instrument_tags

Musical instrument bridge
2010-03-09 00:00:00
AbstractA musical instrument bridge (50) is supporting a set of strings (22) above a front face (14) of a musical instrument (12). The bridge has a plate (60), a mounting block (80), and a plurality of fingers (100). The plate is attachable to a rear face of the instrument. The plurality of fingers are cantilevered from the plate and extend outwardly therefrom. Each finger has a resonant frequency or rigidity that is related to a predetermined pitch of the string supported by the finger. Each finger is designed to vibrate in a plane that is parallel to the front face of the instrument but to reduce vibration in a plane perpendicular to the front face of the instrument.Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A musical instrument bridge for supporting a set of strings above a front face of a musical instrument, wherein each string of the set of strings is tuned to a predetermined pitch when the musical instrument is played, the musical instrument bridge comprising:

a plate that is attachable to the musical instrument;

several fingers cantilevered from the plate, each of said fingers having a resonant frequency and being configured to support a string of the set of strings above the front face of the musical instrument, said fingers being arranged in a row such that a first finger of said several fingers is disposed at one end of the row, a second finger of said set fingers is disposed at an opposite end of the row and all other of said several fingers are disposed intermediate said first and second fingers with no additional fingers located outward of said first and second fingers, the resonant frequency of said first finger being different than the resonant frequency of said second finger.

2. The musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, the waist portion of each of said first and second fingers having a width dimension, the width dimension of the waist portion of the first finger being different than a width dimension of the waist portion of the second finger.

3. The musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, the head portion of each of the first and second fingers having a hold therein, the hole of the head portion of the first finger being a different size than the size of a hole of the head portion of the second finger.

4. The musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, the waist portion of each of the first and second fingers having a pair of opposing slots that extend lengthwise along a length of the waist portion, the opposing slots of the first finger having a dimension that is different than a dimension of the opposing slots of the second finger.

5. The musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, each of the first and second fingers having a mass, the mass of the first finger being different than the mass of the second finger.

6. The musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, each of the first and second fingers having a groove that extends between the base portion of such finger and the waist portion of such finger, the groove of the first finger having a length that is different than a length of the groove of the second finger.

7. The musical instrument bridge of claim 1, further comprising a mounting block disposed between the plate and the fingers.

8. The musical instrument bridge of claim 7, wherein the mounting block and the base portion of each of said fingers have respective interfitting portions including a groove and an outwardly extending lip received in the groove.

9. The musical instrument bridge of claim 7, wherein the mounting block includes a plurality of slots into which each of said fingers is secured.

10. The musical instrument bridge of claim 9, wherein each of the fingers is secured to the mounting block independently of any other of the fingers.

11. A musical instrument bridge for supporting a set of strings above a front face of a musical instrument, wherein each string of the set of strings is tuned to a predetermined pitch when the musical instrument is played, the musical instrument bridge comprising:

a plate that is attachable t...

Method for operating a musical instrument
2010-03-08 00:00:00
instrument, especially a keyboard instrument such as a piano. In one embodiment, a keyboard instrument is provided which is operable for producing a musical sound. The keyboard instrument is used in combination with a musical staff on which a musical composition has been recorded. The staff has a structure that corresponds with the arrangement of keys on a keyboard such that notes recorded in spaces on the staff correspond to white keys of the keyboard instrument and notes recorded on lines correspond to black keys of the keyboard instrument. The keyboard instrument is operated by depressing the appropriate corresponding white key for a note recorded on a space of the staff and depressing the appropriate black key for a note recorded on a line of a staff.Claims

I claim:

1. A method for producing pitches of sound corresponding to a musical composition represented by noteheads visually depicted on a musical staff, the method of comprising the steps of:

producing sound responsive to said noteheads, said sound comprising pitches of said musical composition as represented by said noteheads visually depicted on said musical staff;

said musical staff comprising five substantially parallel and visually observable lines grouped in two groups, a first group consisting of three lines and a second group consisting of two lines, wherein said first group is separated from said second group by a distance that is larger than the spacing between lines within either of said first and second groups;

wherein, each line of said first group has a visually distinctive appearance relative to each line of said second group and wherein a first line of said first group of lines has a visually observable width that is smaller than the widths of the other two lines of said first group, so that said pitches will be easily identifiable when some of said noteheads are visually depicted in said first group and some of said noteheads are visually depicted in said second group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

each of said lines of said first group has a visually observable width that is larger than each of said lines of said second group.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said width of said first line is about one half as large as said widths of said other two lines of said first group.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said three lines within said first group and said two lines within said second group have relative line widths substantially as shown in FIG. 14.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

during said step of producing said sound, said sound is produced by a musical instrument.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

said musical instrument comprises a keyboard; and

said step of producing said musical sound includes depressing a black key to produce a pitch of said sound when one of said noteheads corresponding to said pitch is visually depicted as being on one of said lines of said staff and depressing a white key to produce a pitch of said sound when one of said noteheads corresponding to said pitch is visually depicted as occupying a space between two of said lines.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said five substantially parallel lines being substantially horizontally extending during said step of producing said sound.

8. A method for producing pitches of sound corresponding to a musical composition represented by noteheads visually depicted on a musical staff, the method comprising the steps of:

producing sound responsive to said noteheads, said sound comprising pitches of said musical composition as represented by said noteheads visually depicted on said musical staff;

said musical staff including at least 15 substantially parallel lines, which are substantially horizontal during said step of producing said sound and which are divided into at least two staff portions, with a first staff portion including seven lines arranged in three groups and a second staff portion including eight lines arranged in three groups, with the first staff portion and the second staff portion being separated by a distance that is larger than the spacing between groups of lines within said first staff portion and said second staff portion;

said three groups including said seven lines of said first staff portion including a first group consisting of three of said seven lines and second and third groups each consisting of two of said seven lines, wherein said first group is located between said second and third groups with each of said first, second and third groups being separated from any other adjacent of said first, second and third groups by a distance that is larger than spacing between lines within any of said first, second and third groups;

said three groups including said eight lines of said second staff portion including a fourth group consisting of two of said eight lines and fifth and sixth groups each consisting of three of said eight lines, wherein s...

Method and apparatus for automatic variable articulation and timbre assignment for an electronic musical instrument
2010-03-06 00:00:00
musical parameters such as duration and instrumental timbre. Notes played in slow succession are identified as polyphonic and are performed with the same instrumental timbre. Notes played at an intermediate speed are identified as melodic and are performed with the same instrumental timbre and a variable staccato or legato effect. A variable legato effect is achieved by controlling the overlap of successive pairs of notes, adjusting the release of the first note with respect to the onset of the second note as a function of the time interval between their onsets, and limiting the number of notes that can sound simultaneously. A variable staccato effect is achieved by controlling the duration of each note as a function of the time interval between the note and its predecessor, and limiting the number of notes that can sound simultaneously.Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic musical instrument, comprising:

means for supplying performance data for a first note and for a second note;

a processor for setting durations of said first and second notes in accordance with said performance data, wherein said processor sets an initial duration of said first note without regard to the performance data of said second note, determines a time interval N between a start time of said first note and a start time of said second note, and adjusts the initial duration of the first note as a function of said time interval N when the initial duration of said first note is greater than said time interval N; and

a tone generator for generating tones in accordance with the durations of said first and second notes set by said processor.

2. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note to a duration substantially equal to the time interval N if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note.

3. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein, if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note, said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note such that a time of overlap between said first note and said second note is a function of the time interval N.

4. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said performance data includes velocity data indicating a force with which each note is played and a pitch of each note, wherein said processor sets the initial duration of said first note as a function of at least one of: the velocity data corresponding to said first note; the pitch of said first note; a time interval N-1 between the start time of said first note and the start time of a previous note; and a predetermined duration.

5. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a selector for selecting one of a first melodic mode and a second melodic mode, wherein:

when the first melodic mode is selected, if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note, said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note such that a time of overlap between said first note and said second note is a function of the time interval N; and

when the second melodic mode is selected, said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note to a duration substantially equal to the time interval N if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note.

6. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying performance data is at least one of: a music controller; a playable controller interface; and a data transmission line.

7. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 6, wherein said music controller is at least one of: a keyboard, a xylophone-type keyboard, an array of drum pads and a keyed wind instrument.

8. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tone generator is a polyphonic tone generator.

9. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tone generator is a multi-channel, multi-timbral tone generator.

10. An apparatus for controlling an articulation between successive musical notes, comprising:

a note classifier for classifying at least a first note in accordance with performance data relating thereto, wherein said note classifier determines a time interval N-1 between a start time of said first note and a start time of an immediately previous note and determines a time interval N between the start time of said first note and a start time of an immediately subsequent note, classifies said first note and said immediately previous note as chord notes when the time interval N-1 is less than a first threshold time, classifies said first note as a polyphonic note when the time interval N-1 is greater than a second threshold time, and classifies said first note as a melodic note when the time interval N-1 is between said first and second threshold times; and

a processor for setting a duration of at least said first note in accordance with a classification of said first note by said note classifier, such that: when said first note and said immediately previous note are classified as chord notes, durations of said first note and said immediately previous note are substantially overlapped; when said first note is classified as a polyphonic note, said processor sets a duration of said first note; and, when said first note is classified as a melodic note, said processor sets an initial duration of said first note and adjusts the initial duration of the first note as a function of said time interval N if the initial duration of said first note is greater than said time interval N.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said processor sets the initial duration of said first note as a function of at least one of: a velocity at which said first note is played; a pitch of said first note; the time interval N-1; and the second threshold time.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a selector for selecting one of a first melodic mode and a sec...

Method and Apparatus for Playing in Synchronism with a CD an Automated Musical Instrument
2010-03-04 00:00:00
for playing an automated musical instrument in synchronism with an audio track of a CD, the apparatus including: a source for a music sequence including time stamped articulation events; a CD drive in communication with a controller, the CD drive capable of playing an audio track on a CD; the controller in communication with the source for a music sequence and in communication with the automated musical instrument, the controller providing the articulation events to the automated musical instrument, the controller further including a digital to analog converter to convert the audio track to an analog signal for play, the digital to analog converter providing the controller with a progress status of the time since the beginning of the play of the analog signal, the controller using the progress status of time as a time base for providing the time stamped articulation events to the automated musical instrument.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the music sequence is a MIDI file.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the source of a music sequence is digital media.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, where the digital media is selected from the group of compact flash cards, or SD cards.

5. A controller for playing an automated musical instrument in synchronism with an audio track from a CD, including, a CD drive; a CD subsystem; a microprocessor; memory storing a music sequence; the CD drive in communication with the microprocessor and the CD subsystem, the CD drive providing the CD subsystem with digital audio data from the audio track of a CD, and providing the microprocessor with information regarding identity of the audio track; the CD subsystem including a digital to analog converter to convert the digital audio data into an analog signal for transmission to a transducer; the CD subsystem in communication with the microprocessor and providing the microprocessor with information regarding the time progress of processing the digital audio data; the microprocessor in communication with the memory storing a music sequence, the microprocessor sending the music sequence to the automated musical instrument based on the time progress of processing the digital audio data.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the music sequence is a MIDI file including time stamped articulation events.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the microprocessor sends the events in music sequence to the automated musical instrument at a discreet time prior to the time called for by the time stamp for the event.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the discreet time is between 100 msec and 500 msec.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the...

Music Processing System Including Device for Converting Guitar Sounds to Midi Commands
2010-03-03 00:00:00
that transmits the commands to the MIDI interface of a musical instrument with additional modification, if needed.Claims
1. A device for converting guitar sounds to MIDI commands comprising:a low capacity microcontroller associated with each guitar string, the low capacity microcontroller being configured to convert filtered and amplified signals oscillations from a guitar string to a corresponding MIDI command; anda main microcontroller operatively connected to the low capacity microcontroller, the main microcontroller being configured to receive and collect MIDI commands generated by the low capacity microcontrollers, modify the MIDI commands, and transmit the modified MIDI command to the MIDI interface of a musical instrument.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:each low capacity microcontroller comprises: (i) an input adapted to receive the amplified and filtered signals from the guitar string, (ii) an output adapted to transmit a MIDI command corresponding to the amplified and filtered signal from the low capacity microcontroller to the main microcontroller, an (iii) output adapted signal the main microcontroller that the low capacity microcontroller has a MIDI command to be transmitted to the main microcontroller, and (iv) an input adapted to receive a signal from the main microcontroller to transmit a MIDI command.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein:the main microcontroller comprises: (i) an input adapted to receive a signal from the low capacity microcontroller that the low capacity microcontroller has a MIDI command to be transmitted to the main microcontroller; (ii) an output adapted to transmit a signal from the main microcontroller to each low capacity microcontroller to transmit a MIDI command from the low capacity microcontroller to the main microcontroller; and (iii) one input for receiving MIDI commands sent by each low capacity microcontroller.Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001]This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/873,970, filed Oct. 16, 2007, currently pending, and claims priority to Serbian Patent application ser. no. 2007-0015, filed Feb. 5, 2007, and the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/019,039 filed Jan. 4, 2008, the disclosures all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002]This disclosure generally pertains to a music processing system that converts sound from musical instruments into an electronic data format. More specifically, this invention pertains to a system and method that converts sound generated by musical instruments to a form to be used in electronic media based on a first harmonic of an input signal. In one embodiment, the data format is the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format.

[0003]For years digital keyboard players enjoyed unparalleled flexibility and functionality in interfacing and composing with their computers, such as the ability to instantly create notation and change sounds generated by their instruments with the push of a button. The music processing system described herein offer this flexibility and functionality to guitarists as well as the ability to use a guitar with computer games. The methods and apparatus described may comprise a pick-up and converter that attaches directly to any electric, acoustic electric or acoustic guitar, thereby making a user's guitar fully plug and play compatible with Windows XP or higher as well as Mac OSX. Preferably, no driver installation is necessary.

[0004]The music processing system described herein may be adapted for use with Guitar Wizard, a game that allows users to jam along to popular songs while learning to play a real guitar. Guitar Wizard teaches aspiring musicians everything from single note picking to complex chords and strumming techniques. Modem Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, such as Sony Acid鈩?Music Studio and Apple GarageBand harness the power of PCs, allowing musicians to play samples and software instruments. With the music processing system described herein, guitarists can control these programs to play sampled sounds and synthesized instruments such as a keyboard or piano, a different style guitar, drums or a woodwind instrument. Using the music processing system described herein, guitarists can compose a complete masterpiece controlling and recording each instrument from trumpets to tympanis using their guitar.

[0005]Using the music processing system described herein, users will enjoy the ability to connect a real guitar to console systems bridging the gap between gaming and reality. For instance, using the music processing system described herein, one may be able to: use a guitar to connect with a computer, operating with for instance Windows XP and/or Mac OSX; learn to play guitar; record, compose and edit music easily; arrange with flexibility and control; and convert recorded songs into sheet music. As described below, the pick-up and control components of the music processing system mount on any guitar and preferably recognizes and transmits specific instructions for each individual note played on the guitar, thereby allowing for great flexibility in playing and recording. This is conve...

Electronic device to detect and generate music from biological microvariations in a living organism
2010-03-02 00:00:00
of the ADC that is internal to microprocessor U5. Microprocessor U5 periodically reads the positions of potentiometers R31, R35, and R36, and the setting of these potentiometers are used to set parameters of how variations in signal PROC_AD_0 (analogous to microvariations in organism 2) are processed. Potentiometer R31 allows adjustment or the rate at which microprocessor U5 samples and processes microvariations in signal PROC_AD_0. Potentiometer R35 adjusts how large a microvariation it takes to meet certain processing thresholds. Potentiometer R36 adjusts the MIDI velocity of MIDI note codes generated by microprocessor U5. Adjustment of MIDI velocity is analogous, for instance, to adjusting how hard a piano key is stuck when playing a piano.

Jumpers JPR1 in FIG. 5c provides an input to microprocessor U5 which chooses between microprocessor U5 generating one note at a time in response to microvariations in organism 2, or generating triads of notes in response to microvariations in organism 2. Jumper JPR2 provides an input to microprocessor U5 that chooses between music being generated according to a major scale, or according to a 12-note scale.

Microprocessor U5 controls LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4, and LED5 to provide a visual indication of where within the range of the ADC the signal PROC_AD_0 is. If either the red LED5 or the red LED1 are lit, that indicates that the ADC is at an extreme end of its range, indicating that the level-shifting frequency-to-voltage converter DAC is unable to bring the signal back in range. Such a condition indicates a likely misconnection or misconfiguration of the interface to organism 2.

The microvariations sensed through the present invention may have various possibilities of linking. For instance, a voltage controlled audio frequency generator, or a MIDI interface audio generator, or a computerized interface portal, or a non-computerized one, or the management of systems of light mixing or electrical devices such as valves, pumps or electric engines or other servocontrols.

Such devices can have multiple uses, such as, for example, light and sound shows, play and entertainment, reproduction of artistic sound compositions through audio-visual supports, direct control of greenhouses, light sources, home and industrial uses, or it can allow the study of all phenomena linked to he sensitivity of the living biological organisms connected to the device.

Microprocessor U5 outputs a MIDI output (i.e., a serial output at 31,200 baud) that is representative of the change. An attached MIDI device translates these signals into musical tones.

In order to generate musical tones, the microprocessor periodically converts the analog output PROC_AD_0 into a digital value through its internal ADC. The microprocessor then monitors the converted digital value to determine when that digital value has changed. For example, when the monitored digital value increases, the microprocessor may send a serial MIDI command string to activate a musical note via the UART of the microprocessor. Similarly, if the monitored value decreases, the microprocessor may turn off the note. If the monitored digital value is close to an upper or lower limit of the ADC range, then the microprocessor may change the frequency driving the frequency to voltage converter to bring the input of the ADC closer to a center of its operating range.

Within the microprocessor U5, the sequence of samples from the ADC is converted to a sequence of musical note codes. Connector HDR1 is provided to connect the note code output from the microprocessor to a MIDI music synthesizer.

A number of switch inputs may be provided to enhance music quality. In FIG. 5d, switches SW3 and SW4 are used to increment and decrement musical instrument designation codes that the microprocessor sends to the MIDI synthesizer.

Turning now to the software, Appendix I shows a number of software modules that interact to provide the functionality discussed above. For example, an INITIALIZATION ROUTINE is shown on page 2. The INITIALIZATION ROUTINE functions to set up the system variables, registers, the interrupt vector, etc. to allow the system to operate properly.

Pages 2-3 show the MAIN program. The MAI...

Magnetic pickup for stringed musical instrument
2010-03-01 00:00:00
instrument has one or two coils juxtaposed with the strings each coil having an inner polepiece disposed centrally therein. A single polarity is induced in each inner polepiece by two bar magnets, one at each side of the polepiece externally of the coil. An outer polepiece is magnetically coupled to an outside edge of each of the bar magnets and extends toward the strings. Each polepiece has a preselected shape, with an upper edge which is either continuous, or discontinuous with a plurality of pole legs, one common to each string of the musical instrument. The distance between the pickup and strings is adjustable to select a desired response. When pole legs are used, they are selectable in height by shearing off the distal end of each leg to obtain a selected pickup sensitivity for each string.ClaimsI claim as my invention:

1. A magnetic pickup for a musical instrument having a plurality of strings, comprising:

(a) a coil common to said strings;

(b) an inner ferromagnetic polepiece common to said strings and partially disposed in said coil;

(c) magnet means common to said strings and magnetically coupled to said inner polepiece and inducing a single polarity in said inner polepiece; and

(d) at least one flat outer ferromagnetic polepiece magnetically coupled to the magnet means outside of said coil and having a polarity opposite to that of the nearest portion of said inner polepiece.

2. A magnetic pick-up according to claim 1 in which said inner polepiece has a plurality of pole legs integrally formed with each other, there being one pole leg for each string.

3. A magnetic pickup according to claim 1 in which said outer polepiece is common to said strings and has a uniform length and uniform height.

4. A magnetic pickup according to claim 1 in which said outer polepiece has a segmented surface below the instrument strings in the form of pole legs with a continuous transition from the upper end of one pole leg to the upper end of the nextpole leg.