CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of the Indian Provisional Patent Application (PPA) with serial number 201821023432, filed on June 22, 2018, with the title “INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR SELF LEARNING ON STRING INSTRUMENTS”, and subsequently post-dated by 6 months to December 22, 2018. The content of the Provisional Patent Application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to chord playing attachments and specifically to a chord playing instrument that could be used to play a guitar. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a chord playing attachment that can be adjusted longitudinally along the length of the fretboard of the guitar and to cover and engage the entire length of the guitar strings.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Presently, people learning to play any stringed instrument, be it a guitar, or ukulele, or cello, or mandolin (also referred to as‘students,’ for the sake of explanation) are likely to find the aspect of strumming the guitar cumbersome and irritating until they develop calluses- a thickened and hard part of the skin, developed on account of prolonged friction of the skin with any metalized object - on the fingertips. Moreover, there does exist a likelihood that a student would injure his fingertips in the process of learning to play the guitar until the onset of calluses, and the onset of calluses may, at times, succeed a steep learning curve through which the student would have injured his fingertips multiple times even before completely acclimatizing himself with the guitar and even before learning to play actual music. In addition to the injuries to fingertips, the steep learning curve associated with learning strumming requires students to achieve a thorough understanding of the location of each fret locations and how actuation of specific strings at specific frets produces (desired) music from the guitar. Also, students learning strumming are expected to exhibit individual control over their (hand) fingers such that each of the fingers could be moved and positioned, to the largest possible extent, independent of the movement and positioning of other fingers. And, also students, while learning to strum, would need to understand the relative positioning of one finger with reference to another and the shape in which the fingers are to be positioned, such that an appropriate chord could be played on the guitar.

[0004] And therefore, in view of at least the aforementioned challenges faced by the students learning to strum, chord attachments, which enable students to play chords without injuring their fingers, were envisaged. The chord attachments, which ostensibly form a part of the prior-art, typically enabled students to play chords on a guitar by pressing certain buttons on the chord attachments, without essentially being concerned about injuring their fingers, for each of those buttons, when pressed, were configured to open predetermined chords through a collection of forked contact points that fret the strings of the guitar. However, regardless of the fact that chord attachments assist students in strumming without developing finger injuries and without having to struggle through the positioning and the movement of the fingers on the fretboard, certain prior-art chord attachments were hard-to-use given that they were heavy and contributed only to an increase in the weight of an already heavy guitar. Further, some of the chord attachments were stand-alone devices in the sense that they were never accompanied by a user friendly training manual, digital or otherwise. Further, some of the other prior-art chord attachments are designed such that the buttons thereon operate either all the strings (of the guitar) or none, thereby compelling students to take the quantum leap from operating the buttons to playing the individual strings by fingers. Such chord attachments, as described above, mimicked the functionalities of a capo for they were restricted to depressing all the strings of the guitar at only a specific point. And to overcome this drawback, certain prior-art chord attachments incorporating individual releasable buttons were introduced. However, chord attachments having individually releasable buttons were largely plagued by certain drawbacks including the need for such mechanisms to be screwed onto the fretboard, which, in turn, may possibly damaging the fretboard and the guitar, and the limited range of longitudinal movement - along the fretboard - such chord attachments exhibited, given that they were screwed onto the fretboard at a particular point thereof.

[0005] In summary, the prior-art chord attachments could be broadly classified into three classes of instruments, with a first class (set/group) of (conventional; prior-art) chord attachments being restricted to depressing all the strings of the guitar at a specific point, and thereby mimicking the functioning of a well-known, standardized capo. A second class of chord attachments, which could be deemed as improvement over the first set of chord attachments, given that they could be moved along the length of the fretboard, suffered from the drawback that they did not entail individually releasable buttons, and therefore constituted only a marginal improvement over the first class of chord attachments. A third class of chord improvements, which in turn envisaged individually releasable buttons, which, in turn, provided for individual strings to be selectively pressed against a fret and depressed, also suffered from the drawback that they could not be moved longitudinally along the length of the fretboard, given the necessity for such attachments to be typically fixed onto the fretboard via conventional screw mechanisms. Screwing a chord attachment onto a fretboard typically entailed yet another drawback stemming from the failure of conventional screw mechanisms to consider the curved nature, i.e., the radius of curvature, of the fretboard, the failure, which, in turn, typically causes for a less than optimized force distribution at a point on the fretboard where the (conventional) screw meets the fretboard, may indeed negatively affect the balance and thus the stability of the chord attachment.

[0006] And therefore, in view of the drawbacks discussed hitherto, there was felt a need for a chord playing instrument which should be attached to a guitar’s fretboard, not via conventional screw mechanism, but via a flexible, convenient to use, releasable clamp-based mechanism, which would in turn facilitate an optimal force distribution across the fretboard and thereby prevents the fretboard from being damaged by the attachment of the chord playing instrument. Further, there was also felt a need for a chord playing instrument whose position along the fretboard could be longitudinally adjusted such that the all the strings of the guitar could be engaged (and pressed) against preferably all the frets of the guitar, but at least against the‘fourth’ fret and all the frets placed above the fourth fret, thereby enhancing the scale at which the chords are played from the guitar. Further, there was also felt a need to resolve the drawbacks associated with all the three classes of chord attachments (explained above) in one go by providing a chord playing instrument that could be longitudinally adjusted along the length of the fretboard regardless of the type of the guitar, entailed a set of individually releasable buttons operatively coupled to individual strings, which when pressed, caused the corresponding, individual strings to contact against a fret predetermined based on the longitudinal positioning of the chord playing instrument on the fretboard, and seamlessly converted into a capo instrument with an easy removal of all the individually releasable buttons, such that the chord playing instrument, in the absence of individually releasable buttons, presses all the strings of the guitar, against all the possible frets unlike a standardized, prior-art capo, given the possibility of longitudinal adjustment of the chord playing device across the fretboard. OBJECTS

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to envisage a multipurpose device that functions both as a conventional capo device and as a chord playing device having independently controllable chord engaging levers, based on user requirements.

[0008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to envisage a (chord playing) device whose longitudinal positioning can be incrementally adjusted on the fretboard of a guitar.

[0009] One more object of the present disclosure is to envisage a chord playing device that allows for a maximum number of frets to be selectively engaged, and consequentially does not entail any limitations in terms of the number of frets engaged by the (chord playing) device.

[0010] Still a further object of the present disclosure is to envisage a chord playing device that obviates the need to be screwed onto the guitar.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to envisage a chord playing device integrated with a clamp assembly designed to facilitate equal force distribution across the breadth of the fretboard on which the chord playing device is mounted.

[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to envisage a chord playing device that is configured to be stably and tightly affixed onto the fretboard of the guitar.

[0013] One more object of the present disclosure is to envisage a chord playing device that does not impose any angular requirements on the positioning of the chord playing device on the fretboard and instead allows for the chord playing device to be placed substantially in parallel to the fretboard.

SUMMARY

[0014] The present disclosure envisages a chord playing unit configured to be releasably and operatively attached in a longitudinally adjustable manner to a guitar having strings, a fretboard, head and body, and a method for operating such a chord playing unit after operatively coupling the chord playing unit to the guitar, and specifically to the fretboard of the guitar. The chord playing unit, in accordance with the present disclosure includes a plurality of independent, releasable, lever-operated chord members. Each chord member is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to the strings of the guitar and further configured to press and engage at least one preselected string of the guitar against at least one fret positioned on the fretboard, to make a chord. In accordance with the present disclosure, the chord playing unit is configured to be selectively adjusted longitudinally along a length of the fretboard, such that the plurality of chord members selectively engage and press the preselected strings located in proximity to a distal end of the fretboard and the preselected strings located in proximity to a proximal end of the fretboard. In accordance with the present disclosure, each of the plurality of chord members further include at least one rubber pad for releasably pressing and engaging the preselected strings of the guitar against at least one fret. Further, the chord playing unit is releasably attached to the fretboard of the guitar via a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly comprises a horizontal string engaging portion positioned transversely across a frontal curved surface, i.e., frontal curvature of the fretboard such that each of the plurality of chord members extends longitudinally from the horizontal string engaging unit. As described above, each of the plurality of chord members engage and thereby press the strings of the guitar against at least one fret determined based on a longitudinal positioning of the chord playing unit along the length of the fretboard. The horizontal string engaging portion also includes a recess having a positive depression defined by a radius of curvature equivalent to the frontal curvature of the fretboard, such that the recess in the horizontal string engaging portion nestingly holds the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, and thereby stably attaches the chord playing unit in parallel to the fretboard of the guitar.

[0015] Further, each of the plurality of chord members includes a finger pad and at least one of the plurality of rubber pads attached thereto. Preferably, the finger pod is attached onto an anterior portion of the chord member and away from the fretboard, and the at least one rubber pad is attached onto a posterior portion of the chord member and in proximity to the fretboard, such that the rubber pad engages and presses the string on the fretboard in response to application of mechanical force on the finger pad. Further, each of the rubber pads are attached to each of the plurality of chord members is operatively coupled to the finger pads attached to each of the plurality of chord members, such that the mechanical force exerted on each of the finger pads causes the corresponding rubber pads attached to the chord member to press and engage at least one string of the guitar against the preselected fret. Further, the chord playing unit is configured to be releasably attached between the proximal end and the distal end of the fretboard, such that the chord playing unit is selectively adjusted longitudinally along the length of the fretboard represented by a distance between the proximal end and distal end of the fretboard, such that the strings of the guitar, pressed along the length of the fretboard, are selectively engaged and pressed.

[0016] In accordance with the present disclosure, the clamp assembly attached to the chord playing unit includes an upper member having upwardly projecting portion and attached to the horizontal string engaging portion. The said upwardly projecting portion is preferably termed as the clamp handle. In accordance with the present disclosure, the clamp assembly is configured to be selectively moved longitudinally between the proximal end and distal end of the fretboard, and along the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, thereby causing a consequential movement of at least the horizontal string engaging portion along the length of the fretboard, and enabling selective engaging and pressing of the strings disposed on the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, by the horizontal string engaging portion. Further, the clamp handle is pivotally connected to a clamp lever via a spring. And the clamp handle is attached to the horizontal string engaging portion. In accordance with the present disclosure, the clamp lever further includes a substantially flat portion attached thereto and extending laterally from the clamp lever. The substantially flat potion is configured to receive and hold a rear surface of the fretboard. Further, the spring is configured to selectively maintain the clamp lever and the clamp handle in a clamping position such that the clamp handle receives and stably holds the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, thereby causing the horizontal string engaging portion to selectively engage and press the strings of the guitar against the at least one predetermined fret, and such that the substantially flat portion of the clamp lever receives and stably holds the rear surface of the fretboard, thereby operatively and stably attaching the chord playing unit in parallel to the fretboard of the guitar.

[0017] In accordance with the present disclosure, the spring is further configured to selectively maintain the clamp lever and the clamp handle in an open position such that the clamp handle disengages the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, consequentially disengaging the strings of the guitar, and the clamp lever disengages the rear surface of the fretboard. In accordance with the present disclosure, the spring is triggered by a mechanical force applied upon the clamp lever and the clamp handle. The spring facilitates movement of the clamp lever and clamp handle from the clamping position to an open position in response to application of the mechanical force on the clamp lever and the clamp handle. The clamp lever and claim handle, in the opening position, disengage the rear surface and frontal curved surface of the fretboard respectively, thereby enabling a position of the chord playing unit to be adjusted longitudinally against the fretboard of the guitar. In accordance with the present disclosure, the application of the mechanical force on the clamp handle causes a consequential vertically ascending and descending movement of the horizontal string engaging portion attached thereto with respect to the frontal curved surface of the fretboard. Preferably, the descending movement of the horizontal string engaging portion engages the stings on the guitar and the ascending movement of the horizontal string engaging portion disengages the stings on the guitar, from the horizontal string engaging portion. Further, the application of the mechanical force on the clamp lever also causes a consequential vertically ascending and descending movement of the flat portion attached thereto. The ascending and descending movement exhibited by the flat portion are always in reverse to the ascending and descending movement exhibited by the horizontal string engaging portion. Further, the descending movement of the flat portion of the clamp handle disengages the rear surface of the fretboard, and the ascending movement of the flat portion of the clamp handle engages the rear surface of the fretboard.

[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, an instruction manual, also referred to as a training booklet, and a video-based tutorial deliverable online are provided along with the chord playing tool such that a user intending to leam to play a guitar could make use of the training booklet and the video-based tutorial to understand and also visualize how the chord playing tool could be used in operative combination with the guitar to make various chords.

[0019] The present disclosure also envisages a method for attaching a chord playing unit, in a longitudinally adjustable manner, to the guitar having strings, the fretboard, head and body. Firstly, the chord playing unit is releasably attached to the fretboard of the guitar, via a clamp assembly. The chord playing unit is attached such that the horizontal string engaging portion incorporating a plurality of independent, releasable, lever-operated chord members longitudinally extending therefrom, is positioned transversely across the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, in turn having a predetermined curvature. Further, each of the plurality of chord members are made to selectively engage and thereby press the strings of the guitar against at least one fret, with the fret selected based on the longitudinal positioning of the chord playing unit along the length of the fretboard.

[0020] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, the chord playing unit is configured to be selectively adjusted longitudinally along the length of the fretboard, with the length of the fretboard being determined by a distance between a proximal end and distal end of the fretboard. Further, each of the plurality of chord members are configured to press and engage the strings located in proximity to the proximal end of the fretboard as well as the distal end of the fretboard. Further, at step 308, a recess having a positive depression is formed on an upper surface of the horizontal string engaging portion, with a curvature equivalent to the radius of curvature of the fretboard.

[0021] In accordance with the present disclosure, each of the plurality of chord members is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to the strings of the guitar. Further, the clamp assembly is created as a combination of a clamp handle pivotally coupled to a clamp lever via a spring, with the clamp handle being a substantially upper member having an upwardly projecting portion. The horizontal string engaging portion is operatively attached to the upwardly projecting portion such that the horizontal string engaging portion selectively presses and engages the strings of the guitar on the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, and exhibits ascending and descending movement respectively with reference to the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, in response to the application and release of mechanical force on the clamp handle. Further, a substantially flat portion is attached to the clamp lever, such that the flat portion projects laterally from the clamp lever, and thereby configures the flat portion of the clamp lever to receive and stably hold a rear surface of the fretboard, and also configures the flat portion to exhibit ascending and descending movement with reference to the rear surface of the fretboard, in reverse to the ascending and descending movement exhibited by the horizontal string engaging portion. Further, the clamp assembly is configured to be moved between the proximal end and the distal end of the fretboard, in turn enabling selective engagement and pressing of the strings along the length of the fretboard, by the horizontal string engaging portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG.1A illustrates a split perspective view of the chord playing unit attached to the fretboard of the guitar, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. IB illustrates a split perspective view of a standalone chord playing unit, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG.1C illustrates a top view of the chord playing unit attached to the fretboard of the guitar, in accordance with the present disclosure; [0025] FIG. ID illustrates a perspective view of the chord playing unit attached to the fretboard of the guitar, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. IE illustrates a side view of the chord playing unit attached to the fretboard of the guitar, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0027] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate a gradual movement and consequential longitudinal adjustment of the chord playing unit on the fretboard of the guitar, with the consequential longitudinal adjustment beginning from the distal end of the fretboard and gradually progressing towards the frontal end of the guitar;

[0028] FIG.3 illustrates a flowchart describing the steps involved in a method for attaching a chord playing unit, in a longitudinally adjustable manner, to a guitar having at least strings, a fretboard, and a headstock, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In accordance with the present disclosure, FIG.1A and FIG. IB in combination illustrate a perspective view of the chord playing unit 100. FIG.1A illustrates the chord playing unit 100 as being operatively coupled to the fretboard 100A, while FIG. IB illustrates the chord playing unit 100 alone. The chord playing unit 100 is specifically configured to be mounted onto an acoustic guitar incorporating at least a headstock 100B, a fretboard 100 A having a plurality of frets lOOC disposed thereon, and a plurality of strings disposed perpendicular to the fretboard 100A. Specifically, the chord playing unit 100 is configured to be mounted onto the fretboard 100A of the guitar (the guitar not shown in entirety in the figures for the sake of brevity, and the emphasis being provided only to the fretboard 100A of the guitar) so as to selectively, operatively engage and press-down the strings of the guitar against a predetermined fret in a given point of time in order to make a chord. The chord playing unit 100 is attached to the guitar in such a way that the chord playing unit is positioned in parallel to the strings of the guitar, located on the fretboard 100A.

[0030] The chord playing unit 100 has been specifically configured taking into consideration the curved nature of the fretboard 100A, such that despite the curvature or the curved construction of the fretboard 100A, the chord playing unit 100 could be stably, yet removably attached along the entire length of the fretboard 100A, so as to engage any point in the string against any fret of the guitar. As explained above, the chord playing unit 100, in accordance with the present disclosure, is configured to selectively adjusted longitudinally along the entire length of the fretboard 100A of the guitar, such that the chord playing unit 100 could be made to engage the entire length of the strings of the guitar against any fret on the fretboard, and especially against any fret, starting from the‘fourth’ fret of the guitar and counting upwards towards the headstock 100B of the guitar.

[0031] In accordance with the present disclosure and as illustrated in FIGS.1 A and IB, the chord playing unit 100 is attached to the guitar via a clamping assembly 10. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the clamp assembly 10 forms an integral part of the chord playing unit 100. The clamping assembly 10, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a clamp handle 12 and a clamp lever 14. The clamp handle 12 is pivotally coupled to the clamp lever 14 via a spring 16, such that the clamp lever 14 could be brought closer to and moved away from the clamp handle 12, by applying adequate amount of pressure on the clamp lever 14. The clamp handle 12 includes a horizontal string engaging portion 12A attached thereto (i.e., to the clamp handle 12), typically to a distal end of the clamp handle 12, as illustrated in FIG. l . And, the clamp lever 14 includes a substantially flat portion 14A attached thereto (i.e., to the clamp lever 14). Under typical conditions, i.e., with no mechanical force being applied - ostensibly by the user on the clamp assembly 10 - the horizontal string engaging portion 12A is in proximity to the flat portion 14A

[0032] In accordance with the present disclosure and as illustrated in FIGS.1A and IB, the horizontal string engaging portion 12A includes at least four string engaging levers protruding longitudinally from the horizontal string engaging portion 12A. The four string engaging levers are denoted by reference numerals 12AA, 12AB, 12AC, and 12AD as illustrated in FIG. l . The horizontal string engaging portion 12A also includes a positive depression (not shown in figures) having a predetermined radius of curvature equivalent to the curvature (i.e., radius of curvature) of the fretboard 100A of the guitar, such that the clamp assembly 10, and in particular the horizontal string engaging portion 12A could be stably attached to the fretboard 100A of the guitar.

[0033] In accordance with the present disclosure, and as shown in FIGS.1 A, the four string engaging levers 12AA, 12AB, 12AC, and 12AD, include a finger pad and a rubber pad. That is, the first string engaging lever 12AA includes a first finger pad 121, the second string engaging lever 12AB includes a second finger pad 122, the third string engaging lever 12AC includes a third finger pad 123, and the fourth string engaging lever 12AD includes a forth finger pad 124. Likewise, the first string engaging lever 12AA includes a first rubber pad 125, the second string engaging lever 12AB includes a second rubber pad 126, the third string engaging lever 12AC includes a third rubber pad 127, and the fourth string engaging lever 12AD includes a forth rubber pad 128. And as shown in FIG.1A, the first finger pad 121 is operatively coupled (attached) to the first rubber pad 125, the second finger pad 122 is operatively coupled to the second rubber pad 126, the third finger pad 123 is operatively coupled to the third rubber pad 127, and the forth finger pad 124is operatively coupled to the forth rubber pad 128, such that when any of the finger pads 121, 122, 123, and 124 are pressed (ostensibly by the user of the guitar), the finger pads 121, 122, 123, and 124 actuate (any of the) corresponding rubber pads 125, 126, 127, and 128, such that the rubber pads 125,

126, 127, and 128, in turn engage and press the underlying corresponding string of the guitar against a predetermined fret located on the fretboard 100A of the guitar. The rubber pads 125, 126, 127, and 128 are in proximity to the fretboard 100A give that they are attached to an anterior portion of the string engaging levers 12AA, 12Ab, 12AC, and 12AD respectively, while the finger pads 121, 122, 123, and 124 are positioned away from the fretboard 100A and attached to a posterior portion of the string engaging levers 12AA, 12Ab, 12AC, and 12AD respectively.

[0034] In accordance with the present disclosure, the chord playing unit 100 is clamped, via the clamp assembly 10, to the guitar in such a way that the entire chord playing unit 100, and in particular the horizontal string engaging portion 12A is always positioned in parallel to the string of the guitar so that the (four) string engaging levers 12AA, 12AB, 12AC, and 12AD could operatively engage, i.e., press down the corresponding strings of the guitar against any fret disposed on the fretboard 100A, and thereby make a chord. In accordance with the present disclosure, the chord playing unit 100, and especially the horizontal string engaging portion 12A of the clamp assembly 10 is configured such that the four string engaging levers 12AA, 12AB, 12AC, and 12AD operate independent of one another such that either any of all the four string engaging levers 12AA, 12AB, 12AC, and 12AD could be actuated and pressed against any of the frets disposed on the fretboard 100A of the guitar.

[0035] In accordance with the present disclosure, the clamp assembly, as illustrated in FIGS.1A and IB, includes the clamp lever 14. The clamp lever 14, as described earlier, is pivotally connected to the clamp handle 12 via the spring 16. The pivotal coupling between the clamp handle 12 and clamp lever 14 via the spring 16 enables the clamp assembly to be clamped, along with the chord playing unit 100, on to the guitar. For instance, when a user applies mechanical force on the clamp lever 14 thereby pushing the clamp lever 14 closed to the clamp handle 12 in a clock-wise direction, the clamp assembly 10, as a resultant of the applied mechanical force, is moved to an‘open position’. In accordance with the present disclosure, when the clamp assembly 10 is in an open position, there exists an opening 18 in between the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A - the string engaging portion 12A attached to the clamp handle 12 and the flat portion 14A attached to the clamp lever 14 - sufficient enough to stably accommodate the fretboard 100A of the guitar.

[0036] The FIGS.1A and IB illustrate the clamp assembly 10 and the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14 held in an open position such that there exists the opening 18 between the string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A such that the fretboard 100A could be stably accommodated in the opening 18. Typically, when the user applies mechanical force on the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14, the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14 are pivotally moved along a predefined axis of motion, such that the clamp handle 12 is in proximity to the clamp lever 14, and such that the clamp handle 12 actuates the horizontal string engaging potion 12A and the clamp lever 14 actuates the flat portion 14A. The actuation of the horizontal string engaging potion 12A and the flat portion 14A creates the opening 18, which, in turn could accommodate the fretboard 100A of the guitar.

[0037] In accordance with the present disclosure, when the guitar and specifically the fretboard 100A of the guitar is inserted into the opening 100, the user releases the mechanical force applied upon the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14 such that the clamp assembly moves back into a ‘clamping position’. FIG.1A illustrates the clamp assembly in the clamping position, with the fretboard 100A of the guitar inserted into the opening 18 formed between the horizontal engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A. As illustrated in FIG.1A, when the fretboard 100A of the guitar is inserted into the opening 18, the string engaging levers 12AA, 12AB, 12AC, and 12AD are disposed in parallel to the strings of the guitar. And consequentially, the finger pads 121, 122, 123, and 124 and the rubber pads 125, 126, 127, and 128 are also disposed in parallel to the strings of the guitar, and in the process, perpendicular to the positioning of the frets on the fretboard 100A, such that an actuation of any of the finger pads 121, 122, 123, and 124 results in a consequential actuation of the corresponding rubber pads 125, 126, 127, and 128, which, in turn press the corresponding strings against a fret disposed on the fretboard 100A, and thereby make a chord. As described earlier, each of the string engaging levers 121AA, 121AB, 121 AC, and 121 AD could be selectively actuated, meaning either one (121AA) or two (121AA and 121AB) or three (121AA, 121AB, and 121AC) or all the four (121AA, 121AB, 121AC, and 121AD) could be actuated simultaneously in order engage predetermined strings of the guitar against the frets disposed on the fretboard 100A.

[0038] In accordance with the present disclosure, when the clamp assembly 10 is in an open position, i.e., there exists (the) opening 18 between the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A, firstly, the fretboard 100A could be accommodated into the opening 18. And secondly, with the clamp assembly 10 being in an open position, the clamp assembly 10 and the entire chord playing unit attached to the clamp assembly could be longitudinally moved along the length of the fretboard so as to facilitate the engagement of the guitar strings against any fret of the fretboard 100A. Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. l, when the clamp assembly 10 is in a clamping position, i.e., there exists no opening 18 between the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14 A, and the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A are firmly and stably attached to a frontal curved surface and a rear surface of the fretboard 100A respectively, then such an absence of the opening 18 signifies that the chord playing unit 100 has been firmly and stably attached to the fretboard 100A of the guitar, with the chord playing unit 100 engaging one or more string of the guitar against a particular fret, based on the longitudinal positioning of the chord playing unit 100 along the length of the fretboard 100A.

[0039] Essentially, the chord playing unit 100 is releasably attached between a proximal end 100AA and a distal end 100AB (as illustrated in FIG. ID) of the fretboard 100A as shown in FIG. l, so that the chord playing unit 100 could be moved between the proximal end 100AA and the distal end 100AB, thereby selectively engaging the strings of the guitar at any point thereon against any fret disposed on the fretboard 100A, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, beginning with the forth fret on the fretboard 100A and counting upwards until the twenty-first or the twenty-forth fret of the guitar, i.e., the electric guitar, based on the configuration of the electronic guitar. Essentially, the clamp handle 12 is also referred to as an‘upper member having an upward projection,’ given its construction as illustrated in FIG. l A and FIG. IB. Further, when a user applies mechanical force on the clamp assembly 10 by way of squeezing the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14 together, the mechanical force causes an anti -clockwise movement in the clamp handle 12 and an opposite clockwise movement of the clamp lever 14, thereby bringing the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14 together, the horizontal string engaging portion 12A exhibits a vertical ascending movement as a direct consequence of the squeezing of the clamp handle 12 in the anti-clockwise direction. Likewise, as a result of application of the mechanical force on the clamp lever 14, the flat portion 14A attached to the clamp lever 14 also exhibits a descending movement. The vertical ascending movement on the part of the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the vertical descending movement of the flat portion 14A, as a resultant of the squeezing of the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14, causes the said opening 18. Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, the movements, i.e., the ascending movement and the descending movement of the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A are mutually exclusive. That is, if the horizontal string engaging portion 12A exhibits vertically ascending movement, then at the same time, the flat portion 14A exhibits vertically descending movement, thereby creating the opening 18. Likewise, if the horizontal string engaging portion 12A exhibits vertically descending movement, then at the same time, the flat portion 14A exhibits vertically ascending movement, providing for the horizontal string engaging portion 12A to engage the frontal curved surface of the fretboard 100A and the flat portion 14A to engage the rear surface of the fretboard 100A, and in the process, also closing the opening 18.

[0040] In accordance with the present disclosure, the clamp assembly 10 is actuated by the user, i.e., the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14 are squeezed together by the user, the clamp assembly renders itself in an open position and creates the opening 18, given the consequential ascending movement of the horizontal string engaging portion 12A and the flat portion 14A, such the fretboard 100A in particular could be inserted into the opening 18. Subsequently, when the user releases the clamp handle 12 and the clamp lever 14, the clamp assembly transforms itself from the open position to the closed position, thereby holding stably, yet longitudinally adjustably, the fretboard 100A of the guitar. Preferably, when the chord playing device 100 is to be longitudinally adjusted along the fretboard 100A, the clamp assembly 10 is changed, as explain above, via the application of mechanical force by a user, from the clamping position to the open position such that the chord playing device 100 could be adjusted longitudinally along the fretboard 100A.

[0041] Referring to FIG.1C, there is shown a top view of the chord playing instrument 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The top view illustrates the fretboard 100A, string engaging levers 12AA, 12AB, 12 AC, and 12 AD and the horizontal string engaging portion 12A attached to the clamp handle (not shown in FIG.2). Likewise, FIG.2E illustrates a side view of the chord playing instrument 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The side view also illustrates the clamp handle 12 and the upward projection of the clamp handle 12, and the fretboard 100A. FIG. ID also illustrates a perspective view of the chord playing unit 100 attached to the fretboard 100A of the guitar. In accordance with the present disclosure, FIGS 2A-2E, in seriatim, describe the movement of the chord playing unit 100 across the fretboard 100A of the guitar, beginning from the distal end 100AB of the fretboard to the frontal end 100AA of the fretboard.

[0042] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, an instruction manual, also referred to as a training booklet, and a video-based tutorial deliverable online are provided along with the chord playing tool 100 such that a user intending to leam to play a guitar could make use of the training booklet and the video-based tutorial to understand and also visualize how the chord playing tool 100 could be used in operative combination with the guitar to make various chords. In accordance with the present disclosure, FIG.3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in the method for attaching a chord playing unit, in a longitudinally adjustable manner, to a guitar having strings, a fretboard, head and body. The method, in accordance with the present disclosure begins at step 300 where the chord playing unit is releasably attached to the fretboard of the guitar, via a clamp assembly. The chord playing unit is attached such that the horizontal string engaging portion incorporating a plurality of independent, releasable, lever-operated chord members longitudinally extending therefrom, is positioned transversely across the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, in turn having a predetermined curvature. At step 302, each of the plurality of chord members are made to selectively engage and thereby press the strings of the guitar against at least one fret, with the fret selected based on the longitudinal positioning of the chord playing unit along the length of the fretboard.

[0043] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, at step 304, the chord playing unit is configured to be selectively adjusted longitudinally along the length of the fretboard, with the length of the fretboard being determined by a distance between a proximal end and distal end of the fretboard. Further, at step 306, each of the plurality of chord members are configured to press and engage the strings located in proximity to the proximal end of the fretboard as well as the distal end of the fretboard. Further, at step 308, a recess having a positive depression is formed on an upper surface of the horizontal string engaging portion, with a curvature equivalent to the radius of curvature of the fretboard. [0044] In accordance with the present disclosure, each of the plurality of chord members is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to the strings of the guitar. Further, the clamp assembly is created as a combination of a clamp handle pivotally coupled to a clamp lever via a spring, with the clamp handle being a substantially upper member having an upwardly projecting portion. The horizontal string engaging portion is operatively attached to the upwardly projecting portion such that the horizontal string engaging portion selectively presses and engages the strings of the guitar on the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, and exhibits ascending and descending movement respectively with reference to the frontal curved surface of the fretboard, in response to the application and release of mechanical force on the clamp handle. Further, a substantially flat portion is attached to the clamp lever, such that the flat portion projects laterally from the clamp lever, and thereby configures the flat portion of the clamp lever to receive and stably hold a rear surface of the fretboard, and also configures the flat portion to exhibit ascending and descending movement with reference to the rear surface of the fretboard, in reverse to the ascending and descending movement exhibited by the horizontal string engaging portion. Further, the clamp assembly is configured to be moved between the proximal end and the distal end of the fretboard, in turn enabling selective engagement and pressing of the strings along the length of the fretboard, by the horizontal string engaging portion.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

[0045] The technical advantages envisaged by the present disclosure include the realization of a chord playing unit that could also double up as a standardized capo unit. The chord unit includes individually controllable and therefore individually actuatable and releasable chord engaging levers, which when removed transforms the chord playing unit into a standardized capo device. But, with the chord engaging levers attached, the chord playing unit allows for each of the chord engaging levers to be selectively actuated such that each of them selectively engage and in the process press down certain strings of the guitar against a fret, thereby making a chord. Further, the chord playing unit is not screwed on to the guitar unlike most of the prior-art solutions and therefore provides a user with a flexibility of adjusting the longitudinal positioning of the chord playing unit so that the chord playing unit could be manoeuvred up and down to coincide, and consequentially press down the strings of the guitar on any of the frets disposed on the fretboard of the guitar. Essentially, the chord playing unit of the present disclosure provides a user with the flexibility of engaging the ‘fourth’ fret and all the remaining frets counting upwards from the fourth fret in the direction of the headstock of the guitar. Also, the chord playing unit is accompanied by an instruction manual/instruction booklet which would enable a user to identify and thoroughly understand the manner in which the chord playing unit needs to be used in preferably an operative combination with a guitar so as to effectively leam the way of creating guitar chords. The chord playing unit, for the convenience of the user, is also accompanied by an interactive video-based guide, preferably provided online and therefore rendered accessible on a computer-based device, which in turn enables the user, by way of detailed demonstrations, to intuitively leam how to make best use of the features of the chord playing unit in learning to play a guitar.