System and method for musical instruction
First Claim
1. A music instruction system, comprising:
- a processing device; and
a display;
wherein;
said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of musical information for output on said display; and
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 in the musical information of a first one of the twelve notes;
(c) identifying an occurrence in the musical information of a second one of the twelve notes;
(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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to music instruction devices and methods. A system is provided which allows a user to more intuitively understand music theory and performance. 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 a step-by-step instruction method, free-play performance abilities, and recording and playback features. Certain embodiments incorporate statistical analysis of student progress, remote access for teacher consultation, and video games for enhancing student interest.
139 Citations
88 Claims
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1. A music instruction system, comprising:
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a processing device; and a display; wherein; said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of musical information for output on said display; and 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 in the musical information of a first one of the twelve notes; (c) identifying an occurrence in the musical information of a second one of the twelve notes; (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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of music instruction, comprising the steps of:
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(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) receiving musical information; (c) identifying an occurrence in the musical information of a first one of the twelve notes; (d) identifying an occurrence in the musical information of a second one of the twelve notes; (e) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note; (f) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note; (g) 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. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of music instruction, comprising the steps of:
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(a) labeling the perimeter of a circle with labels corresponding with twelve respective notes in an octave on a display, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a musical half-step; (b) displaying a first line connecting a first label and a second label on the circle; (c) identifying an occurrence of a first note played by a user; (d) identifying an occurrence of a second note played by a user; (e) visually enhancing said first line on the display if said first label corresponds to said first note and said second label corresponds to said second note; wherein; (1) said visual enhancement of said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by a half step; (2) said visual enhancement of said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a whole step; (3) said visual enhancement of said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a minor third; (4) said visual enhancement of said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a major third; (5) said visual enhancement of said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a perfect fourth; and (6) said visual enhancement of said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a tri-tone. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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32. A music instruction system, comprising:
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a processing device; and a display; wherein; said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of musical information for output on said display; and 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 in the musical information 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 in the musical information 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. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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35. The system of claim 33, wherein said music input device comprises an analog to digital converter.
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36. The system of claim 32, wherein said music input device comprises a digital music player.
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37. The system of claim 32, wherein said music input device comprises a MIDI interface.
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38. The system of claim 32, wherein said music input device comprises a microphone.
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39. The system of claim 32, wherein said music input device comprises a musical instrument.
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40. The system of claim 39, wherein said first visual representation is generated in real time in response to a user playing said musical instrument.
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41. The system of claim 39, wherein the system provides error indication on the display when the user plays notes that are incorrect in relation to a predetermined musical passage.
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42. The system of claim 32, wherein said first visualization is displayed concurrently with a second visual representation, said second visual representation indicating the notes the user is being instructed to play.
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58. A method of music instruction, comprising the steps of:
(1) displaying a visual representation of musical information 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 on the display; (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 in the musical information 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 in the musical information 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 on the display, 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. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61)
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62. A method of music instruction, comprising the steps of:
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(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) displaying a first line connecting a first label and a second label on the helix; (c) identifying an occurrence of a first note played by a user; (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 played by a user; (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) visually enhancing said first line on the display if said first label corresponds to said first note and said second label corresponds to said second note; wherein; (1) said visual enhancement of said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by the first interval; (2) said visual enhancement of said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a second interval; (3) said visual enhancement of said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a third interval; (4) said visual enhancement of said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fourth interval; (5) said visual enhancement of said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fifth interval; and (6) said visual enhancement of said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a sixth interval.
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63. A music instruction system, comprising:
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a processing device; and a display; wherein; said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a musical information for output on said display; and wherein; (1) said visual representation comprises a first substantially circular shape having a first maximum diameter if said musical information represents the sounding of a first rhythmic instrument;
said first rhythmic instrument having a first primary frequency;(2) said visual representation comprises a second substantially circular shape if said musical information 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(3) said visual representation comprises a third substantially circular shape if said musical information 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.- View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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Specification