A training device for acquiring or maintaining muscle memory and fingertip callouses of a stringed instrument player. The device includes an elongated base plate structure having a width dimension like that of a neck of a stringed instrument and a length dimension configured to accommodate a plurality of fret-like lateral spaced protrusions extending above a top surface of the base plate. First and second sets of string supports are arranged respectively at the longitudinal ends of the base plate and arranged to hold device strings in tension above the top surface. An attachment structure may be provided for attaching the device to the person of the player in a ready-to-use position. The device is configured so that the player can strum the device strings to develop or maintain muscle memory and/or fingertip callouses.

A method of stringing and tuning and learning to play a guitar. The strings are first reversed from a traditionally strung guitar. The guitar is strung such that a first string (lightest) is at a top of the fret board and a remainder of the strings are disposed consecutively from top to bottom until a sixth string, which is at the bottom of the fret board. The method further includes tuning the guitar so that the first string plays an E note, the second string plays a B note, the third string plays a G note, the fourth string plays a D note, the fifth string plays an A note, and the sixth string plays a D note.

A method of stringing and tuning and learning to play a guitar. The strings are first reversed from a traditionally strung guitar. The guitar is strung such that a first string (lightest) is at a top of the fret board and a remainder of the strings are disposed consecutively from top to bottom until a sixth string, which is at the bottom of the fret board. The method further includes tuning the guitar so that the first string plays an E note, the second string plays a B note, the third string plays a G note, the fourth string plays a D note, the fifth string plays an A note, and the sixth string plays a D note.

A playing aid for a stringed musical instrument comprised of an elastic member attached to a capo at one end and near the bridge at the other end. The elastic member has marks along its length indicating a certain number of frets between that mark and the capo. When the capo is attached in different locations along the neck, the elastic member stretches such that the number of frets between the capo and each marker is constant regardless of the capo position.

A musical instrument instruction system includes a re-writable board having a writable surface suitable for use with erasable ink, and a first non-erasable image of at least a portion of a violin family instrument. The first non-erasable image is disposed within the writable surface of the re-writable board to enable overlap of the first non-erasable image by erasable ink received on the writable surface.

A device, system, and methods for indicating trombone slide positions is disclosed. Namely, a trombone slide position indicator is provided. In some embodiments, the trombone slide position indicator includes a slide position rod mounted in a fixed position in relation to the outer slide of the trombone. Further, a plurality (e.g., seven) slide position indicators are provided along the length of the slide position rod, wherein the positions of slide position indicators correspond to a certain pitch or note. A sensor guide is mounted to the outer slide, wherein the sensor guide moves with the outer slide and in relation to the fixed slide position rod. The sensor guide includes a mechanism for detecting and/or indicating close proximity to any one of the slide position indicators along the slide position rod. Further, a method of using the trombone slide position indicator is provided.

A device, system, and methods for indicating trombone slide positions is disclosed. Namely, a trombone slide position indicator is provided. In some embodiments, the trombone slide position indicator includes a slide position rod mounted in a fixed position in relation to the outer slide of the trombone. Further, a plurality (e.g., seven) slide position indicators are provided along the length of the slide position rod, wherein the positions of slide position indicators correspond to a certain pitch or note. A sensor guide is mounted to the outer slide, wherein the sensor guide moves with the outer slide and in relation to the fixed slide position rod. The sensor guide includes a mechanism for detecting and/or indicating close proximity to any one of the slide position indicators along the slide position rod. Further, a method of using the trombone slide position indicator is provided.

A system of teaching piano playing and music theory having piano cards. Piano cards are a flash card system with piano note information on each card. These piano cards are placed above piano keys of a piano or other keyboard designating keys to be played in a specific scale. Black and white triangles on these piano cards designate ebony and ivory keys to be played and can only be placed on a keyboard correctly if aligning white and black triangles with ebony and ivory keys. Triangles designate fingers to be used on fingering cards by way of numbers designating fingers. On music theory cards numbers inside triangles designate scale degrees. On chord cards numbers designate degrees to be played. This music teaching system further comprises a music wheel that has been color coded designating the key a scale is in.

A music charting and notation system that is a hybrid system and method that uses some standard notation elements, while combining and implementing them in non-standard ways, as well as adding other elements that are not found in any current notation systems. This new system of music notation and charting combines enhanced functionality and greater readability for musicians who are not full-time professionals.

A method and apparatus for learning to play a musical instrument, such as a guitar, by incorporating a markable, erasable surface onto the neck of the instrument such that the student may apply, as needed, removable markings to the instrument that indicate the correct finger positions for playing the instrument. The incorporation of this markable, erasable surface onto the instrument is an improved method of learning because a student is better able to place his or her fingers in the correct positions on the instrument when learning how to play the instrument.