Fixed-location method of musical performance and a musical instrument

• US 6,441,289 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeff K. Shinsky
• Original Assignee: Jeff K. Shinsky
• Inventors: Shinsky, Jeff K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US09/588,094
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 844/64.R, 844/78, 846/37, 846/50
• US Class Current: 84/464.00R
• 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 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/22 for suppressing tones; Preference networks
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/38 Chord
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/101 Music Composition or musical creation; Tools or processes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/335 Chord correction, i.e. modifying one or several notes within a chord, e.g. to correct wrong fingering or to improve harmony
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/525 Diatonic scales, e.g. aeolian, ionian or major, dorian, locrian, lydian, mixolydian, phrygian, i.e. seven note, octave-repeating musical scales comprising five whole steps and two half steps for each octave, in which the two half steps are separated from each other by either two or three whole steps
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/535 Hexatonal or hexatonic scales, i.e. six pitches or notes per octave, e.g. whole tone scale, augmented scale, Prometheus scale, blues scale
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/541 Pentatonal or pentatonic scale, i.e. five pitches or notes per octave, e.g. basic Chinese musical scale, black piano keys, Javanese gamelan slendro scale or Japanese shakuhachi flute
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/576 Chord progression
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/581 Chord inversion
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/591 Chord with a suspended note, e.g. 2nd or 4th
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/596 Chord augmented
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/601 Chord diminished
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/616 Chord seventh, major or minor
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/626 Chord sixth
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/305 Internet or TCP/IP protocol use for any electrophonic musical instrument data or musical parameter transmission purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing music on an electronic instrument in which individual chord progression chords can be triggered in real-time, while simultaneously making the individual notes of the chord, and/or possible scale notes and non-scale notes to play along with the chord, available for playing in separate fixed-locations on the instrument. The method of performance involves the designation of a chord progression section on the instrument, then assigning chords or individual chord notes to this chord progression section according to the defined customary scale or customary scale equivalent of a song key. Further, as each chord is played in the chord progression section, the individual notes of the currently triggered chords are simultaneously made available for playing in separate fixed locations on the instrument. Fundamental and alternate notes of each chord may be made available for playing in separate fixed locations for performance purposes. Possible scale notes and/or non-scale notes to play along with the currently triggered chord, may also be simultaneously made available for playing in separate fixed locations on the instrument. All performance data can be stored in memory or on a storage device, and can later be retrieved and performed by a user from one or more fixed locations on the instrument. The performance data may also be performed using a variable number of input controllers. Multiple instruments of the present invention can also be used together to allow interaction among multiple users during performance, with no knowledge of music theory required. Further, the present invention can allow professional performance to be achieved with little or no hand movement being required. Input controllers are configured into a group or groups to provide dramatically reduced hand movement during performance. Input controller groups are then used efficiently at all times to allow a user improved access to a variety of different notes and note groups needed to initiate a professional performance. An untrained user is thus able to create professional music with an absolute minimal amount of physical skill being required, while retaining full creative control over the music to be performed.

Claims

1. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note, and wherein the note-identifying information is provided based on stored data;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

varying the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance.

3. method of claim 2, wherein the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance is varied according to user-selectable input.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a selection of the input controller in the given performance provides harmony note output, and wherein the harmony note output is varied according to user-selectable input.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing in the given performance a plurality of indications for the input controller and for an additional input controller, wherein the indication and the additional indication are included in the plurality of indications, and wherein each of the plurality of indications indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information;

designating the input controller for performance of chord notes in the given performance which correspond only to chords representing a first relative position as defined by a song key corresponding to the input controller; and

designating the additional input controller for performance of chord notes in the given performance which correspond only to chords representing an additional relative position, wherein the additional relative position is defined by the song key and is different than the first relative position.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forming a group of input controllers having the input controller therein, wherein the input controllers in the group are in consecutive order;

providing in the given performance a plurality of indications for the group of input controllers, wherein the indication and the additional indication are included in the plurality of indications, and wherein each of the plurality of indications indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information; and

designating the group of input controllers for performance, at least in response to the plurality of indications, of chord notes corresponding to chords in the given performance, wherein a plurality of the chords in the given performance each represent a different relative position as defined by a song key corresponding to the input controller.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein indicators are provided for an input controller in the group of input controllers for indicating to the user that the relative positions are different.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the stored data used for providing the note-identifying information is representative of a processed performance.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is provided using stored data representative at least in part of a processed performance.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the musical data is provided according to user-selectable octave shifting.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one note is sounded in response to the selection of the indicated input controller, and wherein sound output is automatically muted for a subsequent selection of the input controller in the given performance.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a shifting indication is provided in the given performance for indicating to the user that shifting is required in order to effect a portion of the given performance.

13. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller;

initiating in the given performance a plurality of events each of which is representative of at least a chord change or scale change; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

varying the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance is varied according to user-selectable input.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein a selection of the input controller in the given performance provides harmony note output, and wherein the harmony note output is varied according to user-selectable input.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing in the given performance a plurality of indications for the input controller and for an additional input controller, wherein the indication and the additional indication are included in the plurality of indications, and wherein each of the plurality of indications indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information;

designating the input controller for performance of chord notes in the given performance which correspond only to chords representing a first relative position as defined by a song key corresponding to the input controller; and

designating the additional input controller for performance of chord notes in the given performance which correspond only to chords representing an additional relative position, wherein the additional relative position is defined by the song key and is different than the first relative position.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

forming a group of input controllers having the input controller therein, wherein the input controllers in the group are in consecutive order;

providing in the given performance a plurality of indications for the group of input controllers, wherein the indication and the additional indication are included in the plurality of indications, and wherein each of the plurality of indications indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information; and

designating the group of input controllers for performance, at least in response to the plurality of indications, of chord notes corresponding to chords in the given performance, wherein a plurality of the chords in the given performance each represent a different relative position as defined by a song key corresponding to the input controller.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein indicators are provided for an input controller in the group of input controllers for indicating to the user that the relative positions are different.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the stored data used for providing the note-identifying information is representative of a processed performance.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the indication is provided using stored data representative at least in part of a processed performance.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the musical data is provided according to user-selectable octave shifting.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one note is sounded in response to the selection of the indicated input controller, and wherein sound output is automatically muted for a subsequent selection of the input controller in the given performance.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein a shifting indication is provided in the given performance for indicating to the user that shifting is required in order to effect a portion of the given performance.

25. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance representative of an original user composition an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note, and wherein the note-identifying information is provided based on stored data;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data; and

automatically performing an optimization function for optimizing at least a portion of the given performance, wherein the optimization function is automatically performed based on stored data.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the optimization function is automatically performed according to user-selectable input.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the given performance is optimized based on the instrument.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of any data used for effecting the given performance includes data for allowing an indicated performance to be effected from a correct note group.

26. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance representative of an original user composition an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note, and wherein the note-identifying information is provided based on stored data;

varying the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance is varied according to user-selectable input.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein a selection of the input controller in the given performance provides harmony note output, and wherein the harmony note output is varied according to user-selectable input.

32. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance representative of an original user composition an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller;

initiating in the given performance a plurality of events each of which is representative of at least a chord change or scale change; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

varying the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the number of input controllers needed to effect the given performance is varied according to user-selectable input.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein a selection of the input controller in the given performance provides harmony note output, and wherein the harmony note output is varied according to user-selectable input.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

automatically performing an optimization function for optimizing at least a portion of the given performance, wherein the optimization function is automatically performed based on stored data.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the optimization function is automatically performed according to user-selectable input.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of the given performance is optimized based on the instrument.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of any data used for effecting the given performance includes data for allowing an indicated performance to be effected from a correct note group.

40. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller, wherein at least a portion of the musical data is provided based on stored data representative of either a processed performance or an original performance;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data.

41. A method for sounding notes on an electronic instrument, the instrument having a plurality of input controllers, the method comprising:

providing in a given performance an indication for an input controller, wherein the indication indicates to a user where the user should engage the instrument for providing musical data containing note-identifying information identifying at least a first note;

providing the musical data in response to a selection of the input controller, wherein at least a portion of the musical data is provided based on stored data representative of either a processed performance or an original performance;

providing in the given performance an additional indication for the input controller, wherein the additional indication indicates to the user where the user should engage the instrument for providing additional musical data containing additional note-identifying information identifying at least one note, wherein the additional note-identifying information identifies at least one note that is different than the first note, wherein an event representative of at least a chord change or scale is initiated in the given performance;

providing the additional musical data in response to an additional selection of the input controller; and

sounding notes on the electronic instrument based on the musical data.