Note translation device

A note translation device for translating note symbols shown in printed music to string and fingerboard locations for playing selected note symbols on a stringed fingerboard instrument, comprising:

• a keyboard switch array having a plurality of selectively operable switch means;
• a first group of said switch means for modifying the translation of selected note symbols shown in said printed music;
• a second group of said switch means for entering said selected note symbols;
• electronic processing circuitry means responsive to said second group of switch means and adatped to format and store coded words representative of said entered selected note symbols that correspond to note symbols shown in the printed music, said electronic processing circuitry further adapted to modify the information contained in the format of said coded words in response to said first group of switch means to correspond to printed music that includes at least one modification taken from the group that includes a change of key, a change in tuning for at least one open string, and the use of a capo to change the effective nut location, said electronic processing means further adapted for choosing strings and fingerboard locations corresponding to said stored coded words thereby translating the note symbols shown in the printed music into string and fingerboard location information to use for playing the notes on a stringed fingerboard instrument and said electronic processing means still further adapted for outputting coded signals representative of said strings and fingerboard locations;
• visual display means responsive to said string and fingerboard location coded signals whereby visual indicator means identify the strings and fingerboard locations for placing fingers for playing said selected note symbols on said stringed fingerboard instrument;
• a third group of one or more of said switch means for modifying the string and fingerboard locations shown by said visual display;
• said electronic processing means adapted to respond to said third group of switch means for choosing another combination of string and fingerboard locations whereby a different option for playing said selected note symbols may be shown on said display.

A method of translating note information which is representative of selected note symbols in printed music, to string and fingerboard location information to use for playing the notes on a stringed fingerboard instrument, comporising:

• receiving coded note signals that correspond to selected note symbols shown in printed music;
• storing coded note words representative of said coded note signals;
• choosing combinations of string and fingerboard locations to use for playing the notes represented by said coded note words on said stringed fingerboard instrument, said combinations chosen so as to preclude more than one note being assigned to any one string, and said combination further chosen so as to preclude the separation between fingerboard locations that are used to play the notes from exceeding a predetermined maximum value thereby providing the translation from selected note symbols in printed music to string and fingerboard locations for playing the notes, and
• outputting coded representations of said chosen combinations of strings and fingerboard locations whereby said codes may be subsequently decoded to provide the information needed for playing said selected note symbols on said stringed musical instrument.