Music learning system including instrument and method

• US 6,605,767 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Music Booth LLC
• Original Assignee: The Music Booth LLC
• Inventors: Fiks, Ethan, Sippach, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIEH, SHIH YUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/993,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 844/23.R, 844/77.R, 844/71.R, 844/70.R, 844/78, 844/79.A, 844/85.R, 844/02
• US Class Current: 84/423.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/002 Electrically operated systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/023 Electrically operated

Abstract

A musical learning system including an instrument and method is disclosed. The instrument is comprised of a rectangularly shaped box designed for convenient handling by an operator in a manner analogous to other musical instruments such as a piano, a guitar, or a horn. Thirteen movable buttons on the top surface of the box sound eight natural notes and five notes of sharps and flats when pressed by the operator, the sounds being produced by either a built-in, acoustic or electronic sound system. Easily removable attachments having instructive musical notations are temporarily secured above and below the buttons can be used in a predetermined sequence, thereby enabling the operator to grasp music concepts over a relatively, brief period of time. In addition, in the electronic version, an “octave-up” switch enables an operator to sound a note one or more octaves higher for each of the buttons; and a “mute” bar allows the operator to silence a note being produced, if desired. One methodology for employing the instrument in a learning mode is described.

Claims

1. A system for learning music, comprising:

(a) a box;

(b) said box being greater in length than in width;

(c) said box having a top surface, a left and right side end portion, a base portion and a hollow, internal area;

wherein said top surface comprises an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a middle area portion extending a substantial portion of the length of said box;

(d) at least eight depressible buttons disposed in said middle portion of said top surface along the length of said box;

(e) means for sounding musical notes when one or more fingers of an operator presses down on one or more of said buttons, said musical notes being different from one another and corresponding to each one of said at least eight buttons, said means for sounding musical notes disposed in said hollow internal area; and

,

(f) a series of at least two attachments, wherein each one of said at least two attachments comprises at least one linear strip of material including an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface of each one of said at least two attachments adapted to be disposed upon the top surface of said box, said at least one linear strip of said at least two attachments disposed on said upper portion or said lower portion, each one of said at least two attachments having respective indicia disposed upon the upper surface thereof, viewable to the operator, said indicia having a predetermined relationship to each one of said depressible buttons, so that when each said attachment is disposed upon the top surface in accordance with a set sequence, said operator is assisted in learning music over a period of time as he depresses said buttons.

2. The system for learning music according to claim 1 further comprising at least thirteen, successively disposed depressible buttons, said thirteen successively disposed buttons when depressed by said operator dividing a musical octave in half step tones, eight of said at least thirteen buttons sounding natural notes and five of said at least thirteen buttons sounding sharp or flat notes relative to an adjacent natural note.

3. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein one of said at least two attachments utilizes indicia including eight different colors imprinted thereon to color-code each of the eight natural notes, said upper portion of said first attachment further including indicia, disposed above the buttons corresponding to the sharp note for the immediately adjacent, lower natural note including the color associated with the immediately adjacent, lower natural note, and indicia disposed below the buttons corresponding to the flat note for the immediately adjacent, higher natural note, including the color associated with the immediately adjacent, higher natural note.

4. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein the indicia on one of said at least two attachments includes note names, said note names being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons said indicia further including musical notes disposed on a staff notation, said musical notes on said staff notation being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons.

5. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein the indicia on one of said at least two attachments includes musical notes disposed on a staff notation, said musical notes on said staff notation being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons.

6. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein the indicia on one of said at least two attachments includes note names, said note names being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons.

7. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein said cooperating means for temporary attachment of said linear strip comprises at least one strip of VELCRO™

being affixed to said top surface of said box, and at least one cooperating strip of VELCRO™

being affixed to said underlying surface of each said at least two attachments.

8. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein said means for sounding musical notes is electronic.

9. The system for learning music according to claim 8 further comprising means for enabling said operator to sound a note at least one octave higher corresponding to each one of said musical notes.

10. The system for learning music according to claim 8 further comprising means for enabling said operator to temporarily silence a note being produced at the same time by a manipulation of said operator.

11. The system for learning music according to claim 2 wherein said box has a configuration that allows it to be held in at least two positions while notes are sounded, said at least two held positions corresponding to how at least two musical instruments are held, said two musical instruments consisting of a guitar and a horn.

12. The system for learning music according to claim 1 wherein said means for sounding musical notes is acoustic.

13. The system for learning music according to claim 1 wherein said means for sounding musical notes is electronic.

14. The system for learning music according to claim 13 further comprising means for enabling said operator to sound a note at least one octave higher corresponding to each one of said musical notes.

15. The system for learning music according to claim 13 further comprising means for enabling said operator to temporarily silence a note being produced at the same time by a manipulation of said operator.

16. The system for learning music according to claim 1 wherein said box has a configuration that allows it to be held in at least two positions while notes are sounded, said at least two held positions corresponding to how at least two musical instruments are held, said two musical instruments consisting of a guitar and a horn.

18. A method for learning music wherein a student employs the steps of:

(a) using a system as claimed in claim 2;

(b) selecting one attachment of said at least two attachments from a group of at least four attachments in accordance with a predetermined instructional plan and sequence, said group of at least four attachments including,

(i) a first attachment, wherein said indicia includes eight different colors imprinted thereon to color-code each of the eight natural notes, said upper portion of said first attachment further including indicia, disposed above the buttons corresponding to the sharp note for the immediately adjacent, lower natural note including the color associated with the immediately adjacent, lower natural note, and indicia disposed below the buttons corresponding to the flat note for the immediately adjacent, higher natural note, including the color associated with the immediately adjacent, higher natural note,

(ii) a second attachment, wherein the indicia includes note names, said note names being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons said indicia further including musical notes disposed on a staff notation, said musical notes on said staff notation being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons,

(iii) a third attachment, wherein the indicia includes musical notes disposed on a staff notation, said musical notes on said staff notation being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons, and,

(iv) a fourth attachment, wherein the indicia includes note names, said note names being positioned in line with and corresponding musically to each one of said at least thirteen buttons;

(c) disposing the one attachment selected in step (b) on the top surface of said box;

(d) familiarizing oneself as said student with the relationship of musical tones produced by depressing one or more of said buttons, and the corresponding indicia on said one attachment for said one or more buttons in accordance with said predetermined plan;

(e) replacing said one attachment selected in step (b) with an other attachment selected from said group of at least four attachments; and

,

(f) familiarizing oneself as said student with the relationship of musical tones produced by depressing one or more of said buttons, and the corresponding indicia on said other attachment for said one or more buttons in accordance with said predetermined plan.

19. The method claimed in claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

(g) replacing the attachment selected in either step (b) or step (e) with yet another attachment selected from said group of at least four attachments; and

,

(h) familiarizing oneself as said student with the relationship of musical tones produced by depressing one or more of said buttons, and the corresponding indicia on said yet another attachment for said one or more buttons in accordance with said predetermined plan.

20. The method claimed in claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

(i) replacing the attachment selected in either step (b) or step (e) or step (g) with still yet another attachment selected from said group of at least four attachments; and

,

(j) familiarizing oneself as said student with the relationship of musical tones produced by depressing one or more of said buttons, and the corresponding indicia on said still yet another attachment for said one or more buttons in accordance with said predetermined plan.

21. The method claimed in claim 20, wherein said student further employs the step of familiarizing himself with the relationship of musical tones produced by corresponding buttons by playing one or more songs disposed on accompanying sheet music with indicia corresponding, at least in part, to the indicia set out on one or more of said group of at least four attachments.

22. The method claimed in claim 19, wherein said student further employs the step of familiarizing himself with the relationship of musical tones produced by corresponding buttons by playing one or more songs disposed on accompanying sheet music with indicia corresponding, at least in part, to the indicia set out on one or more of said group of at least four attachments.

23. The method claimed in claim 18, wherein said student further employs the step of familiarizing himself with the relationship of musical tones produced by corresponding buttons by playing one or more songs disposed on accompanying sheet music with indicia corresponding, at least in part, to the indicia set out on one or more of said group of at least four attachments.

17. An instrument for learning music comprising:

(a) a box;

(b) said box being greater in length than in width;

(c) said box having a top surface, a left and right side end portion, a base portion and a hollow, internal area;

(d) at least thirteen depressible buttons disposed in said top surface along the length of said box;

(e) means for sounding musical notes when one or more fingers of an operator presses down on one or more of said buttons, said musical notes being different from one another and corresponding to each one of said at least thirteen buttons, each said musical note representing a half tone in a musical octave, said musical notes representing natural notes and respective sharp and flat notes corresponding to adjacent natural notes, said means for sounding musical notes disposed in said hollow internal area; and

,

(f) an attachment, said attachment being a planar strip of material including an upper surface and a lower surface, said attachment adapted to be disposed upon the top surface of said box in predetermined relationship to said buttons, said attachment having respective indicia disposed upon the upper surface thereof, viewable to the operator, said indicia having a predetermined relationship to each one of said depressible buttons, said attachment utilizing indicia including eight different colors imprinted thereon to color-code each of the eight natural notes, said upper portion of said attachment further including indicia, disposed above the buttons corresponding to the sharp note for the immediately adjacent, lower natural note including the color associated with the immediately adjacent, lower natural note, and indicia disposed below the buttons corresponding to the flat note for the immediately adjacent, higher natural note, including the color associated with the immediately adjacent, higher natural note, so that when said attachment is disposed upon the top surface of said box, said operator is assisted in learning music over a period of time as he depresses said buttons.