Abstract: A music recommendation method and a music recommendation system are provided. The music recommendation method includes: selecting music files according to a theme of the message service and music, a mood of the music, a similarity between content of the message service and content of the music; and recommending selected music files to a user.

Abstract: In providing a music program, a personal music player displays personal activity choices. A user selects a personal activity and provides a time duration for the activity. The player sends a request to a music program server for a music program. The request includes the personal activity and the time duration. The music program server selects a music program record from a plurality of music program records that has an activity attribute which matches the personal activity and a program duration which matches or is less than the time duration. The server extracts location information for the music program from the program entry in the music program record, and sends this to the player. The player uses the location information to obtain the music program. In this manner, a music program is provided to a user based on the personal activity of the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for relative pitch tracking of multiple arbitrary sounds. A probabilistic method for pitch tracking may be implemented as or in a pitch tracking module. A constant-Q transform of an input signal may be decomposed to estimate one or more kernel distributions and one or more impulse distributions. Each kernel distribution represents a spectrum of a particular source, and each impulse distribution represents a relative pitch track for a particular source. The decomposition of the constant-Q transform may be performed according to shift-invariant probabilistic latent component analysis, and may include applying an expectation maximization algorithm to estimate the kernel distributions and the impulse distributions. When decomposing, a prior, e.g. a sliding-Gaussian Dirichlet prior or an entropic prior, and/or a temporal continuity constraint may be imposed on each impulse distribution.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for detecting a pitch period of an input signal, the method including: generating division frames by dividing the input signal by a unit of a first predetermined number of samples at a time domain; detecting a reference sample which has a peak value in each division frame; generating extraction frames by extracting a second predetermined number of samples on the basis of the reference sample of each division frame; and detecting the pitch period of the input signal based on a similarity among the extraction frames.

Abstract: When musical performance data is input to the electronic musical instrument in accordance with user's operation for musical performance, the electronic musical instrument detects a chord in accordance with the input musical performance data at the defined timing T3 at which the chord detection timing ends. On the electronic musical instrument, furthermore, the application of the detected chord to the musical performance is instructed by user's pedal (foot switch) operation of turning off the pedal. In a case where the instruction to apply the chord has been already accepted at the chord detection timing T3 or in a case where the instruction to apply the chord has been accepted by user's pedal-off operation at a point in time (Tpf) situated between the chord detection timing T3 and the time limit T4, the detected chord is to be applied to the musical performance.

Abstract: Tone pitch information is extracted from the received input note information. A scale is determined on the basis of retrieved tonality information. A reference scale note is determined on the basis of the extracted tone pitch information and the determined scale. A tone pitch of a harmony note is determined by counting scale notes which form the determined scale from the determined reference scale note until reaching a scale note designated by the retrieved degree information.

Abstract: A music linked photocasting service system and method are provided. The music linked photocasting service method includes reproducing music at the request of a user, analyzing a mood of the reproduced music at prescribed times, until music reproduction is completed, searching photographs suitable for a analyzed mood of the music, and displaying the searched photographs.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument provides plural keys of a keyboard to be driven by an automatic playing system; although the automatic playing system selectively drives the keys in accordance with a performance rule expressing a music tune, a motion controller of the automatic playing system changes the performance rule if the human player drives the keys different from those defined in the performance rule so that the automatic playing system changes a part of the music tune in real time fashion during the automatic performance.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is equipped with an electronic supporting system, which makes a player learn an optimum pedal stroke to a half pedal region; while the player is practicing a music tune on the piano, the electronic supporting system monitors the damper pedal; when the player starts to depress the damper pedal, the electronic supporting system exerts an assisting force on the damper pedal so as to make the player feel the damper pedal light; when the damper pedal reaches an entrance of the half pedal region, the electronic supporting system removes the assisting force from the damper pedal so that the player feels the damper pedal heavy, whereby the player learns the pedal stroke to the half pedal region through the change of load borne by the player.

Abstract: An electronic high-hat circuitry system allows the drummer to manually choose the sounds that an electronic high-hat makes when the drummer's foot is off of the pedal and the high-hat instrument is struck. When the pedal is at or near the top of its travel, a primary circuitry switch disables normal foot-controlled positioning circuitry and enables a secondary circuit that sends a selected positioning signal to a drum module. When the pedal is again pressed down, the primary circuitry switch returns control to the primary, pedal controlled circuit. An optional tertiary circuit allows for the choosing of a different sound when the secondary circuit is activated and the high-hat cymbal is tilted. A control panel is used by the drummer to select the desired high-hat sounds of the secondary and tertiary circuits. Also, high-hat instruments are introduced that have removable foot pedals, or no foot pedal.

Abstract: An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a system of musically interacting devices. A first device has a first identification code, a first wireless communication interface and a first audio player, and a second device has a second identification code, a second wireless communication interface and a second audio player. The first device and the second device are configured to participate in an interaction sequence in which: the first device wirelessly communicates using the first wireless communication interface, the second device wirelessly communicates using the second wireless communication interface, a musical composition is selected based on both the first identification code and the second identification code, and the first device and the second device cooperatively play the musical composition, with each of the first device and the second device playing a different part of the musical composition.

Abstract: In response to depressing operation of a key in a melody key range 102 of a keyboard, CPU 21 decides a pitch of musical-tone data to be produced. Concerning the depressing operation on the melody key range 102, CPU 21 specifies a jins or a predetermined temperament from maqam data or temperament-type data based on depressed keys in an accompaniment key range 101 of the keyboard. Further, CPU 21 specifies a composing tone corresponding to the depressed key in the melody range, and gives a sound source 26 an instruction of generating musical-tone data having a pitch of the composing tone.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for learning music through an educational audio track embodied on a computer readable medium are presented. The system can comprise have components including a processor, an input device, a database, a transformation module, an emulation recording module, an integration engine, an output module, and an output device, wherein each component is operable in itself to perform it's function in the system and operable with other system components to provide a system to a user for learning music.

Abstract: Specially designed for relating musical sounds to the conventional way of writing on a staff and vice versa, the controller is formed by a casing which is flat, cylindrical or some other shape, on which a staff is depicted, with, in the areas of the staff corresponding to each of the musical notes, sensors/push-buttons corresponding to natural, flat and sharp notes (or double sharp or double flat or natural sign, if present on the frame), as well as light indicators. The notes can thus be identified aurally when working on the device as if the music was written on a staff, while if a MIDI signal is connected to the control circuit it is possible to display, in real time, on said staff and via the light indicators, each of the notes of said melody, enabling quick and easy identification of said notes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating and extracting main sound sources from a mixed musical sound signal are provided. A musical sound source separation apparatus may include an prior information signal compressor to compress an prior information signal including a characteristic of a predetermined sound source, a mixed signal divider to divide a mixed signal including a plurality of sound sources into a plurality of segments, a Nonnegative Matrix Partial Co-Factorization (NMPCF) analyzer to acquire common information shared by the plurality of segments, by applying an NMPCF algorithm to the prior information signal, and a target musical instrument signal separator to separate a target musical instrument signal corresponding to the predetermined sound source from the mixed signal, based on the common information.

Abstract: An apparatus for transforming an input sound signal includes a synthesiser which manipulates, in accordance with a manipulation parameter, a pitch deviation envelope to derive a manipulated pitch deviation envelope. A filter transforms the input sound signal from a resampling of the input sound signal with respect to the manipulated pitch deviation envelope. The manipulation parameter may be a user-defined peak pitch deviation of an output sound signal. Another apparatus for transforming an input sound signal includes a synthesiser which manipulates, in accordance with a manipulation parameter, a pitch deviation envelope selected with reference to the manipulation parameter to derive a manipulated pitch deviation envelope.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch surface that can be physically engaged by a user. The touch surface is operably connected to an actuator arm which, in turn, is connected to an actuator array. Drive electronics sense a user's movement relative to the touch surface and, responsively, drive the actuator array effective to move the actuator arm and, in turn, provide haptic feedback to the user through the touch surface.

Abstract: A signal distribution system for a customizable aggregated musical instrument is described. The signal distribution system interfaces with a plurality of individual musical modules secured in a mounting frame having a plurality of mounting locations, each mounting location adapted to receive an individual musical module, and includes at least one instrument interface adapted to transmit interface signals to an external system and a signal routing infrastructure. Outgoing instrument interface signals include at least one of an outgoing audio signal, MIDI control signal, computer data signal, and video signal. Incoming instrument interface signals include at least one of an audio signal, MIDI control signal, computer data signal, and video signal. The musical instrument also includes at least one of an audio signal processing element, audio signal mixing element, audio sound production element, control signal processing element, control signal merging element, and controllable audio signal synthesizer element.

Abstract: A method for creating a personalized musical file is presented, the method comprising receiving a birth date, determining angular distribution of planets on a birth sky based, at least in part, on the birth date, selecting a plurality of Names from Shem ha-Meforash based, at least in part, on the angular distribution of planets, associating vowels with at least some of the Names, generating a recorded musical portion for at least some of the Names, assembling at least some of the recorded musical portions in a musical file and recording the musical file. A method for creating a personalized mandala and a personalized mantra is also presented herein.

Abstract: A playback apparatus is provided that includes an operation plane, a detection unit to detect which of contact relationship including first contact relationship, second contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the first contact relationship and third contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the second contact relationship the operation plane and an operation object have, a creation unit to create a list screen of content data for selecting content data based on movement of the operation object with respect to the operation plane in the first contact relationship, a playback unit to play back content data, and a playback control unit to cause the playback unit to play back content data selected on the list screen when becoming the second contact relationship from the first contact relationship if contact relationship becomes the third contact relationship from the second contact relationship.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a keyboard that adaptively provides haptic feedback to a user. In at least some embodiments, an actuation of a key or keyboard element of the keyboard is detected. This can be accomplished by detecting the closure of an associated switch caused by a user depressing the key or keyboard element. In response to detecting the actuation, an electrically-deformable material is utilized as an actuating mechanism to impart single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element according to drive parameters. This movement produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element, thus providing haptic feedback which simulates a “snapover” effect.

Abstract: The teachings described herein are generally directed to a system, method, and apparatus for learning music through an educational audio track embodied on a computer readable medium. The system can comprise components including a processor, an input device, a database, a transformation module, an emulation recording module, an integration engine, an output module, and an output device, wherein each component is operable in itself to perform it's function in the system and operable with other system components to provide a system to a user for learning music.

Abstract: A method for use with a musical instrument includes receiving a signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, receiving a selection of an audio effect from a wireless controller, applying the audio effect to the signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, and providing an output signal representative of the audio effect applied to the sound produced by the musical instrument. Other methods include causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of motions of the musical instrument, and causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of sound produced by the musical instrument. A computer readable storage medium may store a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute the steps of any one or more of these methods.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing terminal that specifies emotions from a voice and audio outputs music suitable for the specified emotions to enable the emotions of a loudspeaker who uttered the voice to be recognized readily. In an information processing terminal according to the present invention, an emotion inferring unit 23 detects, from sound information, at least two emotions of an utterer who uttered a voice included in the sound information, and a music data generating unit 24 synthesizes music data, stored in a music parts database 242 and corresponding to the emotions detected by the emotion inferring unit 23, and a controller 22 reproduces the music data generated by the music data generating unit 24.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for learning music through an educational audio track embodied on a computer readable medium are presented. The system can have components including a processor, an input device, a database, a transformation module, an emulation recording module, an integration engine, an output module, and an output device, wherein each component is operable in itself to perform it's function in the system and operable with other system components to provide a system to a user for learning music.

Abstract: A synchronized performance process includes performing a first portion of a musical work using musicians and performing a second portion of the musical work using a computer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is capable of easily reconstructing (arranging) a piece of music depending on, for example, a feeling of a user listening to the piece of music. First acquisition means acquires data of a specific music content to be played back, from a music content data storage unit in which data of a plurality of music contents are stored. Second acquisition means acquires attribute information associated with the music content in units of music constituent elements from an attribute information storage unit. Third acquisition means acquires arrangement information associated with the music content and associated with the music construction information. In accordance with an arrangement request command issued by the user, the data of the music content being output as audio playback output data is reconstructed on the basis of the music construction information acquired by the second acquisition means and the arrangement information acquired by the third acquisition means.

Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.

Abstract: A music information memory unit stores music information including identification information on each piece of music and pace information thereof. A process control unit selects out a predetermined number of pieces of music information each of whose identification information is to be presented from the music information memory unit. A notification image generating unit generates a notification image in which an object is moved in a scrolling manner based on the pace information of each piece of the selected music information. An image display control unit synthesizes the identification information of each piece of the selected music information with each of the generated notification images, and displays the synthesized image.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element thus providing a user with haptic feedback which simulates a snapover movement. In at least some embodiments, a key or keyboard element can be associated with comparatively little or no actuation force and/or travel distance. As a result, the amount of work necessary to actuate the key or keyboard element can be significantly decreased or eliminated.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element thus providing a user with haptic feedback which simulates a snapover movement.

Abstract: Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.

Abstract: A tool is provided for assisting in teaching music to a player of a steel pan/drum. The tool comprises a substantially circular base divided into twelve radial sectors, a central sector, and three concentric, radially spaced rings, thereby having 37 elements. Each element bears an indicium representative of a unitary, distinct note name in a range of three consecutive octaves plus a first note in a fourth consecutive octave. Each ring is arranged in so that a counter-clockwise-adjacent note name is separated by an interval of a fifth and a clockwise-adjacent note name is separated by an interval of a fourth.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element thus providing a user with haptic feedback which simulates a snapover movement. In at least some embodiments, a light source can be mounted or otherwise positioned relatively close to and beneath the top surface of one or more keys or keyboard elements to backlight a portion or portions of a keyboard.

Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface is provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device for generating a note signal upon a manual input includes an operator to enable a user of the same as an input to define one or several points as an input signal, and a controller which is implemented to receive the input signal and to generate a note signal based on the input signal and an allocation function. The allocation function allocates one single or no tone to each point of a two-dimensional definition amount with a tone quality axis and a frequency axis. The definition amount has a plurality of base points. Here, exactly one tone is allocated to each of the base points.

Abstract: A device for digitizing a series of notes to be played on a pan instrument includes a processor and software installed on the processor that has a code segment adapted to display a virtual keyboard on a display device. The keyboard has a plurality of pianistically arranged keys, each key having a note name corresponding to a pitch represented by the key imposed thereon. A code segment can receive a user selection of a pan instrument for which music is desired to be entered, retrieve a note range for the selected pan instrument, and electronically mask the virtual keyboard to exclude keys outside the retrieved note range. User input can be received for a series of notes to be encoded for playing on the selected pan instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the appropriate tempo for early music, which may have originally lacked metronome-based time values, and for playing musical instruments according to the same. One example of such early music is the various piano works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The appropriate tempo is determined according to a number of indicators or parameters within the music score including the common time mode, the time signature, the fastest note type, and the absence or presence of any tempo words. Tempos are based around a common time beat value of 71 beats per minute and a cut-time beat value of 80. Other beats are derived using the parameters based on either of these two base values. An electronic device and/or software application may be provided for determining the appropriate tempo according to the illustrative system and displaying it according to an audio and/or visual queue.

Abstract: A disc jockey music-based video game with a controller for the same. The disc jockey music-based video game presents instructive cues for manipulation of the controller and evaluates game player's performance based on the player's compliance with the instructive cues. A display with visual indicators of instructive cues and visual indicators representing player performance may be provided. Additionally, other forms of game player feedback may be provided, for example music, simulated crowd response other forms of generally auditory cues.

Abstract: A control unit for a musical instrument having a keypad and/or touch pad areas for controlling a signal processing unit. The control unit is preferably formed in a thin and elastic layered structure whereby touching electrode surfaces of the structure generates a charge, voltage or capacitance that is subsequently processed. The control unit includes a surface element, whereby settings and values of the signal processing unit can be changed and controlled by a user applying physical contact to the surface element. A user control device is further coupled to the control unit, and is operable under at least two forms of operation, and wherein the user control device is configured to (1) select an acoustic parameters and (2) adjust the selected acoustic parameter.

Abstract: Management or coordination of playback of digital media assets by an electronic device (e.g., a computing device), that supports media playback is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the electronic device can be controlled such that a user is able to schedule playback of distinct digital media assets.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for avatars to musically interact with each other. In one representative embodiment, a server is configured to host a virtual environment and various client devices communicate with the server over an electronic network, with each such client device configured to interact within the virtual environment through a corresponding avatar. A first client device accepts commands from a first user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a first set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a first avatar that represents the first user. Similarly, a second client device accepts commands from a second user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a second set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a second avatar that represents the second user.

Abstract: A music reproduction apparatus selects some music pieces from a number of music pieces stored in, for example, a storage medium and reproduces them. First, a plurality of music piece selection periods (episode) are set on the basis of user specific information inputted by the user. The music piece selection periods are a time unit which is a unit in reproducing a music piece. Next, a music piece reproduction list (playlist) is generated for each music piece selection period and a music piece is reproduced according to the music piece reproduction list. The user can input evaluation information for the reproduction of the music piece. As a result, the music piece selection periods or the music piece reproduction list is changed and reproduced by using the user evaluation information, thus enabling the user who has listened to the music to have an effect such as energy, relaxation, or briskness, which is the biggest goal.

Abstract: A method of instructing an audience to spontaneously create music at an entertainment event is disclosed. The method comprises providing noisemakers to groups of participants, the noisemakers being distinguishable between the plurality of types and each noisemaker sounding a single note. A dynamic display comprising a screen and a notice period shows instructions to the participants. The instructions direct the participants to sound their respective noisemakers at different times. The combined sound from the various noisemakers thereby produces a musical score.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an apparatus and process of forming species-specific music. The means and method for carrying out the process include: (1) recording sounds created by a specific species in emotional states; (2) identifying elemental sounds of the specific species; (3) associating specific elemental sounds with presupposed emotional states of the specific species; (4) identifying sounds of at least one musical instrument that has a characteristic approximating at least one aspect of at least one elemental sound associated with the specific species; and (5) selectively generating at least one sound identified among sounds of musical instruments that mimic at least one aspect of at least one elemental sound associated with said specific species, but the generated sound is not a recording or recreation of the detected sounds of the specific species.

Abstract: Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a display for a device for manipulating audio in a disc jockey or similar application. A touch sensitive user rotatable member detects the position where the DJ touches the surface. Effects like needle dropping are possible for the first time without the use of a phonographic table or without a computer device which uses a phonographic turntable as a control input device. The display can show music as color coded concentric circles which represent tracks and/or record grooves. Color coded markers show current position of the music on the control surface and allows the user to set and use visual cue points. Functionality of the rotatable member can be dynamically mapped for unprecedented control. For example, the inner portion of the rotatable member can be used for needle dropping while the outer portion can be used for scratch effects. The device is capable of manipulating audio and video streams or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A playback apparatus is able to present song categories to the user that are suited to the current environmental noise. An audio pickup picks up noise data of the surrounding environment. A noise analyzer analyzes the noise data, and then extracts characteristic quantities expressing the characteristics of the noise data. A noise categorizer categorizes the noise data on the basis of the extracted noise data characteristic quantities. A content category database stores content data recorded onto a recording medium in association with categories based on characteristic quantities of the content data. A content category selector cross-references the noise data categorization result with the content category database, and on the basis thereof, selects a plurality of content data categories from among the categorized content data recorded onto the recording medium. A display unit then displays the selected plurality of content data categories.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a refrain in an audio file having vocal components. The method and system includes generating a phonetic transcription of a portion of the audio file, analyzing the phonetic transcription and identifying a vocal segment in the generated phonetic transcription that is repeated frequently. The method and system further relate to the speech-driven selection based on similarity of detected refrain and user input.