Piano teaching device and method

• US 5,107,743 A
• Filed: 12/04/1989
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tom W. Decker
• Original Assignee: Tom W. Decker
• Inventors: Decker, Tom W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Russell E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOH, JAE
• Application Number:
  US07/444,968
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 84/470 R, 84/477, 84/478, 84/479
• US Class Current: 84/478
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/08 Practice keyboards for teaching typing G09B13/02

Abstract

A piano teaching aid having a panel designed to fit over the keys of an existing keyboard so that lights mounted on the panel having more than one color or shape may be located directly above the piano keys to be played. The lights have more than one color or shape in order to distinguish the hand which the user will use to play the piano. The panel also includes a finder window which displays an alphanumeric code which corresponds to a like code appearing next to the score of music to be played. A foot pedal advancing mechanism is used whereby the user can control the speed which the lights display the keys to be struck, using the Foot Pedal to advance one action. The display also can show the music to be played at a tempo set by the user automatically changing from action to action without using the pedal. The panel articulates so that it may be stretched in one or more places so that it can fit over various dimensions of keyboards without interfering with keys to be played.

Claims

1. A piano teaching device for use on a piano having keys comprising;

a) a frame;

b) at least one multiple output light means capable of displaying either of two different displays over a single key depending on data received from a data source mounted on said frame so that when the frame is in place the multiple output light means is situated over said single key;

c) a data source electronically connection to the frame supplying data;

d) a means for reading the data source data and displaying the data on the multiple output light means electronically connected to said panel;

e) an advancing means electronically connected to said panel.

2. The teaching device of claim 1 wherein the frame fits over the raised piano keys and rests lightly on the unraised piano keys.

3. The teaching device of claim 1 wherein the multiple output light means is at least a two-color display.

4. The teaching device of claim 1 wherein the multiple output light means is at least a two shape display.

5. The teaching device of claim 3 wherein the multiple output light means is at least a three color display.

6. The teaching device of claim 4 wherein the multiple output light means is at least a three shape display.

7. The teaching device of claim 1 wherein the multiple output light means includes a finder window.

8. The teaching device of claim 1 wherein the multiple output light means includes a damper pedal light.

9. The teaching device of claim 1 wherein the data source comprises;

a) an alpha-numeric display record capable of being displayed as a section and action number;

b) a data record capable of indicating which multiple output light means is to be lighted.

10. The teaching device of claim 9 further comprising;

a) a finder window for displaying the alphanumeric display.

11. The teaching device of claim 10 further comprising;

a) a book having musical scores arranged in sections and displaying action reference numbers below the scores corresponding to the alphanumeric display.

12. The teaching device of claim 11 wherein the reference numbers are a different color from the musical scores.

13. The teaching device of claim 10 wherein the action reference numbers are a different shape from the numbers in the musical scores.

14. The teaching device of claim 2 wherein the frame further comprises at least two plates separated by an articulation and wherein at least one of the plates has at least one multiple output light means and wherein the other plate has at least one output light means.

15. The teaching device of claim 14 wherein the frame further comprises;

(d) a means for mounting and adjusting one plate relative to the other.

16. The teaching device of claim 14 wherein the frame further comprises a second so that the frame comprises;

a center plate holding at least one output light means connected at the right side to the first articulation and at the left side to the second articulation;

b) a left plate holding at least one output light means said left plate having a left and right side and said left plate being connected at its right side to the first articulation;

c) a right plate holding at least one output light means said right plate having a left and right side and said right plate being connected at its left side to the second articulation;

17. The teaching device of claim 16 wherein the frame further comprises:

d) a means for mounting and adjusting attached to the center plate, the left plate and the right plate allowing the left plate and the right plate to be adjusted outward relative to the center plate.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein the means for mounting and adjusting further comprises;

a) a backing attached to said center plate and extending outward from said center plate;

b) a right groove defined by said right plate for receiving one end of said backing;

c) a left groove defined by said left plate for receiving one end of said backing;

19. The invention of claim 17 wherein the means for mounting and adjusting further comprises;

a) a nut defined by said left plate;

b) a nut defined by said right plate;

c) at least two slots defined by the backing said slots beginning at the edge of said center plate and extending outward; and

d) a bolt extending through said slots and within said nuts.

20. The invention of claim 19 where at least one of the slots is greater than 3/8 inch long.

21. The invention of claim 1 further comprising;

a) a means for controlling tempo;

b) a means for automatic sequencing of data.

c) a means for back sequencing of data.

22. The invention of claim 21 further comprising:

c) a means for back sequencing of data.

23. The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for reading the data source and displaying the data comprises;

a) a data interface cartridge accessible from a central processing unit;

b) a central processing unit for controlling the flow of data;

c) a display drive circuit controllable from said central processing unit;

d) a power supply supplying power to the central processing unit;

e) a pedal interface for signaling changed conditions to the central processing unit,

f) a dual color light display;

g) a finder window.

24. A frame for mounting displays to assist playing pianos and a book designed to fit over any piano comprising a panel defining spaces for the raised, usually black keys, and further comprising an output means over at least one of said keys and panel, which panel and further comprising an adjusting means allowing the adjustment of the distance between the articulations as to allow the panel to fit over keyboards having black keys of varied spacing, and further comprising a finder window connected to the panel so that it may be viewed by the user and display an alphanumeric number, and said book has numbers which corresponds to the alpha numeric display of the finder winder associated with the particular actions of the score of music to be played.