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: The apparatus stores musical performance data of a polychord stringed musical instrument such as a guitar. A series of performance data on each of the plural strings are recorded on each of a plurality of recording tracks provided correspondingly to the plural strings, the recording data in combination constituting tablature data for exhibiting a tablature notation of the music on the stringed instrument in the display screen. The tablature notation includes a plurality of horizontal lines representing the plural strings and fret numbers at positions of the note generation on each string. Using a mouse or cursor keys, the user can select a desired fret number on a desired string, and alter the fret number to alter the note pitch to be generated on the same string or drag the selected fret number on the selected string to another string to alter the string of the tone generation.

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: An arrangement method is designed for arranging a target segment of music performance data by means of a template corresponding to an item of music notation to be applied to the target segment. The method is carried out by the steps of displaying music performance data on a monitor for designation of a target segment contained in the displayed music performance data and for selection of a specific item of the music notation to be applied to the target segment among various items of the music notation, retrieving a template corresponding to the specific item of the music notation among a group of various templates provisionally prepared in correspondence to the various items of the music notation, customizing the retrieved template to a pitch and a length of the target segment, and rewriting the target segment of the music performance data based on the customized template to thereby arrange the target segment according to the specific item of the music notation.

Abstract: On an initial screen, a conversion ratio indicated by a style conversion ratio data is displayed in a display area 32. Various kinds of styles are displayed in display areas 33 to 38. In this case, a style which is currently selected is "Samba" which blinks, and the conversion ratio is 50%. When a style number corresponding to samba is "2," a style change is conducted for the original performance data based on a style conversion data corresponding to the style number 2. At this time, the conversion ratio of 50% is referred, and changes of a sound-producing timing, a tone color, an additional instrument, and the like are conducted. An image displayed on a monitor is changed based on an image conversion data.

Abstract: A method is designed for displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and that is applied with an acoustic effect, an accompaniment style and the like.

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 visual display is provide for music associated with a theremin or, in general, any space-controlled electric instrument. The theremin is a space-controlled electric instrument that produces an output of sound corresponding to the motion of the user, without being touched by the user. The device establishes a correspondence between motion and electric signals, then between such signals and either light and sound, or just light.

Abstract: A keyboard, having a plurality of keys arranged so as to be pivotable upward and downward and a plurality of light emitters arranged under the keys in one-to-one correspondence therewith, selectively causes the light emitters to emit light, thereby teaching keys to be depressed. A base resin, which forms each of the plurality of keys, has transparency and contains a pigment which colors the base resin and a light scattering agent having a light diffusion property. By virtue of the use of the pigment and the light scattering agent, a surface color which confers a refined feature on the keys can be realized, and accordingly a product with an excellent appearance can be attained. Moreover, by virtue of the blending of the pigment and the light scattering agent, the keys can shine uniformly without a difference in brightness when their corresponding light emitters are lighted, and a keyboard instrument player can fully recognize by his/her eyes that the keys shine.

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: A karaoke system acoustically outputting karaoke musical accompaniment together with a singing voice input from a microphone, and in the conjunction therewith, performing video output for image of lyric in synchronism with progress of karaoke musical accompaniment, is capable of announcing calorie consumption achieved by singing a song. The karaoke system includes sound volume integrating part for sampling singing voice input volume from the microphone at a given interval and sequentially integrating respective sampled values, converting part for converting an integrated value derived by the sound volume integrating means into a calorie consuming amount of a physical exercise by singing a song according to a predetermined algorithm, and announcing part for announcing the calorie consuming amount derived by the converting means to a user.

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 musical workstation system produces a display presentation in one of a musical composition responsive to musical composition data and responsive to one or both of input variables and a selected operating mode. The system is comprised of (1) means to provide the musical composition data (such as local storage (ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, hard disk etc.), or via a communications interface to an external device (such as another music workstation, a master controller, a computer), a memory, a selection subsystem, a controller, and a display subsystem. The memory selectively stores the received original musical compositions. The selection subsystem determines a selected operating mode and display format. The controller, responsive to the selection subsystem, provides means for selectively controlling the storing of the musical composition data in memory and selectively processing (e.g.

Abstract: An automatic music composing method automatically composes background music matching an atmosphere and a reproduction time of an input moving or changing image. A moving or changing image is inputted and divided into scenes, a feature of each scene is extracted, an automatic music composing parameter is obtained from the feature, background music is automatically composed using the parameter and scene reproduction time, and the composed background music is output along with the moving or changing image.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument is configured such that a flat panel-like display unit such as a liquid crystal display for displaying character information and/or images is provided on an instrument main body and that speakers, a recording/reproducing unit for multi media such as sound and/or image recording media, a microphone and a "karaoke" reproduction unit are connected to the display unit so as to improve the function of displaying a notation and/or lyric at the time of a performance, a performance function such as an ensemble performance or "karaoke" performance, and a tuning function.

Abstract: A music apparatus is constructed for reproducing multimedia events including musical events and visual events arranged in synchronization to the musical events. In the music apparatus, a storage device provides a data structure composed of music information which determines a sequence of the musical events, image progression information which determines a sequence of the visual events in synchronization to the sequence of the musical events, and event information which represents the visual events involved in the image progression information. A tone generator processes the music information to generate musical tones in correspondence to the sequence of the musical events. An image synthesizer operates in synchronization to the tone generator for sequentially processing the event information according to the image progression information to synthesize images in correspondence to the sequence of the visual events.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument, a controllable auto-player function controls to read out note data for an auto-play at the timings responsive to external instructions by an operation means, producing tones based on the readout note data. A display means displays in advance the tone generation timings of the respective tones to be generated on the basis of the note data with notation using a row of graphic patterns and their spacings. The graphic pattern changes to another pattern to indicate the note that has been instructed for tone generation.

Abstract: A karaoke online system distributes karaoke data blocks having identification codes from a center station to a plurality of karaoke terminals through a broadcast network. In the center station, a transmitter broadcasts the karaoke data blocks with the identification codes to the broadcast network. In the karaoke terminal, a receiver receives the karaoke data blocks with the identification codes from the center station through the broadcast network. A buffer memory temporarily memorizes each of the karaoke data blocks received by the receiver. A storage device stores the karaoke data blocks after each of the karaoke data blocks is temporarily memorized in the buffer memory. A controller discriminates the karaoke data blocks while each of the karaoke data blocks stays in the buffer memory according to the identification codes attached to the karaoke data blocks for judging as to whether each of the karaoke data blocks should be transferred from the buffer memory to the storage device.

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: A score display apparatus is provided, which permits a wider range of applications without degrading handling ease. An input device inputs score display data, an adding device adds additional data to the score display data input by the input device, and a storage device stores the score display data and the additional data. A display device displays a score based on the score display data input by the input device, and also displays the additional data such that the additional data is associated with the score based on the score display data. A storing device stores the score display data and the additional data in the storage device while associating the score display data and the additional data with each other.

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: This invention is a display system for measuring and displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequencies contained in a musical sound. A transducer coupled to the sound source produces an electrical signal representing the musical sound. The system receives the signal and separates and measures the frequencies of the individual tones comprising the sound. The measured frequency values are displayed as the frequencies themselves or as deviations from target frequencies. The system can utilize a local transducer with the display system or a remote transducer coupled to the sound source.

Abstract: A lyrics display apparatus wherein a display condition of the words of a song on a display device is gradually changed in accordance with a progression of a piece of music, the display condition of the song words is started to change on a basis of a memorized production timing data of each of the song words and changed in a predetermined amount at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A sing-along data transmitting method includes the steps of providing a sing-along data center for supplying background video data and music data, and providing a plurality of sing-along data receiving terminals for receiving the background video data and music data fed from the sing-along data center. The next step is transmitting a plurality of background video data by way of a plurality of different channels, and transmitting music data of a plurality of melodies by way of at least one channel. The method further includes the step of transmitting a channel data indicating a channel through which said background video data corresponding to a selected music is being transmitted, with the channel data being transmitted together with music data. There is also provided a sing-along data transmitting/receiving system for carrying out the above sing-along data transmitting method.

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: Projections onto the transverse axis are derived from a staff start position xs to a staff end position xe with respect to four staff sections surrounded by staff positions L(5) of L0 to L4 set per sign. If a width of a section x1-x2 where a value of the projection exceeds a given threshold value thr1 exceeds another given threshold value thr2, a rectangle surrounded by x1, x2, L0 and L4 is set to be a label for extracting a feature of the corresponding sign. The foregoing four staff sections which do not overlap with a staff image are set to be extracting sections in the label for obtaining peripheral features in the transverse direction. The peripheral features are derived up to the third order from the left and right ends in each extracting section. Further, each extracting section is divided into a plurality of mesh sections which are set so as to partly overlap with each other in the height direction.

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: In a fingering information analyzer, tone pitch information indicative of each tone pitch of a series of musical notes supplied from a flexible disc or a performance information memory is analyzed to produce fingering information indicative of a performance finger for each of the musical notes. The fingering information is mixed with the tone pitch information and memorized in a fingering memory. When the fingering information is reproduced, a performance finger for each of the musical notes is determined in accordance with a changing direction or variation width of the tone pitch information continual in time series and a changing condition of white and black keys based on the tone pitch information. The tone pitch information and fingering information memorized in the fingering memory is read out in accordance with progression of a musical tune and adapted for performance of the keys on a keyboard and for indication of the performance finger.

Abstract: An interactive electronic drum system and training techniques suitable for use in a coin-operated environment such as an arcade are described. Electronic drum pads, audio speakers, a visual display, training lights and an overall control system are combined to simulate the excitement of a live drum or inactive musical jam session for a user. Positive feedback and, as necessary, instructive aid are provided to make the experience a positive one for both the novice and the expert player. Learning and playing a musical instrument becomes an intuitive, exciting experience and not a boring chore to be endured. Players can simulate the experience of playing in a rock band before a live and appreciative audience. In short, this interactive electronic drum system makes drums and the jamming experience widely accessible to the public.

Abstract: Indicators for a stringed musical instrument having a fingerboard and strings stretched over the fingerboard. The indicators indicate the pitch produced when the string is pressed down against the fingerboard and plucked or bowed. There may be indicators for some or all of the twelve half steps of a chromatic scale (A; A.music-sharp., which is equivalent to B.music-flat.; B; C; C.music-sharp., which is equivalent to D.music-flat.; D; D.music-sharp., which is equivalent to E.music-flat.; E; F; F.music-sharp., which is equivalent to G.music-flat.; G; and G.music-sharp., which is equivalent to A.music-flat.). The indicators may be colored black and white like a piano keyboard. The invention includes a method for making portions of musical instruments having such indicators.

Abstract: This invention is a display system for an automatically tuned stringed instrument displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequency of each string of the instrument. The system provides for using the display to manually tune the instrument or to initially tune the instrument to within the operating range of the automatic tuning system.

Abstract: A tuning device for a stringed musical instrument consisting of stroboscopic light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), positioned to be seen by a musician in or near normal playing position as partially eclipsed by the strings. The LEDs are driven at standard musical frequencies by a microprocessor. To use the device, a musician observes the illusion of a moving shadow around an untuned vibrating string, and adjusts the instrument until the shadow appears to slow down and stop. The LEDs are sufficiently powerful, and their duty cycles are sufficiently large, that no special shielding or means of observation are required by the musician in normal ambient lighting conditions. A plurality of LEDs is grouped behind each string, with each LED in the group having the same frequency but different phase, which creates an illusion of movement along the string in one direction or the other indicating whether the string is sharp or flat.

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: An improved music generation system that facilitates artistic expression by non-musician and musician performers in both individual and group performance contexts. Mappings are provided between 1) gestures of a performer as indicated by manipulation of a user input device, 2) displayed motion of a graphic object, and 3) global features of a musical segment. The displayed motions and global features are selected so as to reinforce the appearance of causation between the performer's gestures and the produced musical effects and thereby assist the performer in refining his or her musical expression. The displayed motion is isomorphically coherent with the musical segment in order to achieve the appearance of causation. The global features are segment characteristics perceivable to human listeners. Control at the global feature level in combination with isomorphic visual feedback provides advantages to both non-musicians and musicians in producing artistic effect.

Abstract: According to the present invention comprises a plurality of diatonic note playing fret or key, each said diatonic note playing fret or key having a diatonic note playing surface and playing a corresponding diatonic note. Also included is a plurality of diatonic sheets, each said sheet comprising a note color associated with a particular diatonic note, wherein each said diatonic note playing surface has at least one diatonic sheet secured to it such that the note color comprising the sheet corresponds to the diatonic note played by the diatonic note playing fret or key.

Abstract: Apparatus for tuning a stringed musical instrument includes an electronic tuner circuit and a visual display located in either the pickguard or the pickup mounting ring of the instrument.

Abstract: A score display apparatus shows beat marks in a number corresponding to the number of beats per measure during a performance by a musical instrument karaoke apparatus. Further, the score display apparatus changes the color of each of beat marks as though the beat mark is wiped with a different color in a predetermined direction in synchronism with the tempo of a performance of the musical instrument karaoke apparatus, and changes the color of the displayed beat marks in synchronism with the timing of the beats.

Abstract: In a karaoke apparatus, an audio device is responsive to a request of a music piece for starting karaoke performance of the music piece to accompany a live singing voice of the music piece. A monitor device displays a background image selected from a temporary picture having a short term and a permanent picture having a long term in matching with the music piece to support the karaoke performance. A first video device is enabled initially without a substantial delay time when the audio device starts the karaoke performance for providing the temporary picture corresponding to the requested music piece. A second video device is enabled subsequently to the first video device with a substantial delay time after the audio device starts the karaoke performance for providing the permanent picture corresponding to the requested music piece.

Abstract: A computer program for an interactive computer music game is stored on a medium that can be read by a general purpose computer. When read and executed, the program causes the computer to perform functions, including associating a music track on a user compact disc (CD) inserted in the computer's CD-ROM drive with a selected song associated with a music track on a reference CD, and synchronizing music data stored by the computer to the music track on the user CD, where the music data has been derived from the music track on the reference CD associated with the selected song. The program generates user-CD data characteristic of the digital data on the user-CD track, and compares the user-CD data with reference-CD data characteristic of the digital data on the reference-CD track.

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: In a karaoke apparatus, a music selector device selects a plurality of desired music pieces so as to compose a medley. A designator device designates a desired section of each music piece selected by the music selector device. A sequencer device sequentially plays back the designated sections of the selected music pieces to perform the medley. A connecting device operates when the performed medley switches from a preceding section of one music piece to a succeeding section of another music piece to musically connect the preceding section to the succeeding section by different transition modes. A mode selector device selects an optimal one of the different transition modes according to musical properties of the one music piece and the other music piece so as to musically ensure smooth connection between the preceding section and the succeeding section.

Abstract: In a karaoke display apparatus having a monitor 19 which displays words in time to a progress of a performance, a CPU 10 supplies in time sequence polygon fundamental data for determining shapes of polygons and the like and a motion data for determining motions of the polygons in time to the progress of the performance by producing musical tones. A DSP in a video circuit 18 renders an image configured by a plurality of polygons in accordance with the supplied polygon fundamental data and motion data, and synthesizes the rendered image with words. The synthesized image and words are output to the monitor 19.

Abstract: A performance setting data selecting apparatus including: a data storing unit for storing a plurality set of performance setting data; a table for storing a correspondence between each tune name of the plurality of tunes and each set of the performance setting data stored in the data storing unit suitable for playing a tune having the associated tune name; a designating unit for designating a tune name; and a unit for reading the performance setting data corresponding to the tune name designated by the designating unit from the data storing unit by referring to the table and setting the read performance setting data.

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 vocal training apparatus accomplishes reproduction of a music signal recorded on an information medium, where the music signal includes a model vocal signal and an accompaniment signal. A model vocal signal is extracted from the music signal and a singer's vocal signal is received. The model vocal characteristics are measured from the model vocal signal and the singer's vocal characteristics are measured from the singer's vocal signal. The singer's vocal characteristics and the model vocal characteristics can then be compared to evaluate the singer's vocal characteristics relative to the model vocal characteristics.

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 music processing system that processes music events includes a performance supervisor and a graph object. The graph object defines an ordered graph of music event processors, through which music events are routed. The graph object has a graph interface with methods allowing an application to insert and remove event processors in the graph. In addition, the graph interface has a method that can be called to update a music event data structure that represents the music event. This updating consists up supplying an identification of a music event processor that is next to receive the music event. Each event processor has a processor interface, which includes an initialization method and a process event method for performing the actual processing of a music event. Each processor supports one of a plurality of delivery timing modes, and also supports a subset of available event types.

Abstract: A performance instructing apparatus is provided wherein data that meet a predetermined condition or conditions are extracted from each predetermined range of automatic performance data, and the predetermined range and the predetermined condition used when the data are extracted are changed depending upon a performance level entered through a performance level input device. The data extracted from the automatic performance data may be used for guiding a player through the performance.

Abstract: An auto-play apparatus has an edit function for thinning out various kinds of music tone control information indicating analog control amounts contained in auto-play data pre-stored in units of parts. A data sequence of music tone control information to be edited is received to detect if the target data and its preceding and succeeding data indicate one of an increment data sequence and decrement data sequence, and thins out the target data to reduce the data volume.