Music composition system and method

• US 7,462,772 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hal C. Salter
• Original Assignee: Hal C. Salter
• Inventors: Salter, Hal C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fletcher; Marlon T
• Application Number:
  US11/669,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20070175317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 84/477.00R
• 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 2220/126 for graphical editing of individual notes, parts or phrases represented as variable length segments on a 2D or 3D representation, e.g. graphical edition of musical collage, remix files or pianoroll representations of MIDI-like files

Abstract

A system for music composition including: a display module configured to display data; a graphical user interface module in communication with the music data control module, and configured to interface with a user; a music data control module in communication with the display module and with the graphical user interface module, and configured to control music data; and a music data source module in communication with the music data control module and providing a first value.

Claims

1. A method for music composition, comprising:

a) displaying a composition object according to a first value, wherein the first value includes a musical event;

b) displaying a first indicator, wherein the first indicator describes the first value;

c) displaying a second indicator, wherein the second indicator describes the first value;

d) selecting the composition object;

e) graphically altering the first indicator;

f) changing the first value to a second value;

g) graphically altering the second indicator; and

h) generating a graphical user interface including a virtual music instrument, wherein the virtual music instrument includes a plurality of virtual keys, each key corresponding to a key on a performance module;

i) incorporating music data in into the graphical user interface, wherein the music data contains data corresponding to an arrangement of a plurality of musical notes in sequence, having a rhythmic pattern, each note being represented by the composition object;

j) directing the composition object in a substantially straight trajectory, toward the virtual keys corresponding to the musical notes; and

k) colliding the composition object with corresponding virtual key according to the rhythmic pattern of the arrangement; and

l) introducing a series of visible staff lines defining spaces, wherein the lines and spaces correspond to the substantially straight trajectory along which the composition object travels toward the virtual music instrument, such that the composition object travels along the visible staff lines until colliding with the virtual music instrument at the corresponding virtual key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein first indicator comprises the position of the composition object relative to a displayed virtual instrument.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second indicator is not keyed to shapes.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second indicator comprises a color.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a set characteristic signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal is not is not keyed to a set of shapes.

7. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable program code configured to execute on a processor for music composition, the program code configured to:

a) display a composition object according to a first value, wherein the first value includes a musical event;

b) display a first indicator, wherein the first indicator describes the first value;

c) display a second indicator, wherein the second indicator describes the first value;

d) select the composition object;

e) graphically alter the first indicator;

f) change the first value to a second value;

g) graphically alter the second indicator; and

h) generate a graphical user interface including a virtual music instrument, wherein the virtual music instrument includes a plurality of virtual keys, each key corresponding to a key on a performance module;

i) incorporate music data in into the graphical user interface, wherein the music data contains data corresponding to an arrangement of a plurality of musical notes in sequence, having a rhythmic pattern, each note being represented by the composition object;

j) direct the composition object in a substantially straight trajectory, toward the virtual keys corresponding to the musical notes; and

k) collide the composition object with corresponding virtual key according to the rhythmic pattern of the arrangement; and

l) introducing a series of visible staff lines defining spaces, wherein the lines and spaces correspond to the substantially straight trajectory along which the composition object travels toward the virtual music instrument, such that the composition object travels along the visible staff lines until colliding with the virtual music instrument at the corresponding virtual key.

8. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein first indicator comprises the position of the composition object relative to a displayed virtual instrument.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the second indicator is not keyed to shapes.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the second indicator comprises a color.

11. The computer readable storage medium claim 7, wherein the program code is further configured to display a set characteristic signal.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the program code is further configured to not key the signal to a set of shapes.

13. A system for music composition, comprising:

a) a display module configured to display data;

b) a graphical user interface module in communication with the music data control module, and configured to interface with a user;

c) a music data control module in communication with the display module and with the graphical user interface module, and configured to control music data, comprising instructions for;

c1) displaying a composition object through the display module, wherein the composition object displays a first value in a first mode and a second value in a second mode;

c2) displaying a first indicator in association with the composition object, in communication with the graphical user interface module, and wherein a transition of the composition object between the first mode and the second mode is actuated by graphically altering the first indicator through the graphical user interface module; and

c3) displaying a second indicator in association with the composition object, wherein a graphical change in the second indicator occurs in association with the transition of the composition object between the first mode and the second mode; and

d) a music data source module in communication with the music data control module and providing the first value.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first indicator comprises the position of the composition object relative to a displayed virtual instrument.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the second indicator is not keyed to shapes.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second indicator comprises a color.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the music data control module includes instructions for displaying a set characteristic signal.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the signal is not keyed to a set of shapes.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the first indicator comprises the position of the composition object relative to a displayed virtual instrument, the second indicator is not keyed to shapes, and the second indicator comprises a color.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the music data control module includes instructions for displaying a set characteristic signal, and the signal is not keyed to a set of shapes.