“swartarang - a new striking mallet metallophone designed for the indian classrooms”

Abstract

The present invention provides an instrument swartarang to compose own music and play different ragas. It has 22 music keys (1-22) space for 13 music keys with higher and lower octave notes to teach children foundation of Indian music. The keys are arranged next to each other in one single row such that the keys are of different height, width, length, weight and are coded in colour, such that a Sa key (1,8) is coded in red, Re key (2, 9, 14, 19) is coded in orange, Ga key (3, 10, 15, 20) is coded in yellow, Ma key (4, 11, 16, 21) is coded in green, Pa key (5,12) is coded in blue, Dha key (6,13,17, 22) is coded in indigo and Ni key (7,18) is coded in violet. The instrument is a combination of Indian music notes and a western methodology.

Description

Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to the field of a music instrument.In particular, the present invention relates to keyboard percussion.Even more particularly, this instrument is an important invention to the field ofmusic education and classroom music. This instrument enables teachers to followa clear methodology (colour coded swaras) that is Indian music specific (the Indiannote names Sa,Re etc. are mentioned on the keys) to train groups of children inknowledge of universal musical concepts, Indian Classical ragas, Music literacy(reading notations related to the colour coded swara keys), Music Compositionand the first steps in Orchestra playing. The ragas can be created by interchangingthe removable keys.Background of the InventionXylophone-wood Instruments and glockenspiel-metal Instrument are well known.Their keys are fixed in nature and cannot be replaced.The swartarang is an Instrument designed to teach children foundation of Indianmusic. This Instrument is specially created by Saskia Rao-de Haas for theSangeet4AII music curriculum. In the west, children learn foundation of music bylearning to play the xylophone or glockenspiel. The Swartarang instructs childrenin Indian music. The unique features here are not only found in the instrumentdesign, but also how it relates to its specific notation books, the fact that the keysare interchangeable. The methodology is unique in the world in that it also teacheschildren the basics of the process of music compositionSwartarang has 22 interchangeable and removable music keys, there are higherand lower octave notes. It has space for 13 music keys. The keys of the instrumentare of replacing nature, this way one can compose own music and play differentragas and the Swartarang can be taught to children from two years onwards.Reference has been made to DE10309270B3 titled "Mallet instrument used as amarimba, xylophone, vibraphone or glockenspiel has two opposite-lying frontparts with four detachable support coping parts at both ends" by Studio 49 MusicalInstruments GmbH, dated 26 / 02 / 2003, which discloses that Mallet instrument hastwo opposite-lying front parts with four detachable support coping parts at bothends. A front row of sounding bars is carried by a front coping pair and a rear rowof sounding bars is carried by a rear coping pair. An elongated coping part is fixedon each support coping part on one end and protrudes with additional soundingbars on the other end. Additional fixing parts are provided to fix the elongatedcoping part to the front part. Preferred Features: A locking device is provided tofix the elongated coping part in a folded-away position below and parallel to thecoping parts.Another reference has been made to US5686679A titled "Percussion instrumentwith tone bars for exactly generating tones on a scale" by Yamaha Corp, dated20 / 01 / 1995, which discloses that a plurality of metal bars of a vibraphone areregulated such that the first-order to third-order vibration approximate to thefrequency ratio of 1:4:8 by using recesses formed in the central portion of themetal bar and the end portions on both sides of the central portion, and a playercan make the metal bars generate tones exactly on a scale so as to harmonizewith one another.Another reference has been made to US7732691B2 titled "Methods and apparatusfor vibrato effects in keyboard percussion musical instruments" by Malletech Inc,dated 25 / 06 / 2007, which provides an improved methods and apparatus ofproducing vibrato on keyboard percussion / tone bar instruments such as thevibraphone and marimba are provided. Means are disclosed for real time controlof the expressive qualities of both the speed and strength of the vibrato of suchinstruments, while eliminating the need for an electrical motor. According tocertain embodiments, methods and apparatus are disclosed to easily produce achange of dynamic level (crescendo and diminuendo) after a single strike of a tonebar or chord.Another reference has been made to US20060180003A1 titled "Percussioninstrument with improved damping mechanism" by Adams Paukenfabriek BV,dated 12 / 11 / 2014, The invention relates to a percussion instrument, such as forinstance a glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone or marimba, comprising at leasttwo rows of bars arranged next to each other, and a damping mechanism fordamping vibrations generated in the bars when the instrument is being played,the damping mechanism comprising a damping body, which can abut by a contactsurface against the bars, while the rows of bars mutually differ in height, and thecontact surface comprises at least two partial surfaces, of which a first partialsurface is arranged to abut against a first row of bars and a second partial surfaceis arranged to abut against a second, higher row of bars. The damping mechanismcan further comprise conversion means, in order to set an initial dampingsituation, allowing the percussion instrument either to be standardly damped orto be standardly not damped.Another reference has been made to US6245978B1 titled "Keyboard musicalpercussion instrument tone bar suspension" by Stevens Leigh Howard, dated15 / 12 / 1995, which discloses that in a keyboard musical percussion instrumenthaving a series of tone bars mounted to at least first and second, spaced-apartsupport rails, each tone bar having a body with first and second nodes of itsfundamental mode of vibration (Node A and Node B), Node B being spaced fromNode A along a longitudinal axis of the tone bar body, and the body defining abottom surface and a mounting hole formed in the bottom surface at Node A, atone bar suspension assembly for mounting a tone bar includes first and secondsuspension bumpers extending from the first support rail and having uppersuspension surfaces to engage the bottom surface of the body at spaced apartlocations in a plane generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body atNode B, and a suspension pin extending from the second support rail to engagein the mounting hole. A keyboard musical percussion instrument employing thetone bar suspension assembly, and methods for mounting a tone bar and adjustingtone bar ring time are also described.Another reference has been made to US5902945A titled "Percussion instrumenthaving tone bars for generating clear tones exactly tuned along scale" by YamahaCorp, dated 20 / 9 / 1996, which provides a plurality of rectangular parallelepipedtone bars are incorporated in a percussion instrument, are connected to asupporting bar at central point's thereof so as to produce the second-order verticalflexural vibration and the first-order torsional vibration, and the ratio of width tothickness is regulated to a frequency ratio of 1:2 so as to improve the intervalbetween the percussion sounds and the consonance.Another reference has been made to US7709715B2 titled "Keyboard percussioninstrument including improved tone bar resonator" by Malletech Inc, dated08 / 11 / 2006, which provides an improved resonator for keyboard percussioninstruments such as marimba, vibraphone and xylophone and instrumentsincluding such resonators are described herein. In one or more embodiments, atubular resonator bent or formed into a smooth curve, open or stopped on oneend, resonating only its natural fundamental frequency and its natural overtoneswith no non-harmonic resonances from a struck tone bar associated with theresonator is provided. According to one or more embodiments, the number ofjoints in the resonator is reduced to less than two joints.Another reference has been made to US3649737A titled "Electric vibraphone" byOliver Jespersen, dated 12 / 02 / 1970, which discloses that a percussion musicalinstrument of the xylophone type having a plurality of aluminium alloy bars andplayed by striking the bars with mallets. No tubular resonators are requiredalthough they may be used. A magnetic pickup coil, with a permanent magnetcore, is positioned under one of the ends of each bar and coupled to an amplifierand sonic transducer to reproduce musical notes. By alternately reversing thepermanent magnet poles and connecting the pickup coils in pairs, noise, hum, andunwanted magnetic feedback is avoided.Another reference has been made to DE102005015811B3 titled "Bass-stick playinstrument e.g. xylophone, has ring rods, where one of rod attached to resonanceareas have larger breadth than remaining rod, and each area is provided withcover plate that has respective flat holes" by Studio 49 Musical Instruments GmbH,dated 06 / 04 / 2005, which discloses that the instrument has resonance boxsubdivided into resonating areas that are delimited against each other by aseparating plate. One of the areas is attached to two innermost ring rods andother area is attached to three ring rods. One of the rods attached to the areashave a larger breadth of about 10-30% than the remaining rod. Each area isprovided with a cover plate that has respective flat holes.Another reference has been made to DE202005005454U1 titled "Striking malletsbass-musical instrument e.g. xylophone, for use in school, has resonating cavitiesaligned with each other such that they have same height, and sound rods assignedto cavities, which are provided with cover plates" by Studio 49 Musical InstrumentsGmbH, dated 06 / 06 / 2005, which provides that the instrument has a resonancebox divided into resonating cavities that are in turn separated from each otherthrough vertical partitions. Sound rods assigned to the cavities have a width of35-40 millimeter, and narrow sound rods have a width of 30-35 millimeter. Thecavities are aligned with each other in such a way that they have same height,and are provided with cover plates having muffler holes.Another reference has been made to EP1872091B1 titled "Flat struck-barinstrument" by Global Percussion Supply GmbH, dated 06 / 04 / 2005, whichprovides a that the instrument has a resonance box divided into resonatingcavities where a plastic unit provided in the box forms the cavities. The cavity isassigned in innermost sound rods that are attached on the box, and the cavity isassigned to the following three sound rod. Each of the resonance cavitiescommunicates with the corresponding sound rods through respective sound hole.Another reference has been made to DE10306969B4 titled "Concert malletpercussion instrument with adjustable sound bar row" by Studio 49 MusicalInstruments GmbH, dated 19 / 02 / 2003, which discloses that a trapezoidalframework has two opposing faces interconnected by two pairs of crossbeams. Afront set of sound rods rests on the front pair of crossbeams. A rear set of soundrods rests on the rear pair of crossbeams. A supporting block on each face maybe at level with the front set of sound rods, or elevated by a prop to be higherthan the front set of sound rods.Another reference has been made to EP2770497A2 titled "Bass rod musicalinstrument with continuous cover plate" by Studio 49 Musical Instruments GmbH,dated 20 / 02 / 2013, which provides a that the instrument has lateral side walls andfront walls that are divided on an inside into multiple resonance chambers byvertical partition walls where the resonance chambers are defined against eachother. A resonator is provided with a continuous cover plate. The cover plate foreach resonant cavity comprises sound holes. Recesses are arranged on a top ofthe cover plate for receiving locating pins for sound bars where resonancechambers are associated with the sound holes.Another reference has been made to US20100107852A1 titled "Keyboardpercussion instrument and dampening system for use therewith" by Malletech Inc,dated 04 / 11 / 2008, which provides a keyboard percussion instrument may includean improved dampening system that provides wave dampening or progressivedampening of the tone bars. A keyboard percussion instrument may also includea dampening system with a mechanism capable of retracting the damper withoutdistorting the damper and capable of adjusting the leverage of the dampeningsystem independently of the spring tension. A dampening system may furtherinclude an adjustable mounting for the damper that allows the dampening actionto be adjusted at either end of the damper. A keyboard percussion instrumentmay further include an improved bar rail assembly that facilitates removability,adjustment of various dampening zones and / or vibration isolation.Another reference has been made to DE202015102918U1 titled "xylophone" byHans Heinrich Gramsch, dated 25 / 03 / 2015, which provides that Xylophone withat least three sound bars arranged substantially equidistant next to one anotherin a pitch height increasing row, characterized in that the pitches of thesubstantially equidistant to each other immediately adjacent to each other in thepitch-increasing row arranged three sound bars form a chord of a third harmonic.Another reference has been made to EP0824254A1 titled "Friction instrument withbars" by Patrick Studer, dated 16 / 7 / 1996, which provides that the ends of thetone bars extend beyond the edge of the body on the side where they form thestraight line. The body has a grip or a grip-type shape at one end of the row oftone bars. A row of tone bars is also formed on the rear side of the body, with itsends extending beyond the edge of the body. A percussion striker has its handleformed as a striking bar. The ends of the tone bars extending over the body arerounded and the instrument is mounted on a stand. The body of the instrument isdivided in the middle and is joined by a hinge. The tone bars are fixed to the bodyat one end.Another reference has been made to US5977465A titled "Mallet percussioninstruments" by CONN-SELMER Inc, dated 27 / 11 / 1996, which discloses that theinstrument includes a support structure formed of telescoping legs enabling heightadjustment of the bed supporting the bars. The bars are strung on lines supportedon bar mounts having resilient material in engagement with the lines preventingtransmission of vibration from the bars to adjacent bars and to the supportstructure. A dampening rail including a fluid-filled bladder extends the length ofthe instrument in underlying relation to the adjacent inner ends of the two rowsof bars and is spring-biased into engagement with the bars. A pedal, selectivelydisplaceable along a longitudinal support bar, is used to engage and disengagethe bladder relative to the bars. The pedal includes a fulcrum assembly foradjustment of the feel of the pedal.Another reference has been made to US2317164A titled "Xylophone" byZimmerman Harry, dated 7 / 10 / 1942, this invention relates to xylophones or othersimilar instruments generally, but more particularly to the manner and means ofmounting the musical bars or sounding members of such musical instruments.One object of the invention is the provision of a framework for supporting themusical bars of a Xylophone in which the sidewalls of said framework prevent thesaid bars from being accidentally displaced from their normal position. A furtherobject of the invention is the provision of a Xylophone bar mounting in which nometallic or other sound deadening materials may come in contact with the barswhile the instrument is being played.Another reference has been made to US2347287A titled "Xylophone" by SasElmer, dated 22 / 05 / 1942, this invention relates to xylophones, and has for itsmain object to provide a Xylophone of a novel, simplified construction, and a novelimproved sound effect. Another object of this invention is to provide a Xylophoneas characterized hereinbefore, in which practically no metal will be used, except afew nails, screws, or similar securing devices. Still a further object of my inventionis to provide a Xylophone in which the sound bars are made of wood and are of anovel, improved construction.Another reference has been made to CN2420711Y titled "Xylophone" by ZhejiangYunhe County Teaching Craft Factory, dated 14 / 05 / 2000, the utility model relatesto a xylophone. The utility model is characterized in that the xylophone iscomposed of a base 1, sound sheets 2 and positioning pieces 3, wherein the base1 is a trapezoidal frame, two positioning holes 21 which form a shape like theinverted Chinese character 'tu' are arranged on the sound sheets, the soundsheets 2 are installed on the base by the positioning piece through the positioningholes, the positioning pieces 3 and the base 1 are integrally connected, a gap isreserved among the positioning pieces 3 and the sound sheets 2, and the lengthsof adjacent sound sheets 2 are successively increased or successively reduced.The utility model has the advantages of compact structure, convenientmanufacture and low price. Besides, the euphonic music can be played when thexylophone is struck.However, none of the above discussed inventions provide an instrumentand advantages as discussed in the present invention. None have madeuse of Indian note names combining it with colour codes for facilitatedgeneral musica, raga learning and composition.The present invention overcomes the drawbacks previously faced bv theinventors in field. The present invention provides an improved, innovativemusical instrument to use in the Indian classroom environment, tocompose music and play different ragas, read music and comprising awooden body having a wooden frame, a sponge and metal pins, a malletmade UP of plastic straw with wood top, wherein said instrument iscomprising of 22 music keys in total, said keys are made UP of aluminiumand placed next to each other in one single row such that the keys are ofdifferent height, width, length, weight, said keys are removable andcolour coded as well, such that said instrument allows a user five stepsof instrument playing viz. exploration, imitation, notation, compositionand improvisation.Objectives of the InventionThe primary objective of the present invention is to provide an instrumentswartarang to use in the classroom, especially the Indian music room for learnersunder 10, teach them musical concepts, compose own music and play differentragas.A further objective of the present invention is to provide the keys to theinstrument, which are not fixed and replaceable in nature to teach children ofIndian music.Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a combination of Indianmusic notes and a western methodology.Another objective of the present invention is to provide a swartarang instrumentthat can be taught to children from two years onwards.A further objective of the present invention is to provide a percussive instrumentthat helps the child to develop accurate time perception.Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide books with colourcoded notations and awareness to the child to compose music as well.Summary of the InventionThe present invention relates to a musical instrument. The swartarang is anInstrument designed to teach children foundation of Indian music. This Instrumentis specially created by Saskia Rao-de Haas for the Sangeet4AII music curriculum.There is a combination of Indian music notes and the unique Sangeet4AII (India'sfirst music curriculum for young learners) methodology in the swartarang.Swartarang has 22 interchangeable and removable music keys, there are higherand lower octave notes. It has space for 13 music keys. The keys of the instrumentare of replacing nature, this way one can compose own music and play differentragas and the Swartarang can be taught to children from two years onwards. Theinstrument comes with the music literacy notation books Swartarang 1 andSwartarang 2.Statement of the InventionAccordingly, the present invention provides an improved, innovative musicalinstrument to teach musical concepts, music literacy, compose music and playdifferent ragas, comprising a wooden body having a wooden frame, a sponge andmetal pins, a mallet made up of plastic straw with wood top, wherein saidinstrument is comprising of 22 music keys in total, said keys are made up ofaluminium and placed next to each other in one single row such that the keys areof different height, width, length, weight, said keys are removable and colourcoded as well, such that said instrument allows a user five steps of instrumentplaying viz. exploration, imitation, notation, composition and improvisation.Brief Description of DrawingFigure 1 shows 22 music keys of swartarang instrument, where referral numeralsare following:Sa key- 1,8; Re key- 2, 9, 14, 19; Ga key- 3, 10, 15, 20; Ma key- 4, 11, 16, 2 1 ;Pa- 5,12; Dha key -6,13,17, 22; Ni key-7,18Figure 2 shows a wooden frame (W, X, Y and Z), where breath of wooden frameis 444mm, length of wooden frame is 195mm.It also discloses a space for 13 music keys, where referral numerals are a, b, c, d,e, f, g, h, i, j , k, I and m.Figure 3 shows a mallet.Detailed description of the InventionIt should be noted that the particular description and embodiments set forth inthe specification below are merely exemplary of the wide variety and arrangementof instructions which can be employed with the present invention. The presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. All the features disclosed in thisspecification may be replaced by similar other or alternative features performingsimilar or same or equivalent purposes. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,they are all within the scope of the present invention. Various modifications orsubstitutions are also possible without departing from the scope or spirit of thepresent invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that this specification has beendescribed by way of the most preferred embodiments and for the purposes ofillustration and not limitation.The swartarang is an Instrument designed to teach children foundation of Indianmusic. This Instrument is specially created by Saskia Rao-de Haas as a part of theSangeet4AII music curriculum. The Indian Sargam (note names) are used in theSwartarang. The keys are colour coded according to the age old Indian musicaltreatise 'Natya shastra'. This way, the children can read the colour coded Indianmusic notations of the accompanying notation books. The instrument itself andthe application in music education are truly unique. The children sit on the floorand play the swartarang with mallet. The instrument is made in India and is a firstin teaching Indian music to children. The method, pedagogy and accompanyingmaterial are completely original and new. In the teaching of Western music,children often learn foundation of music by learning to play the xylophone orglockenspiel through methods like the Orff curriculum. However, the use anddesign of the Swartarang are completely attuned to the needs of the Indian musicroom in schools, after school programs and music classes by teachers anywherewho want to teach children Indian music. It is also unique in the fact that it teacheschildren how to play according to the five steps of instrument playing: exploration,imitation, notation, composition and improvisation.There is a combination of Indian music notes and the unique Sangeet4AIImethodology (India's first music curriculum for young learners) in the swartarang.Swartarang has 22 interchangeable and removable music keys, there are higherand lower octave notes. It has space for 13 music keys. The keys of the instrumentare of replacing nature, this way one can compose own music and play differentragas and the Swartarang can be taught to children from two years onwards. Theinstrument comes with the music literacy notation books Swartarang 1 andSwartarang 2.The present invention discloses an improved, innovative musical instrument tolearn general music concepts, music literacy, compose music and play differentragas, comprising a wooden body having a wooden frame, a sponge and metalpins, a mallet made up of plastic straw with wood top, wherein said instrument iscomprising of 22 music keys in total, said keys are made up of aluminium andplaced next to each other in one single row such that the keys are of differentheight, width, length, weight, said keys are removable and colour coded as well,such that said instrument allows a user five steps of instrument playing viz.exploration, imitation, notation, composition and improvisation.The keys of the instruments are coded in colour, such that a Sa key is coded inred, Re key is coded in orange, Ga Key is coded in yellow, Ma key is coded ingreen, Pa key is coded in blue, Dha key is coded in indigo and Ni key is coded inviolet.The music keys are arranged next to each other by decreasing height in one row,and the higher keys produce lower pitch and the lower keys produce higher pitch,the Sa key has a height of 158 to 165 mm, said Re key has a height of 154 to 162mm, said Ga key has a height of 142 to 148mm, said Ma key has a height of 135to 143 mm, said Pa key has a height of 130 to 138 mm, said Da key has a heightof 120 to 128mm, said Ni key has a height of 114 to 120 mm, said Sa key has aheight of 110 to 118mm, said Re key has a height of 105 to 112 mm, said Ga keyhas a height of 100 to 105 mm, said Ma key has a height of 94 to 99 mm, said Pakey has a height of 90 to 96mm, said Da key has a height of 84 to 88mm and insecond row the height of the Re key is 150 to 156 mm, the height of the Ga keyis 148 to 152 mm, the height of the Ma key is 132 to 138 mm, the height of theDa key is 128 to 134 mm, the height of the Ni key is 118 to 123 mm, the heightof the Re key is 108 to 114 mm, the height of the Ga key is 112 to 118 mm, theheight of the Ma key is 92 to 98 mm and the height of the Da key is 87 to 93mm.The weight of Sa key weighs 60 to 70 grams, Re key weighs 58 to 68 grams, Gakey weighs 52 to 62 grams, Ma key weighs 52 to 62 grams, Pa key weighs 50 to60 grams, Da-key weighs 45 to 55 grams, Ni key weighs 42 to 52 grams, in secondrow Sa key weighs 40 to 50 grams, Re key weighs 39 to 49 grams, Ga key weighs37 to 47 grams, Ma key weighs 35 to 45 grams, Pa key weighs 32 to 42 grams,Da key weighs 31 to 41 grams, Re key weighs 60 to 70 grams, Ga key weighs 55to 65 grams, Ma key weighs 50 to 60 grams, Da key weighs 47 to 57 grams, Nikey weighs 45 to 55 grams, Re key weighs 40 to 50 grams, Ga key weighs 37 to47 grams, Ma key weighs 35 to 45 grams and Da key weighs 31 to 41 grams.The 13 music keys are arranged next to each other by their decreasing height inone raw, and the higher keys produce lower pitch and the lower keys producehigher pitch.The instrument is made from metal, wood, plastic and soft sponge and music keysare made from aluminium.Further, the wooden body of instrument comprises a wooden frame, a sponge andmetal pins wherein 13 keys are supported by the wooden frame and fixed in metalpins in such way that the said keys are removable in nature and sponge is fixedbelow the metal pins to provide good quality of music.The wooden frame has a breadth of 435 to 455 mm and a length of 180 to 210mm.In swartarang instrument, the keys have a specific height, width, length andweight to produce sound and music keys can vary from (+) 2 mm to (-) 2 mm insize, the wooden frame can vary from (+) 5 mm to (-) 5 mm and weight of themusic keys can vary from (+) 3 grams to (-) 3 grams in such way that it doesn'tmake any changes to the sound produced by the instrument.The mallet is made of plastic straw with wood top to strike on the music keys forcomposition of music.The keys of an instrument are not fixed and replaceable in nature and thehandmade instrument is a combination of Indian music notes and a westernmethodology.The weight of keys is 1.2 kg, the weight of wooden frame is 0.340 kg and theweight of the bag is 0.26 kg, so the total weight of the instrument is 1.8 kg. Theinstrument weighs in the range of 1 to 3 kg.So accordingly, the present invention discloses an improved, innovative musicalinstrument to compose music and play different ragas, comprising a wooden bodyhaving a wooden frame, a sponge and metal pins, a mallet made up of plasticstraw with wood top, wherein said instrument is comprising of 22 music keys intotal, said keys are made up of aluminium and placed next to each other in onesingle row such that the keys are of different height, width, length, weight, saidkeys are removable and colour coded as well, such that said instrument allows auser five steps of instrument playing viz. exploration, imitation, notation,composition and improvisation.In another embodiment, said wooden body is having a space of thirteen keys at atime, so that removable keys are removed and inserted by user as per therequirement of the music to be composed.In another embodiment, said sponge is fixed below the metal pins to provide goodquality of music.In yet another embodiment, said keys have a specific height, width, length andweight to produce a sound typical to each particular key.In another embodiment, said Sa key has a height of 158 to 165 mm, said Re keyhas a height of 154 to 162 mm, said Ga key has a height of 142 to 148mm, saidMa key has a height of 135 to 143 mm, said Pa key has a height of 130 to 138mm, said Da key has a height of 120 to 128mm, said Ni key has a height of 114to 120 mm, said Sa key has a height of 110 to 118mm, said Re key has a heightof 105 to 112 mm, said Ga key has a height of 100 to 105 mm, said Ma key hasa height of 94 to 99 mm, said Pa key has a height of 90 to 96mm, said Da keyhas a height of 84 to 88mm and in second row the height of the Re key is 150 to156 mm, the height of the Ga key is 148 to 152 mm, the height of the Ma key is132 to 138 mm, the height of the Da key is 128 to 134 mm, the height of the Nikey is 118 to 123 mm, the height of the Re key is 108 to 114 mm, the height ofthe Ga key is 112 to 118 mm, the height of the Ma key is 92 to 98 mm and theheight of the Da key is 87 to 93 mm.In yet another embodiment, said said Sa key weighs 60 to 70 grams, Re keyweighs 58 to 68 grams, Ga key weighs 52 to 62 grams, Ma key weighs 52 to 62grams, Pa key weighs 50 to 60 grams, Da-key weighs 45 to 55 grams, Ni keyweighs 42 to 52 grams, in second row Sa key weighs 40 to 50 grams, Re keyweighs 39 to 49 grams, Ga key weighs 37 to 47 grams, Ma key weighs 35 to 45grams, Pa key weighs 32 to 42 grams, Da key weighs 31 to 41 grams, Re keyweighs 60 to 70 grams, Ga key weighs 55 to 65 grams, Ma key weighs 50 to 60grams, Da key weighs 47 to 57 grams, Ni key weighs 45 to 55 grams, Re keyweighs 40 to 50 grams, Ga key weighs 37 to 47 grams, Ma key weighs 35 to 45grams and Da key weighs 31 to 41 grams.In another embodiment, said wooden frame has a breadth of 435 to 455 mm anda length of 180 to 210 mm.In yet another embodiment, said instrument weighs in the range of 1 to 3 kg.In another embodiment, said wooden body has a space for 13 music keys withhigher and lower octave notes to teach children of Indian Music.In another embodiment, said mallet is for striking on the music keys forcomposition of music.In another embodiment, said 13 music keys are arranged next to each other bydecreasing order in their height in one single row.In another embodiment, said higher keys are named a, b, c, d, e, f and g asdefined herein.In another embodiment, said lower keys are named h, I, j, k, I and m as definedherein.In another embodiment, said higher keys produce lower pitch and said lower keysproduce higher pitch.In another embodiment, said keys are colour coded such that Sa keys are red, Rekeys are orange, Ga keys are yellow, Ma keys are green, Pa keys are blue, Dhakeys are indigo and Ni keys are violet.In another embodiment, said 13 keys are supported by the wooden frame andfixed in metal pins in such way that the said keys are removable in nature.In another embodiment, said instrument is handmade.In another embodiment, said instrument is a combination of Indian music notesand a western methodology.Advantages• Fine motor skills: The small child will grab the mallet in a fist and try toplay it. To play with lose grip is similar to the motor skills required tohold a pencil.• Sensory awareness: The young child awakens through sound andbecomes aware of his / her surroundings.• Time perception: The Swartarang is a percussive instrument and helpsthe child to develop accurate time perception.• Social skills: Working together as an orchestra equals functioning in aunified and complex social structure.• Expression and creativity: From a very young age, the child is challengedto explore and create music him / her self.• Literacy: The books give colour coded notations and give space to thechild to compose as well.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas, comprising a wooden body (23) having a wooden frame(24), a sponge (25) and metal pins, a mallet (26) made up of plasticstraw (27) with wood top (28), wherein said instrument is comprising of22 music keys (numbered 1-22) in total, said keys are made up ofaluminium and placed next to each other in one single row such that thekeys are of different height, width, length, weight, said keys areremovable and colour coded as well, such that said instrument allows auser five steps of instrument playing viz. exploration, imitation, notation,composition and improvisation.

2. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wooden body (23) ishaving a space of thirteen keys (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, I and m) ata time, so that removable keys are removed and inserted by user as perthe requirement of the music to be composed.

3. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sponge (25) is fixedbelow the metal pins to provide good quality of music.

4. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein all of the said keys (1-22)have a specific height, width, length and weight to produce a soundtypical to each particular key.

5. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Sa key (1) has aheight of 158 to 165 mm, said Re key (2) has a height of 154 to 162mm, said Ga key (3) has a height of 142 to 148mm, said Ma key (4) hasa height of 135 to 143 mm, said Pa key (5) has a height of 130 to 138mm, said Da key (6) has a height of 120 to 128mm, said Ni key (7) hasa height of 114 to 120 mm, said Sa key (8) has a height of 110 to118mm, said Re key (9) has a height of 105 to 112 mm, said Ga key(10) has a height of 100 to 105 mm, said Ma key (11) has a height of94 to 99 mm, said Pa key (12) has a height of 90 to 96mm, said Da key(13) has a height of 84 to 88mm and in second row the height of the Rekey (14) is 150 to 156 mm, the height of the Ga key (15) is 148 to 152mm, the height of the Ma key (16) is 132 to 138 mm, the height of theDa key (17) is 128 to 134 mm, the height of the Ni key (18) is 118 to123 mm, the height of the Re key (19) is 108 to 114 mm, the height ofthe Ga key (20) is 112 to 118 mm, the height of the Ma key (21) is 92to 98 mm and the height of the Da key (22) is 87 to 93 mm.

6. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Sa key (1) weighs 60to 70 grams, Re key (2) weighs 58 to 68 grams, Ga key (3) weighs 52to 62 grams, Ma key(4) weighs 52 to 62 grams, Pa key (5) weighs 50to 60 grams, Da-key (6) weighs 45 to 55 grams, Ni key (7) weighs 42to 52 grams, in second row Sa key (8) weighs 40 to 50 grams, Re key(9) weighs 39 to 49 grams, Ga key (10) weighs 37 to 47 grams, Ma key(11) weighs 35 to 45 grams, Pa key (12) weighs 32 to 42 grams, Da key(13) weighs 31 to 41 grams, Re key (14) weighs 60 to 70 grams, Gakey (15) weighs 55 to 65 grams, Ma key (16) weighs 50 to 60 grams,Da key (17) weighs 47 to 57 grams, Ni key (18) weighs 45 to 55 grams,Re key (19) weighs 40 to 50 grams, Ga key (20) weighs 37 to 47 grams,Ma key (21) weighs 35 to 45 grams and Da key (22) weighs 31 to 41grams.

7. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wooden frame (24)has a breadth of 435 to 455 mm and a length of 180 to 210 mm.

8. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instrument weighs inthe range of 1 to 3 kg.

9. The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playhas a space for 13 music keys (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, I and m) withhigher and lower octave notes to teach children of Indian Music.10.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mallet (26) is forstriking on the music keys (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, I and m) forcomposition of music.11.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose music and playdifferent ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said 13 music keys (a, b,c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, I and m) are arranged next to each other bydecreasing order in their height in one single row.12.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own music andplay different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said higher keys arenamed a, b, c, d, e, f and g as defined herein.13.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own music andplay different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower keys arenamed h, I, j, k, I and m as defined herein.14.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own music andplay different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said higher keys (a,b, c, d, e, f, g) produce lower pitch and said lower keys (h, i, j, k, I, m)produce higher pitch.15.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own music andplay different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said keys are colourcoded such that Sa keys (1,8) are red, Re keys (2, 9, 14, 19) areorange, Ga keys (3, 10, 15, 20) are yellow, Ma keys (4, 11, 16, 21) aregreen, Pa keys (5,12) are blue, Dha keys (6,13,17, 22) are indigo andNi keys (7,18) are violet.16.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own music andplay different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said 13 keys (a, b, c,d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, I and m) are supported by the wooden frame (24)and fixed in metal pins in such way that the said keys (a, b, c, d, e, f, g,h, i, j, k, I and m) are removable in nature.17.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own musicand play different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instrumentis handmade.18.The improved, innovative musical instrument to compose own music andplay different ragas as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instrument is acombination of Indian music notes and a western methodology