Music generating system and method utilizing control of music based upon displayed color

A method for making music comprising:

• providing a preprogrammed computer with data storage and retrieval equipment and at least one input device;
• generating signals sufficient to cause the display of a color image on a display;
• creating a record of the color value of each addressable point capable of being mapped onto a display;
• selecting at least one of said addressable points;
• reading the color value of said selected point from said record;
• converting the read out color value of said selected point to music information;
• and
• sending a signal corresponding to said music information, to sound output means capable of rendering said music information as audible sound.

A system for generating music from input data comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• at least one input device connected to said central processing unit;
• storage means for storing data output by said central processing unit, graphical images for display and commands for directing the operation of said central processing unit;
• color graphical output means, connected to said central processing unit, for displaying images in response to information input via said input device;
• screen buffer means communicating with said central processing unit for storing information corresponding to images displayed on said color graphical output means;
• sound output means responsive to input from said central processing unit;
• pointer read out means for selecting and reading out color data from said screen buffer means, wherein said read out color data corresponds to the location of a cursor displayed over an image shown on said color graphical output means at a given time;
• and
• conversion means interacting with said CPU for converting selected color data, corresponding to a selected portion of an image displayed on said color graphical output means, into a signal comprising musical information, such that music can be output by said sound output means.