Abstract: In the present invention, images of a keyboard can be efficiently input into a learner's brain by using a display device in which two kinds of parallel black keys on a keyboard instrument are diagrammed as marker figures which are a substantially n-shaped figure and a substantially m-shaped figure, and the positions of pressed keys are plotted onto the marker figures. The display device can be configured using, for example, printed matter (e.g., a sheet or a card), a font set, an electronic display, and a three-dimensional object, and is provided as a sheet for writing music, performance or practice sheet music, learning cards, or a three-dimensional mimic keyboard. Altogether, provided is a novel music education method based on the images of a keyboard.

Abstract: A novel music tablature corresponding to Janko-type keyboard with touch plates having coloring different from traditional keyboards is provided.

Abstract: A tone plate which makes it easy to reduce the entire length and width thereof, thus increasing the degree of freedom in design. The tone plate includes an antinode portion, front and rear ends, and first and second supporting holes which are located closer to the front and rear ends than to the antinode portion and at which a vibration node can be formed. There are provided first and second mass concentrating portions extending toward the front and rear ends from locations on a side close to the first and rear ends with respect to the supporting holes. First and second thinner portions are respectively provided between the antinode portion and the supporting holes. The tone plate vibrates to generate a musical tone of a specific tone pitch when struck with being supported at the supporting holes.

Abstract: A 2 manual musical keyboard with the pitch progression on one of the manuals reversed. The keys on these manuals are segregated into 2 groups of 2 different heights in the same way as a standard musical keyboard. The key configurations on these manuals have 12 semi-tones linearly distributed across 12 keys of alternating heights. Instead of the traditional 7 lower keys (white) and 5 upper keys (black), this arrangement has 6 lower keys and 6 upper keys. The notation system for this unique keyboard is a dual character set. Six unique characters for the upper keys and six unique characters for the lower keys. The musical staff for this unique keyboard will have six lines assigned to one character set and the six spaces assigned to the other character set.

Abstract: A musical keyboard has keys arranged and marked for generating tones of a twelve-tone scale. A first register of keys generates first sets of six tones being whole tones apart in the twelve-tone scale. A second register of keys generates second sets of six tones being whole tones apart in the twelve-tone scale. The tones of each first set are disjoint and half-tones apart from the tones of each second set, and the tones of the first and second set correspond alternately to the twelve-tone scale. The keys on the first register are linearly arranged between the keys on the second register, and the keys on the second register are linearly arranged between the keys on the first register. The keys have markings arranged in units of three unique markings, and the units of three unique markings repeat identically and sequentially on the keys of the first and second registers.

Abstract: A new musical keyboard and musical scale is provided by subdividing each octave into a larger number of parts, or notes. In one case, each octave contains sixteen notes, rather than the conventional twelve. In another case, each octave contains twenty notes. The new musical system enables new musical sounds and special effects to be created.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a two-dimension array of note producing elements wherein the elements along one dimension of the array have three-quarter steps or increasing fundamental frequencies F.sub.n according to the equationF.sub.n =F.sub.0 *2.sup.n/8wherein F.sub.0 is the fundamental frequency of the first note producing element in the one dimension and n is the number of the note producing element in the one direction from the first note producing element. The note producing elements along a second dimension of the array have fundamental frequencies which differ by frequency differences (such as perfect fourth intervals) greater than the frequency differences between adjacent note producing elements along the one dimension of the array.

Abstract: A keyboard for a musical instrument based on a twelve note per octave scale has keys on at least two playing rows, including a front playing row and a rear playing row. The front playing row includes keys for the notes "D.music-flat.", "E.music-flat.", "F", "G", "A", "B" and the rear playing row includes keys for the notes "G.music-flat.", "A.music-flat.", "B.music-flat.", "C", "D", "E". The keys "F", "G", "A", "B", "C", "D", "E" are formed from a first white smooth material and the keys "D.music-flat.", "E.music-flat.", "G.music-flat.", "A.music-flat.", "B.music-flat." are formed from a black rough material which is distinguished both tactually and visually from the white smooth material. There is also disclosed an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of different tuning intonations which are selected either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A highly ergonomic keyboard system provides a unified fingering system for both right and left hands in which the fingering is the same in all key signatures with more natural and comfortable thumb and finger positioning than with conventional piano keys, while maintaining hand span capability comparable to that of the conventional keyboard, i.e. at least one octave, and maintaining the convention method of "thumb tuck" to play extended scales and arpeggios. Three or more parallel horizontal one-octave rows of monolithic keys in half-tone increments are offset from each other in a uniform parallelogram-shaped tiered array with a note duplication offset which facilitates an octave span. All keys are made to have a uniform optimal complementary shape and are retained in a novel integrated pivot matrix configuration. Note/key association is visually indicated by white, black and (optionally) gray and/or other colors.

Abstract: A graphic/tactile musical instruction system includes a three-row equal temperament whole tone graphic/tactile keyboard and a nomographic system of music notation. In a first embodiment of the keyboard, an upper row of keys produces the notes C.sup.# /D.sub.b, D.sup.# /E.sub.b, F, G, A and B, with the C.sup.# /D.sub.b and D.sup.# /E.sub.b keys being extended forward. The upper row keys are narrower in the highest octaves. The middle row produces the notes C, D, E, F.sup.# /G.sub.b, G.sup.# /A.sub.b and A.sup.# /B.sub.b, with the F.sup.# /G.sub.b, G.sup.# /A.sub.b, and A.sup.# /B.sub.b keys extended forward. The lower row keys are aligned with and play the same notes as the upper row keys. In a second embodiment of the keyboard, the upper row keys are narrower in the upper octaves. The F and G upper row keys have raised top surfaces, extended and beveled front ends, and darkened surfaces. The middle row C keys have extended and beveled front ends, raised top surfaces, and darkened surfaces.

Abstract: A keyboard for a piano, organ, or similar instrument in which the keys are arranged in groups of three, each having a pair of flat keys with a raised key inset between. The flat keys are on a common plane in the manner of the white keys of a conventional keyboard, the raised keys being short in length and spaced between the front edge of the flat keys and the back board of the instrument. In one form of the keyboard a second set of raised keys is positioned adjacent the backboard and mechanically coupled to the basic set of raised keys, so that either raised key in a pair may be used to play a particular note for the convenience of fingering. Four groups of three keys represent the twelve tones of the chromatic scale and a related notation system identifies each tone clearly, without the need for sharp and flat symbols. The keys also have a physical relationship to the note positions in the musical notation, which simplifies playing.