GB2419218A

GB2419218A - Apparatus for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions

Info

Publication number: GB2419218A
Application number: GB0422729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Eric Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-13
Filing date: 2004-10-13
Publication date: 2006-04-19
Also published as: GB0422729D0

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions for scales, chords and arpeggios, which apparatus (2) comprises: ```a housing (4) for being held in a hand of the guitar student; ```thirty six note keys (6) which are positioned on one face (8) of the housing (4), which are operable to cause the generation of notes achievable by six strings passing over six frets of a guitar, and which are arranged as six sets of six note keys (6) with each one of the sets of note keys (6) representing one of the strings passing over one of the frets of the guitar; ```note generating means (10) for generating a note consequent upon operation of one of the note keys (6); ```logic means (12) for permitting only the highest note to sound if more than one of the note keys (6) in one of the sets of note keys (6) is operated; and ```audio means (16) for enabling the scales, chords and arpeggios which are created by the guitar student operating the note keys (6) to be heard.

Description

1 2419218

APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A

GUITAR STUDENT TO PRACTICE FINGERING POSITIONS

FOR SCALES, CHORDS AND ARPEGGIOS This invention relates to musical apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions for scales, chords and arpeggios.

In order to become proficient, guitar students need to practice playing their guitars. There are often times and places when such practice with a guitar is not practical, even though the students are not doing anything else.

For example, whilst on public transport or in queues, the guitar students could be conducting their guitar practice were it not for such practice not being allowed and/or causing a nuisance to other persons on the public transport or in the queues.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions for scales, chords and arpeggios, which apparatus comprises: (i) a housing for being held in a hand of the guitar student; (ii) thirty six note keys which are positioned on one face of the housing, which are operable to cause the generation of notes achievable by six strings passing over six frets of a guitar, and which are arranged as six sets of six note keys with each one of the sets of note keys representing one of the strings passing over the six frets of the guitar; (iii) note generating means for generating a note consequent upon operation of one of the note keys; (iv) logic means for permitting only the highest note to sound if more than one of the note keys in one of the sets of note keys is operated; and (v) audio means for enabling the scales, chords and arpeggios which are created by the guitar student operating the note keys to be heard.

The apparatus of the present invention is such that the size of a guitar, which may present a problem on public transport or in queues, is thus avoided by the apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus can be operated very discretely so that the attention that would be caused by practicing with a guitar is able to be avoided. The audio means can be arranged to give an output just for the guitar student, thereby avoiding possibly causing noise nuisance to other persons in the vicinity.

The housing may be a rectilinear housing. Generally, the housing can be of any suitable and appropriate shape. Thus, for example, the housing may be produced in any desired ergonomic shape.

The six sets of six note keys are preferably arranged in six lines.

The note keys are preferably press keys. The note keys may alternatively be touch keys. Other types of note keys may be employed if desired.

The note generating means may be a micro-controller or a dedicated integrated circuit. Other types of note generating means may be employed.

The logic means may be physical logic gates logic means, or software programmable logic means.

The enable/disable keys may be electrical slider switches.

Alternatively, the enable/disable keys may be electrical switch latching touch keys. Other types of enable/disable keys may be employed.

The audio means may be a miniature loud speaker and/or an audio head phone device and/or an audio ear piece device.

The apparatus of the invention may include enable/disable keys for enabling or disabling note generation for permitting the guitar student to practice different scales.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions for scales, chords, and arpeggios; Figure 2 shows schematically a layout for the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows in block diagram form the different parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates how the apparatus shown in Figure 1 may be operated; and Figure 5 shows an example of logic means that may be employed, one for each set of note keys.

Referring to Figures 1 - 4, there is shown apparatus 2 for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions for scales, chords and arpeggios. The apparatus 2 comprises a housing 4 for being held in a hand of the guitar student. The apparatus 2 also comprises thirty six note keys 6 which are positioned on one face 8 of the housing 4. The note keys 6 are operable to cause the generation of notes achievable by six strings passing over six frets of a guitar. The note keys 6 are arranged as six sets of six note keys 6 with each one of the sets of note keys 6 representing one of the strings passing over the six frets of the guitar.

The apparatus 2 further comprises note generating means 10 for generating a note consequent upon operation of one of the note keys 6.

Logic means 12 in the form of a microcontroller, signals the notes to the note generating means. The logic means 12 permits only the highest note to sound if more than one of the note keys 6 in one of the sets of note keys 6 is operated. Enable/disable keys 14 are provided for enabling or disabling note generation for permitting the guitar student to learn different scales, chords and arpeggios. Audio means 16 enables the scales, chords and arpeggios which are created by the guitar student operating the note key 6 to be heard.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the housing 4 is a rectilinear housing 4 having straight sides. A handle 18 pivots about a pivot 20 between closed and open positions as shown. The handle 18 enables the apparatus 2 easily to be steadied by the other had of the guitar student.

As can best be seen from Figure 2, the six sets of six note keys 6 are arranged in six lines. The note keys 6 are press keys.

The note generating means 10 is a proprietary integrated circuit sold by Yamaha as a Yamaha YM 2413. The logic means 12 is, by means of software, programmed into the micro controller.

The enable/disable keys 14 are electrical slide switches.

The audio means 16 is a miniature loud speaker and/or an audio head phone device and/or an audio earpiece device.

During use of the apparatus 2, the apparatus 2 may be held in a person's left hand with the person's thumb below the apparatus 2 for support. The handle 18 may be placed in the open position, where it may click into place. The handle may then be grasped in the guitar student's right hand. The note keys 6 are proud of the side 8 of the housing 4 to enable "barre" chords to be played, i.e. holding up to six note keys 6 down together at the same fret. The note keys 6 are preferably made of soft rubber. A short section of wire may optionally be fixed to the surface of the note keys 6 in order to give them a more natural feel corresponding to a string of a guitar.

The logic means 12 operates to select only the highest note when multiple note keys 6 are pressed for a given set of note keys 6 corresponding to a given string on the guitar. Thus, for example, the logic means 12 would be employed for "G" and not "G#" and not A and not Bb.

The logic means 6 may also operate to deal with duplicates, for

example:

Bb(string6) or Bb(string5)etc.

The thirty possible notes are able to be fed to the note generating means 10 with a minimum of six note polyphony, for output to the audio means 16.

The enable/disable keys 14 are an optional feature of the apparatus 2 and they allow the apparatus 2 to operate in a teaching mode. More specifically, certain notes are able to be disabled in order that only certain scales or chords could be played, for example:

ENABLE THESE NOTES TO PLAY THESE

C D E F GA B C is C Major ABCDEFGA is A Minor C E G is the C Major Triad Chord.

The teaching function enables the guitar student to learn the scale or chord as well as the correct fingering. The various combinations are set by means of the enable/disable keys 14.

The apparatus 2 may optionally be provided with a MIDI output.

This facility would enable the guitar student to play through a keyboard.

On depression of the note keys 6, the logic means 12 signals the relevant note or notes for generation by the note generating means 10 prior to be sent to the amplifier and audio means 16. The black and white enable/disable keys 14 are electrical switches which enable or disable the associated note or notes. This means that, for example, if the natural notes are all enabled, and the accidentals are disabled, then the guitar student may practice the scale of C Major and its relative Minor (Am) in the given position. If the guitar student then inhibits the F in favour of the F#, then the scales of G Major and E Minor may be practiced. In this way, all twelve major scales and their relative minors may be practiced in the same position. The position for playing is selected by means of the up/down switches 22, 24 shown in Figure 2, thereby allowing the guitar student to practice every scale in every position.

By selecting the proper notes, e.g. C E G. the guitar student may practice the associated chords and their arpeggios, in this case C Major. By adding in the B. the guitar student may practice C Major seventh. In this way, any scale, chord or arpeggio may be practiced in any position. By inhibiting the notes not in the scale, the guitar student is able to soon learn which are the right notes for the scale, chord or arpeggio being played.

The apparatus 2 is thus able to be used to improve the fret board skill of guitar players. The apparatus 2 is easily implemented at relatively low manufacturing cost. Because the apparatus 2 is able to be produced to be of a small size, it is easily able to be carried.

Figure 5 shows an example of logic that may be employed, one for each set of note keys. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the logic means shown in Figure 5 may be incorporated in software in the logic means 12.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the note keys 6 could be touch keys rather than press keys.

The note generating means 10 could be another microcontroller rather than the Yamaha YM 2413. The enable/disable keys 14 could be touch keys or press keys rather than slider switches. Options may be included for different voices and sustain.

Claims

1. Apparatus for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions for scales, chords and arpeggios, which apparatus comprises: (i) a housing for being held in a hand of the guitar student; (ii) thirty six note keys which are positioned on one face of the housing, which are operable to cause the generation of notes achievable by six strings passing over six frets of a guitar, and which are arranged as six sets of six note keys with each one of the sets of note keys representing one of the strings passing over one of the frets of the guitar; (iii) note generating means for generating a note consequent upon operation of one of the note keys; (iv) logic means for permitting only the highest note to sound if more than one of the note keys in one of the sets of note keys is operated; and (v) audio means for enabling the scales, chords and arpeggios which are created by the guitar student operating the note keys to be heard.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the housing is a rectilinear housing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the six sets of six note keys are arranged in six lines.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the note keys are press keys.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the note generating means is a micro-controller or a dedicated integrated circuit.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the logic means is physical logic gates logic means, or is software programmable logic means.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the enable/disable keys are electrical switch slide keys or latching press keys.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the audio means is a miniature loud speaker and/or an audio head phone device and/or an audio earpiece device.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including enable/disable keys for enabling or disabling note generation for permitting the guitar student to practice different scales.

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10. Apparatus for enabling a guitar student to practice fingering positions of scales, chords and arpeggios, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.