System and method for teaching music

• US 7,482,524 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Darlene Hanington
• Original Assignee: Darlene Hanington
• Inventors: Hanington, Darlene
• Primary Examiner(s): Lockett; Kimberly R
• Application Number:
  US11/284,784
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 844/70.R, 844/76, 844/84
• US Class Current: 84/470.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/02 Boards or like means for providing an indication of notes

Abstract

A system and method for teaching music both visually and tactilely. In one embodiment, the invention comprises blocks shaped to resemble musical symbols used to compose music, including time signatures, notes, rests, and dots. Each of the blocks are relative in thickness such that for a given time signature, the correct rhythm for a given measure can be determined by laying one or more of the notes, rests and dots one over the other to see if their combined thickness is equal to that of a preselected time signature. The thickness of the block shaped to resemble the time signature is such that it only allows the correct number of blocks shaped as notes, rests or dots to be of equal thickness to thereby determine the correct rhythm. In addition, the correct rhythm can be determined by simply reading the shaped blocks as one would read music. The use of the shaped blocks having relative thicknesses allows a student to learn rhythm by trial and error and does not necessarily require that the student understand complex music theory. In addition, the blocks can be used by the student when clapping the correct rhythms. Other musical notation can be represented by blocks as well such as bar lines and slurs.

Claims

1. A system for teaching musical rhythm, said system comprising:

at least one master block, each of the at least one master block visually conveying to an observer a time signature, one of the at least one master block comprising a control reference feature having a benchmark dimension, and each of the remaining at least one master block, if any, comprising a control reference feature having a dimension relative to said benchmark dimension and its visually conveyed time signature; and

a plurality of cadence blocks, each of the plurality of cadence blocks visually conveying to an observer a duration value, and each of the plurality of cadence blocks comprising a reference feature relative in dimension to its duration value and the benchmark dimension;

wherein the musical rhythm in a given musical measure can be correctly determined by either (1) visually reading one of the at least one master block and one or more of the cadence blocks;

or (2) tactilely comparing the dimension of the control reference feature of one of the at least one master block to the dimension of the reference feature of one or more of the plurality of cadence blocks to see if they are equal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one master block and the plurality of cadence blocks are comprised of thermoplastic.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the at least one master block comprises a first side having a thickness, wherein said control reference feature is the thickness of the first side.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of cadence blocks comprises a second side having a thickness, wherein said reference feature is the thickness of second side.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of cadence blocks is shaped to resemble a note, a rest or a dot.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of the at least one master block is shaped to resemble a time signature having an upper number and a lower number.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of cadence blocks has a note, rest or dot indicated thereon.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein each of the at least one master blocks has a time signature displayed thereon.

9. The system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of notation blocks, each of said plurality of notation blocks visually indicating music notational symbols commonly used in composing music.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of notation blocks comprises a block visually indicating a slur and a block visually indicating a bar line.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of notation blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a slur and at least one block shaped as a bar line.

12. The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a whole note, at least one block shaped as a half note, at least one block shaped as a quarter note, and at least one block shaped as an eighth note.

13. The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a whole rest, at least one block shaped as a half rest, at least one block shaped as a quarter rest, and at least one block shaped as an eighth rest.

14. The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a dot.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a half dot and at least one block shaped as a quarter dot.

16. The system of claim 6 wherein one of the at least one master block is shaped to resemble a four-four time signature.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein one of the at least one master block is shaped to resemble a three-four time signature.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein one of the at least one master block is shaped to resemble a two-four time signature.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein one of the at least one master block is shaped to resemble a six-eight time signature.

20. A system for teaching musical rhythm, said system comprising:

a master block shaped to resemble a time signature, said master block comprising a first side having a thickness, said thickness being a benchmark dimension; and

a plurality of cadence blocks, each of said cadence blocks shaped to resemble a note or a rest, said note or rest each having a duration value relative to said time signature, each of said cadence blocks having a thickness relative to its duration value and the benchmark dimension;

wherein the correct rhythm for the measure of music can be determined by either (1) visually reading the master block and one or more of the cadence blocks;

or (2) comparing the combined thickness of one or more of the cadence blocks to the thickness of the master block to ascertain if they are equal.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the master block and the plurality of cadence blocks are comprised of thermoplastic.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the time signature is chosen from the group consisting of four-four time, three-four time, two-four time and six-eight time.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a whole note, at least two blocks shaped as half notes, and at least four blocks shaped as quarter notes.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks further comprise at least eight blocks shaped as eighth notes.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a whole rest, at least two blocks shaped as half rests, and at least four blocks shaped as quarter rests.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks further comprise at least one block shaped as an eighth rest.

27. The system of claim 21 wherein the thickness of the master block is about 1.25 inches and the time signature is four-four time.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a whole note, at least one block shaped as a half note, at least one block shaped as a quarter note and at least one block shaped as an eighth note, and wherein the thickness of a block shaped as a whole note is about 1.25 inches, the thickness of a block shaped as a half note is about 0.625 inches, the thickness of a block shaped as quarter note is about 0.313 inches, and the thickness of a block shaped as an eighth note is about 0.156 inches.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks further comprise at least one block shaped as a whole rest, at least one block shaped as a half rest, at least one block shaped as a quarter rest, and at least one block shaped as an eighth rest, wherein the thickness of a block shaped as a whole rest is about 1.25 inches, the thickness of a block shaped as a half rest is about 0.625 inches, the thickness of a block shaped as quarter rest is about 0.313 inches, and the thickness of a block shaped as an eighth rest is about 0.156 inches.

30. The system of claim 21 further comprising a plurality of master blocks, each of the master blocks representing a distinct time signature.

31. The system of claim 21 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks further comprise at least one block shaped as a dot.

32. The system of claim 21 further comprising a plurality of notation blocks, said plurality of notation blocks being comprised of blocks shaped as musical notation.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the plurality of notation blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a slur.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the plurality of notation blocks comprise at least one block shaped as a bar line.

35. A system for teaching musical rhythm, said system comprising:

a block shaped to resemble a time signature;

a first plurality of blocks, each of said first plurality of blocks shaped to resemble a note or a rest;

a second plurality of blocks, each of the second plurality of blocks shaped to resemble a slur or a bar line;

wherein said block, first plurality of blocks and the second plurality of blocks are comprised of thermoplastic; and

wherein the shapes of said block and of said first plurality of blocks each has a dimension related to time.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the block comprises a first side having a thickness and each of the plurality of blocks comprises a second side also having a thickness, wherein the thickness of the block is of such a dimension to thereby only allow one or more of the first plurality of blocks comprising a correct rhythm for a measure of music to be of equal thickness.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the first plurality of blocks further comprises at least one block shaped to resemble a dot.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein the second plurality of blocks comprises at least one block shaped as a bar line.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the second plurality of blocks further comprises at least one block shaped as a slur.

40. The system of claim 36 wherein the block is shaped to resemble a four-four time signature.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the first plurality of blocks comprises at least one block shaped as a whole note, at least two blocks shaped as a half note, and at least four blocks shaped as a quarter note.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein the first plurality of blocks comprises at least one block shaped as a whole rest, at least one block shaped as a half rest, and at least one block shaped as a quarter rest.

43. A system for teaching musical rhythm for a measure of music, said system comprising:

at least one master block, each of the at least one master block comprising a first indicator means for visually conveying to an observer a time signature, and each of the at least one master block further comprising a first reference means for tactilely determining the correct rhythm for the measure of music; and

a plurality of cadence blocks, each of the plurality of cadence blocks comprising a second indicator means for visually conveying to an observer a duration value, and each of the plurality of cadence blocks further comprising a second reference means for tactilely determining the correct rhythm for the measure of music;

wherein the musical rhythm for the measure of music can be correctly determined by either (1) sight reading the first indicator means of one of the at least one master block and the second indicator means of one or more of the cadence blocks, or (2) comparing the first reference means of one of the at least one master block to the second reference means of one or more cadence blocks.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein the at least one master block and the plurality of cadence blocks are comprised of thermoplastic.

45. The system of claim 44 further comprising a plurality of notation blocks, each of the plurality of notation blocks comprising a third indicator means for visually conveying a musical symbol used in composing music.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein the first and second indicator means is text.

47. The system of claim 43 wherein the first indicator means is a display of a time signature, and the second indicator means comprises a display of a note, rest or a dot.

48. The system of claim 43 wherein the first indicator means is the shape of each of the at least one master block, and the second indicator means is the shape of each of the plurality of cadence blocks.

49. The system of claim 43 wherein the first reference means is the thickness of each of the at least one master block, and the second reference means is the thickness of each of the plurality of cadence blocks.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the correct rhythm is determined be comparing the thickness of one of the at least one master block to the thickness of one or more of the plurality of cadence blocks.

51. The system of claim 43 wherein the time signature is chosen from the group consisting of four-four time, three-four time, and two-four time.

52. A method for teaching the correct musical rhythm for a measure of music to a student, said method comprising the steps of:

providing the student with a master block shaped to resemble a four-four time signature, said master block having a reference thickness relative to said four-four time signature;

providing the student with four cadence blocks, each of the four cadence blocks being shaped to resemble a quarter note, each of the four cadence blocks having a thickness of one-quarter of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student lay the cadence blocks one on top of the other and place them along side the master block thereby allowing the student to observe that the combined thickness of the four cadence blocks equals that of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student lay out the master block and the four cadence blocks in the measure; and

having the student perform the correct rhythm.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising the steps of:

providing the student with a cadence block shaped as a quarter rest having a thickness one-quarter of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student substitute one of the cadence blocks shaped as a quarter note with the cadence block shaped as a quarter rest; and

having the student lay the cadence blocks one on top of the other and place them along side the master block thereby allowing the student to observe that the combined thickness of the four cadence blocks equals that of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student lay out the master block and the four cadence blocks in a measure; and

having the student perform the correct rhythm.

54. The method of claim 52 further comprising the steps of:

providing the student with a cadence block shaped as a half note having a thickness one-half of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student substitute two of the cadence blocks shaped as quarter notes with the cadence block shaped as a half note;

having the student to lay the cadence blocks one on top of the other and place them along side the master block thereby allowing the student to observe that the combined thickness of the cadence blocks equals that of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student lay out the master block and the four cadence blocks in the measure; and

having the student clap the correct rhythm.

55. The method of claim 52 further comprising the steps of:

providing the student with two cadence blocks shaped as a eighth notes, each having a thickness one-eighth of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student substitute one of the cadence blocks shaped as a quarter note with the two cadence block shaped as eighth notes;

having the student lay the cadence blocks one on top of the other and place them along side the master block thereby allowing the student to observe that the combined thickness of the cadence blocks equals that of the reference thickness of the master block;

having the student lay out the master block and the cadence blocks in the measure; and

having the student clap the correct rhythm.

56. The method of claim 52 further comprising the steps of:

providing the student with two additional cadence blocks shaped to resemble half notes;

having the student arrange two measures of music using the two cadence blocks shaped as half notes and the four cadence blocks shaped as quarter notes;

having the student clap the correct rhythm for the two measures; and

having the student rearrange the cadence blocks in as many combinations as possible and having the student clap the correct rhythm for each of the combinations.

57. The method of claim 56 further comprising the steps of:

providing the student with a cadence block shaped to resemble a quarter rest;

having the student substitute one of the cadence blocks shaped as a quarter note with the cadence block shaped as a quarter rest;

having the student clap the two measures; and

having the student rearrange the cadence blocks in as many combinations as possible and having the student clap each of the combinations.

58. The method of claim 52 further comprising the steps of:

providing the student with additional master blocks shaped to resemble time signatures distinct from four-four time, each of the additional master blocks having a reference thickness relative to its time signature;

allowing the student to select a master block shaped as any time signature; and

allowing the student to determine either visually or tactilely the correct rhythm for a measure of music using the cadence blocks for the time signature of the selected master block.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the step of providing the student with additional master blocks comprises the step of providing the student with master blocks shaped to resemble a three-four time signature and a two-four time signatures, the master block shaped to resemble a three-four time signature having a thickness three-quarters of the reference thickness, and the master block shaped to resemble a two-four time signature having a thickness one-half the reference thickness.

60. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of:

providing the student with a cadence block shaped to resemble an eighth dot and two cadence blocks shaped to resemble eighth notes;

having the student lay out a measure of music using the two cadence blocks shaped to resemble eighth notes;

having the student then replace one of the blocks shaped to resemble and eighth notes with a dot; and

having the student clap the correct rhythm.

61. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of:

providing the student with at least one block shaped to resemble a slur;

having the student lay out a measure of music using the at least one block shaped to resemble a slur to connect to two of the other cadence blocks;

having the student clap the correct rhythm.

62. A method for teaching correct musical rhythm to a student, said method comprising the steps of:

providing the student with at least one master block, one of the at least one master block comprising a control reference feature having a benchmark dimension, and each of the remaining at least one master block, if any, comprising a control reference feature having a dimension relative to said benchmark dimension and its visually conveyed time signature;

providing the student with a plurality of cadence blocks, each of the plurality of cadence blocks visually conveying to an observer a duration value, and each of the plurality of cadence blocks comprising a reference feature relative in dimension to its duration value and the benchmark dimension;

allowing the student to determine by trial and error the correct musical rhythm of one or more measures by (1) visually reading one of the at least one master block and one or more of the cadence blocks;

or (2) tactilely comparing the dimension of the control reference feature of one of the at least one master block to the dimension of the reference feature of one or more of the plurality of cadence blocks to see if they are equal.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks further comprises blocks shaped to resemble a note or a rest, each of the cadence blocks shaped to resemble a note or a rest having a thickness relative to a duration value determined by said note or rest and said benchmark dimension.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein the plurality of cadence blocks further comprises blocks shaped to resemble dots, each of the cadence blocks shaped to resemble a dot having a thickness relative to a duration value of a half note or quarter note and said benchmark dimension.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of providing the student with at least one block shaped to resemble a slur and at least one block shaped to resemble a bar line.

66. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of providing the student with a plurality of cadence blocks comprises the step of providing the student with at least one block shaped to resemble a whole note, at least two blocks shaped to resemble half notes and at least four blocks shaped to resemble quarter notes.

67. The method of claim 62 wherein the at least one master block and the plurality of cadence blocks are comprised of thermoplastic.

68. The method of claim 62 wherein the step providing the student with at least one master block comprises the step of providing the student with a master block shaped to resemble a four-four time signature.

69. A system for teaching musical rhythm, said system comprising:

a master block, said master block visually conveying a numerical value, said numerical value identifying a number of beats per measure;

a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of blocks visually conveying a musical note; and

a plurality of objects;

wherein the plurality of objects may be laid out to indicate a correct number of beats in a measure for the numerical value indicated on the master block.

70. The system of claim 69 wherein the number of beats per measure is four.

71. The system of claim 69 wherein the master block and each of the plurality of blocks each have a first side having a thickness, wherein the thickness of the first side of the master block is such that only the first sides of a group of the plurality of blocks having the correct number of beats per measure, as determined by the musical notes indicated on each of the group of the plurality of blocks, will be of equal combined thickness as the first side of the master block.

72. The system of claim 69 further comprising a block visually conveying a bar line.

73. The system of claim 72 further comprising a block visually conveying a slur.

74. The system of claim 69 further comprising at least one block visually conveying a rest.

75. The system of claim 69 further comprising at least one block visually conveying a dot.