Stringed instruments, such as guitars, can be played in a variety of ways. A simple playing technique is to strum across any number of or all of the strings using a finger, thumb or a plectrum. Alternatively, a finger, the thumb or a plectrum can be used to play individual notes in playing a melody. A more complicated playing technique is called fingerpicking, in which a combination of the thumb and one or more fingers are used to pluck single and combinations of strings. For the fingerpicking technique, either the bare fingers and thumb can be used or devices known as thumb-picks and finger picks can be used on the ends of the thumb and fingers respectively. A thumb-pick has a ring that fits around the end of the thumb and a spike extending sideways from the thumb, the spike being used to strike the strings. Finger picks, on the other hand have a ring that fits onto the end of a finger and a spike extending forwardly of the finger on the nail side thereof, in order in effect to substitute for the nail as the means of striking the strings of the guitar.

Any of the above-described guitar playing techniques has its limitations. For example, when playing with a plectrum, it is difficult to switch to fingerpicking and back to single note playing, unless a more difficult fingerpicking style is used, in which the plectrum is retained between the thumb and first finger to pluck the base notes and the second and third fingers are used for the treble strings. Generally, fingerpicking is easier and more versatile when the thumb alone plays the base notes and the first and possibly the second fingers play the treble notes.

Another problem with fingerpicking playing is that of making sure that the melody comes through clearly. This can be done by striking the string on which the melody note is being played harder than the other strings being played. This can, however, unbalance the playing.

An object of this invention is to provide a device for use in playing stringed instruments, such as guitars, which can increase versatility of playing.

According to this invention there is provided a device for use in playing a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, which device is mountable on a finger end and has a string striking plate extending forwardly therefrom and on the opposite side of the finger to its nail when on the finger.

In a preferred embodiment the device of the invention comprises a ring mountable on the end of a finger and a string striking plate in the shape of a plectrum attached thereto or integral therewith. The ring is preferably expandable to facilitate fitting thereof to the finger end. Preferably the ring is incomplete and of resilient material, so that it can be distorted for fitting on the finger but grips the finger when in position thereon.

The striking plate may be a plectrum shape that is formed integrally with the ring. Alternatively, the plectrum shape may be fused or adhered to the ring-in yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the plectrum shape is replaceably attachable to the ring. Thus, the ring and plectrum shape can have interengaging formations. This preferred embodiment of the invention will allow the use of different grades of string striking plates to be used with the same finger mounting. For different tunes or effects softer or harder string striking plates may be used.

The device of the present invention is particularly intended to be used on the end of a player's first finger. This means that the striking plate or plectrum component lies on the underside of the finger and can be held between the finger and the thumb as a conventional plectrum. Alternatively, the striking plate can be used in a fingerpicking style but can give a clearer ring to the struck strings, such as~ for emphasising a melody line. In this technique, the second and third fingers of the picking hand can be used to pluck subsidiary treble notes. In other words, a guitar can be played in a fingerpicking style with three distinct components, namely base notes, melody notes and supporting treble notes.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following exemplary description of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for use in playing a stringed instrument, especially a guitar; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a hand showing how the device of Figures 1 and 2 is worn; and Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 3.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a device 10 for use in playing a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, is generally made of plastics material and is primarily intended to be worn on the end of the first finger 12 of the hand 14 used for plucking or strumming the strings of the instrument (see Figures 3 and 4).

The device 10 has a broken ring 16 that slides onto the finger 12. Because the ring is made of plastics material it can have some natural resilience, so that it can be opened out slightly to facilitate putting onto the finger and then when released close to grip the finger. On one side of the ring 16 is a plectrum shaped string striker 18. The ring is shaped so that it fits on the finger with the striker 18 on the opposite side of the finger to its nail. In other words, the striker can be held between the first finger and the thumb when they are brought together.

The device 10 can be used in a number of ways. Simply by holding the striker between the first finger and thumb, the device can be used as plectrum for strumming or for playing individual strings. By releasing the grip of the thumb the instrument can be played using a fingerpicking technique, such as by plucking base notes with the thumb and treble notes with the first and/or the second or third fingers of the hand. When doing so, the device of the invention can be used to pick out a melody because the plectrum component will impart a louder ring to the string picked than the thumb or other fingers. The other fingers can be used to pick out chord notes or harmony notes to enhance the effect. The device 10 can also be used in this technique to introduce strums as desired.

In effect, three different effects can be created using a device 10 when playing a stringed instrument. The thumb can be used to play base notes, the first finger to play the melody and the second and third fingers used to play harmonies.

It will be appreciated that the device of the invention, whilst primarily for use in playing the guitar, may be used for playing stringed instruments that are played in a similar manner to the guitar, such as for example mandolins, banjos, lutes etc.