LEARNING AID FOR BRASS INSTRUMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a learning aid for brass instruments to promote technically correct grip and wrist position.

[0002] When a student learns to play a brass instrument, they face many challenges. They must simultaneously concentrate on the literature, find and maintain the correct embouchure on the mouthpiece, develop the appropriate body tension, breathe correctly, tense the muscles in the mouth area, and operate the instrument's valves correctly. Because the student must simultaneously concentrate on these different tasks, many students have difficulty adopting a technically correct wrist position. Without a technically correct wrist position, precise operation of the valve buttons is almost impossible.

[0003] In addition, incorrect wrist position can lead to possible posture problems for the musician.

[0004] DE 10 2013 009 828 B4 discloses a finger exercise device for promoting fine motor skills in the fingers of a hand. It comprises at least three actuating elements movable by the fingers of the hand and supported by spring elements in a device housing. This finger exercise device is intended for musicians, as well as for orthopedic or rehabilitation patients.

[0005] US Patent No. 3,447,415 describes a practice device for musicians in which three spring-loaded plungers, each with a finger rest, are arranged in a housing. The plunger has a valve knob within the housing, which supports a coil spring located within the housing.

[0006] The disadvantage of both learning aids is that they are separate devices from the brass instrument, requiring practice independently of the instrument. This approach therefore only partially simulates the natural playing feel that prevails when practicing a brass instrument. Furthermore, while these learning aids can improve fine motor skills of the fingers, they do not improve the musician's wrist posture.

[0007] Grips for woodwind instruments are also known from the state of the art. US20190221198A1 and US20180211642A1 show finger grips for transverse flutes that allow for a more natural hand positioning. DE68909744T2 presents a thumb rest for recorders that facilitates opening and closing the ring holes by relieving strain on the other fingers. CN206584726U shows a thumb protector for clarinet thumb rests.

[0008] A typical brass instrument in which the invention can be used is presented as an example in US2734417A.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a learning aid of the type described above which, while maintaining a natural playing feel, enables the musician's wrist position to be corrected.

[0010] In particular, the present invention is also based on the object of developing a simple learning aid that can be used directly on the student's instrument and guides the musician's wrist and fingers into a favorable position until the musician has become accustomed to the preferred wrist position. After that, the learning aid can be removed at any time.

[0011] The invention achieves this objective in that the learning aid comprises a receptacle for a leadpipe of a brass instrument, from which a thumb guide protrudes for positioning a thumb, wherein the thumb guide forms a stop for a thumb pad of the thumb, and wherein a stop surface of the stop for the thumb pad extends, at least in sections, in a tilting surface which is tilted about a tilting axis from a reference surface which runs normal to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle. As a result of the measures according to the invention, the learning aid can be attached to the leadpipe and removed again so that practice or training can take place directly on the instrument. By aligning the learning aid along the leadpipe, the distance between the thumb in the learning aid and the fingers placed on the valve buttons of the brass instrument can be specified, thus ensuring correct wrist posture for the musician.When the learning aid is attached, the thumb guide protrudes in a direction away from the valve buttons of the brass instrument.

[0012] This allows the student to become accustomed to their preferred wrist position, or to temporarily attach or remove it as needed. By providing different-sized thumbtip holders, this type of learning aid can be configured for both children and adults. Depending on whether the learning aid (along the leadpipe) is positioned closer to the valve block or further away from it, the learning aid can be adjusted to the different sizes of musicians' hands. For students, the learning aid is preferably adjusted to the correct position together with the teacher. In summary, the invention thus fulfills two functions. The first is to attach the learning aid to the instrument's leadpipe. The second essential function of the learning aid is to act as a guide (positional guide) for the thumb.

[0013] The mouthpiece holder can be formed by an upper section of the learning aid, which forms a removable attachment for attaching it to the leadpipe of the brass instrument. The thumb guide for positioning the thumb can be formed by a lower section of the learning aid. In the case of a trumpet or flugelhorn, the learning aid can be positioned between the mouthpiece and the valve buttons to ensure correct wrist position.

[0014] Although a correct basic wrist position can be achieved by specifying the spacing between the thumb and the other fingers, a finely adjustable wrist position, particularly with regard to ergonomic posture, can be achieved if the thumb guide forms a stop for a thumb pad of the thumb. By pressing the thumb pad, i.e. the side of the thumb phalanx opposite the thumbnail, against the stop, the tilt position of the thumb adapts to the stop, with the thumb pad running essentially parallel to a stop surface of the stop, allowing the thumb to be aligned in an ergonomically preferred position. By combining the correct spacing between the thumb and the other fingers with the correct tilt position of the thumb, an ergonomic wrist position for the musician can be specified.

[0015] It has been found that a position that is particularly gentle on the wrist can be achieved if the stop surface of the stop for the thumb pad runs at least partially in a tilting surface that runs normal to the longitudinal axis of the holder and is tilted about a tilting axis. The tilting axis itself runs in the reference surface. In particular, the tilting surface can be tilted at an angle of up to 60°, for example 0° - 60° from the reference surface, more preferably by 1° - 60°, even more preferably by 10° - 60°, in particular 20° - 50°. In this way, the wrist is guided into a particularly ergonomic position so that the musician does not experience pain caused by poor posture even after long periods of practice. The thumb guide can thus have a stop that is tilted 0° - 60° around an axis running transversely to the leadpipe in the direction of a mouthpiece of the brass instrument.This means that the end of the stop surface facing the index finger of the playing hand is closer to the mouthpiece than the end facing away from the index finger. The learning aid can be removably attached to the leadpipe of the instrument and thus ensures correct wrist position in the simplest way. The learning aid guides the musician's thumb into a preferred position and rotation or angle. This simple guidance of the thumb subsequently ensures correct position of the entire wrist. The thumb guide for the tip of the thumb can be carried out not only at a 90° angle to the leadpipe (to better guide the correct wrist position), but can also be tilted forward by up to 60° (towards the mouthpiece).

[0016] The receptacle can be designed in different ways to guide or position the thumb. A particularly precise specification is achieved when the thumb guide includes a cutout for enclosing the tip of the thumb. This can be achieved, for example, by a cutout in the lower section. This not only creates a stop for the thumb pad, but also a forced guide running circumferentially around the thumb joint, which allows hardly any deviation from the specified tilt position of the thumb. A reduced version of the thumb guide results from the thumb guide including a recess for the tip of the thumb. The recess for the tip of the thumb can in turn be provided in the lower section. In contrast to a complete surround of the thumb joint, the recess has a less pronounced forced guide, meaning the musician has to pay more attention to the correct tilt position of the thumb.In an even more simplified form, the thumb guide can be a stop pin. This opens the thumb guide in the area of ​​the thumbnail, where the thumb rests on the stop pin, and allows the tilt position to be specified solely by aligning the thumb pad. The musician or student can initially work with a variation that accommodates the entire thumb tip and later switch to a variation with less support. Once the student has established the correct wrist position, they can omit the learning aid entirely.

[0017] To further enhance the natural playing feel, we suggest opening the thumb guide to the leadpipe receptacle. The receptacle can then be open toward the leadpipe of the brass instrument, allowing the thumb to maintain contact with the leadpipe when the learning aid is attached. This ensures contact between the thumb and the brass instrument even when practicing with the learning aid, allowing a muscle-mind connection to be practiced. As a result, the thumb automatically assumes the preferred tilt position specified by the learning aid when in contact with the leadpipe, even when the learning aid is not attached.

[0018] To facilitate the detachable attachment of the learning aid, the holder can form a form-fitting, preferably a form-fitting and friction-fitting, fastening. In one embodiment, the learning aid partially surrounds the leadpipe, creating a form-fitting connection to the leadpipe. Optionally, this connection can also be made force-fitting by pre-tensioning this surround, creating a clamp connection. The material of the learning aid can have a certain degree of elasticity so that the surround can be opened slightly during assembly.

[0019] To further improve the connection to the leadpipe, a receiving surface of the receptacle can be provided with a friction-enhancing insert, in particular a rubber or silicone insert. For example, the contact surface of the upper section with the leadpipe can be provided with a friction-enhancing insert, in particular a rubber or silicone insert.

[0020] A lightweight yet robust design of the learning aid is achieved by manufacturing it in one piece from plastic, particularly through 3D printing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the learning aid is preferably made of plastic. Of course, metal or wood, as well as a combination of these materials, are also possible alternative materials.

[0021] Preferably, the learning aid is mounted on the leadpipe of a brass instrument. This results in one embodiment of a leadpipe with a learning aid, with the thumb guide opening toward the leadpipe so that the thumb is in contact with the leadpipe when the learning aid is attached. An additional section acting as a reference point is arranged in the area of ​​the opening. The reference point can remain on the leadpipe even when the learning aid is removed, thus serving as a correct orientation for the thumb position.

[0022] The drawing shows an example of the subject matter of the invention. Fig. 1 a perspective view of a trumpet (exemplary for the aforementioned brass instruments) with attached learning aid Fig. 2 a perspective view from the top left of three learning aids on a larger scale Fig. 3 perspective views of three learning aids of a first embodiment, wherein the thumb guide is open to accommodate the leadpipe Fig. 4 a perspective view of the learning aid from Fig. 3 on an even larger scale, as well as a section through this learning aid in a preferred variant, wherein the thumb guide is open to accommodate the mouthpiece, Fig. 5perspective views of three learning aids of a second embodiment, wherein the thumb guide is not open to accommodate the mouthpiece, Fig. 6a perspective view of the learning aid from Fig. 5 on an even larger scale, as well as a section through this learning aid, where the thumb guide is not open to accommodate the leadpipe, Figs. 7a to 7d different embodiments of the learning aid, where the thumb guide is increasingly reduced from example 1.1 to example 1.2 to example 1.3 to example 1.4, Fig. 8 the middle section of a wind instrument with leadpipe, valve block and the learning aid attached to the leadpipe, showing the possibility of adjusting the learning aid to the size of the musician's hand by positioning it along the leadpipe, closer or further away from the valve block, Fig. 9 a side view of a wind instrument (using the example of a trumpet) and the learning aid attached to the leadpipe, where the thumb guide or the stop surface of the stop of the thumb guide is rotated at an angle of 30° towards the mouthpiece, Fig.10 a perspective view of a wind instrument with the attached learning aid and the tilting axis around which the thumb guide for the thumb tip or the stop surface of the stop of the thumb guide can be rotated in the direction of the mouthpiece and Fig. 11 the view from . Fig. 10 , where the tilting of the stop surface of the thumb guide stop is shown by planes.

[0023] A learning aid 1 according to the invention for promoting a technically correct grip or wrist position can, for example, Fig. 1 can be detachably arranged on a leadpipe 2 of a brass instrument. For this purpose, the learning aid 1 has a receptacle 1a for the leadpipe 2, from which a thumb guide 1b for positioning a thumb protrudes, as is particularly shown in Fig. 2 Preferably, the thumb guide 1b projects in a direction away from the valve buttons V when the learning aid 1 is attached to the leadpipe 2 ( Fig. 1 ).

[0024] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the learning aid 1 according to the invention. The first essential task that the learning aid 1 must fulfill is its attachment to the leadpipe 2. In a first embodiment, the learning aid 1 partially encompasses the leadpipe 2 with an upper section, which forms the receptacle 1a, and establishes a positive connection to the leadpipe 2. The second essential task of the learning aid 1 is its actual function as a thumb guide 1b (position guide) for the thumb. This is achieved by means of a section located under the clamp, which fully or partially accommodates the tip of the thumb until the student has become accustomed to the preferred wrist position.

[0025] According to Fig. 2 The holder 1a can form a positive-locking, preferably a positive-and-force-locking fastening, whereby a secure hold of the learning aid can be achieved without hindering a release process. This means that the positive connection between the learning aid and the mouthpiece 2 can also be made non-positive by pre-tensioning the enclosure of the holder 1a, thus creating a clamping connection. The material of the learning aid can have a certain degree of elasticity so that the enclosure can be opened slightly during the assembly process.

[0026] To further improve the connection to the leadpipe 2 of the brass instrument, a receiving surface A of the receptacle 1a can be provided with a friction-enhancing insert 3, in particular with a rubber or silicone insert. This means that the contact surface with the leadpipe 2 of the brass instrument (inside of the clamp) can be provided with an additional rubber coating, for example. Alternatively, silicone inserts or other friction-enhancing inserts 4 can be integrated instead of the rubber coating.

[0027] The learning aid 1 is preferably made of plastic. Wood or metal, as well as a combination of these materials, are also generally suitable. The material of the learning aid 1 preferably has a certain degree of elasticity, at least in the area of ​​the upper section that surrounds the mouthpiece 2, so that the enclosure can be opened slightly during assembly. The learning aid 1 is preferably manufactured in one part. After creating a 3D solid body, the learning aid 1 according to the invention can be manufactured in plastic or metal, for example, by 3D printing.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows views of the learning aid 1 (first upright, then laid on its side twice for better illustration) in relation to the contact of the thumb with the leadpipe 2. In this preferred variant, the thumb guide 1b for the tip of the thumb is designed in such a way that the thumb guide 1b for the tip of the thumb is open towards the leadpipe 2 and the thumb therefore still has contact with the leadpipe 2 of the brass instrument when the learning aid is attached. The thumb guide 1b can therefore be broken through towards the receptacle 1a. This can give the student a correspondingly natural feeling of contact with the leadpipe 2, which can then help them to find their preferred position again after removing the learning aid 1. If the teacher considers this to be a useful additional measure, an additional section of the learning aid 1 can also be inserted within this opening directly onto the leadpipe 2.This additional section, which will be referred to as reference point 9 from now on, should have a tactile feel for the student. This reference point 9 can also be made as a 3D-printed part with double-sided adhesive tape applied to the back. Using the double-sided adhesive tape, reference point 9 can then be glued to leadpipe 2. Alternatively, reference point 9 could also be made using a textured adhesive film or something similar. This reference point 9 can then fulfill two additional functions. Since reference point 9 can remain on the instrument even after learning aid 1 has been removed, the student still has this reference point 9 available even after learning aid 1 has been removed in order to remember or further internalize their preferred wrist position.In addition, with the help of this reference point 9, the correct position of the learning aid 1 along the leadpipe 2 can be immediately found after the learning aid 1 has been temporarily removed during reassembly. Thus, a leadpipe 2 with a learning aid 1 is created, wherein the thumb guide 1a is open towards the leadpipe 2 such that, when the learning aid 1 is attached, the thumb has contact with the leadpipe 2 or with an additional section arranged in the area of ​​the opening and acting as a reference point 9.

[0029] As from the Fig. 3 As can be seen, the thumb guide 1b can form a stop 10 for a thumb pad of the thumb. The stop 10 can specify a tilted position of the thumb when the thumb pad presses against the stop 10, which can also influence the wrist position.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a view of the learning aid 1 and the leadpipe 2, and below that a section through the learning aid 1 and the leadpipe 2, in a preferred variant in which the thumb has contact with the leadpipe 2 even when the learning aid 1 is attached. The section also shows the previously described alternative reference point 9. This would mean that the thumb could no longer have direct contact with the leadpipe, since the reference point 9 would lie completely between the leadpipe 2 and the thumb.

[0031] Fig. 5 Shows views of learning aid 1 (first upright, then twice laid on its side for clarity) in relation to the contact of the thumb with the leadpipe 2. In this variant, the thumb guide 1b is closed for the thumb against the leadpipe. This means the thumb has no contact with the leadpipe 2.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a view of the learning aid 1 and the leadpipe 2 and below a section through the learning aid 1 and the leadpipe 2, in the variant described above, without contact of the thumb with the leadpipe 2.

[0033] Figs. 7a bis 7d show different embodiments of the learning aid 1 with regard to the thumb guide 1b for the thumb.

[0034] Fig. 7a shows an exemplary design with a closed recess for the thumb tip.

[0035] The embodiment according to Fig. 7b is open at the rear. The thumb guide 1b thus includes a cutout for enclosing the tip of the thumb.

[0036] Fig. 7c shows a proposal in which a stop for the thumb is only provided at the front. Thumb guide 1b thus forms a stop pin.

[0037] The embodiment according to Fig. 7d provides only minimal guidance for the thumb tip or edge on the underside of the leadpipe 2. Here, only a notch is created into which the thumb tip or edge is inserted. This minimal variant is intended for advanced students and can serve as a final aid before the student can completely dispense with learning aid 1.

[0038] Fig. 8 shows the middle section of a wind instrument with the leadpipe 2, the valve block 5, and the attached learning aid 1. The learning aid 1 can be adjusted to the size of the hand by moving it closer to the valve block 5 or further away from the valve block 5. The learning aid is preferably adjusted to the student with the assistance of their teacher. Once determined, the optimal position of the learning aid 1 can be marked with an adhesive dot 8 on the leadpipe 2. This way, the ideal position of the learning aid can be easily found again at any time after it has been temporarily removed.

[0039] Fig. 9 shows a side view of a trumpet with a learning aid 1 attached to the leadpipe 2. This view is intended to illustrate that the thumb guide 1b for the thumb tip is preferably not positioned at a right angle to the leadpipe 2, but rather, depending on the instrument, should be rotated at an angle of up to 60° toward the mouthpiece. This is advantageous for ensuring the most anatomically ideal wrist position possible.

[0040] Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a trumpet with a learning aid 1 attached to the leadpipe 2. This perspective view is intended to further clarify that the thumb guide 1b for the tip of the thumb should preferably not be designed at a right angle to the leadpipe 2, but should be tilted at an angle of up to 60° around a tilting axis 6 in the direction of the mouthpiece 7.

[0041] To specify the tilting position of the thumb guide 1b, more precisely the stop surface of the stop 10, in particular the Figs. 9 and Fig. 11 can be used. From these figures, it can be seen that the stop surface of the stop 10 extends, at least in sections, in a tilting surface 11, which is tilted about a tilting axis 6 from a reference surface 12, which runs normal to the longitudinal axis 13 of the recording. The tilted stop 10 thus also puts the thumb in a tilted position and thus forces the musician to adopt a preferred wrist position.

Claims

1. Learning aid (1) for brass instruments for promoting a technically correct grip or wrist position , characterized by a receptacle (1a) for a leadpipe (2) of a brass instrument, from which receptacle (1a) a thumb guide (1b) protrudes for positioning a thumb, wherein the thumb guide (1b) forms a stop (10) for a thumb berry of the thumb and wherein a stop surface of the stop (10) for the thumb tip extends at least in sections in a tilting surface (11) which is tilted about a tilting axis (6) from a reference surface (12) which extends normal to the receptacle longitudinal axis (13)..

2. Learning aid (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thumb guide (1b) comprises a break-through opening for enclosing a thumb pad.

3. Learning aid (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thumb guide (1b) comprises a hollow for the tip of the thumb.

4. Learning aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the thumb guide (1b) is a stop pin.

5. Learning aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the thumb guide (1b) is perforated towards the receptacle (1a) for the lead pipe (2).

6. Learning aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receptacle (1a) forms a form-fit, preferably a form- and force-fit fastening.

7. Learning aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a receiving surface (A) of the receptacle (1a) is provided with a friction-enhancing insert (3, 4), in particular with a rubber coating or silicone insert.

8. Learning aid according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by one-piece production from plastic, in particular by production using 3D printing.

9. Lead pipe (2) with a learning aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the thumb guide (1a) is open towards the lead pipe (2) in such a way that the thumb has contact with the lead pipe (2) when the learning aid (1) is attached, characterized in that an additional part acting as a reference point (9) is arranged in the region of the opening.