The instant invention relates to new attachments for the round tubular body of flutes. It firmly, but easily and removably, affixes the
flute to the player's left
index finger (and / or
thumb) so that the
flute is stabilized without pressure on the player's
lower lip. Thus, it enhances the flexibility of the player's lips so as to more perfectly play the
flute while also more exactly and repeatedly locating the player's fingers on the flute, while preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute. This is especially beneficial for the player's
lower lip, which, under extant art, is forcibly pinned against the lower teeth and gums so as to stabilize the flute. This benefit is achieved by completely stabilizing the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and / or
thumb) with a finger
retainer incorporating an opening through which the flute player's left
index finger (and / or
thumb) is inserted, like wearing a ring.In the preferred embodiment, the finger
retainer is a ring-like structure built into the flute-finger connector and for economy this
system is hereafter referred to as a ring. The use of a ring provides a firm connection between the player's fingers, the flute-finger connector and the flute permitting the left
index finger and
right thumb to completely stabilize the instrument with no pressure on the player's lips whatsoever, while completely preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute.One benefit of the instant invention over extant art is its flexibility with respect to the types of flutes it may be connected to. In one embodiment, attachment to the flute body is by an extraneous, extant, devices, such as cable ties, hook and loop, etc., which are adjustable and flexible so as to permit attachment of the device to tubular body flutes of widely varying cross-sectional dimensions, such as alto, bass, piccolo and treble flutes, as well as the more common C flute. Thus, a player could invest substantially in a device made of high-quality material, such gold with precious stones, assured of their ability to easily move it from flute to flute and between any number of different types of flutes.A second benefit of the instant invention over extant art is that a player can use it without altering their
hand position from how they would play the flute without the device. The absence of any pad between the ring and the body of the flute means that the player's left hand index finger rests directly on the body of the flute, exactly the same as it would rest on the flute absent the invention. Thus, this invention requires no adjustment to the player's style of playing whatsoever, except that it enhances the stability of the flute and allows it to be played with any amount of pressure on the player's
lower lip, including none.Another very substantial benefit of the instant invention over extant art is that it allows the flute to be safely played by growing children without fear of distorting the proper development of their gums and teeth. Many parents permit their children to start their
music education only with a
piano or a stringed-instrument because wind instruments have a tendency to put severe stress and strain on the mouth, teeth and gums, which can distort their development. Because the instant invention permits, even encourages, use of the flute without strong, or even any, pressure on the teeth and gums, a flute so equipped can be used even by young children without orthodontia concerns.