US 4,885,969 A · Graphic music system

Abstract

An integral music system for use in association with all chromatically scaled musical instruments comprising an improved graphic keyboard design utilized in various mechanical, electric and over-keyboard embodiments, and a cooperative improved hexaline scoring method utilizing octave-designating noteforms, and a cooperative improved graphic referencing method utilizing color, symbol and tactual coding means. The improved graphic keyboard design has essentially coextensive alternately arranged, uniformly narrowed and widened keys. The improved hexaline scoring method has one or more six-line staffs which respectively utilize eight distinct noteforms to provide an eight-octave compass for each staff. The improved graphic referencing method has code formats which correlate the lines and spaces of the improved scoring method with the keying means of the various instruments. The invention additionally comprehends manual and computer assisted methods for converting existing music into the improved scoring format.

Claims12

Dependent claims

In a uniform keyboard for use with chromatic tone generator means, of the type having a plurality of transversely arrayed, parallel, manually depressible, alternately arranged upper case and lower case keys, the improvement comprising:

said keys being essentially coextensive, uniformly narrowed upper case keys, and uniformly widened lower case keys, with connective supportively hinging means, and with connective means for connection to said chromatic tone generator means, whereby manual depression of said improved keys with said connective supportively hinging means connective with said chromatic tone generator means will actuate said tone generator means.

A score conversion means for converting pentaline scored music pitch positions and noteforms into mathematically equivalent hexaline scored music pitch positions and octave range designating absolute pitch noteforms for use with hexaline scoring means of the type having

a markable display means with marking means, with
first perceivable markings marked upon said markable display means by said marking means, comprising a minimum of one set of six evenly spaced parallel lines with five internal spaces and one external space for further use as a markable display means for twelve relative octave tone positions, with
second perceivable markings marked by said marking means upon said markable display means for twelve relative octave tone positions, consisting of a plurality of sequential octave range designating absolute pitch notational symbol means, said score conversion means comprising:
a means to measure and specify pentaline line and space related music pitch positions;
and
an associated means to measure and specify hexaline line and space related music pitch positions and octave range designating absolute pitch noteforms on said hexaline scoring means, mathematically equivalent to said pentaline line and space related music pitch positions, whereby said mathematically equivalent hexaline pitch positions and noteforms may be derived from said pentaline pitch positions for use with said hexaline scoring means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Graphic music system

Life of this patent

Graphic music system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12