INVENTION PROFILE

Introduction. We'd like to submit to interested companies the invention Keyboard mechanical unit for sound extraction from string musical instruments. The aim of the offered technical solution is to construct new keyboard mechanical unit for sound extraction mainly from plucked musical instruments, in particular from guitar, which also could be used  for sound extraction from string, non-plucked musical instruments, for example, piano, grand piano. Video clips of electric guitar playing using keyboard mechanical unit (short and full versions) are presented below.

Advantages and short description of the invention. In result of use of the offered invention there could be achieved several important advantages in comparison with known units for sound extraction from plucked musical instruments. Experimental examination of efficiency of keyboard unit, designed by author, keyboard mechanical system of sound extraction is more convenient and progressive method of plucked musical instruments playing in comparison with plucking method of sound extraction. Keyboard sound extraction unit makes plucked musical instruments playing, in particular, guitar playing, significantly easier, makes time of study of guitar playing shorter, improves technique of guitar playing in such important quality parameters, as tempo of playing. Besides, the invented keyboard mechanical unit is constructively more simple, than units of string musical instruments, in particular, piano, grand piano etc.

Legal protection of the invention. The invention is protected by just published RU patent application for invention N 2008105142 (priority since February 14, 2008). Owners of the invention are two persons:Slava Lukyanov (Inventor) and Vitaly Pilkin. There is the possibility to submit the PCT patent application and then to patent the invention in other countries.

Our proposals. We suggest interested companies to consider our proposal on purchase all our rights on the invention. We are ready to demonstrate to companies representatives experimental sample of the keyboard mechanical unit for sound extraction. Any other information about the invention is on request.

Message of the inventor. Idea of guitar keyboard unit was formed, when I began to study guitar, such not a simple, but great instrument. Professional guitar players know how much force, time and patience should be applied to appear on the scene with assurance and show high level of playing. Together with soul and heart, which musician put into instrument playing, he needs high and virtuous technique of playing. Technique of sound extraction by finger or mediator is not less, but may be more important than fingers' agility on fingerboard. Studying electric guitar I faced with some difficulties in sound extraction, in particular, woodiness of right hand, missing of string by mediator, "tremolo", fast performance of plunk arpeggio both by fingers and mediator etc. And technique of left hand needs less attention. I understood that it is impossible for me to achieve technique of famous guitar players, or it will take a lot of time and efforts.

Once, when I saw at the concert, how easily and virtuously plaid the piano player, my mind was occupied by idea to use keyboard mechanics for guitar sound extraction. I have decided to invent and design such system. I studied constructions of piano, grand piano, clavecin (harpsichord) and I have understood that they were unsuitable for my idea, because systems of these instruments are very complicated and need lot of parts, so it is impossible to place them into a small box. For making small copies of these parts it is necessary to have high precision equipment and instruments, while I had only very simple equipment. So I have understood that it is necessary to design something else, which will be easier in production.

I tried different constructions to force a string of electric guitar to sound after pushing a key. Solution happened to be really simple and easy in production. And how many possibilities have opened for guitar playing! I play "tremolo", solo parts, plunk arpeggio and accord rhythmic passages freely an easily, because it is much easily to push wide keys, than to pluck strings by fingers or mediator.

Earlier, during electric guitar playing without keyboard unit, my left hand was faster than left one. In opposite, now left hand is in arrears of right one and needs in additional training. Besides, due to my original damper it is possible to play guitar, for example, as organ: keys are pushed - strings sound, keys are pulled - sound is sharply died down. Organ principle of sounding dives more possibilities for guitar. It is also possible to create original electric guitar parties: solo, accord rhythmic passages or plunk arpeggio, which even high-class guitar player could play hard without keyboard unit.

It is possible to study guitar playing with my keyboard unit much faster than usual acoustic or electric guitar. The unit could be installed on guitar easy and quickly, and could be easy and quickly dismantled, although it is not necessary to dismantle it, because keyboard unit, installed on guitar, absolutely does not prevent to play guitar by fingers of mediator.

I hope that both beginners and professional guitar players will appreciate my invention after guitar keyboard units will come into the market.

 Besides, several design solutions used in my invention could be used for piano and grand piano.

Contacts. Vitaly Pilkin, tel. +7(985) 222-5545, e-mail: info@guitarkeyboardunit.com

August, 2008