US 12,424,121 B2Granted

Music chord map

OwnerMichael Georgeinventor

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Abstract

A Chord Map comprises three circular, independently rotatable, concentrically aligned layers of music information: chord array, mode numerals, and grouping. The chord array layer comprises an inner ring (12 major chords), a middle ring (12 minor chords), and an outer ring (12 diminished chords). Text, color, and shape are used to identify the chords, harmonic relationships, and intervallic distances. Spatial organization illustrates chord relationships. The mode numerals layer comprises an inner ring, a middle ring, and an outer ring—each comprising 12 symbols to identify major chords, minor chords, and diminished chords. Sharp and flat symbols further distinguish chords in relation to a given tonic. The mode numerals layer may additionally comprise seven mode labels. The grouping layer comprises an outline to group chords and symbols in the other two layers. The mode numerals layer and grouping layer are transparent so that the information in the chord array layer is visible.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a chord array layer comprising a major chords ring, a minor chords ring, and a diminished chords ring, wherein:
the major chords ring comprises twelve major chords;
the minor chords ring comprises twelve minor chords;
the diminished chords ring comprises twelve diminished chords;
and
the major chords ring, the minor chords ring, and the diminished chords ring are concentric to each other around an axis;
and
a mode numerals layer comprising a major chords numerals ring, a minor chords numerals ring, and a diminished chords numerals ring, wherein:
the major chords numerals ring comprises twelve major chord symbols;
the minor chords numerals ring comprises twelve minor chord symbols;
the diminished chords numerals ring comprises twelve diminished chord symbols;
the major chords numerals ring, the minor chords numerals ring, and the diminished chords numerals ring are concentric to each other around the axis;
wherein:
the axis is virtual, actual, or a combination of virtual and actual;
the mode numerals layer is rotatable relative to the chord array layer around the axis;
the chord array layer and the mode numerals layer are configured to visually present spatial associations between:
(i) each of the twelve major chords in the major chords ring and each of the twelve major chord symbols in the major chords numerals ring;
(ii) each of the twelve minor chords in the minor chords ring and each of the twelve minor chord symbols in the minor chords numerals ring;
and (iii) each of the twelve diminished chords in the diminished chords ring and each of the twelve diminished chord symbols in the diminished chords numerals ring;
and
the chord array layer and the mode numerals layer are configured to change the spatial associations based on the rotation of the mode numerals layer relative to the chord array layer.

18 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

a chord array layer comprising a major chords ring and a minor chords ring, wherein:
the major chords ring comprises twelve major chords;
the minor chords ring comprises twelve minor chords;
and
the major chords ring and the minor chords ring are concentric to each other around an axis;
and
a mode numerals layer comprising a major chords numerals ring and a minor chords numerals ring, wherein:
the major chords numerals ring comprises twelve mode numerals;
the minor chords numerals ring comprises twelve mode numerals;
the major chords numerals ring and the minor chords numerals ring are concentric to each other around the axis;
wherein:
the axis is virtual, actual, or a combination of virtual and actual;
the mode numerals layer is rotatable relative to the chord array layer around the axis;
the chord array layer and the mode numerals layer are configured to visually present spatial associations between:
(i) each of the twelve major chords in the major chords ring and each of the twelve numerals in the major chords numerals ring and (ii) each of the twelve minor chords in the minor chords ring and each of the twelve numerals in the minor chords numerals ring;
and
the chord array layer and the mode numerals layer are configured to change the spatial associations based on the rotation of the mode numerals layer relative to the chord array layer.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.