Intonation guide for player of string instrument

Claim 2

A pitch intonation guide for a player of a string instrument with a fingerboard and a nut thereon, for playing on the strings groups of notes in associated series of finger positions on the fingerboard at different spacing, respectively, from the nut, providing first and second signal means within signal perception by the player of the instrument; first and second electrical circuitry for the respective first and second signal means, including a plurality of normally open first and second switches of which each first and each second switch is closable to close the respective first and second circuitry for signal emission from the respective first and second signal means, and first and second tabs associated with said first and second switches, respectively, with each tab being mounted on the fingerboard underneath the strings thereon and operative to close the associated switch by the player''s finger pressure against said tab in fingering any of said strings, said tabs being arranged in pairs, of which each pair provides a first and second tab at one of said series of finger positions and so spaced from each other that both tabs are within pressure reach of the player''s finger for playing any note of the associated group at the correct pitch, but only either one of the tabs is within pressure reach of the player''s finger for playing the same note at off-pitch.

Claim 3

A pitch intonation guide for a player of a string instrument with a fingerboard having a non-fretted fingering surface and a nut thereon, for playing on the strings groups of notes in associated series of finger positions on said fingering surface at different spacing, respectively, from the nut, providing soundless signal means within signal perception by the player of the instrument; electrical circuitry therefor, including at least one normally open switch closable to close the circuitry for a signal emission, a tab mounted on the finberboard underneath the strings thereon and operative to close said switch by the player''s finger pressure against said tab in fingering any of the strings, the finger positions of any of said series being distinguishable between first and second finger placements in which to play any note of the associated group at correct and incorrect pitch, respectively, with said tab being located within pressure reach of the player''s finger in one of said finger placements of one of said series of finger positions, and a cover on said fingering surface hiding said tab from view and keeping said fingering surface plane throughout but yielding to the player''s finger pressure in said one finger placements for operation of said tab, whereby initial fingering of a string for playing an intended note is left solely to the player''s fingering skill.

Claim 4

A pitch intonation guide for a player of a string instrument with a fingerboard having a non-fretted fingering surface and a nut thereon, for playing on the strings groups of notes in associated series of finger positions on said fingering surface at different spacing, respectively, from the nut, providing soundless signal means within signal perception by the player of the instrument; electrical circuitry therefor, including at least one normally open switch closable to close the circuitry for a signal emission, a tab mounted on the finberboard underneath the strings thereon and operative to close said switch by the player''s finger pressure against said tab in fingering any of the strings, the finger positions of any of said series being distinguishable between first and second finger placements in which to play any note of the associated group at correct and incorrect pitch, respectively, with said tab being located within pressure reach of the player''s finger in one of said finger placements of one of said series of finger positions, and a cover on said fingering surface hiding said tab from view and keeping said fingering surface plane throughout but yielding to the player''s finger pressure in said one finger placements for operation of said tab, whereby initial fingering of a string for playing an intended note is left solely to the player''s fingering skill.

Claim 5

A pitch intonation guide as in claim 2, in which the electrical circuitry includes a plurality of normally open switches each closable to close the circuitry for a signal emission, anD tabs associated with said switches, respectively, with each tab being mounted on the fingerboard underneath the strings thereon, and said tabs being located within pressure reach of the player''s finger in one of said finger placements of the respective series of finger positions.

Claim 6

A pitch intonation guide as in claim 3, in which said tabs are located within pressure reach of the player''s finger in said first finger placements of the respective series of finger positions.

Claim 7

A pitch intonation guide for a player of a string instrument with a fingerboard having a non-fretted fingering surface and a nut thereon, with the instrument being adapted for playing on the strings groups of notes in associated series of finger positions on said fingering surface at different spacing, respectively, from the nut, said guide providing an electric power source; an electric soundless signal element; a circuit for said signal element, including amplifying means powered from said source and one part of a capacitor in the form of a tab mounted on the fingerboard underneath all strings thereon and connected with said amplifying means, with the other part of the capacitor being a player''s finger on any of said strings above said tab to induce in the latter a signal amplified by said amplifying means, with said amplifying means being arranged to respond to an amplified signal for drawing current from the source through said signal element for a signal emission, a player''s finger positions of any of said series being distinguishable between first and second finger placements in which to play any note of the associated group at correct and incorrect pitch, respectively, with said tab being located on the fingerboard in signal-inducing relation with the player''s finger in one of said finger placements of one of said series of finger positions; and an insulation cover on said fingering surface hiding said tab from view and keeping said fingering surface plane throughout, whereby initial fingering of a string for playing an intended note is left solely to the player''s fingering skill.

Claim 8

A pitch intonation guide for a player of a string instrument with a fingerboard having a non-fretted fingering surface and a nut thereon, with the instrument being adapted for playing on the strings groups of notes in associated series of finger positions on said fingering surface at different spacing, respectively, from the nut, said guide providing an electric power source; an electric soundless signal element; a circuit for said signal element, including amplifying means powered from said source and one part of a capacitor in the form of a tab mounted on the fingerboard underneath all strings thereon and connected with said amplifying means, with the other part of the capacitor being a player''s finger on any of said strings above said tab to induce in the latter a signal amplified by said amplifying means, with said amplifying means being arranged to respond to an amplified signal for drawing current from the source through said signal element for a signal emission, a player''s finger positions of any of said series being distinguishable between first and second finger placements in which to play any note of the associated group at correct and incorrect pitch, respectively, with said tab being located on the fingerboard in signal-inducing relation with the player''s finger in one of said finger placements of one of said series of finger positions; and an insulation cover on said fingering surface hiding said tab from view and keeping said fingering surface plane throughout, whereby initial fingering of a string for playing an intended note is left solely to the player''s fingering skill.

Claim 9

A pitch intonation guide as in claim 5, in which said circuit includes a plurality of said tabs each extending across all strings on the fingerboard and connected with said amplifying means, with said tabs being located on said fingerboard in signal-inducing relation with the player''s finger in one of the finger placements of the respective series of finger positions.

Claim 10

A pitch intonation guide as in claim 6, in which said tabs are formed by conductive metal strips and electric insulation covering thereon, of which the covering is formed by said insulation cover on said fingering surface.

Claim 11

A pitch intonation guide as in claim 7, in which said insulation cover is of sheeting of uniform thickness, and said metal strips are of foil thickness so as to be imperceptible to the player''s touch in playing the instrument.