Abstract: A method for determining a fundamental frequency of a note in a musical signal comprising the steps of receiving the musical signal; determining a frequency of each of a plurality of tracks of the musical signal; generating a plurality of subharmonics for each track; and computing the fundamental frequency based on a frequency of at least one subharmonic selected from the plurality of subharmonics, the frequency of the at least one selected subharmonic being within a neighborhood of the frequency of the track having a lowest frequency.

Abstract: A system for making a lesson authored by a teacher accessible to a class of one or more students and for making homework authored by a student belonging to the class accessible to the teacher. The system includes a first client, a second client, and a server computer, all of which are connected to a computer network. The server computer maintains a database including information about the teacher, the student, the class and the lesson. The server computer provides a script to the first client computer and to the second client computer for executing a notation computer program. The notation computer program is utilized to author the lesson or the homework. The lesson or the homework is transferred from the first or the second client computer to the server computer for making the lesson or the homework accessible to the students of the class or the teacher.

Abstract: A method for detecting the pitch of a musical signal comprising the steps of receiving the musical signal, identifying an active portion of the musical signal, identifying a periodic portion of the active portion of the musical signal, and determining a fundamental frequency of the periodic portion of the musical signal.

Abstract: A method of treating a nylon or other non-ferromagnetic musical instrument string so that its movement is detectable by a ferromagnetic pickup includes applying ferromagnetic material to a portion of the string when the string is mounted to an instrument. The preferred method is to paint the string with a fluid material comprising a suspension of nickel particles in a solvent, and permitting the solvent to evaporate to leave a residue of nickel particles on the string.

Abstract: An electronic music system for computer-controlled interactive practicing and learning to play a guitar includes a transducer which is detachably securable to the guitar and generates analog signals representing the playing of the guitar, an interface for converting the analog signals to computer-processable digital signals, and a computer for receiving and processing the digital signals. The system uses a communication protocol which employs time stamping of data to permit use with ordinary guitars but without high speed frequency determination. The computer provides audio and video outputs including staff and guitar fingering representations of notes, chords, scales, compositions, and like musical structures, both to teach the user and suggest music to be played by the user and to illustrate what the user has played. The system is operable in several modes which may be controlled by the user by signals produced at the transducer.