Musical learning and interaction through shapes
OwnerDavid M. Forrestinventor
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Abstract
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for musical learning and interaction. Embodiments include presenting a grouping of keys that share the same tonal context, and that have a tonal context that fits with a particular song. A user is prompted to provide user input, while the particular song is being played, using any order of keys selected from the particular key grouping. User input is received and is used as part of a music lesson and/or as part of a remix of the particular song. In addition, a musical instrument includes a centered keyboard, which include top keys and bottom keys that are pressable to produce musical notes and that are symmetrically centered about the axis of symmetry.
Claims20
At a computer system including one or more processors and system memory, a method for presenting a music lesson, the method comprising:
- an act of the computer system presenting one or more key groupings at a display device, each key grouping representing a group of notes that are within the same tonal context, including presenting a particular key grouping that has a tonal context that fits with a particular song;
- an act of the computer system audibly playing the particular song;
- an act of the computer system prompting a user to provide user input at an input device concurrent with the playing of the particular song, including prompting the user to enter the user input using one or more keys selected from the particular key grouping in any order;
- and
- an act of receiving user input at the input device.
At a computer system including one or more processors and system memory, a method for remixing music, the method comprising:
- an act of the computer system identifying one or more key groupings that have a tonal context that fits with a particular song, each key grouping representing a group of notes that are within the same tonal context;
- an act of the computer system prompting a user to provide user input at an input device concurrent with the playing of the particular song, including prompting the user to enter the user input using one or more keys selected from the one or more key groupings in any order;
- an act of the computer system audibly playing one or more tracks of the particular song;
- an act of the computer system recording at least one track of audio input based on user input received at the input device;
- and
- an act of the computer system mixing the at least one track of audio input with the one or more tracks of the particular song.
A musical instrument, comprising:
- a keyboard having a first end and a second opposing end, the keyboard having an axis of symmetry disposed generally halfway between the first and second ends;
- and
- a plurality of top keys and a plurality of bottom keys positioned on the keyboard between the first and second ends, the top and bottom keys being centered about the axis of symmetry, such that the top and bottom keys positioned between the axis of symmetry and the first end are symmetrical with the top and bottom keys positioned between the axis of symmetry and the second end, the top and bottom keys being pressable to produce musical notes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.