Abstract: A computerized music teaching instrument including a computer provided with a sound system capable of reproducing the tones of a music scale stored in a tone base, and a video screen adapted to exhibit an image selected from a series thereof stored in a data base. Each image exhibits a virtual keyboard having a row of numbered keys representing the respective tones in a musical scale, behind which is a row of puppets or progressively greater height, all puppets being shown in a reclining state except the puppet corresponding to the key in the keyboard shown in a depressed and activated state, as if actually pressed by the finger of a player. Associated with the computer is a remote controller provided with a keypad having an array of numbered switches corresponding to the keyboard keys and operating in conjunction with a digitizer whereby when a player depresses a keypad switch, the digitizer then generates a binary signal representing the number of the depressed key.

Abstract: A computerized music teaching instrument including a computer provided with a sound system capable of reproducing the tones of a music scale stored in a tone base, and a video screen adapted to exhibit an image of the instrument selected from a series thereof stored in a data base. Each image exhibits a virtual keyboard having a row of numbered keys representing the respective tones in a musical scale, behind which is a row of puppets of progressively greater height, all puppets being shown in a reclining state except the puppet corresponding to the key in the keyboard shown in a depressed and activated state, as if actually pressed by the finger of a player. Associated with the computer is a remote controller provided with a keypad having an array of numbered switches corresponding to the keyboard keys and operating in conjunction with a digitizer whereby when a keypad switch is depressed by a player, the digitizer then generates a binary signal representing the number of the depressed key.

Abstract: A music teaching instrument adapted to teach a player the notes of a musical scale so that the notes will be remembered. The instrument includes a sound system having a memory in which is stored audible tones of the musical scale, and means to reproduce a tone extracted from the memory so that it can be heard by the player. A keyboard is provided having a row of keys corresponding to the tones of the scale. Switching means are associated with the keys and are coupled to the sound system whereby when a key in the row is actuated by the player, a corresponding tone is then reproduced. A row of puppets is behind the row of keys, each puppet being normally inactive and in registration with a respective key. Means responsive to actuation of a key serve to activate the corresponding puppet, whereby the puppet then appears to be voicing the tone being reproduced.

Abstract: A music teaching instrument adapted to teach a player the notes of a musical scale so that the notes will be remembered. The instrument includes a sound system having a memory in which is stored audible tones of the musical scale, and means to reproduce a tone extracted from the memory so that it can be heard by the player. A keyboard is provided having a row of keys corresponding to the tones of the scale. Switching means are associated with the keys and are coupled to the sound system whereby when a key in the row is actuated by the player, a corresponding tone is then reproduced. A row of puppets is behind the row of keys, each puppet being normally inactive and in registration with a respective key. Means responsive to actuation of a key serve to activate the corresponding puppet, whereby the puppet then appears to be voicing the tone being reproduced.

Abstract: A music toy or teaching device includes one or more sound generating devices operative to generate sound in a selected output format chosen from plural formats. The music teaching device provides an output format selector that allows a user to select the particular output format in which the sound will be generated. Upon selection of an output format and actuation of a switch corresponding with a particular pitch, the device retrieves from memory the corresponding sound bite in the format and pitch and audibly recreates the sound bite. At least one of the sound bites is the name of one of the notes; “do”, “re”, “mi”, “fa”, “sol”, “la” or “ti”.