modifying_tags
Music search by interactive graphical specification with audio feedback2010-03-25 00:00:00/>
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented in a software program accessible by a graphical interface for graphically generating the musical segment via a web browser over a network.
9. The method of claim 1, comprising:
modifying the musical segment produced during the step of graphically generating in response to user inputs to change characteristics of the musical segment.
10. The method of claim 1, comprising:
replacing the generated musical segment with the created graphical representation of the selected music portion,
graphically adjusting the replaced generated musical segment; and
providing audio feedback to a user by playing at least a portion of the adjusted generated musical segment.
11. The method of claim 10, comprising:
repeating the step of graphically adjusting the replaced generated musical segment and the step of providing audio feedback from the adjusted generated musical segment, until the adjusted generated musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable; and
wherein the step of generating the second musical query is performed after the adjusted generated musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising:
graphically adjusting the replaced generated musical segment in response to user inputs to change characteristics of the musical segment.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated musical segment comprises a bass and/or a rhythm section for generating the musical query.
14. The method of claim 1, comprising:
graphically adjusting the tempo of the generated musical segment to fine tune the tempo of the musical segment.
15. A computer-based system for creating a musical query comprising:
logic that graphically generates a musical segment that represents at least a portion of a desired piece of music;
logic that provides audio feedback to a user by playing at least a portion of the generated musical segment;
logic that generates a musical query based on the generated musical segment;
logic that retrieves at least one music piece from a music database based on the generated musical query;
logic that selects at least a portion of one of the retrieved music pieces;
logic that creates a graphical representation of the selected music portion; and
logic that generates a second musical query based on the created graphical representation of the selected music portion.
16. The computer-based system of claim 15, comprising:
logic that synthesizes the musical segment prior to providing the audio feedback.
17. The computer-based system of claim 15, comprising:
logic that allows the user to repeat graphically generating the musical segment and providing audio feedback, until the musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable; and
wherein the logic that generates the musical query is activated after the musical segment has been acknowledged as acceptable.
18. The computer-based system of claim 15, comprising:
logic that displays a list containing the retrieved music pieces;
logic that selects at least one of the retrieved music pieces; and
logic that plays the selected at least one of the retrieved music pieces to the user.
19. The computer-based system of claim 15, wherein the musical query is in a string format.
20. The computer-based system of claim 15, wherein the musical query is in a MIDI format.
21. The computer-based system of claim 15, wherein the musical query is in an audio format.
22. The computer-based system of claim 15, wherein the logic for graphically generating the musical segment is implemented in a software program...
Musical instrument bridge2010-03-09 00:00:00fingers 180 include base portions 182, head portions 190 and waist portions 200 that extend between the base portions and the head portions. Each base portion includes a pair of threaded holes 184 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 5) that receive the upper threaded ends of the machine screws 145 in order to secure the corresponding finger 180 and mounting block 160 to the plate 140. The groove 188 described above mates with the outwardly extending lip 168 for additional protection against the finger rotating forward when the musical instrument is played.
The head portion 190 of the finger includes a saddle stop 192 having a horizontal hole 194 a screw 222 for securing a saddle 220 to the head portion, as is shown in FIG. 6. The head portion of the finger 180 further includes a pair of slots 196 (FIG. 5) that maintain the alignment of the saddle 220 on the head portion of the finger. The head portion includes a hole 198 through which a string is threaded. An area 199 of the head portion may be hollowed to reduce the weight of the finger, and to adjust the resonant frequency of the finger.
With reference to FIG. 6, a musical string 230 is secured by the head portion of the finger 180 at the proper height above the fretboard of the musical instrument (not shown). The saddle 220 is secured on top of the finger by an adjustment screw 222 that extends through the saddle stop 192.
The finger 180 includes a waist portion 200 that extends between the base portion and the head portion of the finger. The waist portion has a width dimension that extends parallel with the plane of the plate 140 and a height dimension that extends perpendicular to the plane of the plate 140. Preferably, the width dimension is smaller than the height dimension in order to allow the string 230 to vibrate the finger in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the plate 140 but to reduce vibration in a plane perpendicular to the plate 140. This lateral movement reduces distortion that occurs because of the tendency of the string 230 to vibrate in an elliptical path once it is played.
Each of the fingers 100, 180 has a resonant frequency that is related to the pitch of the strings 22, 230 when the musical instrument is played. The resonant frequency can be adjusted by varying the mass of the finger, the width of the waist portion, the effective length of the waist portion and the materials from which the finger, mounting block and plate are made. It has been determined that brass and stainless steel provide the most appropriate materials from which to make the plate, mounting block, and fingers. These materials have been shown to provide the requisite strength and mass required to give the fingers the appropriate resonant frequency. In the currently preferred embodiment of the musical instrument bridge, brass is used for the fingers and the plate because it is less expensive and easier to machine. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials, such as titanium, could be used. For the first two embodiments of the present invention described above, the resonant frequency is determined by the thickness of the finger waist portion. Different fingers have different thicknesses to accommodate strings of different pitches. The different waist thicknesses result in different masses, and also affect the rigidity or flexibility of the interconnection between the string-anchoring head portion and the base portion.
In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6E, a finger 235 includes a base portion 237, a head portion 241, and a waist portion 239 that extends between the base portion and the head portion. The base portion 237 is generally separated from the head portion 241 by a groove 238. The major difference between the finger 235 and the fingers previously described is the way in which the resonant frequency of the finger is modified. Instead of
modifying the resonant frequency by varying the width of the waist portion as described above, the resonant frequency of the finger 235 is modified by adding a pair of opposing slots 243 in the waist portion 239,
modifying the size of the area 240 removed from the head portion 241 and varying the length of the groove 238. All these changes have the effect of
modifying the mass of the finger. In addition, changing the length of groove 238 has the effect of changing the rigidity of the connection of the string-anchoring head portion of the finger to the base portion.
As can be seen in FIG. 6B, the opposing slots 243 extend inward from both sides of the finger, thereby creating an "I beam" within the waist portion 239 with the web of the beam extending vertically. Since an I beam is strongest in the direction of its web, the opposing slots 243 promote lateral movement of the finger while inhibiting vertical movement, thereby contributing to string sustain and reduced distortion of the bass guitar string supported by the finger.
FIGS. 6C-6D are side views of three embodiments of the finger 235 for use in either a four or five string bass guitar. FIG. 6C shows a finger 235 for the A, D, and G strings of a conventionally tuned four or five string bass guitar. The finger 235 includes the groove 238 that divides the base portion of the finger from the waist portion. A generally oval area 240 is removed from the head portion of the finger to reduce the mass of the head portion for affecting the resonant frequency of the finger. In addition, a groove 242 extends from the waist portion into the head portion of the finger which incre...
Multi-stage musical instrument amplifier having distortion modes2009-11-09 00:00:00and selectively connects a gain
modifying circuit to the first stage. In a first mode, the attenuator is connected to the first amplifier stage and the gain
modifying circuit is disconnected from the first amplifier stage. As a result, an output signal from the first amplifier stage has a level which drives the second amplifier stage to provide a substantially linear output signal therefrom. In a second mode, the attenuator is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and the gain
modifying circuit is connected to the first amplifier stage. As a result, an output signal from the first amplifier stage has a level which will overdrive the second amplifier stage to provide a non-linear saturated signal therefrom having a first desired amount of increased harmonic saturation.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. In a preamplifier for audio frequency electrical signals generated by a musical instrument such as a guitar:
a first amplifier stage for receiving electrical signals generated by the musical instrument and providing an output signal;
a second amplifier stage adapted to be driven by the output signal from the first amplifier stage;
means for attenuating the output signal of the first amplifier stage;
gain
modifying means for the first amplifier stage; and
switch means for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage and for selectively connecting the gain
modifying means to the first amplifier stage to provide in a first mode an output signal from the first amplifier stage having a level which drives the second amplifier stage to provide a substantially linear output signal therefrom and to provide in a second mode an output signal from the first amplifier stage having a level which will overdrive the second amplifier stage to provide a nonlinear saturated signal therefrom having a first desired amount of increased harmonic content.
2. In the preamplifier of claim 1, said switch means comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage and a second switch for selectively connecting the gain
modifying means to the first amplifier stage, and which further includes means for controlling said first and second switches whereby in the first mode the attenuating means is connected to the first amplifier stage and the gain
modifying means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and in the second mode the attenuating means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and the gain
modifying means is connected to the first amplifier stage.
3. In the preamplifier of claim 1, said first amplifier stage comprising an electron discharge device having a control grid, an anode, a cathode and a cathode resistor and wherein said gain
modifying means comprises means for selectively shunt-connecting a capacitor across at least a portion of the cathode resistor.
4. In the preamplifier of claim 3, said attenuating means comprising a resistance adapted to be selectively connected across the output circuit of the first amplifier stage.
5. In the preamplifier of claim 1, further comprising means for
modifying, for each mode of operation, the output level of the second amplifying stage.
6. In the preamplifier of claim 5, the
modifying means comprising a first mode volume control and a second mode volume control; said switch means comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage, and a second switch for selectively connecting the gain
modifying means to the first amplifier stage; which further includes a third switch for selectively activating the first mode volume control, and a fourth switch for selectively activating the second mode volume control, and which further includes means for controlling said first, second third and fourth switches whereby in the first mode the attenuating means is connected to the first amplifier stage, the gain
modifying means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage, the first mode volume control is activated and the second mode volume control is deactivated and in the second mode the attenuating means is disconnected from the first amplifier s...
Musical instrument string modifying device2009-10-24 00:00:00AbstractApparatus for
modifying a musical instrument string as it is being fabricated by winding a fine metal wire helically about a core, the apparatus comprising a first roller having a fixed axis and a second roller mounted on a moveable arm for moving the second roller toward and away from the first roller, and a controllable air cylinder apparatus connected to said moveable arm for moving the second roller toward the first roller. As the string being wound and rotating passes between the two rollers and is maintained between guides, the crown or outer arcuate surface of each helical winding is flattened at the outer surface of the string, resulting in a string which produces less noise when the player slides his fingers along the string to change positions, and which still provides perfect intonation and frequency response.ClaimsInvention is claimed as follows:
1. An apparatus for
modifying a musical instrument string having a core and a cover wire of circular cross-section helically wound on said core, said apparatuscomprising a frame, a first roller rotatably mounted on an axis fixed with respect to said frame, and a second roller rotatably mounted on an axis moveable with respect to said first roller, guide means for maintaining said string in proper position topass between said rollers while said string rotates about its axis and additionally moves axially through said rollers, and power means for applying force to urge said second roller against said first roller, thereby compressing said string andflattening the crown of said cover wire on the outer surface of said string while maintaining substantially the original curvatu...
Modified musical instrument string2009-09-07 00:00:00the string to change positions, and which still provides perfect intonation and frequency response. The method for
modifying such a wound musical instrument string is also disclosed.ClaimsInvention is claimed as follows:
1. A musical instrument string comprising a core having a fine cover wire helically wound thereon, said cover wire having a substantially round cross-section overthe major propor...
