A teaching system for increasing understanding of music through expansion of a compositional technique known as contrary motion and methods for creating and utilizing the same contrary motion and/or understanding. Contrary motion can comprise two or more lines of music that proceed in opposite directions from each other. As a first line of music ascends in pitch, for example, a second line of music descends in pitch. In selected embodiments, the teaching system can employ one or more senses, such as an auditory sense, a visual sense, a tactile sense and a kinesthetic sense, of a listener to enable the listener to further understand and enjoy the music. Accordingly, the teaching system advantageously can enhance understanding of music with a focus on contrary motion by incorporating the use of the other senses of the listener in addition to use of the auditory sense.

An improved music fingering aid has at least one decal fittable overlying the fingerboard and attachable to the neck of a stringed instrument. The decal includes string identifier indicia, a graduated position indicia series, and a plurality of interval demarcations that employ distinct colors for visual distinction. The indicia do not pair particular notes with particular colors. Instead the improved music fingering aid associates music theory with muscle memory to ensure sounded notes are played in near perfect pitch and, when playing ensemble, in tempered pitch. Contemplation and improved association of music theory is thereby enabled.

A musical notation system is disclosed. The musical notation system comprises: a pitch symbol representing a key of a keyboard instrument, wherein the pitch symbol corresponds to a number representing a pitch in a numbered musical notation system and represents a white key and a black key of the keyboard instrument respectively in different forms; and a duration symbol representing a duration of the pitch symbol, the duration symbol corresponding to a symbol representing a duration in the numbered musical notation system.

A music system having an asymmetrical keyboard layout and a notation system and method of using same are disclosed. The music system includes an asymmetrical keyboard layout comprising at least one octave. Each octave includes consecutively ascending keys of consecutively alternating first and second colors, respectively, extending throughout the entirety of each octave. The music system also includes a notation system comprising a staff including consecutively ascending and alternating lines and spaces. The consecutively ascending and alternating lines and spaces correspond to the consecutively ascending keys within each octave, respectively. Notes positioned on the lines correspond to keys having the first color, and notes positioned substantially entirely within the spaces correspond to keys having the second color. Embodiments foster a coherent music system that enables a user to learn, read, manipulate, and play music with great understanding and ease, using the asymmetrical keyboard layout and notation system.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for teaching students to read and play music, particularly on a keyboard. Musical notations having upper level letter charts and lower level letter charts for playing with right and left hand playing, respectively, in combination with a tab strip for easy and quick learning and playing of the upper and lower level letter charts. The tab strip has alignment markings and letter notes whereby the alignment markings are aligned with the black keys so that the letter notes align with their respective white keys and black keys. The tab strip may be removable and transportable for playing on various different instruments.

A closed end woodwind instrument is provided designed for use with an inventive teaching method, notation system, and repertory. The combined system is designed for teaching basics of music and to provide a simple, convenient and enjoyable instrument. The instrument is formed of a body, which defines an internal cavity. A mouthpiece has a windway that connects to the internal cavity. The windway allows a user to blow air through the mouthpiece into the cavity and through the instrument. A labium is positioned along the windway, such that it splits air flowing through the windway. A plurality of tone holes are in communication with the internal cavity to allow air to exit the cavity. Upon blocking or opening these tone holes, different tones can be produced by the instrument.

The present invention relates generally to music notes for an easy note reading. In particular, the invention relates to make music note reading much easier, including piano notes.

A music system having an asymmetrical keyboard layout and a notation system and method of using same are disclosed. The music system includes an asymmetrical keyboard layout comprising at least one octave. Each octave includes consecutively ascending keys of consecutively alternating first and second colors, respectively, extending throughout the entirety of each octave. The music system also includes a notation system comprising a staff including consecutively ascending and alternating lines and spaces. The consecutively ascending and alternating lines and spaces correspond to the consecutively ascending keys within each octave, respectively. Notes positioned on the lines correspond to keys having the first color, and notes positioned substantially entirely within the spaces correspond to keys having the second color. Embodiments foster a coherent music system that enables a user to learn, read, manipulate, and play music with great understanding and ease, using the asymmetrical keyboard layout and notation system.

A closed end woodwind instrument is provided designed for use with an inventive teaching method, notation system, and repertory. The combined system is designed for teaching basics of music and to provide a simple, convenient and enjoyable instrument. The instrument is formed of a body, which defines an internal cavity. A mouthpiece has a windway that connects to the internal cavity. The windway allows a user to blow air through the mouthpiece into the cavity and through the instrument. A labium is positioned along the windway, such that it splits air flowing through the windway. A plurality of tone holes are in communication with the internal cavity to allow air to exit the cavity. Upon blocking or opening these tone holes, different tones can be produced by the instrument.

A fingering assembly positionable over strings of a guitar is formed of a housing with buttons and a plate. Each button has an upper end adapted to be contacted and depressed by a user. Each button has a lower end. The plate has a plurality of levers. Each lever has an upper surface adapted to be contacted and depressed by a lower end of one of the buttons. Each lever has a lower surface adapted to contact a string of the guitar in response to a depressing of an associated button.