Abstract
The inventors disclose a new apparatus and method for visual and audible demonstration of musical concepts such as intervals, the tonic, transposition, scales, modes, and chords. The apparatus is based on a primary layer of indicia for each of the 12 chromatic notes of the musical octave, each indicium paired with a touch sensor. A novel means for superimposing additional layers of musical information employs a tonic indicator and encoder, and modular physical indicator pieces or multi-colored LED lights.
Claims
1. An apparatus for demonstration of musical concepts, the apparatus comprising: a base layer displaying 12 indicia representing the 12 notes of the musical octave, radially arranged and equally spaced, in chromatic order; an indicator capable of selecting for demonstration one of the 12 said indicia as a start point, or tonic; a means for selecting and demonstrating any permutation and combination of the remaining 11 indicia visually, such that the position of each selection is fixed in relation to the start point, or tonic; a means for axial rotation (transposition) of the entire selection including the tonic, such that the arrangement of the selected notes remains fixed relative to the start point, or tonic; a means for further visual subselection within the selection, in order to demonstrate chords, chord roots, scale tones, and mode start point; a means for electromechanically encoding said tonic selection such that the location of the tonic can be set as a start point for the purpose of visual and audible demonstration of music concepts.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein 12 window pieces can be affixed to a physical rotating center piece, in order to select and demonstrate any permutation and combination of notes in the selection layer of musical information.
3. The device according to claim 2 wherein a single tonic piece is visually distinct from the remaining 11 physical indicators, and is constrained by means of its attachment to align with a start point indicator on said center piece.
4. The device according to claim 2 wherein puzzle connectors, magnets, dips, or velcro are used to affix said window pieces to said center piece.
5. The device according to claim 2 wherein said physical indicators used to select and demonstrate any permutation and combinations of notes are variously colored or otherwise marked to further demonstration subselection layer (chord and function) musical information.
6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising 12 sensors or buttons for registering touch input, each coupled to one of said 12 chromatic note indicia and which sensors, when activated, transmit NOTE ON events to a microcontroller, which in turn outputs audio, visual, and/or MIDI data based on the selected note or notes to a speaker, screen, LED array, headphones or device that accepts MIDI control data.
7. The device according to claim 6 further comprising 12 LED lights, each in proximity to one of said sensor/note indicia pairs, activated by said NOTE ON events for the purpose of visual demonstration of sounding notes.
8. The device according to claim 1 wherein 12 LED lights, each paired with one of said sensor/note indicia pairs, are used to select and demonstrate any permutation or combination of notes in the selection layer.
9. The device according to claim 6 wherein LED lights of varying colors are used to demonstrate subselection layer musical information such as chord roots, scale tones, chord tones, mode start point, and the tonic.
10. The device according to claim 6 further comprising an octave up and an octave down button which can be used to shift the octave of a desired note to reach higher or lower pitch registers, particularly for demonstrating scales in the selection layer of musical information.
11. The device according to claim 6 further comprising chord buttons, such that holding down said chord button or combination of chord buttons to select a chord type (e.g. Major+7), in combination with note input via said sensor/note indicia pairs to select a desired chord root (e.g. G) produces the desired chord (G Major 7) for visual and audible demonstration of the correct chord tones via said LED lights and speaker or headphones.
12. The device according to claim 1 in which a single rotary encoder and microcontroler are used to electromechanically encode the position of the tonic.
13. The device according to claim 1 in which 12 buttons or switches, each paired with a single note indicia, are used to electromechanically select and encode the position of the tonic.
14. The device according to claim 6 in which selection and subselection layer musical information such as tonic, key signature and associated sharps and flats, mode start point, mode name, chord root, chord tones, chord name, scale tones or scale name are displayed visually on a screen.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the following section, Detailed Description, specific embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail in connection with Illustrative but non-restrictive examples. A reference is made to the following drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment.
(3) FIG. 2 shows an internal side view of the preferred embodiment.
(4) FIG. 3 shows a functional diagram of the preferred embodiment.
(5) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the center piece assembly.
(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the center piece assembly.
(7) FIG. 6 shows a side view of the top surface of the preferred embodiment.
(8) FIG. 7 shows a top view of a red colored tonic window piece.
(9) FIG. 8 shows a side view of a red colored tonic window piece.
(10) FIG. 9 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment with the red colored tonic piece in place.
(11) FIG. 10 shows a top view of a non-electronic embodiment of the invention.
(12) FIG. 11 shows a top view of the non-electronic embodiment version of the center piece.
(13) FIG. 12 shows a top view of a note window piece.
(14) FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of a note window piece, which is colored purple.
(15) FIG. 14 shows a top view of an assembled non-electronic embodiment, demonstrating the C major scale.
(16) FIG. 15 shows a top view of an assembled non-electronic embodiment, demonstrating the E major scale.
(17) FIG. 16 shows a top view of an assembled non-electronic embodiment, demonstrating the dorian mode of the C Major scale.
(18) FIG. 17 shows a top view of an assembled non-electronic embodiment, demonstrating the minor ii triad chord within the notes of the C Major scale.
(19) FIG. 18 shows a top view of an assembled non-electronic embodiment, demonstrating the root and chord tones of a fully diminished seventh chord.
(20) FIG. 19 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment, with both window pieces and LED indicators demonstrating a fully diminished seventh chord.
(21) FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the invention without a center piece and physical indicator pieces, where LED lights are demonstrating the musical information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
(22) According to claim 1, there is produced the following apparatus and method for visual and audible demonstration of musical concepts comprising:
(23) A base plate made of wood, on which indicia representing the 12 notes of the musical octave are arranged radially in chromatic order. This base plate demonstrates the primary layer of musical information.
(24) Each of the chromatic indicia is coupled to a capacitive touch sensor, which is further connected to a microcontroller equipped with inputs capable of detecting changes in capacitance. The microcontroler triggers a subsequent NOTE ON event if the input signal goes above an average threshold, and if it goes below the threshold triggers a NOTE OFF event. As part of a NOTE ON event, several things occur simultaneously: the audio for a given note is digitally synthesized and output to a speaker and headphones, control signals associated with that note are sent to MIDI and CV outputs, and an ON signal is sent to an indicator light proximal to the given note indicia/sensor pair.
(25) At the center, above and perpendicular to the plane of the base plate, a rotating tonic encoder/indicator knob is mounted, and connected to the microcontroller. For the purpose of audible demonstration, this knob sets a start point. The lowest note of the chromatic octave synthesized for audio output is set to whichever note is indicated as the tonic, and the chromatic half steps proceed in ascending order, clockwise.
(26) Above and parallel to the base plate, a rotating center piece, along whose circumference 12 concave puzzle connector shapes are evenly distributed radially.
(27) One of the 12 concave puzzle connector shapes being larger than the remaining 11. The center piece is attached in fixed orientation to the tonic encoder/indicator knob such that the knob's indicator is permanently aligned with the single, larger concave puzzle connector shape, and both the knob and the center piece rotate as a unit.
(28) To accomplish the function of the selection layer of musical information, a set of 11 wooden pie-shaped window pieces, natural wood on one side and purple colored on the other, each featuring at the narrow end a convex puzzle connector, and at the wide end a window cutout, such that when a single window piece is connected to any of the 11 concave puzzle connectors in the center piece, one of the 12 chromatic indicia is selected under its window.
(29) To accomplish the function of subselection of a tonic, or start point, a single, visually distinct twelfth pie-shaped window piece colored red. The tonic piece features a larger convex puzzle connector shape at its narrow end, and it can therefore connect only to the larger concave puzzle connector shape in the center piece. This larger concave connector in the center piece is aligned with the tonic/start point indicator encoder knob, and so communicates the position of the start point of the octave to the microcontroller for visual and audible demonstration purposes.
(30) The above-described apparatus can be used to simultaneously demonstrate a C major scale in the selection layer (C, D, E, F, G, A, B), a tonic, or start point to that scale (C) In the subselection layer, and the root, third and fifth of a minor triad chord built on the second scale degree (D, F, A), also in the subselection layer.
(31) The red tonic window piece is connected to the center piece, which is then rotated until the note C is selected under its window. Six window pieces are connected to the center piece, natural wood side up, to indicate the unique position of the remaining notes in the C major scale (D, E, F, G, A, B). Within this selection of notes, the window pieces above the indicia for D, F, and A are flipped over to reveal their purple colored sides, visually demonstrating a minor triad (ii) in the subselection layer.
(32) FIG. 1 is a top view of the base plate of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1. Reference number 100 denotes a base plate made of of wood, and reference numbers 102.sub.1 . . . 102.sub.12 denote indicia representing the 12 notes of the musical octave arranged radially in chromatic order. As described in claim 5, tonic encoder/indicator knob 104 is shown at the center of the radial arrangement of indicia. The orientation of the knob visually indicates that the tonic is set to the note C. As described in claim 6, 12 rounded trapezoids each paired with a single note indicium, show the location of 12 capacitive touch sensors 106.sub.1 . . . 106.sub.12 underneath the base plate. As described in claim 7, 12 LED lights 108.sub.1 . . . 108.sub.12 are shown and, a speaker 109 is also shown. A single LED light is illuminated red 108.sub.1, indicating the position of the tonic, as described in claim 9. Octave up 110.sub.1 and octave down 110.sub.2 buttons as per claim 10, and chord buttons 112.sub.1 . . . 112.sub.6 as per claim 11 are also shown.
(33) FIG. 2 is an Internal side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1. Connections from the microcontroller 114 to, from left to right, a headphone out jack 116 (claim 6), indications for placement of octave 110 (claim 10), a red illuminated LED 108.sub.1, (claim 9), four capacitive touch sensors 106.sub.8 . . . 106.sub.11 (claim 6), the tonic encoder/indicator knob 104 (claim 5), and an unilluminated LED 108.sub.6 are all shown.
(34) FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1. It features signal in paths at left and top from touch sensors 106, octave buttons 110, chord buttons 112, and tonic encoder 104 to the microcontroler 114. At bottom and right, signal out paths from microcontroller 114 to MIDI/CV out 115, LED indicator lights 108, line level out 118, speaker 109 and headphone out 116 are all shown.
(35) FIG. 4 is a top view of center piece 120 with a center hole cutout 122 designed such that it fits snugly over the tonic encoder/indicator knob in FIG. 1. It also shows the larger concave connector slot 124 of the center piece, as well as the smaller concave connector slots 126.sub.1 . . . 126.sub.11.
(36) FIG. 5 is a side view of center piece 120, showing position of center hole cutout 122.
(37) FIG. 6 is a side view of the top surface of base plate 100 of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1, with center piece 120 attached. From left to right it shows octave buttons 110.sub.1 and 110.sub.2 (claim 10), a red illuminated LED 108.sub.1 (claim 9), center piece puzzle connector 120, tonic encoder/indicator knob 104 aligned with center hole cutout 122, and unilluminated LED 108.sub.8.
(38) FIG. 7 is a top view of a red colored tonic window piece 128, that has a larger connector shape 130 that fits the larger connector slot of the center piece shown in FIG. 4. In addition to the color red, it is marked by a bullseye symbol 132.
(39) FIG. 8 is a side view of the red colored tonic window piece 128, and has a height that matches that of center piece shown in FIG. 4. The larger connector shape 130 is shown as well.
(40) FIG. 9 is an overhead view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1. It shows red colored tonic window piece 128 with its larger connector shape 130 connected to the larger puzzle connector slot 124 of the center piece 120 (claim 3), with larger connector shape 130 permanently aligned with the tonic encoder/indicator knob 104 (claim 6) due to the center hole cutout 122 fitting snugly over the tonic encoder/indicator knob 104.
(41) FIG. 10 is a top view of a non-electronic embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1. Reference number 134 denotes a base plate made of of wood, and reference number 102 denotes indicia representing the 12 notes of the musical octave arranged radially in chromatic order. At the center is a raised mounting spindle 138.
(42) FIG. 11 is a top view of the center piece 140, containing a larger connector slot connector 124 as well as smaller connector slots 126.sub.1 . . . 126.sub.11. It has a center hole cutout 142 that is the same size as mounting spindle of base plate shown in FIG. 10. The idea is that when mounted the center hole cutout 142 of center piece 140 can rotate around mounting spindle shown in FIG. 10.
(43) FIG. 12 is a top view of a note window piece 144, that has a smaller connector shape 146 designed to fit with the smaller connector slots shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 4. The note window piece has a height that matches that of the similar red tonic window piece shown in FIG. 8. It is marked by a circle symbol 145.
(44) FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the note window piece 144 that is painted with a purple color used to indicate subselection musical information such as chord tones and mode start points.
(45) FIG. 14 is a top view of the assembled non-electronic embodiment of FIG. 10, demonstrating the C major scale. In this view you can see the center hole cutout 142 aligned with mounting spindle 138 such that center piece 140 can rotate. You can also see how the smaller connector shape 146 fits the smaller connector slot 126 of the center piece 140. The start of the scale is denoted by the red tonic window piece 128 over the note C, and moving clockwise the note window piece 144.sub.1 . . . 144.sub.6 select and demonstrate the remaining notes of the C major scale: D, E, F, G and A.
(46) FIG. 15 is a top view of the assembled non-electronic embodiment of FIG. 10, demonstrating the E Major scale. This transposed arrangement has been achieved by simply rotating the center piece such that the red tonic window piece 128 now aligns with E. This is possible because the center hole cutout 142 is aligned with mounting spindle 138 such that center piece 140 can rotate. The start of the scale denoted by the red tonic window piece 128 is now over the note E, and moving clockwise the note window piece 144.sub.1 . . . 144.sub.6 now select and demonstrate the remaining notes of the E major scale: F #, G #, A, B, C #, and D #.
(47) FIG. 16 is a top view of the assembled non-electronic embodiment of FIG. 10, demonstrating the dorian mode of the C Major scale. The start of the scale is denoted by the red tonic window piece 128 over the note C, and moving clockwise the note window piece 144.sub.1 . . . 144.sub.6 select and demonstrate the remaining notes of the C major scale: D, E, F, G, A, and B. In addition, window piece 144.sub.1 has been flipped, revealing its purple colored side, which demonstrates the note D as a secondary mode starting point in the subselection layer of musical information. The mode of the C Major scale where the scale begins on the note D is the dorian mode. Here, selection (scale) and subselection (tonic, and mode start point) layers of musical information are clearly demonstrated and differentiated.
(48) FIG. 17 is a top view of the assembled non-electronic embodiment of FIG. 10, demonstrating the minor ii triad chord within the notes of the C Major scale. The start of the scale is denoted by the red tonic window piece 128 over the note C, and moving clockwise the note window piece 144.sub.1 . . . 144.sub.6 select and demonstrate the remaining notes of the C major scale: D, E, F, G. A and B. In addition, window pieces 144.sub.1, 144.sub.3, and 144.sub.5 have been flipped to reveal their purple colored sides, which demonstrate the notes D, F and A as the chord tones of the minor triad chord ii. Here, selection (scale) and subselection (tonic, chord) layers of musical information are clearly demonstrated and differentiated.
(49) FIG. 18 is a top view of the assembled non-electronic embodiment of FIG. 10, demonstrating the root and chord tones in a fully diminished seventh chord. The red tonic window piece 128 demonstrates C as the root of the chord, and purple colored window pieces 144.sub.1, 144.sub.2 and 144.sub.3 demonstrate D #, F #, and A as the remaining notes in a fully diminished seventh chord.
(50) FIG. 19 is a top view of the electronic embodiment of FIG. 1, with both window pieces and LED indicators demonstrating a fully diminished seventh chord. The red tonic window piece 128 demonstrates C as the root of the chord, and purple colored window pieces 144.sub.1, 144.sub.2 and 144.sub.3 demonstrate D #, F #, and A as the remaining notes in a fully diminished seventh chord. A red LED indicator 108.sub.1 as described in FIG. 1 demonstrates the root, and purple illuminated LED lights 108.sub.4, 108.sub.7, and 108.sub.10 demonstrate the remaining chord tones.
(51) FIG. 20 is a top view of an electronic embodiment according to claim 9 and claim 10. There is no center piece, and no indicator pieces physically attach. Instead, selection and subselection layers of musical Information are visually demonstrated entirely by LED lights. A red LED indicator 108.sub.1, as described in FIG. 1 demonstrates the root, and purple illuminated LED lights 108.sub.4, 108.sub.7, and 108.sub.10 demonstrate the remaining chord tones.
