Musical aids and air-reed instruments

Abstract

To bring a tone of a performance assisting tool close to an original tone of an air reed instrument regardless of performance skill of a player.SOLUTION: A performance assisting tool 3 includes: a first face 4 located on a singing mouth 12 side of an air reed instrument MI; a second face 5 located on a lip side of a player; and a flow channel 6 penetrating from the first face 4 to the second face 5 and allowing exhaled breath of the player to flow toward the singing mouth 12. The first face 4 includes: an upper lip area 41 corresponding to an outer face of an upper lip of the player; and a lower lip area 42 corresponding to an outer face of a lower lip of the player. The lower lip area 42 includes a first area 421 and a second area 423. A part of the second area 423 protruding with respect to the first area 421 is installed on an inner side of the singing mouth in a state in which the first area 421 is brought into contact with an outer face of the air reed instrument MI.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a performance aid and an aerophone.

Background Art

[0002] In aerophones such as flutes, transverse flutes, and shakuhachi, where the player blows their breath directly onto the mouthpiece of the flute, it is necessary to create a specific lip shape (embouchure) or blow the breath onto the edge of the mouthpiece when playing. Therefore, it is difficult for players with poor playing skills, such as beginners, to play this type of aerophone. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a performance aid that enables even beginners to play an aerophone and an aerophone including the same. The performance aid and aerophone of Patent Documents 1 and 2 include a tubular flow path forming portion having a flow path for guiding the player's breath to the mouthpiece.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is a problem that the tone quality of the aerophone including the flow path forming portion of Patent Documents 1 and 2 is significantly different from the tone quality when the player blows their breath directly onto the mouthpiece without using the flow path forming portion (i.e., the original tone quality of the aerophone). This is presumably because the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flow path forming portion in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is the same from the inlet to the outlet of the flow path, and the shape of the flow path is significantly different from the shape of the player's lips that create an embouchure.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and aims to provide a performance aid that can bring the air reed instrument closer to its original tone, regardless of the performer's skill level, and an air reed instrument equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an air reed instrument having a first surface located on the mouthpiece side, a second surface located on the performer's lip side, and a flow path that penetrates from the first surface to the second surface and directs the performer's exhaled breath toward the mouthpiece, wherein the first surface has an upper lip region corresponding to the outer surface of the performer's upper lip and a lower lip region corresponding to the outer surface of the performer's lower lip. The upper lip region and the lower lip region are each formed with a convex curved surface on the mouthpiece side corresponding to the upper lip and the lower lip, The lower lip region includes a first region and a second region, and a portion of the second region protruding from the first region is a playing aid positioned inside the mouthpiece while the first region is in contact with the outer surface of the air reed instrument.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is an air reed instrument comprising a head joint having a mouthpiece and the playing aid provided near the mouthpiece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to approach the original tone of an air reed instrument, regardless of the performer's skill level. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the main parts of a flute including a playing aid according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the flute with the playing aid removed from the head joint. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 show the performance aid as viewed from the second side where the flow path opens. [Figure 4] Figures 1 and 2 show the performance aid as viewed from the first side where the flow path opens. [Figure 5] Figures 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views taken along the VV line. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing a flute including a playing aid according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing a performance aid according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an external view showing a head joint integrally formed with a playing aid according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in Figure 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the Flute MI is exemplified as an air-reed instrument to which the playing aid of the present invention is applied. In Figures 1 and 2, only the head joint 1 of the Flute MI is shown, and the main body with keys and the foot joint are omitted. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7, the head joint 1 of the flute MI has a lip plate 11 for the player's lower lip to rest on. A mouthpiece 12 is formed in the part of the head joint 1 that includes the lip plate 11, extending from the inside to the outside of the head joint 1. An edge 13 is formed on the outer surface of the lip plate 11 around the periphery of the mouthpiece 12 for the player to blow their breath onto.

[0011] The Flute MI is equipped with a playing aid 3 located near the mouthpiece 12 of the head joint 1, which guides the player's exhaled breath to the mouthpiece 12. As shown in Figures 2-6, the playing aid 3 has a first surface 4, a second surface 5, and a flow path 6. The first surface 4 is the surface located on the mouthpiece 12 side of the flute MI. The first surface 4 may be formed into any shape, such as a flat surface. In this embodiment, the first surface 4 is formed in a shape that mimics the surface of the lip that is exposed to the outside. The specific shape of the first surface 4 will be described later.

[0012] The second surface 5 is the surface located on the lip side of the performer. The second surface 5 may be formed in any shape, but in this embodiment, it is formed flat. The second surface 5 is the surface opposite to the first surface 4 via the flow path 6. The flow path 6 penetrates from these first surfaces 4 to the second surface 5. That is, the performance aid 3 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape. The flow path 6 directs the performer's exhaled breath toward the mouthpiece 12 of the flute MI.

[0013] The flow path 6 and the first surface 4 of the performance aid 3 are formed in a shape that mimics the performer's lips when directly blowing the performer's exhaled breath onto the mouthpiece 12. First, the flow path 6 that mimics the complex shape of the inner surface of the lips that is not exposed to the outside will be described.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 6 orthogonal to the penetration direction of the flow path 6 on the first surface 4 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path 6 located away from the first surface 4 toward the second surface 5 side. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 6 on the first surface 4 is the smallest, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path 6 on the second surface 5 is the largest. Also, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 6 continuously increases from the first surface 4 toward the second surface 5.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from the first surface 4 side, at least a part of the edge of the opening 61 (hereinafter referred to as the first opening 61) of the flow path 6 on the first surface 4 is a curve. Reference numeral 611 in FIG. 4 indicates a representative part of the edge of the first opening 61 of the flow path 6 that is a curve.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 6 is flat. Specifically, the width dimension in the width direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 3 and 4) orthogonal to the penetration direction of the flow path 6 is larger than the height dimension in the height direction (the up-down direction in FIGS. 3 and 4) orthogonal to the penetration direction and the width direction. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 6 is formed in a shape close to an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. Also, the flat cross-sectional shape of the flow path 6 is generally maintained from the first surface 4 to the second surface 5.

[0017] Next, the shape of the first surface 4 that mimics the outer surface of the performer's lips that is exposed to the outside will be described. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the first surface 4 has an upper lip region 41 corresponding to the outer surface of the performer's upper lip and a lower lip region 42 corresponding to the outer surface of the performer's lower lip. The upper lip region 41 and the lower lip region 42 are formed as convex curved surfaces corresponding to the upper and lower lips, respectively. The upper lip region 41 and the lower lip region 42 are aligned in the height direction (up and down direction in Figures 4 and 5) of the aforementioned flow path 6.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 4, 5, and 7, the first region 421 of the lower lip region 42 that contacts the lip plate 11 is formed as a recess relative to the second region 423 of the lower lip region 42, corresponding to the shape of the lower lip that deforms when pressed against the lip plate 11. In addition, a portion of the second region 423 that protrudes relative to the first region 421 is positioned inside the mouthpiece 12 when the first region 421 is in contact with the lip plate 11 (see Figure 7 in particular). The second region 423 is located between the first region 421 and the first opening 61 of the flow path 6. The lower lip region 42 formed in this way reproduces the outer shape of the performer's lower lip when pressed against the lip plate 11.

[0019] Furthermore, in the performance aid 3 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the first opening 61 of the flow path 6 is positioned so that the performer's exhaled air blown from the first opening 61 is directed onto the edge 13 of the mouthpiece 12. Specifically, the first region 421 of the performance aid 3 is brought into contact with the region of the lip plate 11 that is located on the opposite side of the mouthpiece 12 from the edge 13, so that the longitudinal direction of the flow path 6 coincides with the direction from the first opening 61 to the edge 13, thereby positioning the first opening 61 of the flow path 6 as described above. Furthermore, the performance aid 3 of this embodiment is elastically deformable. The performance aid 3 may be made of an elastic material such as silicone.

[0020] The specific size of the performance aid 3 and the shape of its outer surface, excluding the first surface 4, may be arbitrary. The performance aid 3 may be formed to a size that can be held in the mouth of the performer using the performance aid 3.

[0021] The playing aid 3 of this embodiment is attached to the head joint 1 of the flute MI by bringing the first region 421 of the first surface 4 into contact with the lip plate 11 and inserting a part of the second region 423 of the first surface 4 into the inside of the embouchure 12, so that the first opening 61 of the flow path 6 faces the edge 13 of the embouchure 12. Furthermore, the playing aid 3 is fixed to the head joint 1. The specific method of fixing the playing aid 3 may be arbitrary, such as adhesive or screw fastening. The playing aid 3 may be fixed to the head joint 1 in a way that allows it to be detached or in a way that prevents it from being detached.

[0022] When a performer plays the flute MI with the playing aid 3 attached, they should hold the playing aid 3 in their lips and blow their breath into the flow path 6 from the second surface 5 side. This causes the performer's breath to be blown from the first opening 61 of the flow path 6 onto the edge 13 of the mouthpiece 12, producing sound from the head joint 1.

[0023] In this embodiment, the playing aid 3 and the flute MI equipped therewith have a cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 6 on the first surface 4 that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 6 at a position further away from the first surface 4 towards the second surface 5. Therefore, the shape of the flow path 6 can be made to closely resemble the shape of the player's lips when blowing their breath directly onto the mouthpiece 12 of the flute MI. This makes it possible to achieve a tone closer to the original tone of the flute MI, regardless of the player's blowing skill.

[0024] Furthermore, when a performer uses the performance aid 3 of this embodiment to play the flute MI, the shape of the performer's lips is not restricted compared to the normal playing method in which the performer's lips are in contact with the head joint 1 (lip plate 11), making it easy to perform techniques such as flutter tonguing.

[0025] Furthermore, in the performance aid 3 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 6 increases continuously from the first surface 4 towards the second surface 5. In addition, at least a portion of the edge of the first opening 61 of the flow path 6 is curved. By doing so, the shape of the flow path 6 can be made to more closely resemble the shape of the performer's lips when playing the flute MI. This makes it possible to get even closer to the original tone of the flute MI. Furthermore, the playing aid 3 of this embodiment is shaped to mimic (or replicate) the shape of the performer's lips when blowing their breath directly onto the mouthpiece 12 of the flute MI, thus enabling it to produce a sound that is almost identical to the original tone of the flute MI.

[0026] Furthermore, in one example of the playing aid 3 of this embodiment, it is elastically deformable. Therefore, the performer can adjust the size and shape of the flow path 6 by biting the playing aid 3 with their mouth (lips, teeth, etc.) and pressing it from the outside. This makes it possible to change the tone of the flute MI. Consequently, the freedom and expressiveness of playing the flute MI can be improved.

[0027] Furthermore, in the performance aid 3 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 6 on the second surface 5 is maximized. This has the effect of making it easier for the performer to blow exhaled air into the flow path 6.

[0028] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, mainly with reference to Figure 8. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0029] As shown in Figure 8, the playing aid 3B of the second embodiment is applied to a flute MI (see Figure 1, etc.) similar to that of the first embodiment. The playing aid 3B of the second embodiment has a first surface 4 located on the mouthpiece 12 side of the flute MI, a second surface 5B located on the lip side of the performer, and a flow path 6B that penetrates from the first surface 4 to the second surface 5B, similar to that of the first embodiment. The first surface 4 is the same as in the first embodiment. The second surface 5B is formed flat, similar to the first embodiment. However, the size (area) of the second surface 5B is smaller than that of the first embodiment.

[0030] The cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B on the first surface 4 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B located away from the first surface 4 towards the second surface 5B, similar to the first embodiment. However, the position where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B is maximum in the direction of penetration is the middle section 63B of the channel 6B in the direction of penetration. That is, the cross-sectional areas of the channel 6B on the first surface 4 and the second surface 5B are smaller than the cross-sectional area at the middle section 63B of the channel 6B. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B increases continuously from the first surface 4 of the playing aid 3B to the middle section 63B of the channel 6B, and decreases continuously from the middle section 63B of the channel 6B to the second surface 5B. The cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B on the second surface 5B may be larger than or smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B on the first surface 4, or it may be equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 6B on the first surface 4.

[0031] The cross-sectional shape of the flow path 6B may be formed to be flat in the through direction from the first surface 4 through the intermediate section 63B to the second surface 5B. However, considering the mounting section 7B described later, it is more preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 6B on the second surface 5B and its vicinity be formed such that the width dimension and height dimension of the flow path 6B on the second surface 5B are equal to each other, or the difference between these dimensions is small. In this case, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 6B changes continuously from the intermediate section 63B towards the second surface 5B.

[0032] In the second embodiment of the performance aid 3B, the portion located on the second surface 5B side in the through-direction is the mounting portion 7B for attaching the hose H. The mounting portion 7B is formed in a cylindrical shape. Specifically, the mounting portion 7B is the inserted portion 71B that is inserted into the inside of the hose H. For this reason, the outer circumference of the inserted portion 71B should be formed in a shape that corresponds to the shape of the inner circumference of the hose H (for example, circular). This allows the space inside the hose H to be connected to the flow path 6B of the playing aid 3B. Furthermore, the inner surface of the hose H can be brought into close contact with the outer surface of the insertion part 71B. This suppresses or prevents the player's exhaled air, blown into the hose H, from leaking between the hose H and the playing aid 3B.

[0033] The performance aid 3B of the second embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the hose H can be attached to the part of the playing aid 3B located on the second surface 5B side. This allows the performer to play the flute MI by holding the hose H in their mouth. In other words, the performer can play the flute MI without bringing their lips close to the mouthpiece 12 of the flute MI. Therefore, it becomes possible to play the flute MI in various ways. For example, when using a flexible hose H, the performer can move their face freely relative to the flute MI, allowing for more individualistic playing.

[0034] In the second embodiment, the mounting portion 7B may be an insertion portion for inserting the hose H into a flow path 6B that opens to the second surface 5B, for example. In this case, the inner circumference of the insertion portion (i.e., the inner surface of the flow path 6B) should be formed to a shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the hose H (for example, circular).

[0035] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0036] In the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path may increase discontinuously from, for example, the first surface to the second surface of the playing aid. That is, the portion of the flow path with a smaller cross-sectional area on the first surface side and the portion of the flow path with a larger cross-sectional area on the second surface side may be connected in a stepped manner.

[0037] In the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is not limited to a flat shape, but may be any shape, such as a circular or square shape.

[0038] In the present invention, the performance aid may be formed in such a way that it cannot be elastically deformed. The performance aid may be formed from a material that does not elastically deform, or is difficult to elastically deform, such as metal or wood.

[0039] The playing aid of the present invention is not limited to being formed separately from the head joint of the flute. For example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the playing aid 3 may be formed integrally with the head joint 1. In Figure 9, the first end 14 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 9) of the head joint 1 is a mounting part for attaching it to the body joint (not shown) of the flute. When the playing aid 3 is formed integrally with the head joint 1, a flute that can approach the original tone of the flute can be easily constructed by simply attaching the head joint 1 with the playing aid 3 to the body joint of the flute, instead of a head joint without the playing aid 3.

[0040] The performance aid of the present invention is applicable not only to the flute, but also to other air-reed instruments that have a head joint with a mouthpiece, such as the piccolo, fife, and shakuhachi. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1…Head joint, 3,3B…Playing aid, 4…First surface, 5,5B…Second surface, 6,6B…Flow path, 7B…Mounting part, 12…Mouthpiece, 13…Edge, 61…Opening, 71B…Inserted part, H…Hose, MI…Flute (air reed instrument)

Claims

1. The first surface located on the mouthpiece side of the air reed instrument, The second side is located on the side of the performer's lips, It has a channel that penetrates from the first surface to the second surface and directs the performer's exhaled breath toward the mouthpiece, The first surface has an upper lip region corresponding to the outer surface of the performer's upper lip and a lower lip region corresponding to the outer surface of the performer's lower lip. The upper lip region and the lower lip region are each formed with a convex curved surface on the mouthpiece side corresponding to the upper lip and the lower lip, The aforementioned lower lip region includes a first region and a second region. A portion of the second region that protrudes from the first region is a playing aid that is positioned inside the mouthpiece when the first region is in contact with the outer surface of the air reed instrument.

2. The performance aid according to claim 1, wherein the second region is located between the first region and the opening of the flow path on the first surface.

3. The first surface is formed in a shape that mimics the outer surface of the performer's lips when the performer blows their breath directly onto the mouthpiece, as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The performance aid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path increases continuously from the first surface to the second surface.

5. The performance aid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the edge of the opening of the flow path on the first surface is curved.

6. The performance aid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flow path is formed in a shape that mimics the lips of a performer when blowing the performer's exhaled breath directly onto the mouthpiece.

7. The performance aid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opening of the flow path on the first surface is positioned such that the performer's exhaled air blown from the opening is directed onto the edge of the mouthpiece.

8. The performance aid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the portion located on the second surface is a mounting portion for attaching a hose.

9. The performance aid according to claim 8, wherein the mounting portion is formed in a cylindrical shape and is an insertion portion that is inserted into the inside of the hose.

10. The performance aid according to claim 8, wherein the mounting portion is an insertion portion for inserting the hose into the flow path that opens on the second surface.

11. An elastically deformable performance aid according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A head joint with a mouthpiece, An air reed instrument comprising a playing aid according to any one of claims 1 to 11, provided near the mouthpiece.

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