Auxiliary Side Bb Key for Saxophone Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saxophones face difficulties in playing high notes due to the deviation of the side-Bb key from the high F# key, leading to ergonomic challenges and frequent note break-ups, especially when switching between high F#, altissimo high G, and other notes with staccato or trill.
Innovation Solution
The design introduces an auxiliary side Bb key positioned above the high F# key, allowing players to use either the auxiliary or main key to control the side Bb tone hole, reducing finger motion and improving ergonomics for playing high notes and trills, while maintaining compatibility with traditional fingerings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the side-Bb key is positioned according to conventional saxophone design, then the traditional fingering system is maintained, but the player experiences ergonomic difficulties and frequent note break-ups when playing high notes
Solution Approach 1:
The side-Bb key function is segmented into two separate keys: the original side-Bb key (main key) and the new auxiliary side-Bb key. This segmentation allows different fingers to operate different keys based on the specific note being played, improving ergonomics for high notes while maintaining the traditional key system for other notes
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary side-Bb key is positioned in a different spatial location (above the high F# key) compared to the traditional side-Bb key position. This dimensional change in key placement creates more ergonomic finger positioning for playing high notes, allowing the middle finger to reach the auxiliary key more easily
2Ease of operation
If the middle finger is used to press the traditional side-Bb key for playing altissimo high G, then the note can be produced, but the finger motion is excessive and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary side-Bb key is pre-positioned in a location that is easily accessible to the middle finger when playing high notes. This preliminary positioning of the key reduces the distance and time required for finger motion when transitioning to and from high note fingerings
3Ease of operation
If the traditional side-Bb key position is used, then the key structure is simple, but playing notes with staccato and trill becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the side-Bb key function into main and auxiliary keys, the system enables more flexible and rapid key operation for staccato and trill passages. The auxiliary key provides an additional access point that facilitates faster finger movement and more precise control for these challenging techniques
Data Source
AI summary
A saxophone has a body tube, a high-F #structure, and a side-Bb structure. The body tube has a high-F #tone hole and a side-Bb hole. The high-F #structure opens or closes the high-F #tone hole. The side-Bb structure has a side-Bb tone-hole cover, a side-Bb driving assembly, an auxiliary key, and a main key. The main key is separated from the auxiliary key. The auxiliary key is disposed above a high F #key of the high-F #structure along a vertical line. The auxiliary key and the main key are separately arranged around a centerline of the body tube. The auxiliary key and the main key correspond in height position. Both of the auxiliary key and the main key are connected to the side-Bb driving assembly and drive the side-Bb tone-hole cover to close or open the side-Bb tone hole.