Embodiments are directed to a musical instrument having buttons, where the buttons determine the magnitude of the interval by which the melody will jump from the last note played. With a small number of interval buttons and an up/down strum bar, embodiments can play almost any melody and more notes than a piano. One embodiment is directed to an interval-based guitar including fret buttons whose input signals are used to calculate the interval by which to change the pitch of the prior note. Providing input via a strum bar or a sensor, a new note is generated by adding or subtracting the interval to/from the prior note to generate a new note.

A musical instrument system is described to operate as a human to machine input device. The musical instrument outputs an audio signal that is processed to control the movement of an indicator in a computer.

Embodiments are directed to a musical instrument having buttons, where the buttons determine the magnitude of the interval by which the melody will jump from the last note played. With a small number of interval buttons and an up/down strum bar, embodiments can play almost any melody and more notes than a piano. One embodiment is directed to an interval-based guitar including fret buttons whose input signals are used to calculate the interval by which to change the pitch of the prior note. Providing input via a strum bar or a sensor, a new note is generated by adding or subtracting the interval to/from the prior note to generate a new note.

A controller for musical instrument models is presented, comprising acoustic elements with embedded vibration sensors that the user actuates for example by plucking, strumming, or striking the elements. A vibration sensor attached to each acoustic element is used to generate an excitation signal for musical instrument models. A note input interface can be included so that note input such as MIDI can be used to control the musical pitch of the musical instrument models.

Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.

A musical instrument system is described to operate as a human to machine input device. The musical instrument outputs an audio signal that is processed to control the movement of an indicator in a computer.

Systems and methods may be used to provide effects corresponding to movement of instrument objects or other objects. A method may include receiving sensor data from an object based on movement of the object, recognizing a gesture from the sensor data, and determining an effect, such as a visualization or audio effect corresponding to the gesture. The method may include causing the effect to be output in response to the determination.

Systems and methods may be used to provide effects corresponding to movement of instrument objects or other objects. A method may include receiving sensor data from an object based on movement of the object, recognizing a gesture from the sensor data, and determining an effect, such as a visualization or audio effect corresponding to the gesture. The method may include causing the effect to be output in response to the determination.

Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.

Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.