Harmonica practice tools

Abstract

This harmonica practice aid supports effective practice by allowing players to visually check the position of their tongue and lip shape (embouchure) while playing the harmonica using a mirror or similar device. [Solution] The device comprises a cylindrical main body 2 with a trapezoidal cross-section. Specifically, the main body 2 is composed of a front part 3, a back part 4, an upper part 5, and a lower part 6. The main body 2 is made of polycarbonate resin or acrylic resin, which has light transmission and high rigidity. The front part 3 is provided with a lip contact part 8. Here, a similar rectangular colored area 10 is formed in two stages, upper and lower, in the part corresponding to the sound hole (sound hole equivalent part 9) that is used in contact with the user's oral cavity. The colored area 10 is colored with a transparent green or yellow, so that the user's lips and tongue can be seen from the opposite side, the back side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a harmonica practice tool.

Background Art

[0002] Since a part of the harmonica is held in the mouth during performance, there is a characteristic that the shape and position of the tongue and the way of holding with the lips cannot be visually confirmed. For example, in order to produce a single note (such as the note "mi" of the blowing sound) beautifully on a chromatic harmonica, a delicate way of holding is required so that no air leaks to the adjacent blowing sounds (such as "do" or "so"). In the case of chords and octave playing methods, accurate blocking of the holes by the tongue is required.

[0003] Conventionally, these instructions have had to rely on ambiguous expressions such as "a little more to the left" and "a little deeper", making it difficult for learners to objectively grasp the state inside their own oral cavity.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a holder that can be slidably attached to a harmonica. By holding the straw extending from the holder and exhaling or inhaling, it is possible to visually recognize which part of the sound holes of the harmonica one is acting on.

[0005] However, with such a holder, it is impossible to visually confirm the shape and position of the tongue and the way of holding with the lips as described above.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a harmonica practice aid that supports effective practice by allowing the user to visually check the position of the tongue and the form of the lips (embouchure) when playing the harmonica using a mirror or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a means of solving the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a harmonica practice tool that includes at least a lip contact portion corresponding to the part of the harmonica that the lips make contact with, and a grip portion corresponding to the part of the harmonica that is held by the hand, wherein the lip contact portion is visible from the back side of the contact position so that the correspondence between the parts corresponding to each tone hole and at least the lips that make contact with them can be grasped.

[0009] This configuration allows the lips and tongue, which are in contact with the lip contact area, to be seen from the back, making it possible to check their position using a mirror or by having someone else observe them. This makes it easy to determine whether the lips and tongue are in the correct position, and allows for practice while visually identifying any misalignment or bias in the contact position of the lips and tongue. As a result, it is possible to promote the acquisition of the correct lip and tongue positions for each tone hole.

[0010] The lip contact portion is preferably made of a translucent material, and the parts corresponding to each sound hole are preferably colored and transparent so that the lips can be seen from the back.

[0011] With this configuration, by making the parts corresponding to each tone hole colored and transparent, the ability to distinguish them from parts that are not in contact with the lips or tongue is improved, allowing for a clearer recognition of the contact state of the lips and tongue.

[0012] Preferably, the lip contact portion has openings corresponding to each sound hole, and the periphery of each opening is identifiable from the back side.

[0013] This configuration is almost identical to that of a real harmonica, allowing you to feel the contact between your lips and tongue, confirm their position by looking in a mirror, or have someone else observe and teach you.

[0014] Preferably, each opening in the lip contact portion is formed by a plurality of partitions arranged at intervals from each other, and a colored guide is provided to identify the position of each opening.

[0015] This configuration allows you to check the position of your lips and tongue in a way that is even closer to that of a real harmonica.

[0016] The depth of the partition wall is preferably shorter than that of a typical commercially available harmonica, based on the structure of a typical commercially available harmonica (particularly the structure of the part where the airflow is perpendicular in a diatonic harmonica).

[0017] This configuration makes it easier to see the lips and tongue in contact with the lip contact area from the back, allowing for accurate positioning.

[0018] Preferably, the device comprises the lip contact portion, the gripping portion, the lead, the lead support portion that supports the lead, and the main body portion having an air passage.

[0019] This configuration allows you to create a structure similar to that of an actual harmonica, generate the same airflow as when playing, and check the position of your lips and tongue while producing sound. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to this invention, by holding the device in the mouth and looking in a mirror, the user can clearly see, through the transparent body, which tone hole (musical scale) their tongue is positioned at. This makes it possible to visually correct and learn the oral cavity posture, which previously relied on sensory perception. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1]It is a perspective view of the harmonica practice tool according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a front view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a part of the harmonica according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a part of the harmonica according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a part of the harmonica according to another embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions and positions (for example, terms including "up", "down", "side", "end") are used as necessary. However, the use of these terms is for facilitating the understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the meanings of these terms. Further, the following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension etc. are different from the actual ones.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the harmonica practice tool 1 according to this embodiment. This harmonica practice tool 1 includes a cylindrical main body portion 2 having a trapezoidal cross-section. That is, the main body portion 2 is composed of a front surface portion 3, a back surface portion 4, an upper surface portion 5, and a lower surface portion 6. The main body portion 2 is formed of a polycarbonate resin or an acrylic resin having translucency and high rigidity. The length of the main body portion 2 is designed to be substantially the same as the length of the harmonica to be practiced. That is, according to the number and arrangement of the sound holes, it is formed to a length that can be held and operated by the user with the lips. Both end portions of the upper surface portion 5 and the lower surface portion 6 become gripping portions 7 that are grasped by hand during practice. Also, although it is preferable that the upper surface of the upper surface portion 5 and the lower surface of the lower surface portion 6 are parallel, here, from the viewpoint of guiding the lip posture of beginners, the angle θ formed by both surfaces is set on the premise of the angle of an actual harmonica (for example, 1 to 5°).

[0024] The front section 3 is provided with a lip contact section 8. Here, a similar rectangular colored area 10 is formed in two layers, upper and lower, in the part corresponding to the sound hole (sound hole equivalent section 9) that is used in contact with the user's oral cavity. The colored area 10 is colored with a transparent green or yellow, allowing the user's lips and tongue to be visible from the opposite side, the back. This allows confirmation from the back side that the lips and tongue are positioned at the sound hole equivalent section 9. The parts of the main body 2 other than the colored areas are colorless and transparent.

[0025] The harmonica practice device 1, consisting of the above configuration, is used as follows. Hold both ends of the harmonica practice tool 1 with both hands, and put the lip contact part 8 in your mouth in the same way as you would a harmonica. Then, move the position of your lips or touch your tongue to the colored area 10, following the sheet music or a memorized melody. Check your position by looking at a mirror or have a third party (for example, a teacher) observe and give you advice.

[0026] Regarding the lips, it is possible to check whether they are pursed too much, whether the depth of the mouthpiece is appropriate (specifically, whether it is around 10-15 mm), and whether the teeth are biting down. This makes it possible to learn how to use the lips in a way that reduces air leakage, stabilizes volume and tone, and prevents unnecessary tension.

[0027] Regarding the tongue, it is possible to determine whether the tip of the tongue is naturally placed near the back of the lower front teeth, or whether the entire tongue is placed low and relaxed towards the floor of the mouth. This increases the oral cavity volume, stabilizes the airflow, and allows for basic movements such as bass playing. In particular, in techniques such as tongue blocking, it is necessary to cover the tone holes with a part of the tongue, so it is possible to accurately determine whether the tongue is positioned in the colored area 10 corresponding to the appropriate tone hole.

[0028] Preferably, the musical score should include, where necessary, indications of the appropriate lip shape and position, as well as the tongue position, at the corresponding location for each note. The musical score may also be displayed on a tablet device. The musical score, the tablet device displaying the score, and the mirror may be integrated, or supported by a stand or platform that allows for integrated placement.

[0029] The harmonica practice device 1 described above produces the following effects. (1) It allows for an objective assessment of the oral cavity. In other words, it makes it possible to visually capture aspects that were previously ambiguous, such as "tongue positioning" and "lip form (embouchure)." (2) It can facilitate the acquisition of specific playing techniques. In other words, it becomes possible to check at a glance whether the tongue is properly lowered and in the correct position to cover the holes when playing octaves. (3) It becomes easier to learn to play the harmonica. In other words, visual aids can improve the quality of harmonica practice and lower the barrier to learning.

[0030] Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the main body 2 is configured as a cylindrical body with a trapezoidal cross-section, but it is not limited to this and various modifications are possible. For example, the rear part 4 does not necessarily have to be provided. However, from the viewpoint of ensuring structural strength, it is preferable to provide reinforcing parts 11 as appropriate, as shown in Figure 3. Specifically, reinforcing parts 11 can be provided at both ends of the main body 2 or at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, and the upper part 5 and the lower part 6 can be connected by these reinforcing parts 11. Furthermore, if necessary, the reinforcing parts 11 can also be connected to the front part 3 as shown by the dashed line, or in some cases, they can be made into a reinforcing wall, resulting in a closed configuration when viewed from the side.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the part corresponding to the tone hole 9 is colored, but the part corresponding to the periphery of the tone hole (periphery corresponding part 12) may be colored, or both the part corresponding to the tone hole 9 and the peripheral corresponding part 12 may be colored with different colors. In this case as well, the coloring of the part corresponding to the tone hole 9 must be colored transparent so that the position of the lips and tongue can be confirmed from the back side. Note that the peripheral corresponding part 12 may be colored by attaching colored tape.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the lip contact portion 8 was simply colored, but as shown in Figure 4, an opening 13 may be formed. In this case, it is preferable to emphasize the opening 13 by coloring the periphery of the opening 13 or by attaching colored tape to form a colored portion 14. By providing the opening 13, it can be used with a feeling similar to actually pressing the tongue against the tone hole of a harmonica, enabling more practical practice.

[0034] Furthermore, when an opening 13 is formed in the lip contact area 8, a partition wall extending from the periphery of the opening 13 to the back surface 4 may be formed, as shown in Figure 5. Here, a cylindrical portion 15 with a rectangular cross-section is formed. In this case, the length of the cylindrical portion 15 is set to less than half the length of the air passage of a typical commercially available harmonica, making it easier to check the position of the lips and tongue from the back. However, although not shown, the length of the cylindrical portion 15 may be the same as the length of the air passage of a harmonica, and a reed may be provided on the upper wall that constitutes the air passage, making the upper wall a reed support so that it is possible to actually blow or inhale air into the tone holes to produce sound. This allows the user to check the position of the lips and tongue while blowing or inhaling air to produce sound, enabling more practical practice. After practicing by mirroring, the back surface 4 may be covered with an opaque separate material (not shown) so that it can be used as a normal harmonica. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 1…Harmonica practice tools 2…Main body 3...Front part 4…back side 5… Upper face 6…lower part 7…Control Department 8…lips as a junction 9…tone hole equivalent part 10…Coloring Area 11…Reinforcement Department 12…Zhou Yu is quite a part 13…Open 14…Coloring section 15...Tubular part

Claims

1. The lip contact area corresponds to the part of the harmonica that the lips touch, The gripping part corresponds to the part of the harmonica that is held in the hand, It has at least the following features: The lip contact portion is a harmonica practice tool in which the parts corresponding to each tone hole and at least the lips that are in contact with them can be seen from the back side of the contact position so that the correspondence between the two can be understood.

2. The lip contact portion is made of a translucent material, and the parts corresponding to each tone hole are colored and transparent so that the lips can be seen from the back, as described in claim 1.

3. The lip contact portion is formed with openings corresponding to each tone hole, and the periphery of each opening is identifiable from the back side, as described in claim 1.

4. The harmonica practice tool according to claim 3, wherein each opening in the lip contact portion is formed by a plurality of partitions arranged at intervals from each other, and a colored guide is provided to identify the position of each opening.

5. The harmonica practice device according to claim 4, wherein the depth of the partition wall is shorter than that of a typical commercially available harmonica.

6. A harmonica practice device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising the lip contact portion, the gripping portion, a reed, a reed support portion for supporting the reed, and a main body portion having an air passage.

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