System and method for music composition

• US 20080264241A1
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Master Key LLC
• Original Assignee: Master Key LLC
• Inventors: Lemons, Kenneth R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,935,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/601
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0025 Automatic or semi-automatic music composition, e.g. producing random music, applying rules from music theory or modifying a musical piece automatically producing a series of tones G10H1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/081 for automatic key or tonality recognition, e.g. using musical rules or a knowledge base
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/105 Composing aid, e.g. for supporting creation, edition or modification of a piece of music
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/005 Non-interactive screen display of musical or status data graphical user interfaces specifically adapted for electrophonic musical instruments G10H2220/091; fingering displays G10H2220/041
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/06 Transformation of speech into a non-audible representation, e.g. speech visualisation or speech processing for tactile aids G10L15/26 takes precedence

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to music composition devices and methods. A system is provided which allows composers of all skill levels to easily create music that is pleasurable to the ear. The system may also assist more advanced composers in creating complex musical arrangements based off of partially completed compositions. The system also streamlines composition and arrangement in multi-instrument environments. The user is able to select from a variety of available music visualizations and instrument views, allowing comparison therebetween. The system may comprise composition error checking functions, free-play performance abilities, and recording and playback features. Certain embodiments incorporate remote access for collaboration between users.

Claims

1. A music composition system, comprising:

a processing device; and

a display;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a first musical structure within a composition for output on said display;

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) labeling the perimeter of a circle with twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective notes in an octave, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a musical half-step;

(b) identifying an occurrence of a first one of the twelve notes within said musical structure;

(c) identifying an occurrence of a second one of the twelve notes within said musical structure;

(d) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note;

(e) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note;

(f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein;

(1) said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by a half step;

(2) said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a whole step;

(3) said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a minor third;

(4) said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a major third;

(5) said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a perfect fourth; and

(6) said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a tri-tone; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is displayed on a time axis on said display.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user input device for communicating information and command selections to the processing device.

3. The system of claim 2,

wherein the system receives user specified changes to a musical property of said first musical structure from said user input device;

and

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to make corresponding graphical changes to said first visual representation on said display in response to said user specified changes.

4. The system of claim 2,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating said first visual representation along said time axis on said display using said user input device.

5. The system of claim 4,

wherein the processor executes computer readable code to assign the chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition to a nearest predetermined time increment.

6. The system of claim 2,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned duration of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

7. The system of claim 2,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned relative volume of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

8. The system of claim 2,

wherein the user can change the pitch of at least one of said first note and said second note by graphically manipulating at least one of said first line, said first label, and said second label using the user input device.

9. The system of claim 1,

wherein said first musical structure is chosen by the user from a selection list of possible musical structures displayed on the display.

10. The system of claim 9,

wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list are common to a predetermined musical genre.

11. The system of claim 9,

wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list contain tonal elements common to a predetermined key signature.

12. The system of claim 9,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to consider the musical properties of existing musical structures within the composition when populating the selection list.

13. The system of claim 12,

wherein said existing musical structures are adjacent to the chronological position where said first musical structure is to be placed.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to add additional harmonic tonal elements to said first musical structure, said additional harmonic tonal elements being consistent with the key signature of said composition.

15. The system of claim 1,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to create a second musical structure by duplicating said first musical structure;

and

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to shift at least one of the tonal elements within said second musical structure by a predetermined harmonic interval.

16. The system of claim 15,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to ensure that the tonal elements within said second musical structure remain consistent with a predetermined key signature.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to analyze a plurality of musical structures having a first key signature and identify notes in the musical structures which are not consistent with said first key signature.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to proportionally adjust a musical property of a plurality of musical structures within the composition when a user initiates changes to said musical property of said first musical structure within the composition.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said musical property is duration.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said musical property is volume.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a music input device coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on music received from said music input device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises an analog to digital converter.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises a digital music player.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises a MIDI interface.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises a microphone.

26. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a scanner coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on printed documents scanned by said scanner.

27. The system of claim 1,

wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a second visual representation of said first musical structure, said second visualization being simultaneously viewable with said first visual representation.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said second visual representation comprises traditional music staff notation.

29. The system of claim 27,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said first visual representation when a user manipulates said second visual representation to change said musical property.

30. The system of claim 27,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said second visual representation when a user manipulates said first visual representation to change said musical property.

31. The system of claim 1,

further comprising an data storage device coupled to said processing device;

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to store compositions made by the user in the data storage device.

32. The system of claim 1,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to retrieve previously stored compositions from the data storage device.

33. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface operable to connect said processing device with a remote subsystem via a network.

34. A method of music composition, comprising the steps of:

(1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display, whereby said visual representation is generated by a method comprising the steps of;

(a) labeling the perimeter of a circle with twelve labels on a display corresponding to twelve respective notes in an octave, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a musical half-step;

(b) identifying an occurrence of a first one of the twelve notes;

(c) identifying an occurrence of a second one of the twelve notes;

(d) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note;

(e) identifying a second corresponding to the second note;

(f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label on the display,

wherein;

(1) said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by a half step;

(2) said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a whole step;

(3) said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a minor third;

(4) said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a major third;

(5) said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a perfect fourth; and

(6) said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a tri-tone.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

(a) simultaneously displaying said first note and said second note on the display using traditional music staff notation.

36. A music composition system, comprising:

a processing device; and

a display;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a first musical structure within a composition for output on said display;

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing a helix having a plurality of turns;

(b) labeling the perimeter of the helix with labels, wherein;

(1) each turn of the helix has a respective plurality of labels corresponding to a plurality of respective notes in a respective octave; and

(2) moving clockwise or counter-clockwise on the helix from any label to an adjacent label represents a first interval;

(c) identifying an occurrence of a first note;

(d) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the first note;

(e) identifying an occurrence of a second note;

(f) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the second note;

(g) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note;

(h) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note;

(i) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein;

(1) each line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by the first interval;

(2) each line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a second interval;

(3) each line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a third interval;

(4) each line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fourth interval;

(5) each line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fifth interval; and

(6) each line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a sixth interval; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is displayed on a time axis on said display.

37. The system of claim 36, further comprising:

a user input device for communicating information and command selections to the processing device.

38. The system of claim 37,

wherein the system receives user specified changes to a musical property of said first musical structure from said user input device;

and

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to make corresponding graphical changes to said first visual representation on said display in response to said user specified changes.

39. The system of claim 37,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating said first visual representation along said time axis on said display using said user input device.

40. The system of claim 39,

wherein the processor executes computer readable code to assign the chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition to a nearest predetermined time increment.

41. The system of claim 37,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned duration of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

42. The system of claim 37,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned relative volume of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

43. The system of claim 37,

wherein the user can change the pitch of at least one of said first note and said second note by graphically manipulating at least one of said first line, said first label, and said second label using the user input device.

44. The system of claim 36,

wherein said first musical structure is chosen by the user from a selection list of possible musical structures displayed on the display.

45. The system of claim 44,

wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list are common to a predetermined musical genre.

46. The system of claim 44,

wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list contain tonal elements common to a predetermined key signature.

47. The system of claim 44,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to consider the musical properties of existing musical structures within the composition when populating the selection list.

48. The system of claim 47,

wherein said existing musical structures are adjacent to the chronological position where said first musical structure is to be placed.

49. The system of claim 36, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to add additional harmonic tonal elements to said first musical structure, said additional harmonic tonal elements being consistent with the key signature of said composition.

50. The system of claim 36,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to create a second musical structure by duplicating said first musical structure;

and

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to shift at least one of the tonal elements within said second musical structure by a predetermined harmonic interval.

51. The system of claim 50,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to ensure that the tonal elements within said second musical structure remain consistent with a predetermined key signature.

52. The system of claim 36, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to analyze a plurality of musical structures having a first key signature and identify notes in the musical structures which are not consistent with said first key signature.

53. The system of claim 36, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to proportionally adjust a musical property of a plurality of musical structures within the composition when a user initiates changes to said musical property of said first musical structure within the composition.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein said musical property is duration.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein said musical property is volume.

56. The system of claim 36, further comprising:

a music input device coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on music received from said music input device.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said music input device comprises an analog to digital converter.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein said music input device comprises a digital music player.

59. The system of claim 56, wherein said music input device comprises a MIDI interface.

60. The system of claim 56, wherein said music input device comprises a microphone.

61. The system of claim 36, further comprising:

a scanner coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on printed documents scanned by said scanner.

62. The system of claim 36,

wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a second visual representation of said first musical structure, said second visualization being simultaneously viewable with said first visual representation.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein said second visual representation comprises traditional music staff notation.

64. The system of claim 62,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said first visual representation when a user manipulates said second visual representation to change said musical property.

65. The system of claim 62,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said second visual representation when a user manipulates said first visual representation to change said musical property.

66. The system of claim 36,

further comprising a data storage unit coupled to said processing device;

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to store compositions made by the user in the data storage unit.

67. The system of claim 36,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to retrieve previously stored compositions from the data storage unit.

68. The system of claim 36, further comprising:

an interface operable to connect said processing device with a remote subsystem via a network.

69. A method of music composition, comprising the steps of:

(1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display, whereby said visual representation is generated by a method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing a helix having a plurality of turns;

(b) labeling the perimeter of the helix with labels, wherein;

(1) each turn of the helix has a respective plurality of labels corresponding to a plurality of respective notes in a respective octave; and

(2) moving clockwise or counter-clockwise on the helix from any label to an adjacent label represents a first interval;

(c) identifying an occurrence of a first note;

(d) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the first note;

(e) identifying an occurrence of a second note;

(f) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the second note;

(g) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note;

(h) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note;

(i) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein;

(1) each line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by the first interval;

(2) each line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a second interval;

(3) each line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a third interval;

(4) each line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fourth interval;

(5) each line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fifth interval; and

(6) each line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a sixth interval.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising the steps of:

(a) simultaneously displaying said first note and said second note on the display using traditional music staff notation.

71. A music composition system, comprising:

a processing device; and

a display;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a first musical structure for output on said display;

wherein;

(a) said visual representation comprises a first substantially circular shape having a first maximum diameter if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a first rhythmic instrument;

said first rhythmic instrument having a first primary frequency;

(b) said visual representation comprises a second substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a second rhythmic instrument;

said second rhythmic instrument having a second primary frequency that is higher than said first primary frequency;

said second substantially circular shape having a second maximum diameter which is greater than said first maximum diameter; and

(c) said visual representation comprises a third substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a third rhythmic instrument;

said third rhythmic instrument having a third primary frequency that is higher than said second primary frequency;

said third substantially circular shape having a third maximum diameter which is greater than said second maximum diameter; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is displayed on a time axis on said display.

72. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

a user input device for communicating information and command selections to the processing device.

73. The system of claim 72,

wherein the system receives user specified changes to a musical property of said first musical structure using said user input device;

and

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to make corresponding graphical changes to said first visual representation on said display in response to said user specified changes.

74. The system of claim 72,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating said first visual representation along said time axis on said display using said user input device.

75. The system of claim 74,

wherein the processor executes computer readable code to assign the chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition to a nearest predetermined time increment.

76. The system of claim 72,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned duration of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

77. The system of claim 72,

wherein the user is able to change the assigned relative volume of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

78. The system of claim 71,

wherein said first musical structure is chosen by the user from a selection list of possible musical structures displayed on the display.

79. The system of claim 78,

wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list are common to a predetermined musical genre.

80. The system of claim 79,

wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list represent the sounding of musical rhythm instruments common to a predetermined musical genre.

81. The system of claim 79,

wherein the processor considers the musical properties of existing musical structures within the composition when populating the selection list.

82. The system of claim 81,

wherein said existing musical structures are adjacent to the chronological position where said first musical structure is to be placed.

83. The system of claim 71,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to add additional rhythmic structures to the composition;

and

wherein the chronological placement of existing rhythmic structures in the composition is considered in placing said additional rhythmic structures along the timeline.

84. The system of claim 71, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to proportionally adjust a musical property of a plurality of musical structures within the composition when a user initiates changes to said musical property of said first musical structure within the composition.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein said musical property is duration.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein said musical property is volume.

87. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

a music input device coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on music received from said music input device.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein said music input device comprises an analog to digital converter.

89. The system of claim 87, wherein said music input device comprises a digital music player.

90. The system of claim 87, wherein said music input device comprises a MIDI interface.

91. The system of claim 87, wherein said music input device comprises a microphone.

92. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

a scanner coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on printed documents scanned by said scanner.

93. The system of claim 71,

wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a second visual representation of said first musical structure, said second visualization being simultaneously viewable with said first visual representation.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein said second visual representation comprises traditional music staff notation.

95. The system of claim 93,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said first visual representation when a user manipulates said second visual representation to change said musical property.

96. The system of claim 93,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said second visual representation when a user manipulates said first visual representation to change said musical property.

97. The system of claim 71,

further comprising a data storage unit coupled to said processing device;

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to store compositions made by the user in the data storage unit.

98. The system of claim 71,

wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to retrieve previously stored compositions from the electronic storage unit.

99. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

an interface operable to connect said processing device with a remote subsystem via a network.

100. A method of music composition, comprising the steps of:

(1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display;

wherein;

(a) said visual representation comprises a first substantially circular shape having a first maximum diameter if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a first rhythmic instrument;

said first rhythmic instrument having a first primary frequency;

(b) said visual representation comprises a second substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a second rhythmic instrument;

said second rhythmic instrument having a second primary frequency that is higher than said first primary frequency;

said second substantially circular shape having a second maximum diameter which is greater than said first maximum diameter; and

(c) said visual representation comprises a third substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a third rhythmic instrument;

said third rhythmic instrument having a third primary frequency that is higher than said second primary frequency;

said third substantially circular shape having a third maximum diameter which is greater than said second maximum diameter.

101. The method of claim 100, further comprising the steps of:

(1) simultaneously displaying said musical structure on the display using traditional music staff notation.