WO2018229746A1

WO2018229746A1 - Musical instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2018229746A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/050605
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eyal EGOSI
Original assignee: Digital Instruments Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-15
Filing date: 2018-06-04
Publication date: 2018-12-20

Abstract

A guitar shaped musical instrument is provided that comprises a position sensors matrix, wherein each position sensor in the matrix is made of a left force sensitive resistor (FSR) and a right-FSR; a strumming sensors matrix, wherein each strumming sensor in the matrix is made of an up-FSR and a down-FSR; wherein each position sensor is associated with one fret of a plurality of frets and one string of a plurality of strings, and each strumming sensor is associated with one zone of a plurality of zones and one string of the plurality of strings. A self-calibration method of the musical instrument is provided as well as a method of utilizing the musical instrument for tutoring.

Description

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosed subject matter relates to music instruments. More particularly, the present disclosed subject matter relates to digital electronic acoustics device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Popular musical instruments based on electronic synthesizer, such as guitars provide a greater mobility compare to a traditional keyboard. Rather than being confined to a stationary instrument, a synthesizer guitar player is free to roam the stage. However, synthesizer guitars still suffer from many drawbacks, which delay their adoption as a popular musical instrument.

[0003] Software based synthesizers for making music has advanced over the past decades. Electronic devices continue to gain popularity as means for composing music, recording it, and editing musical parts. However, the hardware options available to musicians as means to control software is significantly limited. Lack of user interface that allows musicians to express their full creative potential; connectivity limitations; need for appropriate ergonomic form fit and factor are few of the hardware limitations that demands innovation for keeping pace with the potential of the software capabilities. Commercially available computerized guitar instruments lack tactile input capability of emulating conventional guitar fretting and strumming. Moreover, these instruments force the musician to look at a computer screen to know where to press his or her fingers.

[0004] Most of the commercially available guitars resemble keyboards more than guitars. This leads to a style of play that is more keyboard-like than guitar-like, both physically and musically. Unlike conventional guitars, the keyboard-like guitars have unpleasing aesthetic and limited functionality, which disable users from utilizing musical techniques to enhance their musical expressivity compared to the guitar.

[0005] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide users with a standalone guitar-like instrument that resembles guitar playing experience; preserves the aesthetic of a guitar and provides the player the ability to use techniques that have the expressivity of a real guitar. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a guitar shaped musical instrument, having a processor, comprising: a position sensors matrix, wherein each position sensor in the matrix is made of a left force sensitive resistor (FSR) and a right-FSR; a strumming sensors matrix, wherein each strumming sensor in the matrix is made of an up-FSR and a down-FSR; wherein each position sensor is associated with one fret of a plurality of frets and one string of a plurality of strings and each strumming sensor is associated with one zone of a plurality of zones and one string of the plurality of strings.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, a calculation of values sampled from a left-FSR and a right-FSR, by the processor, is indicative of a pressure applied on a spot along a fret.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, a calculation of values sampled from an up-FSR and a down-FSR, by the processor, is indicative of a pressure applied on a spot along a thickness of a string and the direction of strumming.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, each string of the plurality of strings of the position sensors matrix correspond with a string of the plurality of strings of the strumming sensors matrix.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the guitar shaped musical instrument is comprised of a body and a neck, wherein the neck is detachable from the body and wherein the neck comprising the position sensors matrix.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the neck further comprises of variable colored illuminations used as indication to a user.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument further comprises a mute -bar sensor arranged as an array of FSRs substantially align with the plurality of strings, wherein the mute-bar sensor is activated by user's pressure to cause the musical instrument to perform effects selected from a group consisting of muting; decaying; restraining; filtering; sound brightness; loudness; and any combination thereof of at least one string.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument further comprises a rechargeable power supply allowing for self-contain autonomous operation. [0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor comprising: an input and output module configured to sample information from the strumming and position sensors; a controller coupled by memory configured manipulate the information into digital music files; and a synthesizer configured to generate sound signals derived from the digital music and output the sound signals via the input and output module.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, the input and output module further comprises a WIFI transceiver and/or Bluetooth transceiver for communicating music associated files and software with external computers.

[0016] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument further comprises output components, driven by the input and output module, selected from a group consisting of headset jack; USB port; auxiliary audio jack; and any combination thereof configured to output sound signals to external devices selected from a group consisting of amplifier; external speaker; earphones; and any combination thereof.

[0017] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument further comprises a graphic display, positioned substantially in a line of sight of a user, wherein the graphic display is used as a menu-based user's interface to provide the user with information selected from a group consisting of settings, preferences, music notes, effects, chord representation, any combination thereof.

[0018] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument further comprises encoders operationally coupled with the graphic display to cause the display to exhibit necessary information.

[0019] In some exemplary embodiments, the memory is further configured to retain files selected from a group consisting of played notes; interactive playing lessons; song notations; tabs; lyrics; software modules; and any combination thereof.

[0020] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument further comprises programmable inputs selected from a group consisting of motion sensor; slider; transport buttons; infrared sensor; and any combination thereof configured to manipulate music modulations, selected from a group consisting of amplitude; frequency; brightness; resonance; delay; distortion; simulate whammy-bar simulation; and combination thereof.

[0021] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor is capable of determining music effects selected from a group consisting of audible modulation; after-touch; volume; filter; pitch effect; string vibration; string bending; whammy-bar; and any combination thereof from inputs selected from a group consisting of the strumming sensors; the position sensors; the programmable inputs; the mute-bar sensor; and any combination thereof.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a self-calibration method of the musical instrument comprising: sampling values of sensors selected from a group consisting of the strumming sensors matrix; the position sensors matrix; the mute -bar sensor while in idle; store the values in an offset repository; determine correction factor for each sensor of the sensors; and restore the correction factor in the offset repository

[0023] In some exemplary embodiments, the method is activated in events selected from a group consisting of manual instruction; idle; initialization followed by powerup; and any combination thereof.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a method of utilizing the musical instrument of claim 1 for tutoring comprising: loading tutoring file; displaying notes and chord representation on graphic display; illuminating positions to indicate a chord before strumming; and activating manual or automatic spell-check.

[0025] In some exemplary embodiments, the notes and chord representation on graphic display comply with standard musical notation.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosed subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosed subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosed subject matter only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the disclosed subject matter. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosed subject matter in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

[0028] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of a musical instrument, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0029] Fig. 2A illustrates a back view of the musical instrument, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0030] Fig. 2B shows a block diagram, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0031] Fig. 3 A schematically illustrates a position sensor, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0032] Fig. 3B schematically illustrates a matrix of position sensors of the musical instrument, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0033] Fig. 4A schematically illustrates a strumming sensor, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and

[0034] Fig. 4B schematically illustrates a matrix of strumming sensors of the musical instrument, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The drawings are generally not to scale. For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.

[0036] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", and "having" together with their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". The term "consisting of" has the same meaning as "including and limited to".

[0037] The term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

[0038] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0039] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this disclosed subject matter may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range.

[0040] It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0041] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a digital musical instrument having, but not limited to, a guitar shape used for learning and playing music. In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument may comprise a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors are touch/pressure sensitive resistors. The sensors can be situated on the musical instrument in zones, such as frets; strings; strumming; muting; slider; functions; modulation; and any combination thereof. The musical instrument further comprises: a display; a chargeable battery pack; a power supply; a controller coupled with memory; wired and/or wireless input/output interfaces. The musical instrument can be configured to produce a plurality of musical sounds by strumming, touching, pressing, and any combination thereof, the at least one of the sensors.

[0042] Referring now to Fig. 1 illustrating a front view of a musical instrument 100, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The musical instrument 100 may be digital musical instrument having, but not limited to, a guitar shape used for learning and playing music by amateur and professionals. The musical instrument 100 may be adapted for playing musical elements (sounds) characterized by pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and sonic qualities such as timbre and texture (color). Furthermore, the musical instrument 100 may be configured to perform sounds imitating a plurality of classic musical instruments known in the art.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments musical instrument 100, may comprise a detachable neck 300 and a body front 111. The neck 300 may comprise a plurality of positions 333, wherein the positions are situated along the neck 300 in a matrix like formation. It will be noted that in the present discloser, the rows of the matrix are referred to as strings and the coulombs are referred to as frets. In some exemplary embodiments, the neck 300 may comprise at least one fret 321 and at least one string 323. Typically, the frets are separated by fret line 322. It should be noted that, each position 333 is attributed to a designated musical note and at least two notes make a chord, notes and chords may be acoustically expressed when a user touches one or more position(s) 333 while strumming.

[0044] The body front 111 may comprises: a display 107; encoders 105; a mute -bar sensor 104; slider 103; strumming area 400; transport buttons 106; infrared (IR) sensor 102; and any combination thereof. The display 107 may be a graphic display utilized as a menu -based user's interface (UI) for providing a user with information, such as settings, preferences, music notes, effects any combination thereof, or the like. The encoders 105 may be rotary switches, pressure switches, a combination thereof, or the like, which may be used for browsing settings and selecting features. The encoders 105 may be operationally coupled with display 107 by the musical instrument 100 controller to cause the display to exhibit necessary information to the user. Mute -bar sensor 104, slider 103, strumming area 400, transport buttons 106 and infrared (IR) sensor 102 will be discussed in details below.

[0045] Referring now to Figs. 2A and 2B showing component allocation on body back 222 and block diagram of the musical instrument 100 (respectively), in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The body back 222 shown on Fig. 2A may comprise; a processor 200; a rechargeable power supply 210; a motion sensor 234; a headset jack 231 ; a USB port 232 and an AMP jack 233.

[0046] Fig. 2B is showing block diagram of the processor 200. In some exemplary embodiments, the processor 200 may comprise a controller 220. The controller 220 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a plurality of integrated circuits (IC), a combination thereof, or the like. The controller 220 may be utilized to perform computations of algorithms and control functions required by the musical instrument 100 or any of it subcomponents to operate.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, processor 200 may comprise an input-output (I/O) module 230. I/O module 230 may be utilized as an interface to transmit and/or receive information and instructions between musical instrument 100 and I/O components, such as display 107; a mute-bar sensor 104; slider 103; strumming area 400; transport buttons 106; infrared (IR) sensor 102; encoders 105; motion sensor 234; headset jack 231 ; USB port 232; AMP jack 233; and any combination thereof, or the like. It should be noted that, the I/O module 230 may be used as an interface for a user to provide inputs, such as by: strumming, touching, pressing, and any combination thereof; on at least one position 333, strumming area 400 mute-bar sensor 104, any combination thereof, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 200 may comprise a WIFI and/or Bluetooth transceiver utilized for communicating music associated files and or software with external computers.

[0048] In some exemplary embodiments, motion sensor 234, slider 103, transport buttons 106 and IR sensor 102 may be programmable inputs to musical instrument 100. In some exemplary embodiments, these inputs may be configured to manipulate, select and impact music modulations, such as amplitude, frequency, brightness, resonance, delay, distortion, any combination thereof, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the transport buttons 106 may be considered as a set shortcut keys used, by the user, for preconfigured modulations, wherein each preconfigured modulation may be assigned a shortcut key from the transport buttons 106. Additionally, or alternatively, transport buttons 106 may be used for functionality, such as play, stop, record, forward, pause, rewind, and any combination thereof, or the like. ,In some exemplary embodiments, slider 103 may be configured, but not limited, to simulate the action performed by the whammy-bar of a classic electrical guitar.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor 200 may comprise a memory unit 223. The memory unit 223 may be used to retain components, such as, software component, compositions projects, music files, music notes, music theory lessons, exercises, ear training drills, interactive playing lessons, music compositions, previously played notes, any combination thereof, or the like. The software component may be programs, instructions, functions, and source code files that are operative to cause the controller 220 to perform acts associated with any of the subcomponents of the musical instrument 100.

[0050] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor 200 may comprise a synthesizer 221. The synthesizer 221 may be an electronic component configured to convert digital representation of music notes to electric timbres, which are further converted to audible sound by speakers. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more musical notes, obtained, for example, from strumming area 400 or memory 230, may be determined, by controller 220, and provided to synthesizer 221 for generating associated electric timbres. [0051] The rechargeable power supply 210 comprise a chargeable battery pack 212 serving as the main power source of a power supply 211, which supplies all necessary voltages required by the musical instrument 100. It should be noted that, the chargeable battery pack 212 can sustain few hours of continuous operation, typically sufficient for more than one concert.

[0052] Referring now to Fig. 3A schematically illustrating a position sensor 333, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Each position sensor 333 may comprise at least one pair of force sensitive resistors (FSR). FSRs may be sensors configured to detecting physical touch and pressure and may be considered as potentiometers that changes their resistive value relative to pressure applied on them. In some exemplary embodiments, the position sensor 333 may be a pair of FSRs comprising a right FSR and a left FSR having a common terminal 333C. the resistance values measured in terminals 333R and 333L are indicative of the pressure applied, by the user, on the right and left FSRs respectively.

[0053] In some exemplary embodiments, neck 300 may comprise a plurality of positions 333 arranged, on strings 323 and frets 321 of neck 300 in a matrix formation, wherein any given position 321 of the matrix has a given span (length). It should be noted that, although each position 333 is attributed to a designated musical note, the produced sound, can or should, vary depending where the user press along the span. For that reason, the musical instrument 100 of the present disclosure utilize a pair of FSRs in each position 333. In some exemplary embodiments, a calculation based on a combination of physical values; such as resistance, vibration, or the like; sampled (measured) from terminals 333R and 333L is indicative of a spot along the span of position 333 that the user pressed. It should be reminded that, that each position sensor 333 may be stretched along one fret 321 of one string 323, thus a spot along the span of position 333 is actually a spot along a span of a fret 321of a string 323.

[0054] In some exemplary embodiments, a commonly used guitar effect string bending can be provided by the present disclosure, by simultaneously pressing at least two position sensors 333 in order gain the string bending linear shifting of notes pitch up.

[0055] In some exemplary embodiments, the position sensor 333 may comprise a note LED 335, which may be an RGB LED capable of emitting a plurality of colors. It will be noted that each position sensor 333, may be associated to either one of the following musical notes A(la), B(ci), C(do), D(re), E(me), F(fa), G(sol) and each note may be attributed to one color of the plurality of colors of the LED 335. Thus, in tutoring embodiments, the controller 220 may lit a compilation of LED 335, that make up a song, in an order that helps a student to repeat a sequence of notes and or chords while learning a song. In other exemplary embodiments, the LEDs 335 may be lit up for showing the user the note locations by color.

[0056] Referring now to Fig. 3B schematically illustrating a matrix of position sensors of the musical instrument, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As previously disclosed the position sensors 333 are organized in a matrix formation along neck 300. Neck 300 may comprise at least one fret 321 and at least one string 323, wherein each fret 321 comprises at least one position sensors 333 per string 323, however the amount of position sensors 333 per fret 321 may be programmable.

[0057] Referring now to Fig. 4A schematically illustrating a strumming sensor 444, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Each strumming sensor 444 may comprise at least one pair of FSRs. In some exemplary embodiments, the strumming sensor 444 pair may comprise an up and a down FSRs having a common terminal 444C, wherein the values measured in terminals 444U and 444D are indicative of the pressure applied, by the user, on the up and down FSRs respectively.

[0058] Referring now to Fig. 4B schematically illustrating a matrix of strumming sensors 444, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The matrix comprising at least one strumming sensors 444 that makes up strumming area 400, which may be based on at least one string 410 and at least one strumming zone 420 (vertical). In some exemplary embodiments, the strumming area 400 may comprise up to seven zones, each having at least one strumming sensor 444 per string 410. It should be noted that, in typical electric guitars, strumming along the strumming area closer to the guitar's bridge yield different sound compare to strumming closer to the neck. Furthermore, electric guitars typically employ a plurality of microphones along the strumming area in order to make up for this sound differentiation. To follow suit, the present discloser provides for this sound differentiation by dividing the strumming are 400 into programmable zones. [0059] In some exemplary embodiments, strumming area 400 may comprise a plurality of strumming sensors 444 arranged by strings 410 (rows) and zones 420 (columns) matrix formation, wherein any given strumming sensor 444 of the matrix has a given span (height) 444H. Additionally, or alternatively, the strumming sensors 444 may comprise a pair of FSRs. A calculation based on a combination of physical values; such as resistance, vibration, or the like; sampled (measured) from terminals 444U and 444D is indicative of a spot along the span 444H that the user pressed.

[0060] It should be noted that, although strumming of each string 410 in a given zone 420 is attributed to a designated musical sound, the produced sound, can or should, vary depending where the user press along the span 444H. Moreover, the calculation based on the values sampled from terminals 444U and 444D, can be utilized by processor 200, of Fig. 2B, for determining the direction of strumming, i.e. up or down.

[0061] In some exemplary embodiments, the musical instrument 100 may be provided with a mute -bar sensor 104. The mute-bar sensor 104 may comprise a plurality of FSR sensors, similar to strumming sensors 444. The mute -bar sensor 104 may be activated by the user's base of palm hand (strumming hand), to gradually or instantaneously mute/un-mute the sound. Additionally, or alternatively, instead of mute/un-mute function the mute -bar sensor 104 may be configured to operate other modulations, such as sound brightness, loudness, or the like.

[0062] It should be noted that in preferred embodiments, position sensors 333 and strumming sensors 444 are each configured based on the at least one mutually coupled pair of FSRs, i.e. 333R and 333L pair for position sensor and 444U and 444D pair for strumming sensor. The rest of the FSR sensors, such as mute -bar sensor 104; slider 103 and transport buttons 106; are either configured as independent FSRs or a group of FSRs acting as one.

[0063] In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, controller 230 may be configured to scan the entire musical instrument 100 FSR's within less than one millisecond. It will be understood that the process of scanning the FSR comprises sampling as well as determining the pressure properties of each FSR of the musical instrument 100 in each scanning cycle. In some exemplary embodiments, controller 230 may utilize multiplexers that simultaneously scan the rows and the columns of sensors matrixes, such as the strumming sensors matrix and the position sensors matrix. In some exemplary embodiments, the pressure properties of the FSRs may comprise pressure magnitude and pressure duration (time). Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 230 may determine the proportional pressure between FSRs of a pair, (position 333 and strumming 444); the direction in which the pressure was applied (strumming up or down); the relative time duration between FSRs; and any combination thereof, or the like. Based on the pressure magnitude as well as the time duration, the speed and rhythm may be determined, which facilitates translation of sensors detection into audible modulation, after-touch, volume, filter, pitch effect, a combination thereof, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the mute-bar sensor may be positioned substantially perpendicular to a string area and may be configured to determine pressure properties of all the FSRs in the mute -bar sensor 104. The pressure properties of mute-bar sensor 104 are further translated into proportional muting, decaying, restraining or filtering of an individual respective.

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a self-calibration process may be activated in events, such as upon the manual instruction, while the musical instrument 100 may be idle, upon initialization followed by powering the instrument 100, and any combination thereof, or the like, the self-calibration process can comprise sampling the all the strumming and position sensors and all FSRs of the mute bar array while no external force is applied on them. Upon sampling all the sensors controller 220 retain all values sampled in an offset repository in memory 223. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 220 may be used to determine a correction factor for each sample and restore the correction factor in the offset repository. Each correction may be use used for correcting sensor sampling it associated with during the use of the instrument 100.

[0065] One technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is latency resulting from long cycle of converting mechanical movement detection to digital pitch. Also, commercially available products are based on external computing and sound devices that contribute to latency due to communication factors. Such products are inherently adding latency reaching 20 to 50 milliseconds, which is unacceptable for professional use. The latency of present disclosure musical instrument is below 2 milliseconds. [0066] Another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is inaccuracy of played notes due to imperfections in digital pitch detection. The musical instrument of the present disclosure overcomes such inaccuracy by using two force sensitive resistors in each position and strumming sensors that are coupled with the sampling algorithms. Furthermore, the previously described architecture of the position and strumming sensors coupled with the sampling algorithms eliminates ghost notes i.e., detection of wrong string and or position.

[0067] One technical solution is integrating all relevant components of the musical instrument 100 into a battery operated self-contained instrument, which results in: low latency; improved mobility, installation free instrument and integrated display positioned in the line of sight of the user.

[0068] Another technical solution is extended strumming area as well as dividing it into a plurality of strumming zones. These features improve detection of strumming expression compared to shortened strings lacking strumming zones, thus can't distinguish between the different sound shapes of strumming closer to the neck or closer to the bridge, such as playing in traditional electric guitars. Additionally, extended and divided strumming area having a pressure sensitive sensors pairs results in expanding the dynamic range of volume; better strumming expression; elimination of acoustic noise; a combination thereof, or the like.

[0069] Yet another technical solution is providing a mute -bar sensor in close proximity to the strumming zone for allowing quick muting/damping of the strings.

[0070] One technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matter is the present invention alleviates all the prior architecture/ guitar drawbacks and provides a useful playing instrument for amateurs and professionals alike.

[0071] Another technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matter is utilizing the present disclosure for composing music, for example recording, while playing the musical instrument 100, segments of compositions for later editing.

[0072] In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the musical instrument 100 may be used as practicing and tutoring instrument for music students. To facilitate the tutoring/training process the musical instrument of the present discloser may be provided with the following features:

a. A display 107 integrated in the musical instrument 100 and positioned at the user's line of sight while playing

b. Displaying guitar (tabs) notes on display 107: upon touching a position/chord and prior to playing (strumming).

c. The notes and chord representation on display 107 may comply with standard musical notation

d. Two options of an automatic music correction feature, sort of "spell-check". If a given song/melody is preloaded, the instrument may prevent spoofing, otherwise the instrument may autonomously determine an error and estimate the appropriate key/position/chord.

[0073] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A guitar shaped musical instrument, having a processor, comprising:

a position sensors matrix, wherein each position sensor in the matrix is made of a left force sensitive resistor (FSR) and a right-FSR;

a strumming sensors matrix, wherein each strumming sensor in the matrix is made of an up-FSR and a down-FSR;

wherein each position sensor is associated with one fret of a plurality of frets and one string of a plurality of strings, and each strumming sensor is associated with one zone of a plurality of zones and one string of the plurality of strings.

2. The musical instrument of claim 1, wherein values sampled from the left- FSR and the right-FSR are indicative of a pressure applied on a spot along a fret.

3. The musical instrument of claim 2, wherein values sampled from the up-FSR and the down-FSR is indicative of a pressure applied on a spot along a thickness of a string and and or the direction of strumming.

4. The musical instrument of claim 3, wherein each string of the plurality of strings of the position sensors matrix correspond with a string of the plurality of strings of the strumming sensors matrix.

5. The musical instrument of claim 1, wherein the guitar shaped musical instrument is comprised of a body and a neck, wherein the neck is detachable from the body and wherein the neck comprising the position sensors matrix.

6. The musical instrument of claim 5, wherein the neck further comprises of variable colored illumination.

7. The musical instrument of claim 1, further comprises a mute-bar sensor arranged as an array of FSRs substantially aligned with said plurality of strings, wherein the mute-bar sensor is pressure activated to cause the musical instrument to perform effects selected from a group consisting of muting; decaying; restraining; filtering; sound brightness; loudness; and any combination thereof of at least one string.

8. The musical instrument of claim 1, wherein the processor comprising: an input and output module configured to sample information from the strumming sensors and the position sensors;

a controller coupled with a memory configured to manipulate the information into digital music files; and

a synthesizer configured to generate sound signals derived from the digital music files and output the sound signals via the input and output module.

9. The musical instrument of claim 8, wherein the input and output module further comprises a WIFI transceiver and and or Bluetooth transceiver for communicating music associated files and software with external computers.

10. The musical instrument of claim 8, further comprises output components driven by, the input and output module selected from a group consisting of headset jack; USB port; auxiliary audio jack; and any combination thereof configured to output sound signals to external devices selected from a group consisting of amplifier; external speaker; earphones; and any combination thereof.

11. The musical instrument of claim 8, further comprises a graphic display positioned substantially in a line of sight of a user, wherein the graphic display is used as a menu-based user's interface to provid the user with information selected from a group consisting of settings, preferences, music notes, effects, chord representation, any combination thereof.

12. The musical instrument of claim 11, further comprises encoders operationally coupled with the graphic display to cause the display to exhibit necessary information.

13. The musical instrument of claim 12, further comprises a rechargeable power supply, thereby allowing for autonomous use.

14. The musical instrument of claim 8, wherein the memory retains files selected from a group consisting of played notes; interactive playing lessons; song notations; tabs; lyrics; software modules; and any combination thereof.

15. The musical instrument of claim 8, wherein the input and output module is also configured to interface with programmable inputs selected from a group consisting of motion sensor; slider; shortcuts selectors; infrared sensor; and any combination thereof configured to manipulate music modulations, selected from a group consisting of amplitude; frequency; brightness; resonance; delay; distortion; simulate whammy-bar simulation; and combination thereof.

16. The musical instrument of claim 7, wherein the processor is capable of determining music effects selected from a group consisting of audible modulation; after-touch; volume; filter; pitch effect; string vibration; string bending; whammy-bar; and any combination thereof from inputs selected from a group consisting of the strumming sensors; the position sensors; the programmable inputs; the mute-bar sensor; and any combination thereof.

17. The musical instrument of claim 15, wherein the processor is capable of determining music effects selected from a group consisting of audible modulation; after-touch; volume; filter; pitch effect; string vibration; string bending; whammy-bar; and any combination thereof from inputs selected from a group consisting of the strumming sensors; the position sensors; the programmable inputs; the mute-bar sensor; and any combination thereof.

18. A self-calibration method of the musical instrument of claim 7 comprising:

sampling values of sensors selected from a group consisting of the strumming sensors matrix; the position sensors matrix; said mute-bar sensor while in idle;

store the values in an offset repository;

determine correction factor for each sensor of the sensors; and

restore the correction factor in the offset repository

19. The self-calibration method of claim 17, wherein the method is activated in events selected from a group consisting of manual instruction; idle; initialization followed by powerup; and any combination thereof.

20. A method of utilizing the musical instrument of claim 1 for tutoring comprising:

loading tutoring file;

displaying notes and chords representation on a graphic display;

illuminating positions to indicate the chords representation before strumming; and activating manual or automatic spell-check.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said notes and chords representation comply with standard musical notation.