Abstract: A tuner for stringed musical instruments which have a pickup for converting sound vibrations of the strings to electrical signals and a body being either hollow or solid with a front and back surface and a side surface extending between the front and back surface. The tuner has a tuner circuit attachable to an interior of the sound box with an input couplable to an output of the pickup and a digital display which displays a reference note closest to the note being played, a graphically intuitive indication of whether the note being played is above, equal to or below the reference note and a qualitative measure of the amount of deviation from the reference note. The tuner circuit automatically determines a closest note to the note being played and displays alphabetically the closest note.

Abstract: A device for winding and trimming the strings of a musical instrument is disclosed, the device having an elongated head with an open receptacle on one side and at one end for interengaging the tuning buttons of the instrument. The other end of the head is rotatably attached to an elongated handle which is offset from the long axis of the head on the side opposite to the open receptacle. To wind a string, the receptacle is interengaged with a tuning button on the instrument, and the handle is moved back and forth in a circular path causing the head to turn and rotate the tuning button. A shear is mounted on the end of the handle for trimming the strings. The shear is formed from two relatively moveable blade portions defining planar surfaces which meet in a common plane. Shearing edges, formed by apertures through each blade portion, traverse the common plane upon relative movement of the blade portions to shear a string extending through the plane between the shearing edges.

Abstract: A computerized tablature composer automatically updates a tablature notation following edits of a corresponding staff notation. The computerized tablature composer conversely links edits to a tablature notation with corresponding updates in a staff notation for a corresponding musical score. The computerized tablature composer ensures vertical alignment between corresponding notes in a staff notation and a tablature notation. The computerized tablature composer ensures that the actual played notes in both musical representations are aligned so that the musician knows which note in the staff notation corresponds to which note in the tablature notation. The computerized tablature composer further allows the coupling between tablature and conventional staff notation to be de-coupled upon request. The computerized tablature composer provides a musician with alternate fret locations for the notes in a musical work when the musician indicates an alternate string for a given note.

Abstract: An automated stringed musical instrument including a device for plucking the strings of the instrument, a device for fretting the strings, and a tension-maintaining linkage for maintaining the tension in the strings, such that the instrument can be remotely operated for extended periods of time without the need for operator control or re-tuning the strings.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tempering formula which utilizes specific pitch offsets, which when applied to the guitar, result in extraordinarily pleasing intonation.

Abstract: A system and method of balancing the torque applied to a stringed instrument's neck and headstock that allows the stringed instrument's neck and headstock to deflect evenly when a tremolo device included in said stringed instrument is operated is provided. The system includes a suspension string tree, which passes over each of the instrument strings at the instrument headstock intermediate a string nut and the tuning machines. The suspension string tree includes two adjustable fasteners, which pass through the string tree at opposite ends thereof and which adjustably retain the suspension string, tree to the headstock at a desired distance and vertical angle with respect to the headstock. The method includes balancing the torque applied to a stringed instrument's neck and headstock by the instrument's strings by adjusting adjustment fasteners located at opposite ends of, and which adjustably retain, a suspension string tree that passes over all of the instrument strings to an instrument headstock.

Abstract: A method and device for optimizing the position of the strings on stringed and plucked instruments, especially guitars, and for improving the playability of such instruments. The instruments include strings which are stretched across a fretted or fretless fingerboard, wherein the profile of the fingerboard surface is measured underneath each individual tightened string. The optimum form of the fingerboard surface is determined for each string by a computer on the basis of string parameters, the aim being to keep the distance between the strings and the fret surfaces to a minimum without impeding the vibration of the strings. Subsequently, the differences between the calculated and real fingerboard surface profiles are compensated by a computer-controlled machine. The instrument which is tuned with high precision and adjusted to a minimum string position is characterized by excellent playability and clear intonation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held device for tensioning and stabilizing the strings of a stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, during tuning or installation of the strings. In one embodiment, the device comprises a structure having a pair of arms that define a substantially forked or "V" shape. In use, the device is positioned against the neck of the guitar and a string is threaded between a pair of spools on at least one of the arms of the device. The device is then pivoted about an apex to lift the string away from the guitar neck and apply tension thereto during tuning or installation of the string. The device allows for easy tensioning of the string during the tuning or installation process.

Abstract: A machine head for guitars is disclosed. In the machine head, the tension of a string is adjusted by sequentially rotating a manually operated adjusting knob, a worm engaging with the knob, a worm wheel engaging with the worm, and a winding peg integrated with the worm wheel with the string wound on or unwound from the winding peg. A cap guider is formed on the top end of the winding peg, while a string holding cap is rotatably fitted over the cap guider of the winding peg, thus being brought into a rotatable engagement with the guider. In an embodiment, the guider has upper and lower guide discs integrated at both ends of an eccentric shaft, while the cap has two string insert holes on its sidewall at eccentric positions. When the winding peg is rotated with a string passing through the two string insert holes, the string is firmly jammed at the junction between the eccentric shaft and the sidewall of the string holding cap.

Abstract: This invention is a display system for measuring and displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequencies contained in a musical sound. A transducer coupled to the sound source produces an electrical signal representing the musical sound. The system receives the signal and separates and measures the frequencies of the individual tones comprising the sound. The measured frequency values are displayed as the frequencies themselves or as deviations from target frequencies. The system can utilize a local transducer with the display system or a remote transducer coupled to the sound source.

Abstract: A lyre mounting bracket (14) is provided for acoustically coupling a musical instrument tuner (12) to a lyre (16) for a musical instrument (10). The tuner (12) includes an electronics section (26) having a vibratory sensor. A hinged elbow member (44) secures the mounting bracket (14) to the tuner (12). The mounting bracket (14) has a main body (42) which includes two oppositely facing, planar surfaces (50, 52) for securing directly between a clamp (20) of the lyre (16). Support braces (58, 60) extend outward from opposite sides of the main body (42), each having arcuately shaped sides (66-76) which extend orthogonal to and adjacent to the peripheral edges of respective ones of the planer mounting surfaces (50, 52). The sides (66-76) have profiles which fit substantially flush with portions of a profile (94) defined by the peripheral edges of a first half (90) of the lyre clamp (20).

Abstract: This invention is a display system for an automatically tuned stringed instrument displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequency of each string of the instrument. The system provides for using the display to manually tune the instrument or to initially tune the instrument to within the operating range of the automatic tuning system.

Abstract: A tuning device for a stringed musical instrument consisting of stroboscopic light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), positioned to be seen by a musician in or near normal playing position as partially eclipsed by the strings. The LEDs are driven at standard musical frequencies by a microprocessor. To use the device, a musician observes the illusion of a moving shadow around an untuned vibrating string, and adjusts the instrument until the shadow appears to slow down and stop. The LEDs are sufficiently powerful, and their duty cycles are sufficiently large, that no special shielding or means of observation are required by the musician in normal ambient lighting conditions. A plurality of LEDs is grouped behind each string, with each LED in the group having the same frequency but different phase, which creates an illusion of movement along the string in one direction or the other indicating whether the string is sharp or flat.

Abstract: Apparatus for tuning a stringed musical instrument includes an electronic tuner circuit and a visual display located in either the pickguard or the pickup mounting ring of the instrument.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine tuning frequencies for an instrument, such as a piano, by sounding at least three musical notes of the instrument. The sounded notes are recorded and digitally filtered to generate directly partial ladders representative of the sounded notes. The partial ladders are equalized with respective to a reference frequency or one another to determine tuning frequencies for the sounded notes. Tuning frequencies for the remaining notes of the instrument are then determined from the equalized partial ladders. Tone generators which produce the musical notes, such as strings on a piano, are then adjusted to conform the musical notes which they generate to the tuning frequencies. Preferably, the tone generators are adjusted using a display which provides highly accurate macro and micro tuning information in a single display by graphically and dynamically displaying pitch differences of the musical notes generated by the tone generators relative to pitches of the tuning frequencies.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a stringed instrument is formed by a microprocessor operating hardware connected with one end portion of the several strings. The hardware principally comprises a reversible motor driving gears and a gear train selectively meshed by a solenoid for each string entrained over a saddle at the bridge position and underlying a double hinged tremolo system. An input sensor in the tuning module detects the tone of a plucked string and converts it to a square wave of the detected frequency, which is compared by the microprocessor with the closest adjacent intended frequency and energizes the solenoid for engaging the gear mechanism for tightening or loosening the string to obtain the required frequency. The user can override the automatic string tuning function for initially tightening a string or strings, and manually adjust the frequency of a string by a manually rotated knob on the head stock of the instrument.

Abstract: A sense of touch electronic tuning device with background noise suppression and tuning note identification features to verify tuning of acoustic and electrically amplified stringed, reed and wind musical instruments, said tuning device comprising a sound sensor, signal conditioning system, power supply, reference tuning note identification system and vibrator to produce vibration felt by the person using said tuning device when the musical instrument to which said tuning device is directly or indirectly connected, produces musical notes, in tune, within an acceptable tolerance range of acoustic pitch.

Abstract: This invention is a display system for an automatically tuned stringed instrument displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequency of each string of the instrument. The system provides for using the display to manually tune the instrument or to initially tune the instrument to within the operating range of the automatic tuning system.

Abstract: Single and multiple disc strobe tuners employ microprocessor controlled stepper motors for driving the disc(s) to facilitate the use of customized tuning schemes, such as unequal temperaments and stretch tuning. The tuning schemes are stored in a look up table and may be programmed by the user. The single disc embodiment preferably employs an auto note detector which determines the identity of a note being played by an instrument, and causes the microprocessor to adjust the speed of the stepper motor almost instantaneously to a speed assigned to that note in accordance with a selected tuning scheme. This enables a user to play through a series of notes rapidly to verify whether they are in tune with the selected tuning scheme. The multiple, preferably 12, disc embodiment employs a separate stepper motor and micro controller for each disc to accommodate individual tuning of each disc relative to one another.

Abstract: A tuner for stringed musical instruments which has a transducer pickup for converting sound vibrations of the strings to electrical signals and a body being either hollow or solid with a front and back surface and a edge surface extending between the front and back surface. The tuner has a tuner circuit attachable to an interior of the sound box with an input couplable to an output of the transducer and a digital display positionable on one of the edge or front surfaces of the body so that it faces a player when the instrument is in a playing position.

Abstract: The invention is a control system for automatically tuning a stringed musical instrument with a capo installed, using an original calibration function or closed-loop tuning system for the instrument without the capo. The control system uses a capo scale factor which scales frequencies measured with the capo installed to what they would have been without a capo. The control system enables a musician to quickly tune an instrument after installing a capo, in a manner unlikely to be noticed by an audience.

Abstract: Tuner apparatus for tuning an electric stringed musical instrument includes a pickup in a pickup cavity formed in the instrument. A pickup ring extends around the pickup and includes a pickup ring wall forming a visual display panel. Tuner circuitry includes a flexible printed circuit strip adjacent to the pickup and positioned in the pickup cavity. The flexible printed circuit strip is electrically connected to a light module positioned next to the visual display panel of the pickup ring.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises a tone generator for generating a plurality of different digital waveform signals corresponding to different timbres, and a device for setting a plurality of ranges defined by two parameters, a first one of the parameters being a pitch parameter and a second one of the parameters being a key touch parameter. The parameters vary according to the musical performance, and a range for the pitch parameter in combination with a range for the key touch parameter respectively designating one of the plurality of different digital waveform signals having different timbres. An input device is provided for inputting the two parameters according to a musical performance.

Abstract: This invention provides a control system for automatically tuning a stringed musical instrument, utilizing a library of calibration functions to tune the instrument in a plurality of operating conditions without recalibration. The operating conditions can include changes in temperature and humidity, different sets of strings made with different materials and gauges, broken strings and the installation of a capo. Calibrations can also be provided for instruments of different makes and models, string lengths, body materials and actuator types. The control system is adapted for use in a stringed instrument having actuators attached to each string for changing the frequency of the string in response to a control signal. Each calibration function relates the frequency of a string to the actuator position of that string. The invention further provides an automatically tuned stringed instrument using the control system, and a method for tuning a stringed instrument.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a vocal note indicating device for indicating the note of a vocal pitch signal. The device includes an amplifying means for amplifying an inputted vocal pitch signal and a square wave generator means. The square wave generator means is responsive to the vocal pitch signal from the amplifying means, and provides a square wave output signal substantially having a same period as the vocal pitch signal. A timer means is utilized for determining the period of the square wave and provides an output indicating a period of the square wave output signal. The device uses a microprocessor having a look-up table associated therewith to compare the output from the timer means with the look-up table to provide an output indicating the note and degree of at least one of sharpness and flatness of the inputted vocal pitch signal. A display means includes a plurality of columns of LEDs for displaying the note of the vocal pitch signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine tuning frequencies for an instrument, such as a piano, by sounding at least three musical notes of the instrument. The sounded notes are recorded and digitally filtered to generate directly partial ladders representative of the sounded notes. The partial ladders are equalized with respective to a reference frequency or one another to determine tuning frequencies for the sounded notes. Tuning frequencies for the remaining notes of the instrument are then determined from the equalized partial ladders. Tone generators which produce the musical notes, such as strings on a piano, are then adjusted to conform the musical notes which they generate to the tuning frequencies. Preferably, the tone generators are adjusted using a display which provides highly accurate macro and micro tuning information in a single display by graphically and dynamically displaying pitch differences of the musical notes generated by the tone generators relative to pitches of the tuning frequencies.

Abstract: A method is specified for pitch recognition, in particular for musical instruments which are excited by plucking or striking, in the case of which method the interval between zero crossings of a signal waveform of an audio signal is used as a measure for the period length of the audio signal.Reliable pitch recognition is intended to be possible in a simple manner using such a method. The method is intended to be capable of being implemented with a low level of computation power.To this end, the magnitude of the gradient of the signal waveform is in each case determined in the region of its zero crossings, and the magnitude of the gradient is used as an assessment criterion for the selection of the zero crossings to be evaluated.

Abstract: A musical instrument tuning aid. The display provides the user tuning information in a rapidly interpreted form. The input note, or tuning device setting, is displayed in a clock face format. A sharp/flat indicator provides a course display for gross tuning. A display means for electronically producing a stroboscopic display between the input tone and the internally generated reference frequency provides for very accurate fine tuning with instantaneous response to pitch changes. Signal conditioning to control signal level enhances the strobe display. Tracking low pass filtering is provided to enhance strobe display for high harmonic content signals. An adjustable band pass filtering mode is provided to allow analysis of individual harmonics. A crystal timebase is used to generate a high accuracy reference frequency with fine calibration adjustment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine tuning frequencies for an instrument, such as a piano, by sounding at least three musical notes of the instrument. The sounded notes are recorded and digitally filtered to generate directly partial ladders representative of the sounded notes. The partial ladders are equalized with respective to a reference frequency or one another to determine tuning frequencies for the sounded notes. Tuning frequencies for the remaining notes of the instrument are then determined from the equalized partial ladders. Tone generators which produce the musical notes, such as strings on a piano, are then adjusted to conform the musical notes which they generate to the tuning frequencies. Preferably, the tone generators are adjusted using a display which provides highly accurate macro and micro tuning information in a single display by graphically and dynamically displaying pitch differences of the musical notes generated by the tone generators relative to pitches of the tuning frequencies.

Abstract: The method of enabling optimum tuning of a drum having a shell, a head and adjustable tuning members, that includes suspending the drum shell to vibrate when struck; striking the suspended shell to vibrate at a characteristic acoustic frequency; sensing the acoustic frequency and converting the sensed acoustic frequency to a labeling value; and using the value to label the drum to indicate the frequency; whereby a drum user may tune the drum by adjusting the members to cause the drum to resonate at or near the frequency when the head is truck.

Abstract: A tuning system is described for automatically tuning a musical instrument having adjustment means for changing the frequency of a musical tone produced by a musical string of the musical instrument. The tuning system of the present invention is useful with respect to a wide variety of musical instruments, e.g., string instruments such as, guitars, harps, pianos, etc., and other instruments. A tuning system is operative to selectively tune a musical string of a stringed musical instrument to a user selected predetermined frequency value.

Abstract: An automatic guitar string tuning device includes a foot-operated switch for controlling an electrical solenoid which rotates a cam shaft mounted upon a guitar or other stringed instrument. The solenoid rotates the cam shaft between first and second positions under the control of the foot switch. Several of the guitar strings are secured to tensioning arms which engage corresponding camming surfaces formed upon the rotating shaft. Rotation of the cam shaft between the first and second positions causes movement of the tensioning arms and thereby changes the pitch of the strings attached thereto.

Abstract: A piano tuning system having an electronic control circuit which receives sound through a microphone for a piano key. Based upon a comparison of this sound with stored piano fundamental frequencies, signals are sent to a drive unit. An electrically driven drive unit has a push/pull solenoid with an actuator which can move an internal drive shaft along a spline shaft. Movement of the drive shaft with respect to associated clutches moves any of three worm gears, each having dependent tuning head wrenches which turn the piano's tuning pins. Adjustments may be made to the spacing between worm gears to squeeze or expand their relative positions with respect to each other by an external housing thumb wheel. A method for implementing the tuning of piano notes is also set forth.

Abstract: The meantone temperer external device is used in conjunction with a keyboard or other musical instrument. The meantone temperer is used to temper the connected musical instrument to any desired meantone-tempered scale, which is selected by the user. This device is operated by simply entering the desired temperament on the input keypad and pressing the "temper" button. Calculations are then made and the results are stored in RAM. When the user strikes a note on the musical instrument, a value is pulled out of RAM corresponding to the note struck. This value is then multiplied by the corresponding octave multiplier in ROM and the tempered note is sounded.

Abstract: A new Guitar Tuner Holder for holding an electronic guitar tuner on a microphone stand. The inventive device includes a tuner bracket adapted to securely hold an electronic guitar tuner and a clamping means attached to the tuner bracket for clamping the tuner bracket to a microphone stand. The tuner bracket comprises a shelf portion and a stepped-up portion at one end of the shelf portion for supporting an instrument cable extending from the electronic guitar tuner. A hook and loop fastener is provided for removably and securely holding the electronic guitar tuner on the shelf portion of the tuner bracket. The clamping means includes a pair of opposed C-shaped clamping members and a threaded fastener for compressing and clamping the C-shaped clamping members tightly against the microphone stand. The tuner bracket is positionable at any height along the microphone stand that is comfortable and convenient for the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine tuning frequencies for an instrument, such as a piano, by sounding at least three musical notes of the instrument. The sounded notes are recorded and digitally filtered to generate directly partial ladders representative of the sounded notes. The partial ladders are equalized with respective to a reference frequency or one another to determine tuning frequencies for the sounded notes. Tuning frequencies for the remaining notes of the instrument are then determined from the equalized partial ladders. Tone generators which produce the musical notes, such as strings on a piano, are then adjusted to conform the musical notes which they generate to the tuning frequencies. Preferably, the tone generators are adjusted using a display which provides highly accurate macro and micro tuning information in a single display by graphically and dynamically displaying pitch differences of the musical notes generated by the tone generators relative to pitches of the tuning frequencies.

Abstract: A stringed instrument with an on-board tuner which detects vibrations of the strings and determines and displays the identity of the string which is being played and the deviation of the string's pitch relative to an in-tune reference pitch. The tuner display is situated such that it is not readily visible to casual observers, such as an audience, yet is oriented such that the musician can easily view the tuner display from a normal playing position. In the case of an electric stringed instrument, the display is inlaid in the top surface of the neck of the instrument near the instrument's body. In the case of an acoustic stringed instrument, the tuner is mounted inside the body of the instrument and is visible through the sound hole. The instrument is provided with a strap assembly which attaches to a balanced pivot point on the instrument and provides a single connection which serves as both an electrical connection to the amplifier and a mechanical connection to the strap assembly.

Abstract: A musical instrument instruction system utilizes a CD-ROM electronic storage medium to store audio and video musical instrument instructional materials. Instructional materials are accessed utilizing a computer which provides an interactive system in which animation, voice, music, video and imagery are integrated in essentially real time and under complete control of the music student. The system permits the student to access the instructional materials in a variety of ways, and control the parameters governing the presentation of the instructional materials, including control of the tempo of the music and whether or not displays of the manner of playing the musical instrument will be shown with a displayed notation or tablature relating to the selected musical piece. A mixer is provided for combining musical output of the practice instrument with musical output generated by the computer corresponding to the selected musical piece.

Abstract: An apparatus to assist the musical instruction of a student including one or more tone sources (e.g. flute, human voice, violin) playing monophonically as inputs, means to quantify aural parameters of pitch, amplitude, duration, and timbre of inputs, means to visually store and represent temporal history of said, means to store and playback audio signal of inputs, and means to arrive at and display musical related pitches. A digital waveform analyzer is used to control a tunable low-pass filter in the pitch tracker and preform spectral estimation of timbre. Also, a digital version is described. Pre-recorded music instruction and a karaoke player are used as examples of reference tone sources. Visual representation of aural parameters can be provided as video output.

Abstract: A chromatic tuner display is provided for indicating a relative difference between a pitch of a sound and a pitch of a desired note of a musical scale. The display comprises a base member, a predetermined point on the base member corresponding to the pitch of the desired note, and a colored light arrangement for visually representing the pitch of the sound. The colored light arrangement is mounted on the base member and includes a plurality of illuminative letters corresponding to notes of the musical scale, and a plurality of additional illuminative characters positioned on the base member between adjacent letters corresponding to sharp and flat variations of the notes represented by the letters. An illuminated letter or an illuminated letter and character combination represents the desired note.

Abstract: A method for improving the sound producing ability of musical instruments by securing at least some components of the instrument to a supporting surface and then vibrating the surface at various frequencies across a broad bandwidth for an optimal time. This method may be applied to partially assembled instruments during the manufacturing process, to completed instruments with strings and/or hardware removed, and to fully assembled new and old instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the tuning of a musical instrument to cause the instrument to sound in just intonation while the instrument is being played comprises a data base in memory for storing an array of just intonation tone identifiers. The tone identifiers in the array are arranged by key, chordal root and tone according to just intonation relationships defined by the ratios of a scale selected by the musician. A selector unit is provided for enabling a musician to select a key and/or a chordal root, as a result of which a CPU retrieves from the array a set of tone identifiers in just intonation corresponding to the selected key or chordal root and transmits them to the sounding means of the instrument.

Abstract: A chromatic tuner display comprises a base member, with a predetermined point on the base member corresponding to the precise pitch of a desired musical note.

Abstract: A method for measuring dynamic hardness of elastic materials is applied particularly to determining the state of tonal quality for a piano hammer. The method includes selecting a piano hammer of predetermined type from a set of piano hammers, causing the selected piano hammer to strike against an impact surface having the form of a piano string or string grouping appropriate to a piano hammer of the predetermined type, measuring one or more elements of force and motion of the piano hammer striking the impact surface, e.g. force, determining, e.g., the cut-off frequency of the power spectrum for the selected piano hammer striking upon the impact surface, and comparing the determined cut-off frequency of the power spectrum for the selected piano hammer against a predetermined range of cut-off frequencies of power spectrum acceptable for piano hammer of the predetermined type. An apparatus for testing is also described.

Abstract: A metronome apparatus has an electro-mechanical rhythm generator (28) in sound communication of a variable targeted optimum rhythm to a first (4) of two earphones (4,5) of a dual-earphone headset (2). In sound communication with a second (5) of the two earphones (4,5) is a manual rhythm generator (27). The manual rhythm generator (27) has preferably four adjustable finger buttons (8,9,10,11) that are operable by four fingers of a user's hand. Rhythm generated by the manual rhythm generator (27) and the targeted optimum rhythm of the electro-mechanical rhythm generator (28) are comparable in opposite earphones of the headset positioned on a user. Sound differences indicate nearness to correct rhythm. Light intensity of a light signal (35) is optional to indicate relative correctness of rhythm for increased precision of rhythm accuracy. Variations of rhythm also can be compared similarly.

Abstract: An electronic tuning device has selectable width tuning ranges wherein selected pairs of the LEDs in a single row of LED's are activated, such as being turned on, blinked or flashed, so that the spacing between each activated pair of LEDs indicates the width of the tuning range during a range indicating mode. The sensing of a fundamental frequency of an input tone causes the operation of a corresponding LED in the row of LEDs to indicate the nearest note along with in-tune and out-of-tune conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for varying the pitch of the strings (12) of a guitar (15) comprises a respective adjusting mechanism (10) for each string. This mechanism includes an externally threaded tubular member (20) within which one end of the string (12) is secured. Tension is applied to the string by a coil spring (124) which has one end fixed to the tubular member (20). A drive motor (34) is arranged to rotate a gear (26) whereby longitudinal movement of the tubular member (20) is effected to vary the tension in the string (12). The rotation of the drive motor (34) is effected by an electronic circuit arranged to tune the pitch of the string a reference.

Abstract: An electronic tuning device includes a display with a single row of LED's corresponding to musical notes wherein the sensing of a fundamental frequency of an input tone causes the operation of the corresponding LED to indicate the nearest note. Additionally the LED is operated in manner, such as blinking proportionally to the variation from the note and/or producing different colors, such as green, red and amber, to indicate in-tune and out-of-tune conditions. A double back adhesive rubber pad can be used to removably mount the tuner on an instrument, so that the device can simply pulled off the musical instrument to make it ready for its next use. The rubber pad serves to attenuate high frequency mechanical vibrations of the musical instruments thus improving the accuracy and versatility of the unit. In one embodiment, the display is mounted externally on the musical instrument while the tone sensing circuitry is mounted inside the musical instrument such within the sound box of an existing guitar.