A method for stringed instruments' pickup, the method comprising a step of: capturing mechanical vibrations of at least one string; and converting them to a signal representative of a string's current state, the method being characterized in that the capturing comprises the following steps: capturing, using an image capturing device, image frames comprising views of at least one musical instrument's string in a still state; storing the captured image as a reference of a still state; capturing (500), using the image capturing device, image frames comprising views of at least one musical instrument's string in a vibrating state; storing the captured image as a reference of a vibrating state; comparing (520) the still state reference with a vibrating state reference in order to find (530) amplitude of vibrations of each string as well as frequency of each string vibrations based on amplitude height in pixels with reference to the still state and determining a frequency of each vibrating string on the basis of the number of pixels between two nuts of at least half-period of a given periodic function.

Bowing platforms are disclosed for use in playing a bowed musical instrument without reliance on strings. A bowing platform includes a support and a track that replace the strings, bridge, and tailpiece on a conventional bowed instrument, to provide an alternative vibrational bowing surface. The bowing platform can be attached to a conventional fingerboard or to the body of the instrument. In one aspect, the bowing platform is useful as a bow guide to improve bow technique by restricting the player's bow angle to be within a desirable range, while still allowing for natural arm movement. The bowing platform can be further equipped with piezoelectric sensors to sense bowing motion and to create sound electronically in response to the sensed motion. A stringless bowed instrument includes a bowing platform, bowing sensors, and pitch sensors that sense finger placement along the fingerboard.

Bowing platforms are disclosed for use in playing a bowed musical instrument without reliance on strings. A bowing platform includes a support and a track that replace the strings, bridge, and tailpiece on a conventional bowed instrument, to provide an alternative vibrational bowing surface. The bowing platform can be attached to a conventional fingerboard or to the body of the instrument. In one aspect, the bowing platform is useful as a bow guide to improve bow technique by restricting the player's bow angle to be within a desirable range, while still allowing for natural arm movement. The bowing platform can be further equipped with piezoelectric sensors to sense bowing motion and to create sound electronically in response to the sensed motion. A stringless bowed instrument includes a bowing platform, bowing sensors, and pitch sensors that sense finger placement along the fingerboard.

An optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a sound generating element of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to sound generating element movement.

An optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a sound generating element of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to sound generating element movement.

A device that can be temporarily attached to a musical instrument and easily detached without permanent modification to the instrument. The device is comprised of a set of controls attached to circuitry that is used to send digital data to a computer or other hardware to be used for music synthesis, manipulation, or production.

A device that can be temporarily attached to a musical instrument and easily detached without permanent modification to the instrument. The device is comprised of a set of controls attached to circuitry that is used to send digital data to a computer or other hardware to be used for music synthesis, manipulation, or production.

An apparatus, system, and method for a magnetically and releaseably attachable trigger for an instrument is provided. The trigger and securing device are disposed on either side of a drumhead or other instrument surface via magnetic force, keeping the instrument surface intact and not deforming the instrument surface. Additionally, the trigger provides for an increased sensitivity of sound by being in direct physical contact with the surface on which it is attached.

An apparatus, system, and method for a magnetically and releaseably attachable trigger for an instrument is provided. The trigger and securing device are disposed on either side of a drumhead or other instrument surface via magnetic force, keeping the instrument surface intact and not deforming the instrument surface. Additionally, the trigger provides for an increased sensitivity of sound by being in direct physical contact with the surface on which it is attached.