“Eclipse ligature” for single reed musical instruments
AssigneeThe University of Memphis Research Foundation
InventorGeneral James Gholson, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The subject invention pertains to a ligature for securing a single-beating reed to a mouthpiece of any single reed woodwind instrument. According to a specific embodiment, the subject ligature can be provided with two rounded ribs affixed to the interior of a three-fingered collar that is held together across a longitudinal split by tightening screws. One of the two rounded ribs is provided with a concavity opening into the interior of the collar in order to create a triangular negative space on a surface of a secured reed. This negative space allows for asymmetrical pressure to be exerted onto the reed, which can result in a freedom of vibration and may provide subtle improvements in tone, control, articulation, and richness in the core of sound.
Claims20
A ligature for securing a reed to a mouthpiece of a singe reed woodwind instrument, the ligature comprising:
- a main body capable of conforming around a mouthpiece and reed;
- tightening screws for holding the main body together across a longitudinal split of the main body, the tightening screws being manually adjustable to tighten and loosen the ligature about the mouthpiece;
- and
- rounded ribs affixed to the interior of the main body, the rounded ribs arranged to enable contact with the reed, wherein one of the rounded ribs comprises a concavity disposed to create a negative space against the reed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.