Abstract: Apparatus providing instructional assistance to a student playing a stringed musical instrument. The apparatus instructs the student of proper finger placement on the instrument's strings and includes a finger placement sensor for identifying which strings are in contact with a fingerboard and the locations at which such strings are in contact with the fingerboard relative to the length of the fingerboard. The finger placement sensor generates electrical position signals representative of the identified strings and locations. A signal processing circuit electrically connected to the finger placement sensor receives and processes the position signals. The apparatus also includes an indicator electrically connected to the signal processing circuit for receiving the processed position signals and providing an indication to the student of which strings are in contact with the fingerboard and the location at which such strings are in contact with the fingerboard relative to the length of the fingerboard.

Abstract: A music score display device that eliminates the need for hard copy sheet music and manually turning pages or advancing the music score. The music score display device includes a storage device for storing music score data, a display device for displaying the music score, an input device for inputting music playing data from the musician, a microprocessor, and a computer program. The computer program compares the music score data with the music playing data to determine the playing position of the musician. The computer program then controls the display device so that it displays the portion of the music score corresponding to the playing position of the musician.

Abstract: A musical toy shaped like a rainbow or a banjo which generates musical sounds in response to interruption of one or more radiation beams is disclosed. In one embodiment, the musical toy is provided with a frame member (202) having a substantially unobstructed aperture (206) disposed therein, a photoemitter (212) for generating a radiation beam across the aperture (206), a photodetector (216) positioned to receive the radiation beam, an audio generator for generating a plurality of temporally successive portions of a predetermined musical song, and a play mechanism for causing the audio generator to generate one of the temporally successive musical song portions in response to each interruption of the radiation beam so that repeated interruption of the radiation beam causes the predetermined musical song to be played.

Abstract: A keyboard-based device for simultaneously reading and playing music on the basis of the conventional written score thereof is disclosed. The device includes a microcomputer and a graphic tablet for holding a paper sheet or a set of score sheets to be processed sequentially, and recognizing any X and Y axis position of the score touched by the tip of a pointer handled by a performer. Each of the graphic tablet X and Y signals thus activated is transmitted to the microcomputer, which has software preprogrammed according to the score in question. Programming is such that any X-Y pair activated on the page triggers a signal that initiates a signal stream for inputting into a sound generator optionally built into the device. The generator then outputs the note closest to the contact point with the pointer on the score.

Abstract: A sign recognizing step of recognizing all signs, including notes, of a music score, a notation estimating step of estimating a drum notation in a drum part of the music score based on information obtained by the step, a musical instrument allocating step of allocating actual tone generating musical instruments to the recognized signs of the drum part according to the drum notation estimated by the step, and a data converting step of converting into a playable and/or displayable music score data format are executed. With this arrangement, the notation of each of the drum scores described by various notations can be recognized so that it can be converted into a playable data format with less operations.

Abstract: A stringed-instrument practice device for improving a player's rhythm-hand technique involved in playing a stringed instrument. Such a device may have a generally rectangular base including a plurality of tunable strings. The base has two rests thereon with a series of fixed screws for fixing one end of each string and a series of adjustable screws for attachment to the other end of each string. Adjustment of the adjustable screws allows adjustment of the tension in each string. The practice device is desirably fitted with a transducer/microphone that allows connection of the instrument to an external amplifier and may have an in-built rhythm generator, amplifier, earphone jack or speaker, and controls therefor incorporated into the device.

Abstract: An information input apparatus comprises a casing which is held by an operator by opposite end portions thereof. At least one selection operating element is arranged on the front surface of the casing at a location close to one end thereof for selecting a kind of data to be input. At least one value-input operating element is arranged in the front surface of the casing at a location close to another end thereof, for inputting a value of the kind of data selected by the selection operating element. The value of the selected kind of data input is stored. The selection operating element is inclined relative to an edge of the one end of the casing, and the value-input operating element is inclined relative to an edge of the another end of the casing. The apparatus is compact and provides efficient inputting of information such as performance data for an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computerized method for correlating a performance, in real time, to a score of music, and a machine based on that method. A score processor accepts a score which a user would like to play and converts it into a useable format. Performance input data is accepted by the input processor and the performance input data is correlated to the score on a note-by-note basis. An apparatus for performing this method includes an input processor that receives input and compares it to the expected score to determine whether an entire chord has been matched, and an output processor which receives a note match signal from the input processor and provides an output stream responsive to the match signals.

Abstract: A music navigator provides a visual image indication or presentation of fingering motion of a hand in playing notes. In an embodiment, the music navigator employs a fingered music storage and a hand image device. When music is played on a keyboard instrument, the music navigator reads fingered music data and selects appropriate hand image data indicative of fingering motion (e.g., turning over or under of a finger) in playing a current note for visual display. In another embodiment, the music navigator provides a sequence of hand images representative of fingering motion in playing notes in a motion picture manner.

Abstract: A fully computerized musical performance teaching system comprises a computer apparatus having a keyboard and a display and is connectable to an electronic musical instrument. An application program provides the computer with various functions such as of judging student's skills, selecting music pieces for practice, training the student in performance and evaluating the student's progress through the teaching course. The judging function is to judge the student's performance skill from the student's responses to the subjects which the computer presents. The selecting function is to select a piece of music for practice according to the judgment results and the student's wishes and also to select a tutoring manner from among several prepared manners. The training function is to plan a practice schedule to meet the student's performance skill and wishes and to let the student practice with proper music pieces.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method and apparatus for instructing a student how to play a musical instrument. The method includes providing a display device, displaying a staff on the display device, displaying an image on the display device, and instructing the student to focus on the image while preferably using a musical instrument to play the notes on the staff, wherein the image moves generally in the direction of the progression of notes on the staff while the student attempts to play the, notes with the musical instrument. As the image moves, the image preferably moves in a direction generally parallel to the staff.

Abstract: A method for teaching musical notation to children. Each note is associated with a distinctly identifiable color, which is in turn associated with an object which naturally occurs in this color. Each object, in turn, is associated with a cartoon character which prominently incorporates an image of the object. Each character is endowed with a distinctly identifiable personality characteristic which enables the child to utilize the cartoon character in an educational activity. These relationships allow the child to apply relatively sophisticated symbolization techniques which are a part of the child's natural developmental process in order to master the musical notation system.

Abstract: An electronic reading system is provided including a housing and a display mounted on the housing. Also included is a storage device drive positioned within the housing for removably receiving a portable storage device and reading therefrom reading indicia. Next provided is an input device for accepting signals. A controller is positioned within the housing and connected between the display, the storage device drive, and the input device. In use, the controller serves to read the reading indicia from the portable storage device and display the same on the display while manipulating the reading indicia on the display as a function of the signals received from the input device.

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 music teaching aid having a number of reference rings that are positioned so as to have independent rotatable movement on a base member. Depending on the shape of the base member, the reference rings are either substantially coaxial cylindrical sleeves or concentric rings. Each reference ring has an outside surface which is divided into segments each of which displays indicia representing a note of the chromatic scale and which is identifiable by a predetermined color coding system such that when segments of the reference rings are aligned in accordance with the predetermined color coding system, corresponding segments of each successive ring will represent the notes of a non-chromatic scale.

Abstract: A performance data analyzer wherein a plurality of pitch name lines each comprised of essential pitch names characterizing each of plural tonalities are memorized and wherein one of the memorized pitch name lines at least a portion of which is included in an input performance data is extracted and a harmonic tone is extracted from the input performance data so that a tonality of the input performance data is detected on a basis of the extracted pitch name line and the extracted harmonic tone.

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: A device for familiarizing a child with a keyboard of a musical instrument and for familiarizing a child with musical concepts. The device comprises at least two blocks, each block having a top face which comprises indicia resembling at least one of the keys of the keyboard. All of the blocks have indicia resembling the white keys of a piano keyboard, and some of the blocks have indicia resembling at least one of the black keys of a piano keyboard.In an embodiment of the present invention, the device is further comprised of a base having at least one raised projection and/or one indentation for fitting within a corresponding indentation or projection in at least one of the blocks.In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the blocks has an indentation and another of the blocks has a raised projection for fitting around the indentation. In this embodiment, the blocks can be assembled without a base.

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: The present invention is directed to an instructional method based on the concept that as a student learns to perform a mental task consisting of a set of elements or steps, whether conceptual or concrete, the student develops a distinct mental connection or path for every element related to the primary mental task being learned. For example, as a student learns to type a particular key on a keyboard, (the primary mental task), the student develops a distinct mental impression for every typing key logically associated with the first key. In other words, a distinct connection or path is defined as a link between two or more elements, one key being a primary element, the other being a related key connected to the primary key by a logical mental step. The present method is also useful for learning a musical instrument, a foreign language, mathematics, test taking skills, and the like logical though processes.

Abstract: A music teaching system is provided, comprising at least two musical instruments, each instrument having a mechanism for producing a musical note when the means is activated, each such mechanism being marked by a color corresponding to the particular musical note produced by the mechanism; and at least two display vehicles for displaying a combination of the colors. The invention may be accomplished using colored hand bells for the instruments and cards for the display vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for teaching students of stringed instruments note locations and proper finger placement on the fingerboard of the instrument. The device may be adapted for use with either a fretted or non-fretted instrument. The device comprises a sheet of autogenously adhesive plastic, such as cling vinyl, on which is printed a series of markers indicating note locations, scales or chords. If the device is to be applied to a fretted instrument, the device further has fret openings cut therein, adapted to engage the frets when applied to the instrument. The device is applied to the instrument by inserting it between the strings and the fingerboard, wrapping it around the neck of the instrument and adhering it onto itself along the back of the neck of the instrument.

Abstract: A musical instrument for musical therapy which stimulates and urges patients suffering from dementia, aphasia, and other functional disorders of the brain to voluntarily play and to sing a song comprises an indicating part for displaying the lyrics of a song or other musical indicia in a predetermined pattern, an operating panel, and a scale generator. The indicating part is mounted upon the operating panel, which is provided with a plurality of switch elements arranged in physical alignment with the respective lyrics of the song or other musical indicia. The plural switch elements are connected to the scale generator such that a musical tone or voice signal is output by the scale generator in accordance with a selected switch element. By use of the inventive device, a patient is stimulated and urged to sing the song when the patient successively activates the switch elements corresponding to the displayed lyrics of the song.

Abstract: A table-type electronic percussion instrument is constructed by a table board, legs, pads as well as a musical tone generation circuit and a speaker system. Herein, the table board has a specific shape such as a pentagon-like shape which enables multiple persons to seat. The table board is supported by the legs and is constructed by a base material having a high rigidity and a dressing board like a plywood. The dressing board covers a surface of the base material through which holes are formed. The pads are arranged on a surface of the dressing board to match with locations of the holes. Sensors are provided inside of the holes and are attached to a backside of the dressing board. So, the sensors are arranged to detect striking force which is imparted to each of the pads by the persons. The musical tone generation circuit is provided beneath the table board to convert electric signals of the sensors to musical tone signals. The speaker system is located beneath the table board to generate musical tones (e.g.

Abstract: A practice device (10) that allows a musician to practice the specific skills of picking and plucking strings without producing any significant level of sound, such that the user can practice his or her playing technique without being distracted or concerned with the sound produced. The device (10) generally includes a solid, nonresonant body (12) having a front surface (14), an oppositely-disposed rear surface (16), and a short handle (38) that enables the device (10) to be firmly held and stabilized with one hand while being picked with the other hand. A pair of blocks (18, 20), roughly equivalent to a guitar bridge and headstock, are spaced apart on the front surface (14) of the device (10), and strings (28) extend in parallel between the blocks (18, 20) across the body (12) of the device (10). The strings (28) are spaced apart and securely held above the front surface (14) of the device (10) substantially identically to a conventional guitar.

Abstract: An interactive intervention training system used for monitoring a patient suffering from neurological disorders of movement or a subject seeking to improve skill performance and assisting their training. A patient (or trainee) station is used in interactive training. The patient (or trainee) station includes a computer. A supervisor station is used by, for example, a medical or other professional. The patient (or trainee) station and the supervisor station can communicate with each other, for example, over the Internet or over a LAN. The patient (or trainee) station may be located remotely or locally with respect to the supervisor station. Sensors collect physiologic information and physical information from the patient or subject while the patient or subject is undergoing training. This information is provided to the supervisor station. It may be summarized and displayed to the patient/subject and/or the supervisor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic display stand that can advance through musical notes without interrupting a musician's performance. The stand can be controlled by remote mechanical actuation, the sound of musical notes, or a timed interval. The device can have a display large enough to display a full page of sheet music at one time. A plurality of the devices can be networked to simultaneously display musical notes to a number of musicians. The electronic display stand is a multi-function device that can be used for displaying more than just music.

Abstract: A musical toy is provided with a base member, a second member connected to the base member so as to form a substantially unobstructed space between the second member and the base member, a plurality of photoemitters for generating a plurality of radiation beams between the base member and the second member, a plurality of photodetectors for receiving the radiation beams, audio generation means for generating a plurality of musical sounds, and means for causing the audio generation means to generate one of the musical sounds in response to an interruption of one of the radiation beams.

Abstract: The invention is a music teaching method designed for the student of non-pitched percussion instruments incorporating two major components. First, a limited selection of basic percussion exercises and variations written for one or more percussion instruments is printed on opaque music manuscript paper or other music display media. Finally, a series of overlays including preprinted, complimentary percussion music exercises is provided for use in combination with the aforementioned basic percussion exercises. The overlays may be alternately superimposed in a functional relationship with the basic percussion exercises to create hybrid percussion exercises having adequate visual representation of the repetitive rhythmic patterns inherent in percussion music. Thus, an exhaustive collection of percussion exercises may be provided in a reasonably sized volume, reducing the cost of a more cumbersome printed volume that would be impracticable to publish and market.

Abstract: A pulsed-tone timing method. Pulsed audible guide tones are activated at an initial pulsing rate. The pulsing rate is manipulated so as to repeatable (i) increase the pulsing rate over a time span to an intermediate pulsing rate and (ii) abruptly drop the pulsing rate to a decreased rate between the intermediate pulsing rate and a previous rate, until a predetermined final pulsing rate is reached. The pulsing rate can be manipulated such that each subsequent intermediate pulsing rate pulses at a faster rate than previous intermediate pulsing rates. The method can be used in many activities. For example, a reader can read a line of text per each guide tone while keeping pace with the specifically timed rate increases, thereby increasing reading effort and reading speed.

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: This invention features a U-shaped hole shield, for isolating one harmonica hole at a time, and is sufficiently long to span the lips of a harmonica player. In the center of the face of the U-shaped shield, there is a rectangular aperture with dimensions substantially identical to the dimensions of the rectangular holes of a harmonica. When the shield is placed in position on the harmonica, the rectangular aperture of the shield can be aligned with any desired rectangular hole of the harmonica. Thus, one, and only one, hole of the harmonica will be exposed, while the adjacent holes will be covered, and shielded, by the shield. The musician's lips can be placed against the shield, centered about the aperture, and without the need for the use of the tongue, a single note can be sounded with ease, simply by blowing into, or drawing air out of, the exposed hole. The movement of the shield is controlled by the lips, and the hands move, or slide, the harmonica, sideways, in either direction, relative to the shield.

Abstract: A musical education toy capable of receiving balls in a prearranged order, separating them according to size, and then guiding them to corresponding xylophone bars in order to play selected tunes. The toy has a track on which to place a plurality of balls, a hand crank to control the release of the balls, guide rails which allow the balls to drop into corresponding holes, chutes to further guide the balls to corresponding xylophone bars, and a box to collect the balls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for practicing playing an electronic musical instrument which includes a select section for selecting a music teacher mode, a display section for displaying a score and key, a microcomputer for controlling an entire musical system and an output section for outputting audible sound. The apparatus is effective for displaying a mark indicating a key corresponding to a note of the score. Thus, the user can effectively and correctly practice playing an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A method for teaching musical notation to children. Each note is associated with a distinctly identifiable color, which is in turn associated with an object which naturally occurs in this color. Each object, in turn, is associated with a cartoon character which prominently incorporates an image of the object. Each character is endowed with a distinctly identifiable personality characteristic which enables the child to utilize the cartoon character in an educational activity. These relationships allow the child to apply relatively sophisticated symbolization techniques which are a part of the child's natural developmental process in order to master the musical notation system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling scale practice of an electronic musical instrument. The apparatus includes a function select switching section for selecting a desired one of various functions according to a user's selection. The function select switching section is provided with a scale practice switch, a scale select switch, a minor switch, an increment switch, a decrement switch, a random switch and a note hearing test switch. If the scale practice switch and the scale select switch are selected, sequentially varied scales are displayed on a display unit and one thereof is then selected by the user. The selected scale is displayed on the display unit. A minor or major of the selected scale is set if the minor switch is selected. Tunes with sequentially incremented or decremented notes and randomly varied notes are selected if the increment or decrement switch and the random switch are selected. The selected tunes are displayed on the display unit according to the selected scale.

Abstract: The game includes a device for randomly selecting a sequence of musical notes for game playing purposes. Another device enables a player to preview a recognition sequence of a portion of the sequence of musical notes prior to game play. A switch device actuated by the player causes a signal to be generated indicative that the player identified the recognition sequence of notes embedded within sequence of musical notes during game play.

Abstract: A computerized musical keyboard and a method for using same to play or to learn to play a piano. The computerized musical keyboard includes a standard piano keyboard connected to a computer. The computer is programmed to select from a music module a piece of music to be played on the piano; and to generate a signal indicating the proper keys to be played, the correct sequence in which the keys are to be played, and the hand and finger to be used in striking each key, in order to play on the piano the piece of music selected.

Abstract: An information storage medium has a storage area for storing audio information, the storage area being divided into a plurality of sections. At least either one of the sections stores musical accompaniment information and lead voice information in which word-of-song information to be reproduced in relation to the musical accompaniment information is pronounced. The lead voice information is stored in a position which precedes, in time, a position where the word-of-song information is to be reproduced. An apparatus for reproducing information from the information storage medium includes an information reading unit, an information demodulating unit, and a control unit.

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 computer system connected through appropriate analog and digital circuitry controls or monitors a piano. Solenoids connected to each piano key and to each note-sounding hammer permit a computer program to control the keys and/or the sounding of a note, as well as transmitting to the computer for storage and analysis information concerning a student's performance.

Abstract: An electronic educational video system apparatus for connection to a standard television receiver for teaching basic skills to a child through the use of animated graphic displays which serve to motivate the child to utilize the apparatus and enhance the child's learning. A microprocessor cooperates with digital memory, a video generator, a sound generator, and a voice synthesizer to generate a display of a pictorial representation upon the television receiver combined with a request associated with the pictorial representation directing the child to provide a proposed correct response. The child's correct response is compared to the actual correct response stored in the digital memory so that the particular pictorial representation associated with a particular request may become animated to provide an indication to the child of the correctness of the child's response. The child may provide his or her response through a plurality of interchangeable input devices.

Abstract: An electronic metronome includes an adjustable oscillator driving a first frequency divider, a crystal time base driving a second frequency divider for generating a pair of audible frequencies, a standard pitch frequency and reference (time base) frequencies, a frequency counter coupled to the output of the adjustable oscillator for counting the output of the adjustable oscillator, a digital display and display stabilizer circuitry for displaying the count of the frequency counter, a gate driven by the first frequency divider for programmably serially selecting one of the pair of audible frequencies at a rate determined by the output of the frequency divider, a selector switch, three visual indicators, and a programmable counter coupled to the selector switch and visual indicators for providing various sequential time signature displays and an audio amplifier and speaker for providing an audible beat patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for instruction of a student which includes interactive guidance of the student through a series of lesson frames includes providing the student with a keyboard having a plurality of keys corresponding to the notes of a musical scale and generating a key relation signal in response to each depressed or released key. A video display has an audio tone generator associated therewith enabling the student to respond to the visually displayed images and audio tones by selecting one or more of the keys on the keyboard. The student is presented with a lesson frame representing an instructional activity requiring a response by the student on the keyboard. The student keyboard response is compared with a performance standard and an absolute performance evaluation result is generated. The absolute performance evaluation result is compared with an acceptable achievement level for the particular instructional activity and a next frame selection signal is generated.

Abstract: A method of adapting a keyboard musical instrument to produce sound in response to the activation of keys included in a typewriter keyboard is disclosed. A standard typewriter keyboard is coupled to a conventional electronic sound generation platform in lieu of or in addition to a standard piano keyboard. Musical chords are assigned to keys typically operated by a user's left hand. Forty-eight chords are producible by multiplexing each of 24 keys located on the left side of the keyboard to produce one of two possible chords. The selection of the one of two possible chords is performed in response to manipulation of the left shift key. Melody notes are assigned to keys typically operated by a user's right hand. Thirty-one melody notes are assigned to 26 keys located on the right side of the typewriter keyboard. Thus, five of the 26 keys are multiplexed to produce one of two possible melody notes, selectable through operation of the right shift key.

Abstract: A method to assist a musical performer to learn or to perform a multi-voice musical piece comprises: 1) the transmission of a solo performance of a single voice of the musical piece synchronized with the overall performance of that piece and 2) the reception of that transmission by some other performer who needs assistance with his performance of the piece and who uses that reception as a lead performance. The method utilizes two pieces of electronic hardware: 1) one or more radio frequency transmitters, each of which is transmitting a lead performance of a different voice of the musical piece within the confines of the performance area and 2) one or more radio frequency receivers and earphones worn by each using performer within this performance area, each of which is tuned in to one of these lead performance transmissions. Each of the transmitters would broadcast a lead performance of a different voice of the musical piece originating from a soloist performing that voice.

Abstract: An educational keyboard with removable keys, wherein musical tone generation for a given key is in response to correct placement of the key in its corresponding key slot, is disclosed. Incorrect placement results in a sour tone. Lights are also used to indicate correct and incorrect placement of keys. A computer interface for the keyboard allows a student to use pre-programmed interactive lessons tailored to the student's age and ability. Methods of teaching music theory and harmony with the keyboard utilize the student's left brain and right brain capabilities.

Abstract: An electronic educational video system apparatus for connection to a standard television receiver for teaching basic skills to a child through the use of animated graphic displays which serve to motivate the child to utilize the apparatus and enhance the child's learning. A microprocessor cooperates with digital memory, a video generator, a sound generator, and a voice synthesizer to generate a display of a pictorial representation upon the television receiver combined with a request associated with the pictorial representation directing the child to provide a proposed correct response. The child's correct response is compared to the actual correct response stored in the digital memory so that the particular pictorial representation associated with a particular request may become animated to provide an indication to the child of the correctness of the child's response. The child may provide his or her response through a plurality of interchangeable input devices.

Abstract: An instrument which automatically generates plucking sounds responsive a player's manual fingering operation performed on an electronic stringed instrument, and also to a memory instrument which stores plucking data for generating the plucking sounds. When fingering operation is performed on a fingerboard, an output section thereof outputs pitch data. Plucking data are sequentially read out from a memory section thereof. On the basis of the pitch data and the plucking data, a musical tone generating section automatically and sequentially generates plucking sounds each having a tone pitch corresponding to the pitch data, without a manual plucking operation of the player.

Abstract: An automatic composer comprises an input unit which inputs a melody forming part of a music piece and a chord progression of music, a melody analyzer which extracts parameters characterizing the input melody and a melody generator which develops a melody forming the remainder of the music piece. There is further provided a database of musical knowledge which is used by both of the melody analyzer and generator. Because the common musical knowledge is applied to both of melody analysis and synthesis, the synthesized melody will be well fit for the input melody. The knowledge in the database is managed by an editor through which a user may change the stored knowledge to what is desired. In order to take the full advantage of the chord progression for music composition, there is provided a musical structure extracting device which determines key and hierarchic structures in music from the chord progression.