2d user interface and computer readable storage medium for a musical instrument for playing chord and melody sequences of a composition

Abstract

A user interface for a musical instrument, particularly an electronic or virtual instrument, is proposed. The instrument is used to play combinations of chord and melody sequences. The user interface has a key array 1 with multiple operable, row-and-column arranged areas 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n ..., each row has operable regions 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n ...forming a block 101, 102, ..., each block 101, 102, ... is equipped with a basic chord, preferably a scale, preferably a whole-tone scale-specific chord; each section 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n ...equipped with a melodic tone, preferably a scale melody tone, the user interface is configured for use in the manipulation blocks 101, 102, ..., areas 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11... n 12 n ..., corresponding to the manipulated regions 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n ... and blocks 101, 102, ... generate pitch generation instructions, which include at least one basic chord note instruction with pitch and a melody note instruction, the pitch of which is contained in the basic chord assigned to the manipulated blocks 101, 102, ..., and the pitch of the melody note instruction corresponds to the manipulated blocks 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n The melodic tones of... are also proposed. Furthermore, an instrument, a method for generating combined chord and melody sequences, and a computer-readable storage medium are also proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a user interface for a musical instrument, a musical instrument, a method for generating combined chord and melody sequences, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Many people aspire to play a musical instrument so they can perform solo or in ensembles. However, learning an instrument requires a significant investment of time and energy. This applies not only to melodic instruments but also to accompaniment instruments. If a musician wishes to combine melodies and chords, they must employ an instrument such as the piano, which is difficult to learn, expensive to purchase, and requires considerable space.

[0003] If a musician wants to compose a single movement or play a more general sequence of chords along with a melody that corresponds to it in pitch, they need knowledge of music theory, which further increases the learning and time required.

[0004] Existing technologies attempt to partially address these difficulties by providing virtual musical instruments, which are less expensive than traditional instruments and can utilize existing digital devices. Mobile terminal devices, such as smartphones or tablets, have fast-responding touchscreens, thus providing a usable foundation for designing virtual musical instruments. Correspondingly, virtual musical instruments are known that can be installed on mobile terminal devices and enable users to use the touchscreen as an input device for playing the virtual instrument displayed thereon. However, the virtual musical instruments known in the prior art are not suitable for satisfactorily solving all the problems discussed above. In particular, there is no solution that allows for the combination of input chord and melody sequences in a simple and intuitive way.

[0005] DE 10 2008 028 328 B4 discloses a device for generating note signals, on which chords can be played with fingers. If the fingers are moved horizontally along the operating surface of the device, different inversions of the selected chord are played. If the fingers are moved vertically, the chord is changed to another chord. It is impossible to generate combined chord and melody sequences using this device.

[0006] US 2014 / 0137721 A1 discloses a virtual musical instrument on which chord sequences with different inversions can be played. It allows selection not only between different configurations of the selected chords but also between different articulations of the sounds. However, it cannot achieve the performance of combined chord and melody sequences.

[0007] US 2003 / 0015087 A1 describes a keyboard with continuous keystrokes on which melodic sequences can be played with the fingers. However, chords or chord sequences cannot be played without musical knowledge. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Against this backdrop, the objective of this invention is to provide the possibility of generating or playing combined chord and melody sequences in the most intuitive and simple way possible. In particular, it should enable users with no musical experience to play pleasing and harmonically meaningful chord and melody sequences without requiring basic knowledge of music theory or harmony, or learning to play an instrument. Specifically, this invention should provide the possibility of creating an instrument for playing combined chord and melody sequences, characterized by high user-friendliness and simple operability.

[0009] The above-mentioned task is solved by a user interface according to the present invention, an instrument according to the present invention, a method for generating combined chord and melody sequences according to the present invention, and a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention.

[0010] In particular, the task is solved through a user interface for a musical instrument, especially an electronic or virtual instrument, for playing a combination of chord and melody sequences. The user interface has a key array with multiple operable zones arranged in rows and columns, wherein each row of operable zones forms a block, each block being provided with a basic chord, preferably a scale, preferably a leitereigener chord of the whole scale, and each zone being provided with a melody tone, preferably the melody tone of the scale. The user interface is configured to generate tone generation instructions corresponding to the manipulated zone and block when a zone in the block is manipulated. The tone generation instructions include at least one basic chord note instruction having a pitch and include a melody note instruction, the pitch of which is contained in the basic chord assigned to the manipulated block, the pitch of which corresponds to the melody tone of the manipulated zone.

[0011] The core idea of ​​this invention is to assign not only a basic chord but also a melodic pitch to each of the operable zones, thereby enabling the generation of note instructions by manipulating a zone. These note instructions include not only chord pitches but also melodic pitches. Therefore, it is possible to generate combined chord and melodic sequences in a completely intuitive and simple manner by (successively) manipulating the zones, without requiring the user to possess the knowledge or skills, as is often required in conventional musical instruments, regarding how to generate chord and melodic pitches or which pitches must be played on the instrument. Because all zones within a block are assigned the same chord, the basic chord remains fixed and only the melodic pitch changes when the zones within the same block are manipulated successively (i.e., during playing movements on the same row of keys). Chord changes occur only during playing movements on the key array, leaving the played zone. Therefore, the user can easily and intuitively determine the timing of both chord and melodic changes while playing a melody. Because generating a sequence of combined chords and melodies only requires manipulating the zones sequentially, it is possible to play such sequences with just one finger. This results in a very simple and user-friendly interface.

[0012] Each note instruction includes a description of the pitch, which corresponds to the note to be played. Where the pitch of the note instruction can be given by the description of the corresponding note, the terms "note" and "note instruction" are used synonymously within the scope of this invention.

[0013] Preferably, the basic chords assigned to each block are scale-specific chords of a scale. This ensures that the basic chords assigned to each block have strong harmonic relationships with each other, resulting in chord changes that sound pleasing. Particularly preferred is that the scale used as the tonal material for the basic chords is a whole-tone scale. The basic chords are scale-specific chords of a whole-tone scale. Preferably, a major scale or a (natural) minor scale is used as the whole-tone scale. However, the invention is not limited to the whole-tone scale or the aforementioned major and minor scales as the basic tonal material. For example, chromatic scales, whole-tone scales, pentatonic scales, octatonic scales, or other scales can also be used to provide the desired tone.

[0014] The pitch generation instructions generated when manipulating a zone are not limited to a particular format. These pitch generation instructions can be configured not only as control instructions for sound synthesis in a separate pitch generator, but also for direct sound synthesis. For example, pitch generation instructions can be configured as MIDI instructions that can be output to a corresponding MIDI sound generator to generate audio signals. These MIDI instructions can be predefined and stored on a storage medium for faster access. Similarly, pitch generation instructions can be configured to trigger the playback of predefined audio waveforms stored on a storage medium and having corresponding pitches corresponding to the basic chord and melody notes assigned to the zone. Furthermore, it is conceivable that pitch generation instructions trigger sound synthesis in a corresponding pitch generator or synthesizer. The key point is that pitch generation instructions are suitable for causing the direct or indirect generation of pitch or audio signals having pitches assigned to the manipulated zone; thus, manipulating a zone in the user interface can trigger the generation of a pitch signal with chord and melody pitches assigned to that zone.

[0015] The generation of tone generation instructions is also not particularly limited. For example, it is conceivable that the area is communicatively connected to a computing unit, such as a microcontroller. When an area is manipulated, the user interface generates a manipulation signal assigned to the manipulated area. The computing unit receives the manipulation signal and generates tone generation instructions according to the invention based on, for example, the configuration of basic chords and melodic tones with the manipulated area stored in a suitable memory. The computing unit may be configured as part of the user interface or separately from the user interface and configured to receive manipulation signals. Similarly, when the user interface is configured as a software-implemented or computer-implemented user interface, the generation of tone generation instructions can be software-based.

[0016] If MIDI commands are used as pitch generation commands, the user interface can be incorporated into a MIDI controller, which is also understood as a musical instrument within the scope of this invention. In this case, the pitch generation commands can be output to a MIDI interface, and a correspondingly configured pitch generator can connect to the MIDI controller via the MIDI interface to generate or output corresponding audio signals based on the pitch generation commands.

[0017] The configuration of basic chords and melody tones with zones and blocks can be fixed or adjusted by corresponding user input during the use of the user interface.

[0018] The arrangement of the key array's rows and columns can correspond to an orthogonal grid, with the areas arranged side-by-side and overlapping vertically within the grid. However, it is also possible for the areas to partially overlap, particularly within a single block. The key array design is not limited to a strictly orthogonal row-perpendicular-column arrangement. Areas in adjacent blocks can also be staggered.

[0019] The columns and rows of the key array can be arranged such that the columns extend vertically and the rows extend horizontally. Alternatively, the key array can be configured such that the columns extend horizontally and the rows extend vertically.

[0020] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the basic chords assigned to the intersecting blocks are a perfect fifth apart. This embodiment is particularly preferred when using a whole-tone scale, especially a major scale or a (natural) minor scale, as the basic tonal material. In this case, the basic chords of adjacent blocks have particularly strong harmonic relationships, resulting in particularly easy-to-understand and melodious chord changes when moving from one block to an adjacent block, without requiring the user to have corresponding harmonic knowledge.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the basic chords assigned to the intersecting blocks are a third apart. This embodiment is particularly preferred when using a whole-tone scale, especially a major scale or a (natural) minor scale, as the tonal material for the basic chords and melody. This results in a key array configuration in which major and minor chords with strong tonal harmonic relationships are alternately assigned to the intersecting blocks. Therefore, sonically logical and appealing chord changes can be produced when transitioning from one block to an adjacent block, without the user relying on harmonic knowledge.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable that the melodic tones in each block are assigned a rising pitch. Preferably, the melodic tones assigned to successive zones in each block form a scale, preferably a whole-tone scale, more preferably a major scale or a (harmonic) minor scale. Particularly preferred is that the melodic tones here are also based on the same scale as the basic chords. This embodiment enables the generation of melodies that are visually approximate within each block, because rising or falling pitch movements can be achieved by moving along the corresponding direction within the block. If the melodic tones are further selected from the same scale that is also used as the basic chord material, then the melodic tones are harmonically coordinated with the basic chords, thereby enabling the generation of particularly appealing chord and melodic sequences even without musical background knowledge.

[0023] A further preferred embodiment is that each column of the key array is assigned the same melodic tone. In this embodiment, the melodic tone remains stable as the key array moves along its columns, with only the fundamental chords changing. Thus, the melodic tone can function as a harmonic bridge connecting two fundamental chords. This allows for the production of particularly easy-to-understand, memorable, elegant, and emotionally expressive chord changes with simple and intuitive possibilities.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pitch of the at least one basic chord note instruction is selected for each zone such that the pitch is lower than or higher than the pitch of the melody note instruction. If the basic chord note instruction comprises multiple notes, it is preferred that the pitches of all basic chord notes are lower than or higher than the pitch of the melody tone.

[0025] In principle, the melody can be positioned anywhere within the number of notes that generate the melody. If the pitches of the basic chord notes are determined such that they are lower than the pitch of the melody, the audibility of the melody is improved. In some cases, it is desirable to use the pitch of the basic chord as the higher part of the melody. In this case, the pitches of the basic chord notes are determined such that they are higher than the pitches of the melody notes. It is possible that all the basic chord notes are higher than the pitches of the melody notes. It is also possible that the pitches of the basic chord notes are chosen such that only a portion of the basic chord notes, especially only one basic chord note, are higher than the pitch of the melody. In this case, the basic chord notes with pitches above the melody function as the higher part of the melody, which is sonically preferable.

[0026] To further emphasize the melody's pitch, the basic chord note command can be configured with a different timbre and / or intensity compared to the melody pitch note command. If the pitch generation command is implemented as a MIDI command, this can be done, for example, by configuring the basic chord note command with a different MIDI channel and / or a different tempo value compared to the melody pitch note command.

[0027] Furthermore, it is preferable to select the pitch of the at least one basic chord note instruction for each zone such that the interval between the melody note instruction and the nearest basic chord note instruction is greater than a minor second, or alternatively greater than a major second. This improves the perceptibility of the melody tone and also avoids the formation of a sound combination of basic chord tone and melody tone that may be perceived as dissonant.

[0028] According to a preferred further design, the pitch generation instruction includes a bass note instruction for each zone, the bass note instruction corresponding to one of the tones of the basic chord, preferably corresponding to the root note of the basic chord, and having a pitch lower than the other note instructions. Furthermore, it is preferred that the bass note instruction be assigned a different timbre and / or intensity compared to the other note instructions. It is also preferred that the bass note instruction be selected such that its pitch does not deviate from a predetermined pitch range. In a further preferred further design, the pitch of the bass note instruction does not change when zones within the same block are manipulated successively. By providing a bass note instruction, the sound of the combined chord and melody sequences generated when zones are manipulated successively can be improved.

[0029] The objective of the present invention is further addressed by a musical instrument having a user interface as described above and a pitch generator configured to generate an audio signal for output via an audio output interface based on pitch generation instructions.

[0030] The features described within the scope of the user interface according to the invention can also be applied to the instrument according to the invention, and the advantages and effects achieved therefrom also apply to the instrument. Using the instrument according to the invention, users with no musical experience can play combined chord and melody sequences in a simple and intuitive way, without needing musical knowledge or instrumental skills. Users can produce combinations of chord and melody tones using only one finger. Therefore, by sequentially manipulating the zones, combined chord and melody sequences can be produced with only one finger. Thus, the instrument according to the invention, having the user interface according to the invention, provides the possibility of playing combined chord and melody sequences, characterized by high user-friendliness and simple operability.

[0031] A pitch generator is not particularly restricted and only needs to be compatible with the format of pitch generation instructions. If the pitch generation instructions are configured as MIDI instructions, the pitch generator can be configured, for example, as a computer-implemented software musical instrument or as a MIDI sound module. If the pitch generation instructions are configured to trigger the playback of a predefined audio waveform stored in a storage medium or to generate sound by means of sound synthesis, the pitch generator can be implemented in the computing unit of a musical instrument, such as a microcontroller.

[0032] The key array of the user interface can be structured as a keyboard consisting of mechanically operable keys on the musical instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the musical instrument has a touch-sensitive touchscreen on which the key array is displayed and which can be manipulated by touching corresponding display areas of the touchscreen. This enables particularly simple transitions between areas that intersect when playing the instrument.

[0033] The objective of this invention is further achieved by a method for generating combined chord and melody sequences, which is implemented using a user interface as described above, and preferably using an instrument of the type described above. The method comprises the following steps:

[0034] • Provide a user interface as described above;

[0035] • Receive user input when manipulating the keypad array area;

[0036] • Generate tone generation instructions corresponding to the zone being manipulated.

[0037] The features and advantages disclosed within the scope of the user interface and the instrument described according to the invention can also be applied to the method according to the invention. The user interface can be provided by providing a corresponding arrangement of tactile mechanical keys, or by displaying a key array on a touch-sensitive touchscreen. To generate combined chord and melody sequences, the two final steps of the above method are repeated. By assigning basic chord and melody tones to the zones corresponding to the above description of the user interface, the user can generate sonically appealing chord and melody sequences in a simple and intuitive way by sequentially manipulating different zones of the key array with only one finger.

[0038] Preferably, the method further includes the following steps:

[0039] • Load pre-stored audio samples or synthesized audio signals from the storage medium in accordance with the generated tone generation instructions;

[0040] • Output audio samples or audio signals through the audio output interface.

[0041] Furthermore, preferably, the method is configured as a computer-implemented method, wherein providing a user interface includes displaying a key array on a touchscreen. This enables the method to be executed on portable digital terminal devices, such as smartphones or tablets, which are readily available to many users.

[0042] Within the scope of this invention, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, the storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the computer-implemented method as described above. Therefore, the user interface described above and the method described above for generating combined chord and melody sequences can be implemented as a virtual musical instrument that can be installed and executed on a portable terminal device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0043] It should also be noted here that the features and advantages described above regarding the user interface, the musical instrument, and the method according to the invention can also be applied to the computer-implemented method and the computer-readable storage medium according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0044] The invention will then be described with reference to embodiments, which will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here:

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a key array for a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0046] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The key array in the middle has a portion with note commands, which can be generated when the indicated zone is manipulated;

[0047] Figure 3 A block of a key array according to another embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0048] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method for generating a combined sequence of chords and melodies according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a key array 1 for a musical instrument user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The key array 1 can be implemented in the form of mechanical keys or displayed on a touch-sensitive touchscreen. The key array 1 has a plurality of operable areas 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n The area in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the grid is arranged in rows and columns within an orthogonal grid.

[0050] Each zone is 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n It is equipped with one basic chord and one melodic tone. The control areas are 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 n 12 n A tone generation instruction is generated, comprising at least one basic chord note instruction and a melody note instruction. The at least one basic chord note instruction has a pitch contained in the assigned basic chord, and the melody note instruction has a pitch corresponding to the assigned melody tone. This allows for the generation of combined chord and melody sequences by sequentially manipulating the various zones, for example, using a single finger.

[0051] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the basic chords and melodic tones and zones 111, 121, ...; 112, 122, ...; 11 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. n 12 n The configuration is as follows: Each row forms a block 101, 102, ..., 10. n Each block is assigned a basic chord. This arrangement of melody tones ensures that all blocks (represented by dashed lines) within a column of key array 1 have the same melody tone. These tones are assigned to blocks 101, 102, ..., 10. n Basic chords in Figure 1 In blocks 101, 102, ..., 10 respectively n The left side is given. The melody pitch assigned to the column is given at the lower end of key array 1. Thus, for example, the basic chord C (C major) is assigned to block 104, and the basic chord E... m (E minor) is assigned to block 103, and the fundamental chord B° (B diminished) is assigned to block 101. Blocks 111, 112, ..., 11 are in the first column. n Each section is assigned a melodic tone of C. The sections in the following columns are each assigned a C major scale tone as a melodic tone in ascending order.

[0052] That is, this configuration is in Figure 1 The embodiment shown is such that all basic chords are scale-specific chords of the diatonic C major scale. The basic chords of the intersecting blocks are each a third apart. All melodic tones are also scale-specific chords of the diatonic C major scale. Each section within the same column is assigned the same melodic tone, such that adjacent sections of intersecting blocks are assigned the same melodic tone. Successive sections within each block (from left to right) are assigned successive melodic tones of the diatonic C major scale in ascending order.

[0053] For easier orientation on key array 1, the zones are designed visually differently. Zones containing melodic tones that are also included in the assigned basic chord are shown brightly. Zones containing melodic tones that are not included in the basic chord are shown darkly. Furthermore, it is conceivable that within each block, the zone containing the root note of the basic chord assigned to that block as the melodic tones would have a further distinguishable visual design. The visual design used to distinguish the zones is not limited to... Figure 1 The differences are shown in the diagram. For easier orientation on the key array 1, the areas can also be designed to be visually distinguishable, i.e., the areas have different sizes, colors, or shapes, or are represented by symbols.

[0054] Figure 2 As Figure 1A portion of the key array 1 shows blocks 103 and 104. Melodic tones, each assigned to a block, are given for clarity on that block. Notes are shown adjacent to each block; these notes can be included in tone-generating instructions when the corresponding block is manipulated. Notes included in basic chord note instructions are shown in dark. Notes included in melody note instructions are shown in bright.

[0055] As can be seen, the basic chord note instructions for all zones in block 103 correspond to the pitches of the assigned basic chord in E minor, namely the pitches e, g, and h. The basic chord note instructions for all zones in block 104 correspond to the pitches of the assigned basic chord in C major, namely the pitches c, e, and g.

[0056] In addition, according to Figure 2 The embodiment shown in the figure determines the pitch of the melody note instruction for each zone such that the pitch is higher than the pitch of all basic chord note instructions. The interval between the melody tone and the nearest basic chord note is always greater than a major second, in order to avoid combinations of notes that might be perceived as dissonant within the corresponding tone-generating instruction. Alternatively, the minimum distance between the melody tone and the nearest basic chord note can be chosen such that the minimum distance is greater than a minor second.

[0057] To avoid an overly strong separation between the melody and the basic chord tones, according to... Figure 2 The embodiment shown further selects the basic chord notes such that the interval between the melody tone and the nearest basic chord note is less than a fifth.

[0058] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the pitch generation instructions each include two basic chord note instructions. As indicated by the dashed lines representing the notes in the last section at the left end of blocks 103 and 104, more than two basic chord note instructions can also be provided for a richer sound. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the basic chord notes are layered in such a way that they are placed as closely together as possible. However, it is also possible to select basic chord notes with larger intervals and distribute them across multiple octaves, or to assign basic chord notes multiple times across different octaves. It is also possible to provide instructions for distinguishing basic chord notes with pitches higher than the melody's pitch.

[0059] Using the user interface Figure 1 and Figure 2The embodiments shown, especially the arrangement of basic chords in thirds and the arrangement of melodic tones in ascending order, are particularly simple and intuitive for even users with no musical knowledge to generate a sonically appealing combination of chord and melody sequences through the simplest conceivable movements within the key array 1.

[0060] If a user manipulates adjacent areas within the same block sequentially, for example, by having the user place their finger on... Figure 1 Moving horizontally along a block on the user interface shown in the image keeps the basic chords unchanged, and only the melodic characteristics of the sound produced by the pitch generation command change. The user can thus play melodies on fixed basic chords.

[0061] And if the user places their finger in Figure 1 Moving vertically along a column on the user interface shown, the melody tone remains stable while the basic chords change. The melody tone here acts as a harmonic bridge connecting successive basic chords. Chord changes are generated as movement along the column through the third-level layering of the basic chords in successive blocks; these changes are particularly expressive due to the successive shifts between major and minor basic chords. Furthermore, the third-level layering of the basic chords creates a high degree of tonal harmony between adjacent blocks, resulting in particularly smooth harmonic changes and easily understood melodies when moving from one block to an adjacent one. Therefore, it is possible to play combined chord and melody sequences with only one finger by sequentially manipulating multiple blocks, such as adjacent blocks. Thus, the user interface is very user-friendly and allows for the playing of combined chord and melody sequences without specific musical knowledge.

[0062] In addition, utilizing the user interface in Figure 1 The configuration shown enables the transformation of simple major and minor basic chords into their corresponding suspended chords and vice versa. By moving the finger horizontally within a block, a sequence of sounds is generated by combining assigned basic chord notes and melodic tones. This sequence of sounds corresponds in transformations to relaxed, simple, and tense modulations of the assigned basic chords. For example, the tone generation instructions produced by successively manipulating sections 114, 124, 134, and 144 in block 104 harmonically correspond to the chords C, C4, C, and C6.

[0063] The targeted shift between tense and relaxed sounds in generating combined chord and melodic sequences is further achieved through the aforementioned zones. Figure 1 and Figure 2The visual design shown here is helpful and makes it easy. Based on this visual design, users can intuitively distinguish between tense and relaxed chord and melody tone combinations without theoretical music knowledge: relaxed tone combinations are generated by manipulating a brightly displayed area, which is equipped with a melody tone that is also included in the assigned basic chord. The darkly displayed area has basic chord note instructions and melody note instructions, which have tense sound characteristics. Therefore, the user interface allows for easy switching between tense and relaxed chord and melody tone combinations without requiring corresponding music theory knowledge.

[0064] As already mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to the fact that the melody tone assigned to the area is derived from the same tone material as the basic chord assigned to the block. Figure 3 Block 10 is shown according to another embodiment of the invention. n The schematic diagram shows that, in this embodiment, it is configured in block 10. n The melodic tone of the middle section forms a semitone scale, while the basic chord assigned to the section is a specific chord of the whole-tone C major scale.

[0065] As in Figure 3 As shown in block 10 n The sections are arranged in an overlapping manner. Each section is equipped with a feature included in the allocated block 10. n Basic chords (in) Figure 3 The melodic tones in the example shown (in C major) are clearly indicated and arranged in block 10. n In the bottom row, the section containing melodic tones that are not included in the basic chord assigned to the block but are included in the whole-tone scale belonging to that basic chord is subtly shown and offset upwards from the bright section. Block 10 n In addition, it includes zones equipped with melodic tones not included in the whole-tone scale belonging to the said basic chord. These zones 14' n 15' n 16' n The dark areas are arranged upwards in a staggered manner.

[0066] This arrangement and visual display of the selection areas allows the areas to be arranged according to the increased tonal tension between the basic chords and melodic tones, making the increase and decrease of tonal tension intuitive for the user when generating combined chord and melodic sequences.

[0067] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method for generating a combined sequence of chords and melodies according to an embodiment of the invention is shown schematically. Figure 4The method shown can be implemented on a computing unit, such as a microcontroller, which is contained in a digital musical instrument having the aforementioned user interface, or the method can be implemented as a computer-implemented method where the user interface is integrated into a virtual musical instrument installed on and implemented on a digital user device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0068] In step 200, areas of the user interface are manipulated. Here, the user interface generates input signals containing information about which areas and blocks of the key array are manipulated. Optionally, the input signals may include other information, such as the intensity of the click when manipulating the area, or, in the case of a touchscreen, information about gestures performed on the user interface.

[0069] Based on the input signal received in step 200, a pitch generation command is generated in step 210. The pitch generation command can be generated, for example, by loading a pre-stored pitch generation command assigned to the manipulated area. Alternatively, the pitch generation command can be calculated in real time based on information contained in the input signal.

[0070] To ensure optimized pitch guidance, the pitch generation instruction generated in step 210 can be stored in memory 240. This pitch guidance is guaranteed by correspondingly and advantageously selecting the pitches of the basic chord note instruction and the melody note instruction. When calculating the pitch generation signal, the previously generated pitch generation instruction can be retrieved from memory 240. Therefore, pitch generation instructions can be generated not only based on input made through the user interface in step 200, but also based on previously generated pitch generation instructions.

[0071] In addition to generating tone generation instructions, other information or control signals can be considered, which in Figure 4 The information or control signals are schematically shown with reference numeral 250 in the accompanying drawings. These information or control signals include, for example, tuning guidance rules for determining the pitch of basic chord and melody note instructions; definitions of the pitch range within which basic chord notes, bass notes, or melody tone notes must be located; regulations regarding the minimum and maximum intervals between basic chord notes and melody tone notes; MIDI channels for timbre, intensity, and / or optional bass basic chord note instructions and melody note instructions, etc.

[0072] Based on the pitch generation instructions thus generated, an audio signal corresponding to the pitch generation instructions is generated in a further step 220. This can be achieved, for example, by loading one or more pre-stored audio samples from a storage medium, or by calculating or synthesizing an audio signal with a pitch corresponding to the pitch generation instructions in real time.

[0073] In subsequent step 230, the audio signal generated in step 220 is output through an audio output interface. This audio output interface can be a cable-connected, wireless, or other communication interface, such as a jack, Bluetooth connection, or data network connection like the Internet, through which the audio signal is sent to the sound generating device. Similarly, the audio output interface can be formed using a loudspeaker or headphones, allowing direct sound playback of the audio signal.

Claims

1. A user interface for a musical instrument for playing a combined chord and melody sequence, the user interface having: A key array (1) having a plurality of steerable zones (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n ,12 n ,...), which zones are arranged in rows and columns, wherein Each line of steerable zones (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n ,12 n ,... ) forms a block (101, 102,...), wherein each field (101, 102,...) is provided with a basic chord, wherein each zone (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n ,12 n ,...) is provided with a melodic tone, wherein the user interface is configured to, when a region (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n , 12 n ,...) in a block (101, 102,...) is manipulated, generate tone generation instructions corresponding to the manipulated region (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n , 12 n ,...) and the block (101, 102,...) in question, the tone generation instructions comprising at least one basic chord note instruction with a pitch comprised in a basic chord assigned to the manipulated block (101, 102,...) and comprising melody note instructions with a pitch corresponding to a melody tone of the manipulated region (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n , 12 n ,...), wherein the regions (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n , 12 n ,...) in each row of the key array (1) are assigned the same melody tone.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein, the basic chords provided to fields (101, 102,...) bordering one another have a third of an interval from one another.

3. The user interface of claim 1 or 2, wherein, In each block (101, 102,...) the zones (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 113, 123,...) are provided with a melody tone with a rising pitch. n ,12 n ,...).

4. The user interface of claim 1 or 2, wherein, selecting a pitch of the at least one basic chord note instruction for each zone (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 113, 123,...; 11 n ,12 n ,...), such that the pitch is lower or higher than a pitch of the melody note instruction.

5. The user interface of claim 1 or 2, wherein, selecting a pitch of the at least one basic chord note instruction for each zone (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 113, 123,...; 11 n ,12 n ,... ) such that the interval between the melody note instruction and the nearest basic chord note instruction is greater than a minor second.

6. The user interface of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pitch generation instructions for each zone (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n ,12 n ,... ) include a bass note instruction, which corresponds to one of the pitches of the underlying chord, and which has a pitch lower than the pitches of the remaining note instructions.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein, the basic chords are scale-specific chords of a scale.

8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein, the basic chords are scale-specific chords of a major scale.

9. The user interface of claim 7 or 8, wherein, the melody note corresponds to a root note of a basic chord.

10. The user interface of claim 3, wherein, The melodic tones assigned to successive regions (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 113, 123,...; 114, 124,...) in each block (101, 102,...) form a scale. n n ...​ 11. The user interface of claim 10, wherein, The melodic tones assigned to successive regions (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 113, 123,...; 114, 124,...) in each block (101, 102,...) form a diatonic scale. n ,12 n ,...).

12. The user interface of claim 6, wherein, 13. A musical instrument having a user interface according to one of claims 1 to 12 and a tone generator configured to generate an audio signal for output via an audio output interface on the basis of the tone generation instructions. the musical instrument is an electronic or virtual musical instrument.

14. Musical instrument according to claim 13, having a touch screen on which the array of keys (1) can be displayed and can be manipulated by touching the zones (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...); 11 n ,12 n ,....

15. A musical instrument according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, 16. A method for generating a combined chord and melody sequence using a user interface according to one of claims 1 to 12, the method having the following steps: • providing a user interface according to one of claims 1 to 12; 17. The method according to claim 16, in addition having the following steps: • receiving a user input upon manipulating one of the areas (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n ,12 n ,... ) of the key array (1); • tone generation instructions are generated corresponding to the manipulated zones (111, 121,...; 112, 122,...; 11 n ,12 n ,...). • loading a pre-stored audio sample or a synthesized audio signal from a storage medium corresponding to the generated tone generation instructions; • outputting the audio sample or the audio signal via an audio output interface. the method is a computer-implemented method and providing the user interface comprises displaying the array of keys (1) on a touch screen.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, the combined chord and melody sequence is generated using a musical instrument according to one of claims 13 to 15.

19. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, 20. A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the computer-implemented method according to claim 18. ​

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