GB2096380A - Violin bow - Google Patents

Abstract

A substitute bow for a violin, viola or 'cello, primarily intended for student or emergency use, is a straight stick as long as a conventional bow and of circular cross-section (diameter 12-13 mm). A parallel array of filaments is attached by double-sided adhesive tape to the stick. The filaments lie parallel to the axis of the stick and are nearly as long as the stick. The width of the array is one-third of the circumference of the stick. In use, the filaments are rosined and drawn across the strings of the violin, viola or 'cello. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Substitute bow This invention relates to a substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument (e.g. violin, viola or violoncello).

Conventional bows contain expensive materials which are shaped and assembled individually by highly skilled craftsmen. They are therefore very costly and moreover are easily breakable if mishandled. These features are acceptable to experienced or professionai musicians but are major disadvantages to beginners or young children.

My substitute bow is devised to circumvent these disadvantages and is primarily intended for student or emergency use.

My substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument comprises a rigid substantially straight stick, preferably of rounded e.g. circular crosssection, having a parallel array of filaments attached to its surface, the filaments lying parallel to the axis of the stick and running over at least a major proportion of the length of the stick.

Preferably the filaments are attached by sticking, preferably using double-sided adhesive tape.

The filaments preferably terminate short of at least one end of the stick, and preferably that end bears an identifying mark, such as a representation of a screw (i.e. of a conventional bow).

The array of filaments may have a width of under half the circumference of the stick, but preferably of at least a quarter; the stick itself, if of circular cross-section, has a diameter preferably of from 10 to 20 mm. A most preferred diameter is about 12-13 mm (hence circumference is about 40 mm) with the array having a width of about one-third of the circumference. For noncircular cross-sections, reasonably corresponding dimensions are preferred. The stick preferably has a length that is, generally comparable with the length of a conventional bows. The stick is preferably of wood.

The array of filaments is preferably a tape such as of viscose threads.

In use, rosin is applied to the filaments, and the substitute bow according to the invention is held approximately as a conventional bow (at the end bearing the identifying mark if any) and is drawn across the strings of the musical instrument, such that the strings are engaged and vibrated by the filaments, just as hair of a conventional bow engages and vibrates the strings.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The stick (1) is of varying lengths according to the orthodox bows which are usually designated 1/8, 1/4, 1/2,3/4.4/4 but can of course be of any length. It is stained an appropriate colour i.e.

Mahogany, Walnut etc., and is varnished. One end is covered with silver metallic adhesive tape (2) of 1/2" width to simulate the orthodox screw and to show the end to be held. Double sided adhesive tape 1/2" wide (3 8 4) is applied longitudinally stopping at a suitable point to allow the hand to hold the stick when in playing position.

White viscose tape (3 s 4) 1/2" wide, is applied to this adhesive tape. This tape has longitudinal threads only.

Claims

1. A substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument, comprising a rigid substantially straight stick, having a parallel array of filaments attached to its surface, the filaments lying parallel to the axis of the stick and running over at least a major proportion of the length of the stick.

2. A bow according to claim 1, wherein the stick is of rounded cross-section.

3. A bow according to claim 2, wherein the stick is of circular cross-section.

4. A bow according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the stick is from 10 to 20 mm.

5. A bow according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the stick is from 12 to 13 mm.

6. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the filaments are attached to the stick adhesively.

7. A bow according to Claim 6, wherein the filaments are attached to the stick by doublesided adhesive tape.

8. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the filaments terminate short of at least one end of the stick.

9. A bow according to claim 8, wherein that end bears an identifying mark.

10. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the array of filaments is under half the circumference of the stick.

11. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the array of filaments is at least a quarter of the circumference of the stick.

12. A bow according to any preceding claim wherein the stick has a length of from twelve to thirty inches.

13. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the stick is of wood.

14. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the filaments are viscose threads.

1 5. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the array is in the form of a tape.

1 6. A substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

1 7. A method of playing a stringed musical instrument, comprising drawing the filaments of a bow according to any preceding claim across the strings of the instrument such that the strings are engaged and vibrated by the filaments.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (14)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Substitute bow This invention relates to a substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument (e.g. violin, viola or violoncello). Conventional bows contain expensive materials which are shaped and assembled individually by highly skilled craftsmen. They are therefore very costly and moreover are easily breakable if mishandled. These features are acceptable to experienced or professionai musicians but are major disadvantages to beginners or young children. My substitute bow is devised to circumvent these disadvantages and is primarily intended for student or emergency use. My substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument comprises a rigid substantially straight stick, preferably of rounded e.g. circular crosssection, having a parallel array of filaments attached to its surface, the filaments lying parallel to the axis of the stick and running over at least a major proportion of the length of the stick. Preferably the filaments are attached by sticking, preferably using double-sided adhesive tape. The filaments preferably terminate short of at least one end of the stick, and preferably that end bears an identifying mark, such as a representation of a screw (i.e. of a conventional bow). The array of filaments may have a width of under half the circumference of the stick, but preferably of at least a quarter; the stick itself, if of circular cross-section, has a diameter preferably of from 10 to 20 mm. A most preferred diameter is about 12-13 mm (hence circumference is about 40 mm) with the array having a width of about one-third of the circumference. For noncircular cross-sections, reasonably corresponding dimensions are preferred. The stick preferably has a length that is, generally comparable with the length of a conventional bows. The stick is preferably of wood. The array of filaments is preferably a tape such as of viscose threads. In use, rosin is applied to the filaments, and the substitute bow according to the invention is held approximately as a conventional bow (at the end bearing the identifying mark if any) and is drawn across the strings of the musical instrument, such that the strings are engaged and vibrated by the filaments, just as hair of a conventional bow engages and vibrates the strings. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing. The stick (1) is of varying lengths according to the orthodox bows which are usually designated 1/8, 1/4, 1/2,3/4.4/4 but can of course be of any length. It is stained an appropriate colour i.e. Mahogany, Walnut etc., and is varnished. One end is covered with silver metallic adhesive tape (2) of 1/2" width to simulate the orthodox screw and to show the end to be held. Double sided adhesive tape 1/2" wide (3 8 4) is applied longitudinally stopping at a suitable point to allow the hand to hold the stick when in playing position. White viscose tape (3 s 4) 1/2" wide, is applied to this adhesive tape. This tape has longitudinal threads only. Claims

1. A substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument, comprising a rigid substantially straight stick, having a parallel array of filaments attached to its surface, the filaments lying parallel to the axis of the stick and running over at least a major proportion of the length of the stick.

2. A bow according to claim 1, wherein the stick is of rounded cross-section.

3. A bow according to claim 2, wherein the stick is of circular cross-section.

4. A bow according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the stick is from 10 to 20 mm.

5. A bow according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the stick is from 12 to 13 mm.

6. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the filaments are attached to the stick adhesively.

7. A bow according to Claim 6, wherein the filaments are attached to the stick by doublesided adhesive tape.

8. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the filaments terminate short of at least one end of the stick.

9. A bow according to claim 8, wherein that end bears an identifying mark.

10. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the array of filaments is under half the circumference of the stick.

11. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the array of filaments is at least a quarter of the circumference of the stick.

12. A bow according to any preceding claim wherein the stick has a length of from twelve to thirty inches.

13. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the stick is of wood.

14. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the filaments are viscose threads.

1 5. A bow according to any preceding claim, wherein the array is in the form of a tape.

1 6. A substitute bow for a stringed musical instrument, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

1 7. A method of playing a stringed musical instrument, comprising drawing the filaments of a bow according to any preceding claim across the strings of the instrument such that the strings are engaged and vibrated by the filaments.