Abstract: In an embodiment, multiple computers cooperate to retrieve content from tables in a relational database. Each table contains respective rows. Each row contains a vertex of a graph. Many high-degree vertices are identified. Each high-degree vertex is connected to respective edges in the graph. A count of the edges of each high-degree vertex exceeds a degree threshold. A central computer detects that all vertices in a high-degree subset of tables are high-degree vertices. Based on detecting the high-degree subset of tables, multiple vertices of the graph that are not in the high-degree subset of tables are replicated. Within local storage capacity limits of the computers, this degree-based replication may be supplemented with other vertex replication strategies that are schema based, content based, or workload based. This intelligent selective replication maximizes system throughput by minimizing graph data access latency based on data locality.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a rank vector comprising an array of values for each term position of a document and setting a value at a position of each term identifier in the document to a distance score for each term identifier, calculating snippet frame quality scores for each frame of a plurality of frames in the rank vector, determining whether a length of the character string associated with the frame with the highest frame quality score is similar to a requested length for a snippet, if necessary, adjusting the size of the character string to be similar to the requested length for the snippet and, once the length of a character string for one or more frames is similar to the requested length for the snippet, generating the character string to be provided as a snippet.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an operating event of a combustion engine includes receiving a noise signal sensed by a knock sensor disposed in or proximate to the combustion engine, correlating the noise signal with a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) fingerprint having at least an ADSR envelope indicative of the operating event, and detecting if the operating event has occurred based on the correlating of the noise signal with the fingerprint.

Abstract: A chord information extraction device includes an acquirer, a score type determiner, an extraction region determiner and a chord information extractor. The acquirer acquires score image data representing a reference score. The score type determiner determines a score type of the reference score from among a plurality of predetermined score types based on the acquired score image data. The extraction region determiner determines a chord extraction region in the reference score based on extraction region information that defines a relationship between a plurality of score types and a chord extraction region from which chord information is to be extracted. The chord information extractor extracts the chord information from the acquired score image data based on the determined chord extraction region.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to comparing a musical score model to a captured performance of the musical score, calculating a degree of similarity between the musical score model and the captured performance based on the comparison, and automatically evaluating the captured performance based on the degree of similarity and musical score degree of difficulty determined as a function of the musical score entropy. In an illustrative example, a musician may be learning to play the musical score. The musical score may be modelled, for example, based on pitch, volume, and rhythm, permitting comparison to the captured performance of the musical score. In some examples, the musical score degree of difficulty may be adapted based on the captured performance evaluation. Some embodiments may generate musical scores based on the captured performance evaluation. Various examples may advantageously provide corrective instruction based on the degree of difficulty and the captured performance evaluation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for blind signal separation and an electronic device. The method includes modeling a sound source with a complex Gaussian distribution to determine a probability density distribution of the sound source; updating a blind signal separation model based on the probability density distribution; and separating an audio signal with the updated blind signal separation model to obtain a plurality of separated output signals. In this way, the blind signal separation model may be updated through the probability density distribution of the sound source obtained based on the complex Gaussian distribution, thereby effectively improving separation performance of a blind signal separation algorithm in specific scenario.

Abstract: Media monitoring and measurement systems and methods are disclosed. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a media measurement system and method that utilizes audience data to enhance content identifications. Some embodiments analyze media player log data to enhance content identification. Other embodiments of the present invention analyze sample sequence data to enhance content identifications. Other embodiments analyze sequence data to enhance content identification and/or to establish channel identification. Yet other embodiments provide a system and method in which sample construction and selection parameters are adjusted based upon identification results. Yet other embodiments provide a method in which play-altering activity of an audience member is deduced from content offset values of identifications corresponding to captured samples.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, voice data from a user; generating a transcription record comprising the voice data; transmitting the voice data to at least one other device; receiving, from the at least one other device, another transcription record, generated by the at least one other device, associated with the transmitted voice data; identifying, by comparing the transcription record and the another transcription record, at least one difference between the transcription record and the another transcription record; and providing, responsive to identifying a difference, a notification. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, audio and non-audio data can be represented as sound sources in a three-dimensional sound space adapted to also provide visual data. Non-audio data can be associated with audio sound sources presented in the sound space. Navigation within this combined three-dimensional audio/visual space can be based primarily on the audio aspects of the sound sources with the details of the non-audio data being presented on demand, for example, when the listener navigates through the combined three-dimensional audio/visual space to a particular sound source at which point the non-audio data associated with that sound source can be presented.

Abstract: An effects device for a musical instrument, comprising: an input (18) for receiving a signal from a musical instrument; a control input (7) for receiving a control signal; an output (8, 9) for connecting the device to a sound reproduction device; a memory (30) configured to record the input signal; and a processor (29) configured, upon receiving a control signal, to select a section of the recorded input signal from the memory (30) and to loop it, wherein the processor (29) is configured to overlap a start and end regions of the selected section when looping. A method is also provided for producing an effect for a musical instrument, comprising the steps: a) recording an input signal from a musical instrument into memory (30), b) selecting a section of the recorded input signal and looping it, wherein a start and end regions of the selected segment are overlapping when looping.

Abstract: A method for categorizing music based on a sample set of RTP scores (rhythm, texture and pitch) for predetermined pieces of music. Some RTP scores correspond to human-determined RTP scores. Each RTP score corresponds to a category among categories. Unless an unknown piece of music was previously RTP scored based on a unique identification, low-level data is extracted from the unknown piece and analyzed to identify RTP scores based on the sample set. The identified RTP scores are then used to categorize each piece of unknown music and playlists may be created based on the categories. Each RTP score corresponds to an intensity level within the corresponding category, which may also be used in creating playlists. The low-level data may be converted to mel-frequency cepstrum coefficient (MFCC) data that is input into a trained neural network to identify the RTP scores.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying musical features in audio content are presented. Audio content information may be obtained from a digital audio file, the information providing a duration for playback of the audio content and a representation of sound frequencies associated with various moments throughout the duration of the audio content. Sound frequencies associated with one or more of the moments throughout the duration of the audio content may be identified, and characteristics or patterns of the identified sound frequencies may be recognized as being indicative of one or more musical features (e.g., parts, phrases, hits, bars, onbeats, beats, quavers, semiquavers, etc.). Some implementations of the present technology define display objects for display on a digital display, the display objects provided with visual features in an arrangement that distinguishes one musical feature from another across the duration of the audio content.

Abstract: A method and system of using Artificial Intelligence to automatically create and generate an interactive play-along song from a selected audio file/song imported from either a music streaming service, a personal music library and the like, that can later be played on an interactive music engine.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument including a musical instrument body which is supported by first finger of a hand of an instrument player and at least one finger other than the first finger, scale keys which are provided at positions that are contacted with fingers other than the first finger on one surface of the musical instrument body, and each of which specifies a scale of a musical sound, a touchpad which is provided in an area that is contacted with the first finger on an other surface of the musical instrument body, and includes a sensor that has a planar detection area for detecting a contact position of the first finger, and a processor which controls emission of the musical sound whose scale has been specified by the scale key in accordance with the contact position of the first finger detected by the touchpad.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to classify media based on a pitch-independent timbre attribute from a media signal are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interface to receive a media signal; a timbre database to store reference pitch-less timbre spectrums; and a processor to: compare a pitch-less timbre spectrum of the media signal to the reference pitch-less timbre spectrums; and classify the media signal based on data corresponding to a reference pitch-less timbre spectrum of the reference pitch-less timbre spectrums that matches the pitch-less timbre spectrum, the classification corresponding to at least one of an instrument or a genre.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the composition of new music based on analysis of unprocessed audio, which may be in the form of melodic hums and rhythmic taps. As a result of this analysis—music information retrieval or MIR—musical features such as pitch and tempo are output. These musical features are then used by a composition engine to generate a new and socially co-created piece of content represented as an abstraction. This abstraction is then used by a production engine to produce audio files that may be played back, shared, or further manipulated.

Abstract: Methods and systems including music synthesizers for synchronous sampling of analog signals are disclosed. A music synthesizer can include an adaptive low-pass filter, a synchronous sample clock generator, a digital signal processor, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital-to-analog converter. The synchronous sample clock generator creates a synchronous sample clock signal using a filtered audio signal, as well as an “up” pulse and a “down” pulse, all of which are utilized by the digital signal processor to perform operations on the audio signal. The digital signal processor generates a clean sample clock for resampling the original audio signal to the synchronous sample clock rate.

Abstract: In order to help music players without sufficient musical knowledge to adapt original music pieces but still keep the original style, the present invention provides an interactive system and the accompanying method for creating music by substituting audio tracks. The interactive system includes a database of musical elements that comprises tonality, tempo, beat, timbre, texture, chord, and pitch, a database of music that contains multiple original music pieces, and a processor. As a result, players without strong knowledge in music theories can create adapted a music piece that matches the style of the original one.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying musical features in audio content are presented. Audio content information may be obtained from a digital audio file, the information providing a duration for playback of the audio content and a representation of sound frequencies associated with various moments throughout the duration of the audio content. Sound frequencies associated with one or more of the moments throughout the duration of the audio content may be identified, and characteristics or patterns of the identified sound frequencies may be recognized as being indicative of one or more musical features (e.g., parts, phrases, hits, bars, onbeats, beats, quavers, semiquavers, etc.). Some implementations of the present technology define display objects for display on a digital display, the display objects provided with visual features in an arrangement that distinguishes one musical feature from another across the duration of the audio content.

Abstract: A device for simulating a sound timbre, particularly for stringed electrical musical instruments, which comprises input elements for acquiring an electrical signal generated by a musical instrument, and filtering elements which operate on the electrical signal generated by a source musical instrument. The filtering elements apply to the electrical signal generated by the source musical instrument a transfer function obtained by correlating the sound profile of a target musical instrument to the sound profile of the source musical instrument, the sound profiles comprising respectively the average frequency spectrum of a range of notes played on the target musical instrument and the average frequency spectrum of a corresponding range of notes played on the source musical instrument. The sound profiles are defined on the basis of the electrical signals generated by the musical instruments, corresponding to the playing of at least one note per string.

Abstract: The invention has for object a device for controlling (2) at least one audio or video signal comprising: means for controlling mounted mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation (z) on a base, first means of detecting a displacement in rotation of the means for controlling able to generate a first signal, said first signal supplying means for processing said at least one audio or video signal, with the first means of detecting comprising means for measuring the angle of rotation of the means for controlling, means for displaying and/or light-emitting means, comprising several sources of light forming at least first and second means of graduation. According to the invention, said sources of light of said first and second means of graduation are selectively controlled by said means for processing according to the measurement of the angle of the rotation of said means for controlling.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for representing music in a three dimensions using contexts based around tonal centers, to form three dimensional geometric shapes. The musical notation method described herein is easy to understand and visualize. The method is based on three dimensional structures which may represent contexts. The contexts may be formed by combining diminished and augmented scales shown as symmetrical three dimensional geometric shapes. These symmetrical geometric shapes may be formed from a plurality of polygons, which may include polygons comprised of a set of related notes from a diminished or augmented scale, together forming a looped harmonic polygon. Each note in a respective scale is placed at a vertex of a harmonic polygon, wherein the vertices of the harmonic polygons are selected from notes in a twelve note chromatic scale.

Abstract: Audio processing method and audio processing apparatus, and training method are described. According to embodiments of the application, an accent identifier is used to identify accent frames from a plurality of audio frames, resulting in an accent sequence comprised of probability scores of accent and/or non-accent decisions with respect to the plurality of audio frames. Then a tempo estimator is used to estimate a tempo sequence of the plurality of audio frames based on the accent sequence. The embodiments can be well adaptive to the change of tempo, and can be further used to tracking beats properly.

Abstract: A noise reduction apparatus according to the present invention includes: a sudden sound information storage unit that stores an input signal that are input before a current input signal is input as sudden sound information, the input signal having a signal level of voice components equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold and including a sudden sound to be suppressed; a phase difference calculation unit that calculates a phase difference between the sudden sound information and a sudden sound in the current input signal based on a maximum value of a correlation value between the sudden sound information and the current input signal; an addition signal generation unit that shifts a phase of the sudden sound information based on the phase difference to generate an addition signal; and a sudden sound suppression unit that adds the addition signal and the current input signal to output an output signal.

Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus and method for processing an audio signal are provided. The audio signal processing apparatus includes a signal detector configured to detect a long-term envelope and a short-term envelope of a lower range signal of an input signal, and a controller configured to control a gain in a beat section of the input signal, wherein the beat section is determined based on the detected long-term envelope and the short-term envelope of the lower range signal.

Abstract: A hum noise detection device includes: a frequency conversion unit (1) configured to perform a frequency converting process at a constant time interval on an input signal, and converting the input signal into a frequency signal; a peak frequency calculation unit (2) configured to calculate a stationary peak frequency based on the frequency signal; a fundamental frequency estimation unit (3) configured to estimate a fundamental frequency of hum noise based on the stationary peak frequency; and a hum noise judgment unit (4) configured to judge whether or not there is hum noise in the input signal based on the estimated fundamental frequency and the stationary peak frequency.

Abstract: A system for classification of the emotional content of music is provided. An encoder receives a digital audio recording of a piece of music, and encodes it using musical notes and associated amplitudes. The artificial neural network is configured to take a plurality of encoded time slices and provide output indicative of the emotional content of the music.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and method for retrieving a song, and a storage medium. The electronic apparatus includes: a storage unit which stores a plurality of songs; a user input unit which receives a hummed query which is inputted for retrieving a song; and a song retrieving unit which retrieves a song based on the hummed query from among the plurality of stored songs when the hummed query is received. The song retrieving unit extracts a pitch and a duration of the hummed query, converts each of the extracted pitch and duration into multi-level symbols, calculates a string edit distance between the hummed query and one of the plurality of songs based on the symbols, and determines a similarity between the hummed query and a song based on edit operations which are performed within the calculated string edit distance.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a music analysis unit for analyzing an audio signal serving as a capture source for a sound material and for detecting beat positions of the audio signal and a presence probability of each instrument sound in the audio signal, and a capture range determination unit for determining a capture range for the sound material by using the beat positions and the presence probability of each instrument sound detected by the music analysis unit.

Abstract: A music analysis apparatus has a feature extractor and an analysis processor. The feature extractor generates a time series of feature values from a sequence of notes which is designated as an object of analysis. The analysis processor computes an evaluation index value which indicates a probability that the designated sequence of notes is present in each of a plurality of reference music pieces by applying a probabilistic model to the time series of the feature values generated from the designated sequence of notes. The probabilistic model is generated by machine learning of the plurality of reference music pieces using time series of feature values obtained from the reference music pieces.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for generating and storing a database that may be searched for music upon a user's request, and a method and apparatus for searching for music corresponding to the user's request. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of melodies are divided based on phrase breaks and are stored, and a number of melodies which are similar to the user's request are detected from the stored melodies.

Abstract: An index calculating unit calculates a tonality index of a signal component of each area of an input signal transformed into a time frequency domain based on intensity (for example, power spectrum) of the signal component and a function (quadratic function) obtained by approximating the intensity of the signal component. A music determining unit determines whether or not each area of the input signal includes music based on the tonality index. The present technology can be applied to a music section detecting apparatus that detects a music part from an input signal in which music is mixed with noise.

Abstract: A musical score position estimating device includes an audio signal acquiring unit, a musical score information acquiring unit acquiring musical score information corresponding to an audio signal acquired by the audio signal acquiring unit, an audio signal feature extracting unit extracting a feature amount of the audio signal, a musical score feature extracting unit extracting a feature amount of the musical score information, a beat position estimating unit estimating a beat position of the audio signal, and a matching unit matching the feature amount of the audio signal with the feature amount of the musical score information using the estimated beat position to estimate a position of a portion in the musical score information corresponding to the audio signal.

Abstract: Systems and method for performing adaptive audio signal processing using music as a measurement stimulus signal. A musical stimuli generator may be used to generate musical stimulus signals composed to provide a stimulus with a spectrum that is substantially dense, and ideally white or pink, over a selected frequency range, so that all frequencies of interest are stimulated. The musical stimuli generator may generate melodically pleasing musical stimulus signals using music clips that include any of: a chromatic sequence, a chromatic sequence including chromatic tones over a plurality of octaves, a chromatic sequence including chromatic tones over a selected plurality of octaves, or an algorithmically composed chromatic sequence, to cover a selected frequency range. The musical stimulus signal may be generated as sound into the environment of use. An audio input picks up the sound from the environment, and a sound processor uses the received musical stimulus signal to determine a transfer function.

Abstract: An audio processing apparatus includes an audio signal acquisition unit which acquires an audio signal of a musical piece, a feature value extraction unit which extracts a predetermined type of feature value from the audio signal acquired by the audio signal acquisition unit in time series, a change point detection unit which detects a change point in which the amount of change of the feature value extracted in time series by the feature value extraction unit is changed to be greater than a predetermined threshold value, a hook analysis unit which analyzes a hook place of the audio signal based on the feature value extracted by the feature value extraction unit in block units with the change point detected by the change point detection unit as a boundary, and a hook information output unit which outputs the hook place analyzed by the hook analysis unit as hook information.

Abstract: An acoustic effect impartment apparatus detects striking of any one of strings by a corresponding hammer in an acoustic piano like a grand piano, and vibrates a vibration section with a driving waveform signal obtained by synthesizing sine wave signals of the fundamental frequency and harmonic frequency of the hammer-struck string. Such vibration of the vibration section is transmitted to the keys via a soundboard and bridge of the piano. Thus, vibration is excited in the hammer-struck string by the striking with the hammer but also by the driving waveform signal, so that an acoustic effect corresponding to the driving waveform signal is imparted. Because the driving waveform signal is a simple signal using the sine wave signals corresponding to the fundamental frequency of the string, a natural feeling of the acoustic piano will not be lost even when the acoustic effect is imparted.

Abstract: A musical composition processing system may include a storage device for storing reference musical compositions, an energy level characteristic value for each reference musical composition, and an attribute profile for each reference musical composition, and a computing device in communication with the storage device and for processing an input musical composition. The processing of the input musical composition may include determining an attribute profile for the input musical composition based upon transient and ambient sounds in the input musical composition, and determining an energy level characteristic data value for the input musical composition by correlating the attribute profile of the input musical composition to the respective attribute profiles and the energy level characteristic data values of the reference musical compositions.

Abstract: In a coefficient measurement apparatus, a line input terminal receives a pickup signal that is generated based on a string vibration of a musical instrument. A microphone input terminal receives a microphone signal acquired by a microphone that collects sounds of the musical instrument. An adaptive filter estimates a transfer function associated to resonance of the musical instrument and a transfer function of an acoustic space formed from the musical instrument to the microphone, generates an output signal by processing the pickup signal using the estimated transfer function, and updates the transfer function using a difference between the output signal and the microphone signal as a reference signal.

Abstract: Multi-channel audio signal processing systems and techniques are provided for electronic instruments having multiple and distinct output channels. Such systems may be used in conjunction with instruments comprising multiple vibrating elements, each with a dedicated signal output. Each received audio signal channel may be directed to a dedicated or shared signal processor for variably changing selected attributes of pitch, timing, timbre, and amplitude in ways that are unique for each signal. Signal processors may be shared using an allocating mixer, allocating switch, or both. An output mixer may be used to mix signal processor output signals into one or more outgoing mixed audio signals. Signal processors, mixers, and switches may be configured by stored program control and controlled in real-time. Real-time pitch variations can be used to change the pitch organization of fixed-pitch vibrating elements within an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: Systems, including methods and apparatus, for generating audio effects based on accompaniment audio produced by live or pre-recorded accompaniment instruments, in combination with melody audio produced by a singer. Audible broadcast of the accompaniment audio may be delayed by a predetermined time, such as the time required to determine chord information contained in the accompaniment signal. As a result, audio effects that require the chord information may be substantially synchronized with the audible broadcast of the accompaniment audio. The present teachings may be especially suitable for use in karaoke systems, to correct and add sound effects to a singer's voice that sings along with a pre-recorded accompaniment track.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a synthetic simulation of a media recording is disclosed. One embodiment accesses a sound reference archive and heuristically creates a new sound that is matched against at least one sound in the sound reference archive. The media recording is analyzed and a synthetic sound based on the analyzing of the media recording is generated.

Abstract: The musical instrument has a acoustic transducer, which transforms an excitation signal generated by at least one resonator into an acoustic signal. The acoustic transducer is provided with an adjustable oscillation profile, in which at least one profile parameter is defined by a reference profile of a reference instrument.

Abstract: There is provided a tonal component detection method including performing a time-frequency transformation on an input time signal to obtain a time-frequency distribution, detecting a peak in a frequency direction at a time frame of the time-frequency distribution, fitting a tone model in a neighboring region of the detected peak, and obtaining a score indicating tonal component likeness of the detected peak based on a result obtained by the fitting.

Abstract: A lead tone is generated on the basis of an input tone signal. Meanwhile, a specific pitch of the input tone signal is sequentially detected, from which is detected a normalized pitch corresponding to any one of the musical pitch names. Then, difference information is obtained which pertains to a difference between the specific pitch and the normalized pitch, and a pitch having a given pitch interval from the normalized pitch is determined as a target pitch of a tone signal to be generated. Then, a harmony tone is generated which has a pitch obtained by modulating the target pitch in accordance with the difference information.

Abstract: A musical composition processing system may include a storage device for storing reference musical compositions, an energy level characteristic value for each reference musical composition, and an attribute profile for each reference musical composition, and a computing device in communication with the storage device and for processing an input musical composition. The processing of the input musical composition may include determining an attribute profile for the input musical composition based upon transient and ambient sounds in the input musical composition, and determining an energy level characteristic data value for the input musical composition by correlating the attribute profile of the input musical composition to the respective attribute profiles and the energy level characteristic data values of the reference musical compositions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system to enable a user to find and act-upon an audio-containing composition in a group of compositions. A sound-segment (recognition-segment) intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system for defining a reference sound position and producing an indicia proximate thereto in relation to one or more sound characteristics. The present invention, in one or more embodiments, provides for displaying a holographic image at a reference sound location which is determined in relation to the identification of one or more target sounds being associated with one or more identified sound characteristics. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for an indicia to appear to be interactive with a reference sound location and may be used in a variety of environments including but not limited to rock theatrics, homeland security and residential security.

Abstract: A music touch control system for an audio performance product is disclosed. The system includes a touch control surface configured and arranged to set and cause activation for playing a tone in an audio performance product; and a visual indicator connected to the touch control surface representing semitones of the tone. The visual indicator has a neutral tone point with +12 semitones above the neutral tone point and ?12 semitones below the neutral point. Touching the control surface along the length thereof causes the audio performance product to play the semitone corresponding to the portion of the touch control surface touched and the visual indicator to indicate the semitone of the selected semitone. The system can be used to represent the playing time of a song and permit navigation instantly to a point in the song.

Abstract: A pitch shift device provides pitch-shifted sounds based on performance sounds generated by an electronic string musical instrument. The pitch shift device has a device that detects vibrato. When vibrato is detected, an interpolation device of a pitch shift control device performs a control of interpolating for a pitch shift change in the musical sound signal accompanying a change in pitch shift information stored in a pitch information storage device and read out by a pitch shift readout device from a group of pitch shift information. Therefore, unnatural pitch changes in pitch-shifted sound can be suppressed.

Abstract: A vocal tuning device for use with a microphone is provided, comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a first connector operably matable with a microphone and capable of receiving an input signal from the microphone in response to a user's voice; a display on the housing capable of providing a visual indicia to a user; processing circuitry within the housing and operably connected between the first connector and the display, wherein the processing circuitry compares the frequency of the input signal to a natural note frequency, and causes the visual indicia to indicate whether the natural note frequency is matched by the frequency of the input signal. In one embodiment, the second end of the device includes a second connector operably matable with a microphone cable.