Abstract: An electric tutor is assembled with an upright piano having a keyboard and a key stop rail laterally extending over the rear end portions of the black/white keys, and includes a comb-like flexible indicator attached to the key stop rail, wherein the comb-like flexible indicator has flexible insulating strips connected to a rigid printed board attached to the key stop rail by means of connectors and lying on the black/white keys, optical indicators attached to the flexible insulating strips and signal lines printed on the back surfaces of the flexible insulating strips for selectively supplying driving signals to the optical indicators for radiating light, thereby guiding the fingers of a player in accordance with a music score.

Abstract: A musical performance training system includes a transmitter which transmits training musical note data for training musical performance, and a receiver which receives the training musical note data from the transmitter and instructs a trainee to practice a musical performance based on the received training musical note data. The transmitter produces musical note data based on a musical performance, for example, at a keyboard. The musical note data is converted to training musical note data by reducing velocity data contained in the produced musical note data, shifting pitch data in units of an octave, and changing the timbre and pitch data to respective particular values. If the musical note data is produced by a special key operation, control data which instructs the trainee to perform a pedal operation is added to the converted musical note data. The receiver displays or audibly outputs a performance instruction based on the received training musical note data.

Abstract: In performance data storing tracks, there are stored, in a mixed condition, actual performance data including pairs of pitch data designating a pitch of a tone to be performed and volume data of audible level designating a volume of the tone and fake performance data including pairs of pitch data designating a pitch of a predetermined performance tone and tone volume controlling data of non-audible level and fake performance data including pairs of pitch data designating a pitch of a predetermined performance tone and volume controlling data of non-audible level. Besides, the fake performance data for the predetermined performance tone is stored so as to be read out in advance of the actual data for the performance tone. The read-out fake performance data can be identified from the non-audible level of its volume designating data. In response to the fake performance data, a predetermined preliminary indication is made for preannouncing a key or other performance operating member to be operated.

Abstract: A display device displaying a plurality of information sets with a simple structure, and a keyboard instrument that has a key guide device including such a display device. The display is driven at cycles shorter than those discernible by human beings, and the time ratio of ON period to OFF period for the display is changed based on control data. More specifically, the ON state and OFF state are inverted each drive cycle, or the number of cycles during which the display is in ON or OFF state can selected, or the drive cycles are cyclically changed to turn ON the display means only in a designated cycle. In this manner, the luminance of and the hues of the display can be changed relative to the continuous lighting, and a plurality of information sets can be displayed based on this change. This display device may be employed as a fingering guide display device for a keyboard instrument, and position data for keys to be depressed and other playing guide information are displayed at the same time.

Abstract: MIDI settings indicating a musical part of a show are used to control a lighting effect associated with the show. Events within the music, such as a specified chord, can be used to trigger a certain MIDI effect. The collection of MIDI settings can also be used to determine the current song being played.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating drum lights in response to audio signals is disclosed. A drum having a light and a transducer within its inner area is disclosed. The light and the transducer are attached to a single bracket which is attached to the drum. Circuitry is disclosed for connecting the transducer with the light and causing the light to turn on when the drum is hit with sufficient force. The bracket is attached to a metal tube which has been placed through an existing air hole of the drum.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument having a keyboard range display device with which the positions of player's hands or fingers on a keyboard and the keys to be depressed as needed, are visually identified, comprises right hand and left hand range display means for displaying keyboard ranges to be covered by right and left hand fingers, and preferably, note-on position display means. Display data included in play data, is used to turn on each display means. A player immediately and intuitively perceives the range that is defined, so that he can easily move his fingers to correspond with the range. Even when the hands are near each other during a performance, the player can clearly identify the positions of the hands on the keyboard and the fingers to be used for key depression.

Abstract: A fiberoptically illuminated electronic stringed musical instrument is disclosed that has at least one pickup. At least one light source is disposed within the body of the instrument. A plurality of optical fibers are embedded in the instrument such that each fiber extends from the light source to a predetermined location on the exterior surface of the instrument. The fibers provide a transmission path for the light rays emitted by the light source, thereby illuminating the exterior surface of the instrument while at the same time the fiber becomes part of the mechanical/composite structure of the guitar. Control circuitry, disposed within the body of the instrument, is connected to the pickup and the light source. The control circuitry selectively controls the illumination of the light source, and therefore the exterior surface of the instrument, based upon electrical signals generated by the pickup.

Abstract: An improved tambourine with a light control effect is disclosed having on a tambourine collar several luminous bodies (e.g. LED) controlled by a sound control circuit. The sound control circuit board is secured within a handle having upper and lower handle seats attached together and to the tambourine collar. A battery cover and circuit board seat are located within the handle. The tambourine collar has several cable protecting covers on the tambourine collar. A flashing effect is given when the tambourine is struck by the player.

Abstract: A musical instrument training system for a stringed musical instrument having a body, a fingerboard, a plurality of strings, and an electric pickup. A fingering display (left hand) and a playing display (right hand) are mounted on the fingerboard. A control circuit, mounted on the body, receives input signals from one channel of a stereo for controlling the fingering and playing displays. The fingering and playing displays comprise an array of LEDs and LCDs that indicate the strings to finger, the fingers to use, the strings to play and the direction of play. A freeze control permits the user to "freeze" a section of the input signals in a buffer for repetitive practice. A tuning circuit permits the user to compare the tone of a string with a stored tone via a tuning display to help tune the instrument.

Abstract: A display module which is independent from a keyboard and can be placed above the keys of any keyboard is provided. The display module includes indicating lights which are positioned to be above each key. A separate processor module receives MIDI signals on a MIDI input board. These signals can be sent along a MIDI cable connected to the processor module, and can originate from either a keyboard, a computer, or any other MIDI compatible device. The processor ignores all but certain of the MIDI signals, keeping the operation simple. In particular, the processor responds to note on and note off signals to turn on the indicating light for a corresponding key.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for learning to play a musical instrument retrieve a stored sequence of musical notes and other data from a source, and determine locations on the musical instrument corresponding to the sequential music data from the source, and then indicate to the user upon the musical instrument the locations thereon where the instrument should be engaged to produce the note or chord to be played in the sequence.

Abstract: A color organ display device is operable to produce a unique display of light emanations in response to sound inputted thereto. The color organ display device utilizes a plurality of light bulbs arranged in discrete groups and projecting outwardly beyond a reflective backing so that the light bulbs cast a distinct image to the observer. Each group of light bulbs is illuminated in response to the existence of audio input present in a corresponding frequency range with the brightness of the light bulb illumination being directly proportional to the amplitude of the signal from the corresponding frequency channel and, therefore, directly proportional to the volume of sound in that particular frequency range. The color organ display device can be supported in a frame adaptable for mounting on a wall or for mounting on a stand. The display device can also be incorporated into a table to provide visual entertainment corresponding to the music being heard by the users of the table.

Abstract: For a musical instrument, a fingering display apparatus that includes a number of electrical switches manually operable to designate a desired musical note, either alone or as the root note for a desired scale or chord. For each of the notes designated by the switches, means are provided to activate a sub-display showing all of the possible fingering positions for that note. If a scale or chord is designated, then all of the fingering positions for all of the notes of the entire scale or chord are displayed. One form of the display, using small electrical lamps, is mounted on the fret-board of a guitar.

Abstract: A luminescently outlined string instrument with an electrical power means for energizing an illumination means, said illumination means mounted about the periphery of the instrument. A means of mounting an illumination means about the periphery of a string instrument. An electrical means for energizing said illumination means disposed within the instrument body or separate from the instrument. A method of illuminating a string instrument by providing a continuous channel above the outer edge of the instrument for insertion of an illumination means about the periphery of the instrument and mounting a power means inside of the instrument or using an outside power source for energizing the illumination means.

Abstract: A new type of musical instrument and performance apparatus is disclosed and is used with the special performing art called "Instrument dance", "instrument exercise" or "instrument boxing" etc. The instrument comprises a floor keyboard, on which the performer can either dance and produce switching signals with his or her feet, hand or hand hammer in accordance with the intention of the performer. In addition, a similar wall keyboard is provided along with a multi-color system and an electronic organ circuit. The performer can play on the floor keyboard while at the same time adjusting with ease the tone, timbre, volume and color, to thereby achieve the multiple artistic effect of a single performer producing the shape, sound, light and color of the performance.

Abstract: A guitar having in the preferred embodiment a shielded electro-luminescent lamp located behind the plastic pickup guard material of the guard in a preselected configuration. The electro-luminescent lamps are encapsulated in appropriate shielding material to prevent interference with the guitar's amplifier circuitry and are driven by a shielded control circuit having a controllable flashing circuit.

Abstract: A musical instrument of the flute type having a body with the conventional elongated configuration and a hollow interior extending along the length of the body wherein the body is formed of a main body portion, foot portion and head portion, which, depending upon the embodiment of the subject invention, may be permanently secured to one another or removable from another and further wherein the material from which the body, including each of the aforementioned portions is formed is a light transmitting material.

Abstract: A dynamically illuminated guitar (10) for producing visual and sequential lighting effects on the guitar body (20) caused by spontaneous or deliberate hand and body movements of the guitarist and by external light sources. A plurality of light-emitting diodes (30) through (93) embedded into the guitar face and arranged in aesthetically pleasing designs serve as the display medium. A variety of different light display modes is selected by changing the orientation of the guitar (20) to cause a group of mercury tilt switches (120), (130), (140) to control the digital pulse format of an electronic pulse-forming circuit. Light-dependent resistors (160), (170) embedded on the guitar face further cause the guitar visual lighting display to be controlled by external variable lighting.

Abstract: A transducer produces an electrical signal representing the frequency of a tone produced by the vibrating string of a musical instrument. Circuit means convert the electrical signal into a visually perceivable form which moves or appears to move in unison with the vibrating string. The signal from a frequency generator representing the desired frequency operates a strobe light source which is operatively associated with the visual vibrating motion display. When the string is in tune with the pre-selected desired frequency from the generator, the vibratory motion appears to stop and the strobe light or vibrating element appears to stand still.