WO2001045070A1 - Music notation display device - Google Patents

Music notation display device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001045070A1
WO2001045070A1 PCT/CA2000/001478 CA0001478W WO0145070A1 WO 2001045070 A1 WO2001045070 A1 WO 2001045070A1 CA 0001478 W CA0001478 W CA 0001478W WO 0145070 A1 WO0145070 A1 WO 0145070A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chord
scale
display device
minor
indicia
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2000/001478
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Patrick Greene
Original Assignee
Patrick Greene
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patrick Greene filed Critical Patrick Greene
Priority to AU19788/01A priority Critical patent/AU1978801A/en
Publication of WO2001045070A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001045070A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B15/00—Teaching music
    • G09B15/02—Boards or like means for providing an indication of notes
    • G09B15/026—Non-electrically operated
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10G—REPRESENTATION OF MUSIC; RECORDING MUSIC IN NOTATION FORM; ACCESSORIES FOR MUSIC OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. SUPPORTS
    • G10G1/00—Means for the representation of music
    • G10G1/02—Chord or note indicators, fixed or adjustable, for keyboard of fingerboards

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a music notation display device for the study and composition of musical forms.
  • note refers to an audible sound of specific frequency.
  • chord refers to a combination of two or more notes while the term “scale” refers to an ordered sequence of notes which is heard to be complete.
  • key refers to the tonic or root note on which a sequence of notes is built.
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 25) structure and are not readily useable by young or inexperienced musicians.
  • the basic structure of the device consists of a top member or disk 10 that is rotatably mounted to a base member or disk 12.
  • the basic embodiment of the device is illustrated in fig 4.
  • the invention includes the top disk 10, the base disk 12, and a bottom member or disk 14.
  • the top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 are transparent and rotatably mounted to the opaque base disk 12 at their centers by a snap-fit fastener 16, 18 of conventional form.
  • top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 contain a series of radial positioned opaque circles 20 with corresponding descriptive labels which indicate scale forms 22 and chord forms 24.
  • Fig 2 shows the plan view of the top disk 10 with a layout of opaque circles 20 and descriptive labels that is also representative of the layout on the bottom disk 14.
  • a series of fifteen radial positioned key notation sequences 26 representing fifteen keys is printed on the top surface of the base disk 12.
  • a series of note intervals is also printed on the underside surface of the base disk 12.
  • Fig 3 shows the top face of the base disk 12.
  • Each set of intervals begins and ends with the root note of the key to which the sequence corresponds.
  • the fifteen keys and hence fifteen root notes are namely: A-flat, A, B-flat, B, C-flat, C, C-sharp, D-flat, D, E-flat, E, F, F-sharp, G-flat and G. These represent the keys found m what is typically termed Western Music.
  • the note intervals that comprise the key sequence of notes on the top surface of the base disk 12 are the root, minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth, augmented fourth, perfect fifth, minor sixth, major sixth, dominant seventh, major seventh and octave.
  • the note intervals that comprise the sequence of notes on the bottom surface of the base disk 12 are the root, minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth, diminished fifth, perfect fifth, augmented fifth, major sixth, dominant seventh, major seventh and octave.
  • the opaque circles 20 of the top disk 10 block specific notes from being displayed on the base disk 12, allowing only the notes that are within the indicated scale to be displayed.
  • the notes of the A major scale consist of A, B, C-sharp, D, E, F-sharp, G-sharp, and A
  • the opaque circles 20 block the display of the minor second, minor third, augmented fourth, minor sixth and dominant sixth intervals.
  • This action results m the display of the intervals which make up the Major scale, namely the root, major second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, major sixth, major seventh, and the octave
  • the notations that make up any music form can be displayed on the device by positioning the opaque circles 20 on the top disk 10 to correspond to the locations of the base disk 12 intervals which are to be excluded from display.
  • the top disk 10 when m combination with the base disk 12 functions as a template and displays the scale names and notations 28 (Fig 4)
  • the bottom disk 14 when m combination with the base disk 12 functions as a template and displays chord names and notations 30 (Fig 5) .
  • the notes of the A Major chord are A, C-sharp, and E
  • the scale forms produced by the top disk 10 in combination with the base disk 12 include but are not limited to: Major, Natural Minor, Melodic Major, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Double Harmonic Major, Double Harmonic Minor, Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, Diminished, Whole Tone, Bebop, Dominant 7th, and Blues .
  • chord forms produced by the bottom disk 14 in combination with the base disk 12 include but are not limited to: Major, Minor, Augmented, Diminished, Major 6th, Minor 6th, Major 7th, Minor 7th, Dominant 7th Raised 5th, Dominant 7th, Minor 7th Flat 5, Add2 , Sus4 , and Sus2.
  • the device is able to display the notes of two hundred and twenty- five unique scales and two hundred and twenty- five unique chords. It should be understood that other music relationships, forms, scales, modes , and chords can be incorporated into the device and explored.
  • a user To operate the music notation display device a user first locates the desired scale or chord name on the top disk 10 or bottom disk 14 and the desired musical key on the base disk 12. The operator then independently rotates the top disk 10 or the bottom disk 14 until the desired scale or chord structure is brought into registry with the desired key. The notes of the scale or chord can then be played or retrieved as displayed as illustrated in Figs 4 and 5.
  • the device may be utilized in a number of ways The device may be used within a teaching environment to effectively assist new students m their understanding and study of the basic elements of musical forms and structures . Additionally the device may be used by musically advanced operators to readily determine and retrieve scale and chord notation information to assist m music analysis and composition .
  • the operator may also determine the tonal distances between scale and chord notes by observing the number of opaque circles 20 found m the note sequences. Adjacent notes are separated by one semi-tone while each opaque circle 20 represents a musical separation of one whole tone. As a result of these relationships the operator may easily understand the structure of scales and chords .
  • scale and chord information is printed by conventional means on the top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 respectively.
  • Both the top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 are composed of laminated transparent plastic, molded transparent plastic, or other transparent material of suitable strength and durability.
  • the key information is printed on the base disk 12 which is formed of stiff plastic, laminated paper or other material of suitable strength and durability.
  • Rotation of the disks 10, 12, and 14 about a common center axis is achieved with the use of a conventional snap-fit fastener 16, 18.
  • the device can be readily modified with the removal of the snap-fit fastener 16,18 allowing for a multitude of musical structures to be formed and explored through the use of a variety of base disks 12 combined with a variety of top disks 10 and bottom disks 14.
  • top disk 10 is combined solely with the base disk 12 and the snap-fit fastener 16, 18 allowing for the placement of additional information on the underside of the base disk 12 as detailed in Fig 6.
  • Fig 7 illustrates an additional embodiment of the device in which the key notation sequences 26 are printed onto a page or book cover 34.
  • the top disk 10 or bottom disk 14 is then rotatably mounted concentric to the key notation sequences 26 with the use of a secured pivot 36.
  • the music notation display device provides a compact, easily understood and manipulated device that can be used by persons of almost any age and musical ability.
  • the device effectively enhances the musical knowledge of the user.
  • the base member of the device may be composed of a transparent material allowing the displayed musical elements of the device to be projected through an overhead projector of common design. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their equivalents .
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the device showing the preferred embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top disk of the device
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top side of a base disk of the device ;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of the device in one of the two hundred and twenty- five rotary positions for scales;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of the underside of the device in one of the two hundred and twenty- five rotary positions for chords;
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside surface of a base disk of an alternate embodiment of the device.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the device .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For Music (AREA)

Abstract

A music notation display device for displaying the notations of music forms such as scales and chords. In the basic structure the device is composed of two disk-like members. The base disk has indicia formed thereon representing intervals of musical notes. The second member functions as a template and is rotatably mounted to the base disk. The indicia of the top disk are brought into alignment with the indicia of the base disk so as to allow the display of the notes of selected music forms.

Description

Music Notation Display Device
Field of Invention
This invention relates to a music notation display device for the study and composition of musical forms.
Background Art
In the field of music the term "note" refers to an audible sound of specific frequency. The term "chord" refers to a combination of two or more notes while the term "scale" refers to an ordered sequence of notes which is heard to be complete. The term "key" refers to the tonic or root note on which a sequence of notes is built. In the study and composition of music it is necessary for the musician to be familiar with the fundamental forms of music, which include scales, chords, modes, chord progressions and intervals. All of these forms are made up of various sequences of notes which when played collectively or m succession are received by the ear as structured sound.
There are several devices m the known prior art tha relate to the display of music notations including US 4,069,735(1978), US 4,716,806(1988) and US 5,320,020(1994; While the majority of these devices contain a great deal of information and are directed toward the area of music education many of these devices are complex m display and
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 25) structure and are not readily useable by young or inexperienced musicians.
Due to the current limitations of the known art, a means of displaying a multitude of musical forms in a full range of keys and in a compact, easily understood and manipulated format would be desirable.
Disclosure of Invention
The basic structure of the device consists of a top member or disk 10 that is rotatably mounted to a base member or disk 12. The basic embodiment of the device is illustrated in fig 4.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig 1 the invention includes the top disk 10, the base disk 12, and a bottom member or disk 14. The top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 are transparent and rotatably mounted to the opaque base disk 12 at their centers by a snap-fit fastener 16, 18 of conventional form.
The top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 contain a series of radial positioned opaque circles 20 with corresponding descriptive labels which indicate scale forms 22 and chord forms 24. Fig 2 shows the plan view of the top disk 10 with a layout of opaque circles 20 and descriptive labels that is also representative of the layout on the bottom disk 14.
A series of fifteen radial positioned key notation sequences 26 representing fifteen keys is printed on the top surface of the base disk 12. A series of note intervals is also printed on the underside surface of the base disk 12. Fig 3 shows the top face of the base disk 12. Each set of intervals begins and ends with the root note of the key to which the sequence corresponds. The fifteen keys and hence fifteen root notes are namely: A-flat, A, B-flat, B, C-flat, C, C-sharp, D-flat, D, E-flat, E, F, F-sharp, G-flat and G. These represent the keys found m what is typically termed Western Music.
The note intervals that comprise the key sequence of notes on the top surface of the base disk 12 are the root, minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth, augmented fourth, perfect fifth, minor sixth, major sixth, dominant seventh, major seventh and octave. The note intervals that comprise the sequence of notes on the bottom surface of the base disk 12 are the root, minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth, diminished fifth, perfect fifth, augmented fifth, major sixth, dominant seventh, major seventh and octave.
When the indicia of the top disk 10 and the base disk 12 are aligned the opaque circles 20 of the top disk 10 block specific notes from being displayed on the base disk 12, allowing only the notes that are within the indicated scale to be displayed. As illustrated m Fig 4 the notes of the A major scale consist of A, B, C-sharp, D, E, F-sharp, G-sharp, and A The opaque circles 20 block the display of the minor second, minor third, augmented fourth, minor sixth and dominant sixth intervals. This action results m the display of the intervals which make up the Major scale, namely the root, major second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, major sixth, major seventh, and the octave In this manner the notations that make up any music form can be displayed on the device by positioning the opaque circles 20 on the top disk 10 to correspond to the locations of the base disk 12 intervals which are to be excluded from display.
The top disk 10 when m combination with the base disk 12 functions as a template and displays the scale names and notations 28 (Fig 4) The bottom disk 14 when m combination with the base disk 12 functions as a template and displays chord names and notations 30 (Fig 5) . As displayed m Fig 5 the notes of the A Major chord are A, C-sharp, and E
In the preferred embodiment the scale forms produced by the top disk 10 in combination with the base disk 12 include but are not limited to: Major, Natural Minor, Melodic Major, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Double Harmonic Major, Double Harmonic Minor, Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, Diminished, Whole Tone, Bebop, Dominant 7th, and Blues .
In the preferred embodiment, the chord forms produced by the bottom disk 14 in combination with the base disk 12 include but are not limited to: Major, Minor, Augmented, Diminished, Major 6th, Minor 6th, Major 7th, Minor 7th, Dominant 7th Raised 5th, Dominant 7th, Minor 7th Flat 5, Add2 , Sus4 , and Sus2. In the preferred embodiment the device is able to display the notes of two hundred and twenty- five unique scales and two hundred and twenty- five unique chords. It should be understood that other music relationships, forms, scales, modes , and chords can be incorporated into the device and explored.
Operation
To operate the music notation display device a user first locates the desired scale or chord name on the top disk 10 or bottom disk 14 and the desired musical key on the base disk 12. The operator then independently rotates the top disk 10 or the bottom disk 14 until the desired scale or chord structure is brought into registry with the desired key. The notes of the scale or chord can then be played or retrieved as displayed as illustrated in Figs 4 and 5. The device may be utilized in a number of ways The device may be used within a teaching environment to effectively assist new students m their understanding and study of the basic elements of musical forms and structures . Additionally the device may be used by musically advanced operators to readily determine and retrieve scale and chord notation information to assist m music analysis and composition .
The operator may also determine the tonal distances between scale and chord notes by observing the number of opaque circles 20 found m the note sequences. Adjacent notes are separated by one semi-tone while each opaque circle 20 represents a musical separation of one whole tone. As a result of these relationships the operator may easily understand the structure of scales and chords .
Construction
In the preferred embodiment scale and chord information is printed by conventional means on the top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 respectively. Both the top disk 10 and the bottom disk 14 are composed of laminated transparent plastic, molded transparent plastic, or other transparent material of suitable strength and durability. The key information is printed on the base disk 12 which is formed of stiff plastic, laminated paper or other material of suitable strength and durability. Rotation of the disks 10, 12, and 14 about a common center axis is achieved with the use of a conventional snap-fit fastener 16, 18. The device can be readily modified with the removal of the snap-fit fastener 16,18 allowing for a multitude of musical structures to be formed and explored through the use of a variety of base disks 12 combined with a variety of top disks 10 and bottom disks 14.
In an alternate embodiment 32 of the device the top disk 10 is combined solely with the base disk 12 and the snap-fit fastener 16, 18 allowing for the placement of additional information on the underside of the base disk 12 as detailed in Fig 6.
Fig 7 illustrates an additional embodiment of the device in which the key notation sequences 26 are printed onto a page or book cover 34. The top disk 10 or bottom disk 14 is then rotatably mounted concentric to the key notation sequences 26 with the use of a secured pivot 36. Ramifications and Scope
Thus the reader will see that the music notation display device provides a compact, easily understood and manipulated device that can be used by persons of almost any age and musical ability. The device effectively enhances the musical knowledge of the user.
While the above description contains many specifications these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example the base member of the device may be composed of a transparent material allowing the displayed musical elements of the device to be projected through an overhead projector of common design. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their equivalents .
Reference Numerals In Drawings
10 top disk 12 base disk
14 bottom disk 16 snap-fit fastener, top
18 snap-fit fastener, bottom 20 opaque circle
22 scale form label 24 chord form label
26 key notation sequence 28 scale names and notations
30 chord names and notations 32 alternate embodiment
34 book cover 36 secured pivot
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the device showing the preferred embodiment ;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top disk of the device;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top side of a base disk of the device ;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of the device in one of the two hundred and twenty- five rotary positions for scales;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the underside of the device in one of the two hundred and twenty- five rotary positions for chords;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside surface of a base disk of an alternate embodiment of the device;
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the device .

Claims

ClaimsThe embodiments of the invention m which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A music notation display device for the study and composition of musical forms comprising: a base member having indicia representing musical notes at set musical intervals formed radially thereon; a transparent top member rotatably mounted on said base member, said top member having indicia formed thereon which corresponds positionally to said indicia of said base member; whereby said top member allows specific notations of said musical intervals to be displayed; a means for rotatably joining said top member to said base member .
2. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably joining said members is snap fit fastener.
3. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably joining said members is an eyelet.
4. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably joining said members is an snap fit fastener integrally formed m said members .
5. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said base member and said top member are composed of plastic
6. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said base member is composed of paper.
7. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein the device is sized to be hand-held.
8. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein the musical elements displayed include music scales and chords.
9. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said indicia on said top member allows the display of said indicia of said base member corresponding to the notes of the Major scale, Natural Minor scale, Melodic Major scale, Melodic Minor scale, Harmonic Minor scale, Harmonic Minor scale, Double Harmonic Major scale, Double Harmonic Minor scale, Major
Pentatonic scale, Minor Pentatonic scale, Diminished scale, Whole Tone scale, Bebop scale, Dominant 7th scale, and Blues scale .
10. A music notation display device of claim 1 wherein said indicia on said top member allows the display of said indicia of said base member corresponding to the notes of the Major chord, Minor chord, Augmented chord, Diminished chord, Major 6th chord, Minor 6th chord, Major 7th chord, Minor 7th chord, Dominant 7th Raised 5th chord, Dominant 7th chord, Minor 7th Flat 5 chord, Add2 chord, Sus4 chord, and Sus2 chord.
11. A method of simultaneously displaying the notations of a plurality of musical elements in a compact format comprising: a base member having indicia representing musical notes at set musical intervals formed radially thereon; a transparent top member rotatably mounted on said base member, said top member having indicia formed thereon which corresponds positionally to said indicia of said base member; whereby said top member allows specific notations of said musical intervals to be displayed; a means for rotatably joining said top member to said base member .
PCT/CA2000/001478 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Music notation display device WO2001045070A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU19788/01A AU1978801A (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Music notation display device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17097999P 1999-12-15 1999-12-15
US60/170,979 1999-12-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001045070A1 true WO2001045070A1 (en) 2001-06-21

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2000/001478 WO2001045070A1 (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Music notation display device

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WO (1) WO2001045070A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2448760A1 (en) * 1979-02-12 1980-09-05 Biasi Christian De Display for visual matching of musical harmonics - has two concentric and superimposed discs turning to expose information through openings in masks
WO1986006193A1 (en) * 1985-04-11 1986-10-23 TÖRÖK, György Educational aid in teaching of music

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2448760A1 (en) * 1979-02-12 1980-09-05 Biasi Christian De Display for visual matching of musical harmonics - has two concentric and superimposed discs turning to expose information through openings in masks
WO1986006193A1 (en) * 1985-04-11 1986-10-23 TÖRÖK, György Educational aid in teaching of music

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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