Abstract: Waking-up a violin or other instrument by determining naturally resonating features of a particular instrument by applying tones and analyzing the instrument's responses, and then applying vibrations (e.g., continuously and/or in patterns, such as alternating on/off, staccato, etc.) corresponding to the most responsive (resonant) portions of the instrument's responses (e.g., peaks of the analyzed instrument's response) fully breaking in the various parts of the instrument. The applied vibrations are continued until the instrument's amplitude response plateaus.

Abstract: A device for improving the sound quality of an acoustic musical instrument made of wood provided with a plurality of metallic strings comprises a hollow casing adapted to be placed above the strings of the instrument, a generation circuit housed in the hollow casing for generating an electromagnetic field, a plurality of emitting elements hosed in the hollow casing and connected to the generation circuit to direct the electromagnetic field toward the strings of the instrument, wherein the hollow casing is provided with coupling elements to be mounted on the instrument at a predetermined distance from the strings such as to maintain the emitting elements raised from the strings to induce, without contact, independent vibration thereof by means of the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for learning, composing, accessing and playing music. The system includes a plurality of physical objects each includes an identifier and assigned a music-related indicator. The system further includes an interactive surface configured to recognize the identifier and location information relative to the interactive surface of a physical object placed on top of the interactive surface. Upon a plurality of objects being placed on the interactive surface to form a structural pattern, the processor is configured to derive a music piece from the structural pattern.

Abstract: Marching band string instruments and wearable string instruments are described that include a stiff waist band to prevent excessive side to side movement during use, while providing easy doff and don of the string instrument. String instruments also are provided with adjustable chest braces to allow accommodation for different player sizes and for minimization of back strain when playing the electric string instrument for extended time periods. Electric string instruments optionally have soft material interposed between bridge feet and a string instrument body, to allow a more resonant sound detection from a pickup located between the bridge feet and the body. Other advances include generation of a stereo signal from bridge vibrations, and electronic processing of sound that enhances the electric string instrument playing and learning experience.

Abstract: A method for teaching musical notation from rhythm. A musical rhythm is demonstrated to the pupils, and is associated with a worksheet having a plurality of blanks, the blanks each representing a beat of the rhythm and being grouped in accordance with the rhythm. The blanks are then filled with symbols representing beats and pauses in the rhythm. The rhythm is demonstrated by having or otherwise indicating a series of objects, such as blocks. The symbols are filled in with colors representing individual notes in accordance with a predetermined code. At more advance stages, the worksheets can be used to compose simple songs. The worksheets can be printed paper, or may be an electronic display such as on a computer screen. Words and mathematical problems can be incorporated into the worksheets and exercises to complement the pupil's instruction in other areas.

Abstract: A keyboard (25) has keys (10) mounted to pivot about a vertical axis as well as about a horizontal axis. Movement of the keys (10) about tile vertical axis is detected to adjust the sounds provided by the musical instrument resulting from striking the keys (10). Wells may be provided with a substance that is selectively solid and fluid. An electronic string instrument emulator has an electromagnetic string and a bow with ferromagnetic material. A method for performing musical instruments includes adjusting the temperament of the instrument during performance based on the music being played. A keyboard instrument may be caused to sound using suitably arrayed electromagnets.

Abstract: A keyboard musical stringed instrument having a plurality of vibratory strings; a plurality of projections individually related to the strings and rotated by a powered drive in individual orbits for engagement of their respective strings, a plurality of supports individually mounting the projections for engagements with their respective strings to a depth and with a rapidity which produces sounds resembling those of a bowed stringed musical instrument, and a plurality of key mechanisms individually related to the rings for selectively causing said engagement and for varying said engagement for the production of dynamic effects.