in_tags
Simulated musical rainmaker2010-03-30 00:00:00baffle
inserted
into the cas
ing that creates the sound of ra
in as particulate material flows through the baffle. Visual and aural enhancements
include a brightly colored covet
ing, a molded cover
ing of plants and animals from the ra
inforest, a clear cas
ing through which the viewer sees the particulate material flow
ing through the baffle, and one or more sound circuits that broadcasts the sound of ra
in, animal calls, or musical
instruments...
Musical tone synthesizing apparatus utilizing an all-pass filter having a variable fractional delay2010-03-29 00:00:00AbstractThe musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus is ma
inly configured by a closed loop which at least provides a delay circuit and an all-pass filter. The delay circuit delays an
input signal (e.g., excitation wave signal) by a first delay time correspond
ing to a certa
in integral number of sampl
ing periods. The all-pass filter functions to at least delay an output of the delay circuit by a second delay time correspond
ing to a decimal fraction of the sampl
ing period, so that an output of the all-pass filter is fed back to the delay circuit. The whole delay time of the closed loop consists of the first and second delay times which can be respectively controlled. Thus, a musical tone signal represent
ing a synthesized musical tone (e.g., an attenuat
ing sound which is produced from an percussion
instrument) is picked up from the closed loop. Incidentally, the whole configuration of the closed loop can be embodied by a digital signal processor (DSP).Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus compris
ing:
first delay means for delay
ing an
input signal by a first delay time correspond
ing to an
integral number of a sampl
ing period;
second delay means for delay
ing an output of said first delay means by a second delay time correspond
ing to a decimal fraction of said sampl
ing period, said first delay means and said second delay means be
ing connected together
in a closed loop so that an output of said second delay means is fed back to said first delay means;
delay calculat
ing means for calculat
ing a total delay amount applied to said closed loop, said total delay amount compris
ing an
integral-part delay time and a decimal-part delay time, said
integral-part delay time correspond
ing to said first delay time and said decimal-part delay time correspond
ing to said second delay time; and
control means for controll
ing said
integral-part delay time and said decimal-part delay time
in an
interrelated manner to m
inimize discont
inuity
in an output of said second delay means, whereby a musical tone signal represent
ing a synthesized musical tone is output from said closed loop.
2. A musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus as def
ined
in claim 1 where
in said second delay means is a all-pass filter which acts upon a filter coefficient supplied thereto, while said control means produces and supplies said filter coefficient to said all-pass filter such that a delay operation correspond
ing to said second delay time can be carried out by said all-pass filter.
3. A musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus as def
ined
in claim 1 where
in said control means controls said decimal-part delay time to be approximately equal to zero when said control means controls said
integral-part delay time to be
increased, while said control means controls said decimal-part delay time to correspond to one sampl
ing period when said control means controls said
integral-part delay time to be decreased.
4. A musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus compris
ing:
delay means for delay
ing an
input signal by a first delay time correspond
ing to a certa
in integral number of sampl
ing periods;
an all-pass filter for receiv
ing an output of said delay means and for delay
ing said output by a second delay time correspond
ing to a decimal fraction of said sampl
ing period
in response to a filter coefficient supplied thereto, said delay means and said all-pass filter be
ing connected together
in a closed loop so that an output of said all-pass filter is fed back to said delay means;
delay calculat
ing means for calculat
ing a whole delay amount applied to said closed loop, said whole delay amount consist
ing of an
integral-part delay time and a decimal-part delay time, said
integral-part delay time correspond
ing to said first delay time, while said decimal-part delay time corresponds to said second delay time;
control means for controll
ing said
integral-part delay time which is applied to said delay means as said first delay time and said filter coefficient such that said first and second delay times are controlled
in an
interrelated manner to m
inimize a discont
inuity
in an output of said all-pass filter; and
an
interpolation means for perform
ing an
interpolation operation on said filter coefficient
in response to a variation of said
integral-part delay time controlled by said control means, whereby a musical tone signal represent
ing a synthesized musical tone is obta
ined from said closed loop.
5. A musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus compris
ing:
excitation wave produc
ing means for produc
ing an excitation wave signal;
an adder for receiv
ing said excitation wave signal;
delay means for receiv
ing an output of said adder so as to delay it by a first delay time which corresponds to an
integral number of sampl
ing periods;
an all-pass filter, responsive to a filter coefficient supplied thereto so as to at least delay an output of said delay means by a second delay time which corresponds to a decimal fraction of said sampl
ing period;
a low-pass filter for perform
ing a low-pass filter
ing operation on an output of said all-pass filter;
a multiplier for multiply
ing an output of said low-pass filter by a loop ga
in supplied thereto, where
in said adder, said delay means, said all-pass filter, said low-pass filter and said multiplier are connected together to form a closed loop so that an output of said multiplier is fed back to said adder
in which it is added to said excitation wave signal; and
a delay control means for controll
ing said first delay time and said second delay time, respectively,
in an
interrelated manner to m
inimize discont
inuity
in said output of said all-pass filter, whereby a musical tone signal represent
ing a synthesized musical tone is obta
ined from said output of said adder, while a tone pitch of said musical tone is cont
inuously controlled by said control means.
6. A musical tone synthesiz
ing apparatus compris
ing:
a signal produc
ing portion for produc
ing a signal;
a loop-circuit portion connected with said signal produc
ing portion, said loop-circuit porti...
Method and apparatus for representing musical information2010-03-26 00:00:00ing and stor
ing musical
information
involves separat
ing the musical
information
into a plurality of segments, each represent
ing some portion of a measure, and assign
ing a sequential time dimension value to each segment. The musical
information is also separated
into plurality of channels, with each channel represent
ing a sound source and hav
ing a sound dimension value assigned to it. The musical
information for a given channel and segment is stored
in a memory array by associat
ing the musical
information correspond
ing to a given channel and segment with the memory array node specified by the time dimension value and sound dimension value assigned to the given channel and segment.ClaimsI claim:
1. An apparatus for electronically stor
ing and process
ing music
information compris
ing:
means for receiv
ing electronic signals represent
ing a time-ordered sequence of notes and rests
in musical composition to be performed by one or more sound sources;
means for identify
ing
in said electronic signals the pitch of each note and the duration of each note and rest and means for assign
ing each note and rest to a first measure and succeed
ing sequentially ordered measures; and
means for stor
ing an electronic representation of the pitch and duration of each note and the duration of each rest
in a computer memory array comprised of a two dimensional framework of storage nodes, each storage node be
ing associated with a unique one of said first and succeed
ing measures and a unique one of said one or more sound sources.
2. The apparatus as recited
in claim 1 where
in the pitch of each note is expressed as a base value and a displacement from said base value.
3. The apparatus as recited
in claim 1 where
in the duration of each note and each rest is expressed as one or more beat units said beat unit be
ing a specified absolute time
interval.
4. The apparatus as recited
in claim 1 where
in the means for stor
ing an electronic representation of the pitch and duration of each note and the duration of each rest is a digital computer memory hav
ing a field format that is the same for each note.
5. The apparatus as recited
in claim 4 where
in sid field format comprises:
a comparator field for def
ining a sequential position;
a tag field for differentiat
ing various acoustic or graphic attributes associated with a note, a rest, or a musical composition; and
a data field conta
ining encoded data express
ing one or more of said attributes or a po
inter lead
ing to one or more of said attributes.
6. The apparatus as recited
in claim 1 where
in said memory array has at least one additional dimension implemented by vectors associated with one or more of said storage nodes, with said vectors conta
ining additional electronic representations specify
ing graphical representations of textual,
interpretive, pitch or duration attributes associated with the notes
in the storage node associated with said vector.
7. The apparatus as recited
in claim 1, further compris
ing:
means for retriev
ing the electronic representations of the pitch and duration of each note and the duration of each rest from said memory array;
means for translat
ing all of the retrieved electronic representations stored
in each storage node associated with a s
ingle sound source
into a graphical representation of a musical staff with notes and rests; and
means for plac
ing
in the graphical representation of a musical staff, measure markers that demarcate the notes associated with the first and succeed
ing measures as
indicated by the storage mode at which each note and rest is stored.
8. The apparatus as recited
in claim 1, further compris
ing:
means for retriev
ing said electronic representations of the pitch and duration of each note and the duration of each rest from said memory array, start
ing with the notes
in the storage node correspond
ing to the first measures stored
in said memory array for each sound source and cont
inu
ing sequentially for notes
in the storage nodes correspond
ing to the second and succeed
ing measures
in said memory array; and
means for translat
ing the retrieved electronic representations
into electronic output signals to at least one sound source, start
ing with the first note
in any measure of the storage node correspond
ing to the first measures stored
in said memory for each sound source and jo
ining with said first note any notes to be performed at the same time, then cont
inu
ing with the next succeed
ing note and any notes to be performed
in said first measure and further cont
inu
ing with the notes
in measures of the storage node correspond
ing to the second and succeed
ing measures at the same time.
9. A method for electronically process
ing and stor
ing musical
information us
ing a programmable data process
ing system, the steps compris
ing:
provid
ing the programmable data process
ing system with a plurality of data signals represent
ing musical
information; and
us
ing the programmable data process
ing system to perform the steps of:
separat
ing the musical
information
into a plurality of segments, each segment represent
ing some portion of a measure;
assign
ing a sequential time dimension value to each segment;
separat
ing the musical
information
into a plurality of channels, each channel represent
ing a sound source;
assign
ing a sound dimension value to each channel; and
stor
ing the musical
information for a given channel and segment by associat
ing the musical
information correspond
ing to a given channel and segment with the time dimension value and sound dimension value assigned to the given channel and segment.
10. A music process
ing apparatus for represent
ing musical
information compris
ing:
means for selectively
inputt
ing musical
information;
programmable data process
ing means operably connected to the means for selectively
inputt
ing musical
information for electronically represent
ing, stor
ing and retriev
ing the musical
informatio...
Music search by interactive graphical specification with audio feedback2010-03-25 00:00:00AbstractA method and system for creat
ing a musical query are disclosed that graphically generate a musical segment that represents a portion of a desired piece of music. Audio feedback is provided to a user by play
ing the musical segment. Then, a musical query is generated based on the musical segment. Optionally, the graphical generation the musical segment and audio feedback steps can be repeated until the user acknowledges the musical segment is acceptable. Then, after the user has acknowledged the musical segment is acceptable, the musical query is generated.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of creat
ing a musical query compris
ing:
graphically generat
ing a musical segment that represents a portion of a desired piece of music;
provid
ing audio feedback to a user by play
ing at least a portion of the generated musical segment;
generat
ing a musical query based on the generated musical segment;
retriev
ing at least one music piece from a music database based on the generated musical query;
select
ing at least a portion of one of the retrieved music pieces;
creat
ing a graphical representation of the selected music portion; and
generat
ing a second musical query based on the created graphical representation of the selected music portion.
2. The method of claim 1, compris
ing:
synthesiz
ing the musical segment prior to the step of provid
ing the audio feedback.
3. The method of claim 1, compris
ing:
repeat
ing the step of graphically generat
ing the musical segment and the step of provid
ing audio feedback, until the musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable; and
where
in the step of generat
ing the musical query based on the graphically generated musical segment is performed after the musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable.
4. The method of claim 1, compris
ing:
display
ing a list conta
ining the retrieved music pieces;
select
ing at least one of the retrieved music pieces; and
play
ing the selected at least one of the retrieved music pieces to the user.
5. The method of claim 1, where
in the musical query is
in a str
ing format.
6. The method of claim 1, where
in the musical query is
in a MIDI format.
7. The method of claim 1, where
in the musical query is
in an audio format.
8. The method of claim 1, where
in the method is implemented
in a software program accessible by a graphical
interface for graphically generat
ing the musical segment via a web browser over a network.
9. The method of claim 1, compris
ing:
modify
ing the musical segment produced dur
ing the step of graphically generat
ing
in response to user
inputs to change characteristics of the musical segment.
10. The method of claim 1, compris
ing:
replac
ing the generated musical segment with the created graphical representation of the selected music portion,
graphically adjust
ing the replaced generated musical segment; and
provid
ing audio feedback to a user by play
ing at least a portion of the adjusted generated musical segment.
11. The method of claim 10, compris
ing:
repeat
ing the step of graphically adjust
ing the replaced generated musical segment and the step of provid
ing audio feedback from the adjusted generated musical segment, until the adjusted generated musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable; and
where
in the step of generat
ing the second musical query is performed after the adjusted generated musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable.
12. The method of claim 11, compris
ing:
graphically adjust
ing the replaced generated musical segment
in response to user
inputs to change characteristics of the musical segment.
13. The method of claim 1, where
in the generated musical segment comprises a bass...
Method and apparatus for generating musical tone waveforms by user input of sample waveform frequency2010-03-24 00:00:00ing musical tones are provided. Musical tones are generated based on musical tone waveform samples generated through a plurality of channels, and performance
information is
input. Control
information is
input depend
ing on an amount of operation of an operat
ing element operated by a user. Musical tone waveform samples are generated for each of the channels correspond
ing to the performance
information
input with
in a predeterm
ined time period,
in a number correspond
ing to the
input control
information, whenever the predeterm
ined time period elapses. Musical tones are generated based on the generated musical tone waveform samples.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of generat
ing musical tones which is executed on a computer, compris
ing:
a performance
information receiv
ing step of receiv
ing performance
information which designates a pitch of each of the musical tones to be generated;
a control
information receiv
ing step of receiv
ing control
information;
a generat
ing step of carry
ing out, at predeterm
ined time
intervals, a musical tone waveform calculation
in response to the received performance
information, for generat
ing a plurality of musical tone waveform samples for each of a plurality of channels, where
in the predeterm
ined time
intervals are longer than a sampl
ing cycle of the musical tone waveform samples, each of the musical tone waveform samples generated has the pitch designated by said performance
information, and the number of said waveform sample generated is controlled by said control
information; and
a reproduc
ing step of play
ing back said musical tone waveform samples generated by said generat
ing step.
2. A method as claimed
in claim 1, where
in the received control
information is
input based on an
input operation by a user.
3. A method of generat
ing musical tones which is executed on a computer, compris
ing:
a receiv
ing step of receiv
ing a plurality of pieces of performance
information correspond
ing respectively to a plurality of performance parts, where
in the received performance
information designates a pitch of each of the musical tones to be generated;
a generat
ing step of carry
ing out, at predeterm
ined time
intervals, a musical tone waveform calculation
in response to the received performance
information, for generat
ing a plurality of musical tone waveform samples correspond
ing to said plurality of performance parts, where
in the predeterm
ined time
intervals are longer than a sampl
ing cycle of the musical tone waveform samples, each of the musical tone waveform samples generated has the pitch designated by said performance
information, and a sampl
ing frequency of the musical tone waveform samples generated correspond
ing to at least one of said plurality of performance parts is different from the sampl
ing frequency of the musical tone waveform samples generated correspond
ing to the other performance parts; and
a reproduc
ing step of play
ing back said musical tone waveform samples generated by said generat
ing step.
4. A method of generat
ing musical tones which is executed on a computer, compris
ing:
a first receiv
ing step of receiv
ing a plurality of pieces of performance
information for command
ing to generate musical tones;
a second receiv
ing step of receiv
ing limitation
information def
ining a maximum number of channels for generat
ing tones;
a generat
ing step of carry
ing out, at predeterm
ined time
intervals longer than a sampl
ing cycle, a musical tone waveform calculation of a plurality of sound
ing channels which said performance
information has commanded to generate tones, for generat
ing a plurality of musical tone waveform samples
in said plurality of sound
ing channels, where
in when said performance
information commands to start generation of a new tone, one new sound
ing channel is added to said plurality of sound
ing channels, and when the tone generation
in one of said plurality of sound
ing channels is f
inished, said one of said plurality of sound
ing channels is removed from said plurality of sound
ing channels; and
a reproduction step of outputt
ing said plurality of musical tone waveform samples, sample by sample, every sampl
ing cycle;
where
in said generat
ing step generates said musical tone waveform samples by said musical tone waveform calculation
in a manner such that a maximum number of said plurality of sound
ing channels is limited
in accordance with said limitation
information by
inhibit
ing said musical tone waveform calculation for some of said plurality of sound
ing channels when a total number of said sound
ing channels exceeds the maximum number def
ined by said limitation
information.
5. A method as claimed
in claim 4, where
in the received limitation
information is
input based on a sett
ing operation by a user.
6. A method of generat
ing musical tones which is executed on a computer, compris
ing:
a first receiv
ing step of receiv
ing a plurality of pieces of performance
information for command
ing to generate musical tones;
a second receiv
ing step of receiv
ing limitation
information def
ining a maximum amount of process
ing capacity of a processor of the computer which can be employed for tone generation;
a generat
ing step of carry
ing out, at predeterm
ined time
intervals longer than a sampl
ing cycle, a musical tone waveform calculation of a plurality of sound
ing channels which said performance
information has commanded to generate tones, for generat
ing a plurality of musical tone waveform samples
in said plurality of sound
ing channels, where
in when said performance
information commands to start generation of a new tone, one new sound
ing channel is added to said plurality of sound
ing channels, and when the tone generation
in one of said plurality of sound
ing channels is f
inished, said one of said plurality of sound
ing channels is removed from said plurality of sound
ing channels; and
a reproduction step of outputt
ing said plurality of musical tone waveform samples, sample by sample, every sampl
ing cycle;
where
in said generat
ing step generates said musical tone waveform sam...
Graphic/tactile musical keyboard and nomographic music notation2010-03-23 00:00:00AbstractA graphic/tactile musical
instruction system
includes a three-row equal temperament whole tone graphic/tactile keyboard and a nomographic system of music notation. In a first embodiment of the keyboard, an upper row of keys produces the notes C.sup.# /Db, D.sup.# /Eb, F, G, A and B, with the C.sup.# /Db and D.sup.# /Eb keys be
ing extended forward. The upper row keys are narrower
in the highest octaves. The middle row produces the notes C, D, E, F.sup.# /Gb, G.sup.# /Ab and A.sup.# /Bb, with the F.sup.# /Gb, G.sup.# /Ab, and A.sup.# /Bb keys extended forward. The lower row keys are aligned with and play the same notes as the upper row keys. In a second embodiment of the keyboard, the upper row keys are narrower
in the upper octaves. The F and G upper row keys have raised top surfaces, extended and beveled front ends, and darkened surfaces. The middle row C keys have extended and beveled front ends, raised top surfaces, and darkened surfaces. The lower row F and G keys are raised and darkened.The nomographic notation is correlated to the keyboard by nomographically mark
ing the l
ines and spaces of the stave adjacent the key signature and similarly graphically mark
ing the notes played on the upper or lower row with a diagonal slant " ".ClaimsI claim:
1. A graphic/tactile musical
instruction system, compris
ing:
tone produc
ing means for produc
ing a musical note
in response to the actuation of a selected key of a keyboard;
a graphic/tactile keyboard where
in actuation of any two adjacent keys with
in a s
ingle row causes the tone produc
ing means to produce two musical notes separated by a whole tone, and actuation of any two adjo
ining keys
in adjacent rows produces two musical notes separated by a half-tone, the keyboard hav
ing:
an upper row of keys positioned relatively farther away from the player, the upper row keys produc
ing the notes C鈾?/D鈾? D鈾?/E鈾? F, G, A and B, where
in adjacent upper row keys are separated by a gap, and where
in selected upper row keys are graphically and tactilely differentiated from the rema
ining upper row keys, the upper row keys
in a predeterm
ined one or more highest octaval group
ings be
ing narrower than the upper row keys
in octaval group
ings below said narrower keys;
a middle row of keys positioned lower and relatively closer to the player than the upper row, the middle row keys produc
ing the notes C, D, E, F鈾?/G鈾? G鈾?/A鈾?and A鈾?/B鈾? where
in a longitud
inal centerl
ine of each middle row key is parallel to and laterally offset from the longitud
inal centerl
ine of an adjacent upper row key, and where
in the middle row keys have a uniform width approximately equal to the width of any selected one of the upper row keys plus the width of the gap separat
ing the upper row key from an adjacent upper row key, and where
in selected middle row keys are graphically and tactilely differentiated from the rema
ining middle row keys; and
a lower row of keys positioned lower and relatively closer to the player than the middle row, where
in the longitud
inal centerl
ine of each of said lower row keys is aligned with the longitud
inal centerl
ine of a correspond
ing upper row key which produces the same note as said lower row key, where
in said lower row keys have a uniform width equal to the uniform width of the middle row keys, and where
in the frontmost ends of all said lower row keys are coplanar; and
a nomographic music notation system compris
ing musical notation where
in notes to be played on one row of the keyboard are graphically marked while notes to be played on another row of the keyboard are unmarked, said notation system,
in addition to conventional key signature symbols,
includ
ing
in the key signature area nomographic symbols
indicat
ing the l
ines and spaces on which said graphically marked notes occur.
2. A musical
instruction system accord
ing to claim 1, where
in the graphic mark
ings on certa
in notes and the nomographic mark
ings
in the key signature are alike.
3. The musical
instruction system of claim 1, where
in notes are marked with a diagonal slant " " through the body of the note.
4. The musical
instruction system of claim 1, where
in the upper row C鈾?/D鈾?and D鈾?/E鈾?keys are graphically and tactilely differentiated from the rema
ining upper ro...
Suspension of musical instruments2010-03-20 00:00:00AbstractA three-po
int harness for suspend
ing a musical
instrument, such as a guitar, about the body of a musician, with a first connector for attach
ing the harness to one attachment po
int on the
instrument, a second connector for attach
ing the harness to another attachment po
int on the
instrument, and a third connector between the first and second connectors, attached to the
instrument for limit
ing the extent to which the
instrument can be displaced from the harness.Claims
What is claimed:
1. A harness for the suspension of a musical
instrument, which
includes a plurality of attachment po
ints, compris
ing
suspension means;
means for attach
ing said suspension means to one of said attachment po
ints of said
instrument;
means for attach
ing said suspension means to another one of said attachment po
ints of said
instrument;
means for attach
ing said suspension means to still another one of said attachment po
ints of said
instrument;
the attachment of said suspension means to said
instrument limit
ing the extent to which said suspension means can be displaced from said
instrument.
2. A harness as def
ined
in claim 1 where
in said
instrument is a guitar hav
ing said plurality of attachment po
ints, and said suspension means is attached to said guitar at three separated ones of said attachment po
ints.
3. Apparatus as def
ined
in claim 1 where
in said suspension means comprises
a ma
in strap with a first end
includ
ing said means for attach
ing said suspension means to said one of said attachment po
ints, and a second end
includ
ing said means for attach
ing said suspension means to said another of said attachment po
ints and a secondary strap with a first end
includ
ing said means for attach
ing said suspension means to said still another of said attachment po
ints, and a second end
includ
ing means for attachment to said ma
in strap at a position
intermediate said first and said second ends of said ma
in strap.
4. A harness as def
ined
in claim 1 where
in said suspension means comprises
first, second and third straps, each hav
ing first and second ends, with the first ends conjo
ined and the second ends connected separately to said attachment po
ints on said
instrument.
5. Apparatus as def
ined
in claim 1 further
includ
ing a r
ing hav
ing a circumference and said suspension means comprises first, second and third straps, each hav
ing first and second ends;
said first ends conta
ining means for loop
ing about and secur
ing to said circumference of said r
ing; and
said second ends be
ing connected to attachment po
ints on said
instrument.
6. A harness as def
ined
in claim 1 where
in at least one of said means for attach
ing said suspension means ...
Hand-held percussion musical instrument comprising elongate tube shaped as a ring, incorporating dividers, and incoporating contained sound-generating elements2010-03-18 00:00:00 instrument
in the form of a rigid tubular r
ing, which
includes a plurality of elongate hollow tubes, the tubes hav
ing rigid tubular walls and opposite end walls def
ining closed hollow tube
interiors. Steel shot is loosely conta
ined with
in the hollow
interiors of the tubes, whereby the r
ing may be hand manipulated to cause the shot to impact the walls to create audible percussion sounds.Claims
I claim:
1. A hand-held percussion musical
instrument, compris
ing:
(a) structural means def
ining a rigid tubular r
ing hav
ing an external diameter
in a range of about 7 to about 12
inches, said r
ing
includ
ing a plurality of at least five elongate hollow tubes connected end-to-end, with each tube hav
ing a rigid tubular wall and rigid opposite end walls def
ining a closed hollow tube
interior, and
(b) a plurality of hard solid masses loosely conta
ined with
in said hollow
interior of each of a plurality of said tubes, whereby the
instrument may be hand-held and manipulated so as to cause the solid masses to impact the tubular walls and end walls to create audible percussion sounds, and may be conveniently used as an attractive
instrument to accompany and lend emphasis to s
ing
ing and/or danc
ing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, where
in said elongate tubes are approximately straight and are connected end-to-end as a polygon-configured tubular r
ing, with said tubular walls be
ing sufficiently th
in, hard and rigid to act as soundboards for acoustically coupl
ing
induced vibrations from said solid masses audibly to the surround
ing atmosphere.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, where
in said tubular r
ing is
in the form of a regular hexagon.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, where
in said rigid tubular r
ing is formed pr
incipally of
injection molded hard and rigid plastic material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic plastic, or the equivalent.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, where
in said tubular walls are approximately circular
in cross-section about central axes and have an external diameter with
in a range of about 1 to about 13/4
inches, with a tubular wall thickness with
in a range of about 1/16 to about 3/16
inches.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, where
in said rigid tubular r
ing is formed
in an upper unitary half and a lower unitary half hav
ing
interlock
ing mat
ing surfaces which jo
in in a median plane, said plane bisect
ing said r
ing along and through its circumference.
7. The apparatus of claim 2, where
in said solid masses are metallic masses and are spherical.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, where
in said masses are metallic, and are approximately spherical, and the diameters of the majority of said masses are with
in a range of about 1/16 to about 4/8
inches.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, where
in said tubular walls and end walls have smooth surfaces.
10. A percussion musical
instrument, which comprises:
(a) wall means to def
ine a tube that bends upon itself so as to be a closed figure,
said wall means be
ing formed of a hard substance hav
ing such characteristics, and be
ing sufficiently th
in, that when hard solid masses are disposed loosely with
in said tube, and said tube is shaken, percussion vibrations will be created
in the air surround
ing said tube due to the impact
ing of said masses on said wall means,
the diameter...
Method and apparatus for achieving timbre modulation in an electronic musical instrument2010-03-15 00:00:00AbstractIn a digital musical
instrument, timbre modulation is effected through the use of a digital magnitude comparator and associated digital logic. Selected note frequency signals and selected scale factors are compared
in the digital magnitude comparator. Selected comparator outputs are applied to the associated digital logic
in conjunction with a sample gat
ing signal. This modulation results
in a segmentation of the audio waveshape
in accordance with the frequency signals selected for use
in the comparator. Hence, choice of lower pitched frequency signals will result
in a wider segmentation period, while choice of higher pitched frequency signals will narrow the segmentation period. Timbre modulation may be employed dur
ing note attack and/or decay.ClaimsI claim:
1. Apparatus for achiev
ing timbre modulation
in an electronic musical
instrument
includ
ing an audio wave shape generator responsive to octavely related note frequency signals,compris
ing:
means for generat
ing a variable magnitude digital signal,
means connected to the audio wave shape generator for generat
ing octavely related note frequency signals,
digital magnitude comparator means for compar
ing said variable digital signal with said octavely related note frequency signals and for produc
ing an output signal based on predeterm
ined comparisons,
means for generat
ing a sample gat
ing signal
indicative of the desired state of the audio wave shape generator, and
digital logic means connected to the audio wave shape generator for accept
ing said sample gat
ing signal and said digital magnitude comparator output signal and for produc
ing a timbre modulated sample gat
ing signal for controll
ing the audio waveshape generator.
2. The apparatus accord
ing to claim 1 where
in said means for generat
ing said octavely related note frequency signals
includes a multiplexed accumulator.
3. The...
Method and apparatus for teaching musical notation to young children2010-03-12 00:00:00AbstractA method for teach
ing musical notation to children. Each note is associated with a dist
inctly identifiable color, which is
in turn associated with an object which naturally occurs
in this color. Each object,
in turn, is associated with a cartoon character which prom
inently
incorporates an image of the object. Each character is endowed with a dist
inctly identifiable personality characteristic which enables the child to utilize the cartoon character
in an educational activity. These relationships allow the child to apply relatively sophisticated symbolization techniques which are a part of the child's natural developmental process
in order to master the musical notation system.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for teach
ing a set of musical notes to a child, said method compris
ing the steps of:
provid
ing a set of physical objects, each said object
in said set of objects be
ing characterized by a different color;
match
ing each musical note i n said set of notes with a selected one of said different colors of said objects
in said set of objects;
form
ing a set of fanciful figures, each said figure
in said set of figures prom
inently
incorporat
ing an image of a selected one of said physical objects
in said set of objects; and
match
ing each note
in said set of notes with that figure
in said set of figures which
incorporates an image of that object
in said set of objects which is characterized by that color with which that note has been matched.
2. The method of claim 1, where
in the step of match
ing each said note with a figure further comprises:
match
ing each object with said first display surface of that demonstration article which predom
inantly shows said color of that object thereon.
3. The method of claim 2, further compris
ing the step of:
display
ing said second surface of each said demonstration article so as to predom
inantly show said black color thereon, so as to provide a visual correlation between said figure thereon and a correspond
ing musical note on a black-and-white musical score.
4. The method of claim 3, where
in the step of form
ing said figure as a demonstration article hav
ing first and second display surfaces comprises:
form
ing said demonstration article as a two-sided article hav
ing an outl
ine
in the shape of said fanciful figure, so that said first and second surfaces can be displayed alternately by flipp
ing said figure over, while said outl
ine rema
ins substantially the same
in both positions.
5. The method of claim 3, where
in the step of form
ing said figure as an article hav
ing first and second display surfaces comprises:
form
ing said article of an outer fabric layer predom
inantly show
ing said color of said object thereon and an
inner fabric layer predom
inantly show
ing said black color thereon, said
inner and outer fabric layers be
ing jo
ined to form a tubular fabric structure which is selectively eversible so as to alternately expose said
inner and outer fabric layers while reta
ining said outl
ine
in the shape of said fanciful figure.
6. The method of claim 1, further compris
ing the step of:
form
ing a visual image of said figure which predom
inantly shows said color of said selected object thereon.
7. The method of claim 6, where
in the step of match
ing said notes with said figures further comprises:
match
ing said selected object with said image of said figure which predom
inantly shows said color of said selected object thereon.
8. The method of claim 6, further compris
ing the step of:
chang
ing the color of said visual image of said figure so as to predom
inantly show a black color thereon, so as to provide a visual correlation between said figure and a correspond
ing note on a black-and-white musical score.
9. The method of claim 1, further compris
ing the step of:
generat
ing at least one musical tone which corresponds to said musical note,
in conjunction with display
ing said figure to said child.
10. The method of claim 9, where
in the step of generat
ing at least one musical tone comprises:
play
ing back a recorded script which
incorporates said musical tone there
in.
11. The method of claim 10, further compris
ing the step of:
provid
ing a recorded script which is associated with said figure.
12. The method of claim 11, where
in the step of provid
ing said recorded script comprises:
provid
ing a prerecorded script hav
ing blank portions at selected po
ints there
in; and
