GB2512671A

GB2512671A - Embouchure Training Aid

Info

Publication number: GB2512671A
Application number: GB1307668.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marcus Reynolds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-01
Filing date: 2013-04-01
Publication date: 2014-10-08
Also published as: GB201307668D0

Abstract

A training device for brass instrument musicians is disclosed which ensures the musician adopts the correct position of the lower jaw when the mouthpiece is in contact with the lips and the instrument is being played. The device includes a rest (F) against which the musicians chin is placed when playing the brass instrument together with an adjustable clamp attached to either the mouthpiece or the neck of the instrument that secures the chin rest in the correct position for the particular instrument and musician. Other features of the device preferably include: a spring loaded piston E connected to the chin rest; a locking nut D and adjuster F.

Description

EMBOUCHURE Am.

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to brass instruments and in particular to the development, by players of all levels, of an ideal embouchure through the adoption of the correct position of the lowerjaw (see Fig 1).

-The embouchure is defined as: the mouth, lips, chin and cheek musclestensed and shaped in a precise and co-operative manner and then blown through for the purpose of setting the air column into vibration when these lips are placed upon a mouth piece.

For the brass playing student there is a need for help to develop a natural embouchure at every stage of their career to develop a stress free playing stature with less chance of damage to the face and at the same time extending the longevity of a player's career. Students that undergoing orthodontic work i.e. braces etc. are able to continue playing and practising without detriment to their. oral health.

The common natural reaction of a student playing a brass instrument for the first time is to press the mouthpiece of the instrument hard against the lips forcing the chin backwards (see Fig 3). This can cause fatigue and unnecessary tension, make playing uncomfortable and in most cases painful, produce poor quality sounds and impe4e the development of the achievable range of notes by causing the airflow to be deflected in a downwards. --Teachers often suggest a position for the student to adopt with the regard to the chin position but it is very difficult for students to understand what embouchure muscles do or how to use them. Hence this invention.

With the embouchure aid attached to instrument leading pipe and with the embouchure aid inert i.e. with the chin not pushing against the spring loaded chin rest the teeth and lips are angled incorrectly-and direct the airflow from the mouth in a downwards resulting in miss-directed airflow-vibration and a poor quality sound.

Once fitted to the instrument (see Fig 2) the teeth and lips are aligned correctly i.e. paraflel on the mouth piece and, aided by the chin pushing against the spring loaded chin rest of the embouchure aid, the air to flow into the instrument is central improving the quality of the note produced and relaxing the jaw muscles.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig 1. Drawing of complete unit Embouchure aid.

Fig 2. Embouchure aid showing all components.

(A) Mouth-piece of instrument attached to Stratos unit.

(B) Indicates correct direction of airflow from mouth.

(C) Main body of Stratos unit (D) Lock Nut (E) Spring loaded Cylinder (F) Adjuster (G) Chin of player pushing on chin rest compressing spring in cylinder.

(H) Teeth of player correctly aligned.

Fig 3. Embouchure aid fitted to instrument showing incorrect aligning of teeth contributing to incorrect direction of the airflow.

(A) Mouth-piece of instrument attached to Stratos unit.

(B) Indicates incorrect airflow from mouth.

(C) Main body of Stratos Unit. . (D) Compression Spring in cylinder (E) Adjuster (F) Plastic chin rest (C) Show incorrect alignment of player teeth.

Claims

CLAIMS.1. A training device where the the device has a clamp that is attached to the neck * or mouthpiece of the musical instrument by means of a threaded screw and * complete with a tapped hole through which the threaded cylinder passes.
2. A training device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 where a Plastic Sleeve for the device with.a locating lip fits Side the body of the clamp, between the body of the instrument or mouthpiece and the body of the Clamp to which it is dimensionally specific.
3. A training device as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 where there is an externally threaded Cylinder for the device that passes through the tapped hole in the * Clamp to provide adjustment of the Chin Rest to conflgure it in the optimal position for the individual musician and instrument *
4.. A training device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 3 and 4 where a Locking Nut for the device ispositioned on the threaded Cylinder to secure the Cylinder in place against the clamp, and thus the instrument or mouthpiece, once the ideal position of the Chin Rest has been established.
5. A training deviceas claimed in all preceding claims, where an interchangeable plastic Chin Rest is attached to the Chin Rest Piston and against which the musician's chin is placed.
6. A training device as claimed in all preceding claims, in which a Chin Rest Piston for the device is attached to the Chin Rest at one end and located inside the Cylinder at the other.
7. A training device as claimed in all preceding claim, in which an Internal * Pressure Spring is placed between the Chin Rest Piston and the Cylinder to * provide a degree of flexibility for the position of the musician's lower jaw.