Musical instrument tuning method and apparatus

• US 7,928,306 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Master Key LLC
• Original Assignee: Master Key LLC
• Inventors: Lemons, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels; Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/148,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20080264238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 844/64.R, 844/70.R, 844/71.R, 844/72, 844/832, 844/54, 844/58
• US Class Current: 84/458
• CPC Class Codes: G10G 1/00 Means for the representation of music
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/383 Chord detection and/or recognition, e.g. for correction, or automatic bass generation
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/44 Tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/066 for pitch analysis as part of wider processing for musical purposes, e.g. transcription, musical performance evaluation; Pitch recognition, e.g. in polyphonic sounds; Estimation or use of missing fundamental
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/005 Non-interactive screen display of musical or status data
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2250/031 Spectrum envelope processing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to musical instruments and devices. A system is provided which utilizes tonal visualization components incorporating color and/or shape to allow a person to “see” a note or group of notes sounded by an instrument to determine whether the instrument is in tune and make appropriate adjustments if necessary.

Claims

1. A system for tuning a musical instrument, comprising:

a sound input device;

a processing device operatively coupled to said sound input device; and

a display operatively coupled to said processing device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a sound sensed by said sound input device for output on said display;

wherein;

said sound is generated by a musical instrument; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) placing twelve labels in a pattern of a circle, said twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective frequencies, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a first frequency increment;

(b) determining a target frequency;

(c) identifying a first label corresponding the target frequency;

(d) determining a sensed frequency which is equal to a primary frequency of said sound;

(e) identifying a point on said circle corresponding to the sensed frequency;

(f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the point, wherein;

(1) the color of the first line is a mixture of a first color and a second color if the target frequency and the sensed frequency are separated by more than the first frequency increment and less than a first multiple of the first frequency increment;

(2) the color of the first line is a mixture of the second color and a third color if the target frequency and the sensed frequency are separated by more than the first multiple of the first frequency increment and less than a second multiple of the first frequency increment;

(3) the color of the first line is a mixture of the third color and a fourth color if the target frequency and the sensed frequency are separated by more than the second multiple of the first frequency increment and less than a third multiple of the first frequency increment;

(4) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fourth color and a fifth color if the target frequency and the sensed frequency are separated by more than the third multiple of the first frequency increment and less than a fourth multiple of the first frequency increment; and

(5) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fifth color and a sixth color if the target frequency and the sensed frequency are separated by more than the fourth multiple of the first frequency increment and less than a fifth multiple of the first frequency increment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first color is red, the second color is orange, the third color is yellow, the fourth color is green, the fifth color is blue and the sixth color is purple.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first color has a first wavelength that is larger than a second wavelength of the second color;

the second wavelength is larger than a third wavelength of the third color;

the third wavelength is larger than a fourth wavelength of the fourth color;

the fourth wavelength is larger than a fifth wavelength of the fifth color; and

the fifth wavelength is larger than an sixth wavelength of the sixth color.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the twelve labels to be substantially evenly spaced from each adjacent label.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the twelve labels to be spaced 30 degrees from each adjacent label.

6. A system for tuning a musical instrument, comprising:

a sound input device;

a processing device operatively coupled to said sound input device; and

a display operatively coupled to said processing device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a plurality of sounds sensed by said sound input device for output on said display;

wherein;

said plurality of sounds is generated by a musical instrument; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) placing twelve labels in a pattern of a circle, said twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective frequencies, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a first frequency increment;

(b) determining a first frequency of a first one of said plurality of sounds;

(c) determining a second frequency of a second one of said plurality of sounds;

(d) identifying a first point on said circle, said first point corresponding to the first frequency;

(e) identifying a second point on said circle corresponding to the second frequency;

(f) creating a first line connecting the first point and the second point, wherein;

(1) the color of the first line is a mixture of a first color and a second color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the first frequency increment and less than a first multiple of said first frequency increment;

(2) the color of the first line is a mixture of the second color and a third color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the first multiple of said first frequency increment and less than a second multiple of said first frequency increment;

(3) the color of the first line is a mixture of the third color and a fourth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the second multiple of said first frequency increment and less than a third multiple of said first frequency increment;

(4) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fourth color and a fifth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the third multiple of said first frequency increment and less than a fourth multiple of said first frequency increment; and

(5) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fifth color and a sixth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the fourth multiple of said first frequency increment and less than a fifth multiple of said first frequency increment.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first color is red, the second color is orange, the third color is yellow, the fourth color is green, the fifth color is blue and the sixth color is purple.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the first color has a first wavelength that is larger than a second wavelength of the second color;

the second wavelength is larger than a third wavelength of the third color;

the third wavelength is larger than a fourth wavelength of the fourth color;

the fourth wavelength is larger than a fifth wavelength of the fifth color; and

the fifth wavelength is larger than an sixth wavelength of the sixth color.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the twelve labels to be substantially evenly spaced from each adjacent label.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the twelve labels to be spaced 30 degrees from each adjacent label.

11. A system for tuning a musical instrument, comprising:

a sound input device;

a processing device operatively coupled to said sound input device; and

a display operatively coupled to said processing device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a sound sensed by said sound input device for output on said display;

wherein;

said sound is generated by a musical instrument; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing a plurality of labels in a pattern of a helix, wherein;

(1) each turn of the helix has a respective group of twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective notes in a respective octave; and

(2) moving clockwise or counter-clockwise on the helix between any one of said labels represents a musical half-step;

(b) determining a target frequency;

(c) identifying which of the twelve respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the target frequency;

(d) identifying a first label corresponding to the target frequency;

(e) determining a sensed frequency, said sensed frequency being equal to the primary frequency of said sound;

(f) identifying a point on said circle corresponding to the sensed frequency;

(g) creating a first line connecting the first label and the point, wherein;

(1) the color of the first line is a mixture of a first color and a second color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical half step and less than a musical whole step;

(2) the color of the first line is a mixture of the second color and a third color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical whole step and less than a musical minor third;

(3) the color of the first line is a mixture of the third color and a fourth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical minor third and less than a musical major third;

(4) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fourth color and a fifth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical major third and less than a musical perfect fourth; and

(5) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fifth color and a sixth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical perfect fourth and less than a musical tri-tone.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first color is red, the second color is orange, the third color is yellow, the fourth color is green, the fifth color is blue and the sixth color is purple.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the first color has a first wavelength that is larger than a second wavelength of the second color;

the second wavelength is larger than a third wavelength of the third color;

the third wavelength is larger than a fourth wavelength of the fourth color;

the fourth wavelength is larger than a fifth wavelength of the fifth color; and

the fifth wavelength is larger than an sixth wavelength of the sixth color.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein like notes from all octaves lie in a substantially straight line.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging the labels to be substantially evenly spaced around the helix.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the labels to be spaced 30 degrees from each adjacent label.

17. A system for tuning a musical instrument, comprising:

a sound input device;

a processing device operatively coupled to said sound input device; and

a display operatively coupled to said processing device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a plurality of sounds sensed by said sound input device for output on said display;

wherein;

said plurality of sounds are generated by a musical instrument; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing a plurality of labels in a pattern of a helix, wherein;

(1) each turn of the helix has a respective group of twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective notes in a respective octave; and

(2) moving clockwise or counter-clockwise on the helix between any one of said labels represents a musical half-step;

(b) determining a first frequency, said first frequency being equal to the primary frequency of a first one of said plurality of sounds;

(e) identifying a point on the helix, said point corresponding to the first frequency;

(d) determining a second frequency, said second frequency being equal to the primary frequency of a second one of said plurality of sounds;

(e) identifying a point on the helix corresponding to the second frequency;

(g) creating a first line connecting the first point and the second point, wherein;

(1) the color of the first line is a mixture of a first color and a second color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical half step and less than a musical whole step;

(2) the color of the first line is a mixture of the second color and a third color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical whole step and less than a musical minor third;

(3) the color of the first line is a mixture of the third color and a fourth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical minor third and less than a musical major third;

(4) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fourth color and a fifth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical major third and less than a musical perfect fourth; and

(5) the color of the first line is a mixture of the fifth color and a sixth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than a musical perfect fourth and less than a musical tri-tone.