, which are movably connected to the body of the rattle box (130).

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