CA2353846C - Music theory teaching device - Google Patents

Music theory teaching device Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2353846C
CA2353846C CA 2353846 CA2353846A CA2353846C CA 2353846 C CA2353846 C CA 2353846C CA 2353846 CA2353846 CA 2353846 CA 2353846 A CA2353846 A CA 2353846A CA 2353846 C CA2353846 C CA 2353846C
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finder
chord
key
notes
base
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CA2353846A1 (en
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Sara De Rose
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09BEDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B15/00Teaching music

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For Music (AREA)
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Abstract

The present invention is a manually operable device for teaching music theory. Two overlays, the key finder and the chord finder, are attached to and rotated on a base built on a circle of fifths. The invention teaches students to recognize and understand the patterns determining the notes in any major, minor, dominant 7th, complex, augmented or diminished chord, and any mode, major scale or pentatonic scale. The visual relationship of the three parts of the invention also enables the student to determine which chords can be used when playing "in" a specific key or mode. The invention teaches music theory as a system of recurring geometric and numeric patterns, thereby giving a student a fundamental understanding of how music is formed.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Music Theory Teaching Device FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a mechanically operable device for teaching music theory.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Music teaching devices have been in existence for many years. Typically, these take the form of calculator assemblies used to analyze chords, scales etc., which are quite well known in the prior art. However, prior art inventions such as U.S. Patent Nos. 4069735, 5709522, 4887507 and 4961362, resemble circular slide rules, where windows line up on heavily printed bases to allow the student to read off scales or chords without understanding the inner structure of music theory. Because of the density of the reference numbers and letters, the appearance of these inventions is often daunting to the student.
It is an object of this invention to overcome the above mentioned deficiencies. Unlike prior art patents in the music teaching field, the present invention is visually simple. The present invention teaches music progressively, in the sense that it can be used, first, to demonstrate very simple concepts, and can later be used to show complex concepts. Consequently, the beginner need not be faced with any complex information until the need arises. Also, by teaching music through pattern, this invention renders obsolete the student's need to memorize specific musical information, or to refer to complex teaching aids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a music teaching device for teaching music theory. In the preferred embodiment, the device comprises a circular base, a key finder and a chord finder permanently or remove-ably attached to the base.
The base has a center and has a circular arrangement of twelve note designations located a fixed radial distance from the base's center. The twelve note designations are equally spaced from one another and are representative of the twelve musical notes C, G, D, A, E, BIC flat, F sharp/G flat, C sharp/D
flat, G
sharp/A flat, D sharp/E flat, A sharp/B flat and E sharp/F, arranged in a clockwise order about the base.
The key finder is a semi-circular overlay that has a center and has seven reference means located at seven consecutive hourly positions, and is dimensioned such that the seven reference means indicate, simultaneously, seven of the twelve notes printed on the base. Each of the seven reference means is labeled with a number from 1 to 7.
The chord finder is a six-pointed overlay that has six indicators indicating relative 12, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock positions, and is dimensioned such that said six indicators indicate, simultaneously, six of the twelve notes printed on the base. The key finder is positioned between the chord finder and the base.
In this embodiment, the device may be used to determine the notes in any major, minor, dominant 7t", complex, augmented or diminished chord, and any mode, major scale or pentatonic scale.
Further aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of embodiments of the invention and to the claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of a circular base according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the chord finder according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the key finder according to the invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a device for teaching music theory comprising three separate parts, each one with a central reinforced hole 13. Each of the three parts may be formed of relatively stiff plastic, paper, cardboard, or other material of suitable strength and durability. In the preferred embodiment, all parts revolve around a fastened pin {not shown) although other methods could be used.
A preferred embodiment of a circular base 12 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The other two parts of the invention, chord finder 20 (Fig. 2) and the key finder (Fig. 3), are overlays, which are fastened to the base (either permanently, or with a removable pin).
The Base (Fig. 1 ):
The twelve note designations representing the twelve notes of the octave 14 are located equidistant from the central hole 13 of the circular base 12.
The twelve notes 14 are equally spaced around the circumference of the base 12, with one note at each of the hourly clock positions. When taken in a clockwise direction, with the 12 o'clock position being the offset starting point, the notes are: C, G, D, A, E, B (C flat), F sharp (G flat), C sharp (D flat), G sharp (A
flat), D
sharp (E flat), A sharp (B flat), (E sharp) F. This progression renders each successive note the musical fifth of the note before it, an arrangement commonly known as the circle of fifths.
The Chord Finder (Fig. 2):
A preferred embodiment of the chord finder 20 is illustrated in Fig. 2. The chord finder 20 has six indicators 21-26 in the 12, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 o'clock positions respectively. The indicators project radially outward from the chord finder's center 13 and are dimensioned so that as the chord finder 20 is rotated about the base 12, the six indicators 21-26 indicate notes 14 on the circular base 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the chord finder 20 is a composite shape consisting of a square overlaying an equilateral triangle; however it is contemplated that it could take any shape provided that it has six indicators in the correct configuration identified above. The peak of the equilateral triangle overlaps with a corner of the square to form indicator 21 at the 12 o'clock position. The remaining corners of the square and triangle form the remaining indicators 22-26.
The indicators 21-26 are each printed with indicia. The indicia on indicators 21-26 is a number or letter or a combination thereof, respectively 2, m, 3, Dom 7, M, and 3. When the chord finder is used to identify the notes in a given chord, the indicia indicate the order in which to view notes 14 on the base.
It is contemplated that other indicia, for example full words or different numbering, may be used to provide the same functionality. To aid the student in locating the required notes for different types of chords, indicia 21 on the chord finder 20 is printed on a lightly shaded background, as indicated in Fig. 2.
Indicia 22 and 23 are printed cn a solid dark background, as indicated in Fig. 2. This dark and light shading could ultimately be replaced by printing the indicia in different colours or some alternative distinctive means.
The Key Finder (Fig. 3):
A preferred embodiment of the key finder 30 is illustrated in Fig. 3. The key finder 30 has seven reference means, which in the preferred embodiment are seven small circular windows 28, which are located around the circumference of the key finder from the 9 o'clock to the 3 o'clock positions. In alternative embodiments, the seven reference means need only occupy seven consecutive hourly positions and be shaped and dimensioned so as to indicate, simultaneously, seven consecutive notes when said key finder 30 is positioned appropriately on, base 12. The small circular windows 28 are located radially outward from the center of the key finder 13 a distance equal to the distance that the twelve notes 14 are located radially outward from the center of the circular base 12.
The key finder 30 is rotated on the base so as to reveal different combinations of seven of the twelve notes 14 through the circular windows 28 of the key finder 30. The small circular windows 28 are marked with indicia 27 identifying the order in which to view the windows. In the preferred embodiment, the indicia are numbers 1 to 7 in the sequence 4, 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, proceeding clockwise.
Alternative embodiments of the key finder 30 require simply that the key finder be shaped and dimensioned such that seven consecutive notes are indicated and the remaining five consecutive notes are visible when the key finder 30 is attached to base 12 and positioned appropriately.
General Function of the Invention:
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the key finder 30 and the chord finder 20 are attached to the base 12 by way of their centrally reinforced holes 13. The key finder and the chord finder may be rotated about the base 12 to various positions of alignment with the base member, to assist a user in learning various aspects of music theory. When used with the base 12, the key finder allows a student to determine the notes of any mode, major scale or pentatonic scale. Used together with the base 12, the key finder 30 and the chord finder 20 combine to aid the student in the construction of any major, minor, dominant 7t", complex, augmented or diminished chord. The invention also shows the user which chords can be played "in" a specific key.
Naming Notes Correctly:
Historically, instead of labeling the twelve notes 14 with twelve different numbers or letters, the twelve notes are named using only seven letters. The twelve note names are created from these seven letters by modifying the seven letter names with sharps or flats. Consequently, most notes have two different names, for example C sharp can also be referred to as D flat. When a note has two different names, these names appear together on the base 12 because they represent the same note. Similarly, when the key finder is positioned appropriately on the base, both the sharp and the flat version of the same note are visible through a circular window 28 at the same time.
Major Scales The key finder 30, attached to the base 12, is used to teach the major scales. The key finder 30 is rotated on the circular base such that the seven windows 28 show seven of the notes 14 printed on the base.
The seven windows indicate the seven notes of any major scale. The note appearing in window #1 is the note that names the desired major scale.
Window #2 indicates the second note of the scale, and so on through to window #7. The eighth note of the scale is the octave and therefore the same as the first note.
The Greek Modes:
The key finder 30 when positioned appropriately on the base 12 can be used to show the Greek Modes. There are seven Modes, each containing seven notes (the eighth note bEing the octave, and therefore the same as the first note).
The modes are all inversions of the major scale. There are seven inversions of the major scale, and therefore seven modes.

The major scale is, itself, a mode: the Ionian Mode. Referring to Fig 4, the key finder has been positioned over the base so that B flat is visible through circular window numbered #1. Therefore, as described before, looking at the notes visible through the remaining circular windows 28 in their numerical order from #1 to #7, the notes in B flat major scale are B flat, C, D, E flat, F, G, A, B
flat. These same notes in the same progression are also called B flat Ionian Mode.
Dorian is the name of the mode built on the second note of the major scale. Accordingly, the key finder is positioned such that the note naming the desired Dorian Mode is visible through circular window #2. The notes appearing in each consecutively numbered window are used in that order. After window #7, the next note used will be visible through circular window #1. For example, the notes in C Dorian Mode are revealed in Fig. 4 as: C (in window #2), D (in window #3), E flat (in window #4), F (in window #5), G (in window #6), A (in window #7) and B flat (in window #1 ). The eighth note of the mode is the higher octave of the first note and therefore has the same name: C.
Phrygian is the name of the mode built on the third note of the major scale. Therefore, the key finder is positioned such that the note naming the desired Phrygian mode is visible through small circular window #3. As explained above for Dorian mode, the notes appearing in each consecutively numbered window are used in that order. For example, as seen in Fig. 4, the seven notes in D Phrygian Mode are shown in windows #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #1, #2 and #3 (the eighth note has the same name as the first note). The notes in D Phrygian Mode are therefore revealed as: D, E flat, F, G, A, B flat, C, and D. The key finder 30 and base 12 can be used in this same fashion to reveal the notes in Lydian mode (built on the fourth note of the major scale), Mixolyidan mode (built on the fifth note of the major scale), Aeolian mode (built on the sixth note of the major scale), and Hypophrygian mode (built on the seventh note of the major scale). The construction of the seven modes is summarized in the table below.

Mode 1St (8~last) Note Following Notes Ionian Hole 1 Holes 2,3,4,5,6,7 Dorian Hole 2 Holes 3,4,5,fi,7,1 Phrygian Hole 3 Holes 4,5,6,7,1,2 Lydian Hole 4 Holes 5,6,7,1,2,3 Mixol dian Hole 5 Holes 6,7,1,2,3,4 Aeolian Hole 6 Holes 7,1,2,3,4,5 Locrian Hole 7 Holes 1,2,3,4,5,6 Major and Major Complex Chords:
The invention can also be used to teach major chords. To determine major chords, the chord finder 20 is rotated such that indicator 25 (marked "M") indicates the note naming the desired major chord. This note is the first note of the chord. While positioned thusly, indicator 21 will be pointed towards the second note of the chord and indicator 26 will point at the third note. For example in Fig. 4, indicator 25 (marked "M") indicates B flat. Therefore, the three notes in the chord of B flat major are revealed as: B flat, D and F.
Using the key finder and chord finder major complex chords can also be constructed. To determine the notes in major complex chords the chord finder is rotated such that indicator 25 (marked "M") is pointed towards window #1 of the key finder. Then both the key finder and the chord finder are rotated together in this position until indicator 25 and window #1 both indicate the note naming the desired major chord. Major complex chords are constructed by simply adding, to the three notes of a major chord (shown by indicators 25, 21, and 26), the notes) shown in the windows(s) of the key finder indicated by the table below.
Chord Name ma'6th maj7th ma'9th majadd9th Add Notes) in Holes) ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 7 & 2 ~ 2 ChordName maj6/9th ma'6/7th maj13th Add Notes) in Holes) 6 & 2 6 & 7 7, 2, 6 For example, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the notes in the chord of B flat major 6/9t" are shown by indicia 25, 26, 21 and windows #6 and #2. Therefore, the notes in the chord of B flat major 6/9t" are revealed as: B flat, D, F, G and C.
Using the method described, the invention teaches the construction of all the major complex chords shown in the above table.
Dominant Seventh and Dominant Seventh Complex Chords:
The invention can also be used to teach dominant seventh chords. To construct dominant seventh chords, the chord finder 20 is rotated such that indicator 25 (marked "M") indicates the note naming the desired dominant seventh chord. This note is the first note of the chord. While positioned thusly, indicator 21 will be pointed towards the second note of the chord and indicator 26 will point at the third note and indicator 24 will point at the fourth note.
Therefore, the four notes in the chord of D dominant seventh are revealed as: D, F#, A
and C.
Using the key finder and chord finder dominant complex chords can also be constructed. To construct dominant seventh complex chords, the chord finder 20 is rotated such that indicator 25 (marked "M") is pointed towards window #5 of the key finder. Then the key finder and the chord finder are rotated together in this position until indicator 25 and window #5 both indicate the note naming the desired dominant seventh chord. Dominant seventh complex chords are constructed by simply adding, to the four notes of a major chord (shown by indicators 25, 21, 26, and 24), the notes) shown in the windows(s) of the key finder indicated by the table below.
Chord Name dom7/6th dom7/11 dom9th th Add Notes) in Holes)3 1 6 Chord Name dom11th dom13th dom11113th Add Notes) in Holes)6 & 1 6 & 3 6, 1, 3 For example, the notes in the chord of D dominant 13t" are shown by indicia 25, 26, 21, 24 and windows #6 and #3. Therefore, the notes in D
dominant 13t" are revealed as: D, F#, A, C, E, and B. Using the method described, the invention teaches the construction of all the dominant seventh complex chords shown in the above table.
Minor and Minor Complex Chords:
The invention can also be used to teach minor chords. To construct a minor chord, the chord finder 20 is rotated such that indicator 22 (marked "m", meaning "minor") is pointed towards the note naming the desired minor chord.
While the chord finder is in this position, indicator 21 will be pointed towards the second note of the minor chord, and indicator 23 will be pointed towards the third note of the minor chord. For example, when constructing the chord of A minor, indicator 22 (marked "m") must indicate A. Then the three notes in the chord of A
minor chord are revealed as: A, C, and E.
Using the key finder and chord finder minor complex chords can also be constructed. To construct minor complex chords, the chord finder 20 is rotated such that indicator 22 (marked "m") is pointed towards window #2 of the key finder. Then the key finder and the chord finder are rotated together in this position until indicator 22 and window #2 both indicate the note naming the desired minor complex chord. Minor complex chords are constructed by simply adding, to the three notes of a major chord (shown by indicators 22, 21, and 23), the notes) shown in the windows(s) of the key finder indicated by the table below.
Chord Name m6th m7th m9th m11 th Add Notes) in Hole(s~7 1 1 & 3 1, 3, 5 Chord Name ~ m7/11 th ~ m add 9th ~ m6/9th Add Notes) in Holes) 1 & 5 3 7 & 3 ~

For example, the notes in the chord of A minor 11 th are shown by indicia 22, 21, 23 and windows #1, #3 and #5. Therefore, the notes in A minor 11 t"
are revealed as: A, C, E, G, B and D. Using the method described, the invention teaches the construction of all the minor complex chords shown in the above table.
Major, Minor and Dominant Seventh Chords "in" a Major Key:
The key finder and chord finder can be used in conjunction with the base to indicate which chords are "in" a given key. A chord is "in" a key if all the notes in the chord are in that key. The key finder visually defines the major key named by the note shown in window #1. When window #1 shows C, the key finder visually defines the Key of C Major. As already described, the indicia of the chord finder indicate the notes in major, dom7th and minor chords, and their related complex chords. If all the points of the chord finder indicating a specific chord appear on top of the key finder, that chord is "in" the Key named by the note in window #1.
For example in Fig. 4, window #1 indicates the note B flat. Therefore, the key finder in this position indicates the Key of B flat Major. In Fig. 4, all three points of the chord finder indicating a major chord (25, 21 and 26) are on top of the key finder. As described above, the major chord given by these three indicia is the chord of B flat major. Because all three of the notes in the chord of B
flat major fall on top of the key finder (when positioned to show the Key of B flat Major), B flat major chord is "in" the Key of B flat Major.
Maintaining the key finder in this position, the chord finder can be rotated to reveal other major chords in the Key of B flat Major. For example, if the chord finder is rotated 1 position counter clockwise, indicia 25, 21 and 26 give the notes in the chord of E flat major. Because all three of the notes in the chord of E
flat major fall on top of the key finder (when positioned to show the Key of B flat Major), E flat major chord is "in" the Key of B flat Major. By rotating the chord finder 2 positions clockwise, to indicate the chord of F major, it can be seen that all three of the notes in the chord of F major fall on top of the key finder (when positioned to show the Key of B flat Major). Therefore, F major chord is "in"
the Key of B flat Major. In any other position, indicia 25, 21 and 26 will not all fall on top of the key finder (when positioned to show the Key of B flat Major).
Therefore, there are only three major chords "in" the key of B flat major: E flat major, B flat major and F major. From this it can be generalized that any major key contains only three major chords.
To find the minor chords "in" any major key, a similar method is used. If all three points of the chord finder indicating a minor chord (22, 21 and 23) are on top of the key finder, that minor chord is in the major key named by the note appearing in window #1 of the key finder. As described above, the three major chords in a major key are given when indicia 25 ("M") indicates the notes in windows #4, #1 and #5. Similarly, there are three minor chords "in" any major key, given when indicia 22 ("m") indicates the notes in windows #2, #6 and #3.
For example, the minor chords "in" the Key of B flat Major are C minor, G
minor and D minor. In any other position, indicia 22, 21 and 23 will not all fall on top of the key finder (when positioned to show the Key of B flat Major). From this it can be generalized that any major key contains only three minor chords.
To find the dominant seventh chords "in" any major key, a similar method is used. If all four points of the chord finder indicating a dominant seventh chord (25, 21, 26 and 24) are on top of the key finder, that dominant seventh chord is in the major key named by the note appearing in window #1 of the key finder. All four indicia of the chord finder that give the notes in a dominant seventh chord (25, 21, 26 and 24) will fall on top of the key finder in only one position;
when indicia 25 points to window #5. In any other position those four indicia will not all fall on top of the key finder. For example, when the key finder is positioned to show the Key of B flat Major, the only dominant seventh chord that will fit into the key is F dominant seventh. From this it can be generalized that any major key contains only one dominant seventh chord.

To summarize, there are three major chords in a major key, given when indicia 25 ("M") indicates the notes in windows #4, #1 and #5. Similarly, there are three minor chords "in" any major key, given when indicia 22 ("m") indicates the notes in windows #2, #6 and #3. There is only one dominant seventh chord in any major key, given when indicia 25 ("M") indicates the note in window #5.
Complex Chords in a Major Key:
The above reasoning can be used to find which complex chords (described in the tables above) will fit into a major key.
All Types of Chords in Modal Keys:
The visual relationship between the physical shapes of the key finder and the chord finder, used in the way described above, can also give an indication of the major, minor, dominant seventh and complex chords that are "in" the different modes (described above).
Diminished Chords:
As described above, the chord finder is a composite shape, consisting of a square and an equilateral triangle. When attached to the base, each corner of the square (indicators 21, 22, 24, and 26) indicates one of the notes in a diminished chord. Any corner of the square indicates the first note of a diminished chord. The other three corners of the square, going in a counterclockwise direction, give the other three notes of the chord in that order. By rotating chord finder 20 and observing the notes indicated by indicators 21, 22, 24 and 26, a student learns that there are only three distinct diminished chords. The other diminished chords are inversions of these three diminished chords. For example in Fig. 4, indicia 21, 22, 24 and 26 indicate the notes D, B/C flat, G#/A flat and E#/F.
Therefore, D diminished chord is constructed from these four notes. So are the diminished chords named by the notes that appear at the other three corners of the square. Therefore, in Fig. 4, D diminished chord, E# or F
diminished chord, G# or A flat diminished chord and B or C flat diminished chord are all indicated by indicia 21, 22, 24 and 26.
As shown by the relationship between the chord finder and the key finder, diminished chords do not fit into any key. Consequently, diminished chords are not considered 'in' any key.
Augmented Chords:
Each point (indicators 21, 23, and 25) of the equilateral triangle of the chord finder gives one of the notes of an augmented chord. Any point of the triangle indicates the first note of a diminished chord. The other two points of the triangle, going in a clockwise direction, give the other two notes of the chord in that order. By rotating chord finder 20 and observing the notes indicated by indicators 21, 23 and 25, a student learns that there are only four distinct augmented chords. The other augmented chords are inversions of these four augmented chords.
For example in Fig. 4, indicia 21, 23 and 25 indicate the notes D, F#/ G flat and A#/ B flat. Therefore, D augmented chord is constructed from these three notes. So are the augmented chords named by the notes that appear at the other two points of the triangle. In Fig. 4, D augmented chord, F# or G flat augmented chord and A# or B flat augmented chord are all indicated by indicia 21, 23 and 25.
As shown by the relationship between the chord finder and the key finder, augmented chords do not fit into any key. Consequently, augmented chords are not considered 'in' any key.
Pentatonic Scales:
As shown above, the key finder is used to construct the seven modes, one of which (the Ionian) is the major scale. The key finder will also give the notes in any pentatonic (five-tone) scale. Position window #1 over the note that names the scale. The five notes of the scale appear in holes 1,2,3,5,and 6 in that order.

The sixth note is the octave and has the same name as the first note. For example in Fig. 4, the notes in B flat pentatonic scale are revealed as B
flat, C, D, F, G and B flat.
Used in this way, the key finder will indicate the notes in all pentatonic scales. It is contemplated that a key finder having only five windows at five consecutive hourly positions, each window in a clockwise direction labeled with the numbers 1, 4, 2, 5 and 3, would also give the notes in any pentatonic scale.
Other Types of Scales:
As described, the key finder is used to construct the seven modes (one of which is the major scale) and the pentatonic scale.
To construct different types of scales (melodic minor, harmonic minor, blues, whole tone, diminished whole tone, Spanish, Oriental, Gypsy Minor, Hindu, etc...) different-shaped removable key finders could be used with the base 12 to give the notes in each specific type of scale. These specific key finders would all be shapes that indicate anywhere from 4 to 12 (depending on the scale) of the 12 hourly positions of the 12 notes that form the circle of fifths. The reference means of each specific key finder that select from the 12 notes would be labeled with numbers to indicate the order in which to view the selected notes for the purpose of constructing the specific scale. Each key would be fastened to the base by a central pin 13 and would turn on the base accordingly. These different key finders could be used with the chord finder 20 to show the chords "in" those keys.

Claims (12)

1. A music teaching device comprising a circular base, a key finder overlay and a chord finder overlay, both overlays being attachable to, and rotatable about said base, in such a way that said key finder is located between said base and said chord finder;
wherein said base has a center and has a circular arrangement of twelve note designations located a fixed radial distance from said base's center, said twelve note designations being equally spaced from one another;
wherein said note designations are representative of the twelve musical notes C, G, D, A, E, B/C flat, F sharp/G flat, C sharp/D flat, G sharp/A flat, D sharp/E flat, A sharp/B flat and E sharp/F, arranged in a clockwise order about said base;
wherein said key finder has a center and has seven reference means located at seven consecutive hourly positions, and is dimensioned such that said seven reference means indicate, simultaneously, seven of said twelve notes when said key finder is rotated to an appropriate position about said base;
wherein said chord finder is shaped so as to have a series of six indicators indicating relative 12, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock positions, and is dimensioned such that said six indicators indicate, simultaneously, six of said twelve notes when said chord finder is rotated to an appropriate position about said base.
2. The music teaching device of claim 1, wherein said seven reference means comprise a series of seven circular windows through which seven of said notes are visible simultaneously when said key finder is rotated to an appropriate position about said base.
3. The music teaching device of claim 2, wherein said seven circular windows have indicia identifying the order in which to view said notes visible simultaneously through said circular windows.
4. The music teaching device of claim 3, wherein said indicia are numbers 1-7 in the order 4, 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7 proceeding clockwise.
5. The music teaching device of claim 4, wherein the order of said indicia determines the notes in a given mode, major scale or pentatonic scale.
6. The music teaching device of claim 5, wherein said chord finder has a shape defined as a composite of an equilateral triangle and a square, with the corners of said triangle indicating the 12, 4, and 8 o'clock indicator positions, and the corners of the square indicating the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock indicator positions.
7. The music teaching device of claim 6, wherein said six indicators have second indicia, said second indicia indicating the order in which to view six of said twelve notes being indicated by said six indicators in order to determine the notes in a given major, minor, dominant seventh, complex, augmented or diminished chord.
8. The music teaching device of claim 7, wherein said second indicia are numbers and letters, namely, "2", "m", "3", "Dom 7", "M", and "3" in the 12, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock positions respectively.
9. The music teaching device of claim 8, wherein said key finder and chord finder are permanently attached to said base by way of a central pivot point.
10. The music teaching device of claim 8, wherein said key finder and chord finder are removably attached to said base by way of a central pivot point.
11. The music teaching device of claim 9 or 10, wherein said central pivot point comprises central holes extending through said base, said key finder and said chord finder, and a pin, wherein said pin is inserted through said central holes thereby forming said central pivot point.
12. A music device kit for teaching the notes in any major, minor, dominant 7th, complex, augmented or diminished chord and any mode, major scale or pentatonic scale, said music device kit comprising:
a circular base wherein the twelve musical notes, C, G, D, A, E, B/C flat, F
sharp/G flat, C sharp/D flat, G sharp/A flat, D sharp/E flat, A sharp/B flat and E sharp/F, are arranged in a clockwise order about said base in a circular progression at locations of each hour of a clock;
a key finder overlay having reference means at seven consecutive hourly positions;
a chord finder overlay having indicator means at relative 12, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock positions;
wherein said key finder and said chord finder are both attachable to, and rotatable about said base, in such a way that said key finder is located between said base and said chord finder.
CA 2353846 2001-07-10 2001-07-10 Music theory teaching device Expired - Lifetime CA2353846C (en)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220108672A1 (en) * 2020-10-07 2022-04-07 Timothy Andrew Collings Music learning aid

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220108672A1 (en) * 2020-10-07 2022-04-07 Timothy Andrew Collings Music learning aid
US11551649B2 (en) * 2020-10-07 2023-01-10 Timothy Andrew Collings Music learning aid

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