A transducer apparatus for a labrosone is disclosed, the labrosone having a labrosone resonant chamber. A labrosone speaker delivers a sound signal to the labrosone resonant chamber. A labrosone microphone receives a resultant sound from the labrosone resonant chamber. A mouthpiece microphone receives sound from a labrosone mouthpiece. An electronic processor is connected to the labrosone speaker, and receives signals from the labrosone microphone and the mouthpiece microphone. The electronic processor generates an excitation signal which is delivered as an acoustic excitation signal to the labrosone resonant chamber by the labrosone speaker. The electronic processor uses the signals from the labrosone microphone and the mouthpiece microphone to determine a desired musical note which a player of the labrosone wishes to play. The electronic processor then synthesizes and outputs the desired musical note to an output device, whereby the musical note is played audibly and/or displayed visually to the player.

A hand-held strumming device includes a hollow body, a power source, a motor, a regulator, and a strummer. The power source is disposed in the hollow body. The motor is in electrical communication with the power source. The regulator is in electrical communication with both the motor and the power source. The regulator is configured to selectively adjust a rotational speed of the motor. The strummer is rotatably disposed on the disk. The strummer is configured to be presented to strings of a stringed instrument upon rotation of the motor to strum the strings.

With reference to FIG. 7a the present invention relates to transducer apparatus (200) for use with a reed instrument (201) having an air chamber (15) forming a resonant cavity whose resonance characteristics are controlled by opening and closing of tone holes (17A, 17B) connecting the air chamber to the exterior of the reed instrument. The transducer apparatus comprises attachment means (202) for releasably securing the transducer apparatus to a mouthpiece (201) of the reed instrument in place of a reed. A reed replacement section (203) has a housing with an abutment surface for abutting a surface part of the mouthpiece which would be abutted by a reed secured to the mouthpiece. An air passage extends through the housing of the reed replacement section (203) from an air inlet (211) through which a player of the instrument can blow to an air outlet (213) through which air blown by the player is delivered to atmosphere, without passing through the air chamber (15) within the reed instrument. A speaker (208) is supported by the housing and delivers sound to the air chamber (15). An air chamber microphone (209) is supported by the housing and receives sound in the air chamber (15). An electronic processing unit (204) has: an excitation unit (101) which produces an excitation signal for driving the speaker (208); a processor (102) for receiving a measurement signal produced by the microphone and for detecting from the measurement signal a musical note played by the instrument; a synthesizer (220) for generating an electronic signal embodying a musical note which corresponds to the detected musical note; and output means (103) for transmitting the musical note generated by the synthesizer to a receiver external of the transducer apparatus. The invention also relates to a system for representing the sounds of a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus, to an electronic system for determining a musical note played by a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus and to a method of practising playing of a reed instrument comprising use of the components of the transducer apparatus.

Methods and apparatus to classify media based on a pitch-independent timbre attribute from a media signal are disclosed. An example apparatus includes means for accessing a media signal; and means for: determining a spectrum of audio corresponding to the media signal; and determining a timbre-independent pitch attribute of audio of the media signal based on an inverse transform of a complex argument of a transform of the spectrum.

Methods and apparatus to classify media based on a pitch-independent timbre attribute from a media signal are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interface to access a media signal; and an audio characteristic extractor to determine a spectrum of audio corresponding to the media signal; and determine a timbre-independent pitch attribute of the audio based on an inverse transform of a complex argument of a transform of the spectrum.

The present invention provides an acoustic apparatus which can be attached to the musical instrument without adding processing to reproduce. After the acoustic apparatus is detached, the user can enjoy playing the musical instrument itself same as before the acoustic apparatus is attached. An acoustic apparatus 1 has a vibration generator 2, a support body 3, a locking portion 4 and a drive circuit 5. The acoustic apparatus 1 is locked to a neck holder 301 of a stand 300, and a diaphragm 201 of the vibration generator 2 is arranged to face a sound hole 109 of a guitar 100. The drive circuit 5 drives the vibration generator 2 according to the inputted sound signal to resonate a sound box 103. Thus, rich sound can be reproduced.

A device is provided for capturing vibrations produced by an object such as a musical instrument such as a cymbal of a drum kit. The device comprises a detectable element, such as a ferromagnetic element, such as a metal shim and a sensor spaced apart from and located relative to the musical instrument. The detectable element is located between the sensor and the musical instrument. When the musical instrument vibrates, the sensor remains stationary and the detectable element is vibrated relative to the sensor by the musical instrument.

A device is provided for capturing vibrations produced by an object such as a musical instrument such as a cymbal of a drum kit. The device comprises a detectable element, such as a ferromagnetic element, such as a metal shim and a sensor spaced apart from and located relative to the musical instrument. The detectable element is located between the sensor and the musical instrument. When the musical instrument vibrates, the sensor remains stationary and the detectable element is vibrated relative to the sensor by the musical instrument.

Methods and apparatus to classify media based on a pitch-independent timbre attribute from a media signal are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interface to access a media signal; and an audio characteristic extractor to determine a spectrum of audio corresponding to the media signal; and determine a timbre-independent pitch attribute of the audio based on an inverse transform of a complex argument of a transform of the spectrum.

With reference to FIG. 7a the present invention relates to transducer apparatus (200) for use with a reed instrument (201) having an air chamber (15) forming a resonant cavity whose resonance characteristics are controlled by opening and closing of tone holes (17A, 17B) connecting the air chamber to the exterior of the reed instrument. The transducer apparatus comprises attachment means (202) for releasably securing the transducer apparatus to a mouthpiece (201) of the reed instrument in place of a reed. A reed replacement section (203) has a housing with an abutment surface for abutting a surface part of the mouthpiece which would be abutted by a reed secured to the mouthpiece. An air passage extends through the housing of the reed replacement section (203) from an air inlet (211) through which a player of the instrument can blow to an air outlet (213) through which air blown by the player is delivered to atmosphere, without passing through the air chamber (15) within the reed instrument. A speaker (208) is supported by the housing and delivers sound to the air chamber (15). An air chamber microphone (209) is supported by the housing and receives sound in the air chamber (15). An electronic processing unit (204) has: an excitation unit (101) which produces an excitation signal for driving the speaker (208); a processor (102) for receiving a measurement signal produced by the microphone and for detecting from the measurement signal a musical note played by the instrument; a synthesizer (220) for generating an electronic signal embodying a musical note which corresponds to the detected musical note; and output means (103) for transmitting the musical note generated by the synthesizer to a receiver external of the transducer apparatus. The invention also relates to a system for representing the sounds of a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus, to an electronic system for determining a musical note played by a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus and to a method of practising playing of a reed instrument comprising use of the components of the transducer apparatus.