Visualization device

Abstract

The invention relates to a visualization device (1) for visualizing sounds and a rhythm of a melody to be played on a musical instrument, in particular a drum pattern to be played on a percussion instrument, with at least one grid dimension (2) comprising a linear arrangement of recordings (3). The recordings (3) define a subdivision of a number of sound events. The visualization device (1) has a number of grid elements (4a to 4d), each grid element (4a to 4d) being selectively and reversibly detachable from a recording (3). Several groups of grid elements (4a to 4d) are present, wherein all grid elements (4a to 4d) of a group are identical and the grid elements (4a to 4d) of different groups are clearly visually distinguishable from one another.Each of the grid elements (4a to 4d) in each group encodes a specific striking method for playing the musical instrument, especially the rhythm instrument.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a visualization device and a method for visualizing sounds and a rhythm of a melody or sequence of beats to be played on a rhythm instrument.

[0002] Rhythm, along with melody and harmony, is the third fundamental building block of any melody or even a piece of music. In the familiar musical notation system, pitches and note durations are written in different clefs.

[0003] For rhythm instruments, pitch or note duration are only a limited criterion, whereas specific striking techniques, especially for rhythm instruments like cajons or other percussion instruments, are of greater importance. In these cases, the musical notation is interpreted differently.

[0004] One problem here is that the notation of the musical notation system is complex and must be learned by beginners like a new language.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a system that enables intuitive access to playing a rhythm instrument.

[0006] The features of the independent claims are provided to solve this problem. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention relates to a visualization device for visualizing sounds and a rhythm of a melody to be played on a musical instrument, in particular a drum pattern to be played on a percussion instrument, comprising a linear arrangement of recordings with at least one grid dimension. The recordings define a subdivision of a number of sound events. The visualization device has a number of grid elements, each of which can be selectively and reversibly fixed to a recording. Several groups of grid elements are present, with all grid elements of a group being identical and the grid elements of different groups being clearly visually distinguishable from one another. Each grid element of each group encodes a specific stroke pattern for playing the musical instrument, in particular the percussion instrument.

[0008] The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

[0009] The visualization device according to the invention can generally be used to visualize a melody to be played on any musical instrument. Without limiting the generality of the invention, it is explained below for a visualization device that visualizes a drum pattern to be played on a rhythm instrument.

[0010] With the visualization device according to the invention, a user can easily and intuitively learn to play a rhythm instrument and also easily play complex melodies on the rhythm instrument.

[0011] The rhythm instrument can be a cajon or another percussion instrument such as a drum.

[0012] The visualization device according to the invention takes advantage of the fact that, when playing the rhythm instrument, in addition to the type of rhythm instrument, essentially only the type of attack and the counting time within a measure, during which the strokes are applied to a playing surface of the rhythm instrument, represent the relevant factors.

[0013] Accordingly, the visualization device according to the invention has a modular structure comprising a grid dimension with a linear arrangement of recordings and a number of grid elements, wherein each grid element can be selectively and reversibly fixed to one of the recordings, and wherein this fixing can be carried out manually and without tools by a user.

[0014] The recordings of the grid dimension define a subdivision into a number of sound events, especially rhythmic events, for a melody or drum sequence to be played.

[0015] The grid pattern generally features a linear arrangement of recordings, whereby this linear arrangement can also generally run in the direction of curved paths. For example, a circular arrangement of recordings can be provided.

[0016] The grid dimension is advantageously formed by a strip running along a straight line.

[0017] Furthermore, the grid dimension advantageously features an equidistant arrangement of identically designed recordings.

[0018] The grid elements assigned to the grid dimension are divided into several groups. The grid elements within each group are identical.

[0019] The grid elements of different groups were visually distinct from one another, so that a user could immediately recognize which grid element belonged to which group.

[0020] The grid elements of different groups differ advantageously in terms of their sizes and / or geometries.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the grid elements can also differ in their colors.

[0022] Each group of grid elements corresponds to a specific striking pattern with which the rhythm instrument is to be played.

[0023] The striking technique typically specifies to a person the position on the playing surface of the rhythm instrument where and how they must execute a strike.

[0024] The visualization device according to the invention is advantageously used such that, to visualize a drum sequence to be played on the rhythm instrument, the recordings of the grid are each populated with a grid element, with each grid element defining a specific stroke type. Generally, it is also possible not to populate recordings with a grid element, thereby encoding a sound event in the form of a pause.

[0025] To play the rhythm instrument, a person simply needs to execute the strokes on the playing surface of the rhythm instrument according to the sequence of grid elements on the grid dimension shown on the visualization device.

[0026] Since the grid elements of the different groups are easily recognizable, the person can easily follow the sequence of strokes according to the order of the grid elements on the grid dimension.

[0027] Depending on the type of rhythm instrument, the number of different groups of grid elements and thus the number of striking types can vary.

[0028] In principle, it is possible to design the recordings in the form of magnets, so that grid elements made of magnetizable material can be fixed to the recordings using magnetic forces.

[0029] The grid elements are particularly advantageous because they can be fixed in or on the mounts using plug-in or snap-in connections.

[0030] Advantageously, the recesses are formed in a grid pattern. The grid elements feature pin segments that can be inserted into the recesses.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, markings are provided which can be placed at freely selectable locations on the grid, whereby the recordings can be subdivided into individual recording groups using the markings.

[0032] This allows for an even more detailed visualization of a melody to be played, as the markings make it possible to subdivide the grid into beats.

[0033] The markings make it easy and clear to visualize whether the melody or beat sequence to be saved is in 4 / 4 time, 3 / 4 time, or the like.

[0034] According to a structurally advantageous embodiment, the markings are formed by ring structures that are arranged to be displaceable along the grid dimension in its longitudinal direction.

[0035] The ring structures can be formed as flexible rings that can be stretched over the grid. Advantageously, these rings differ in color from the grid.

[0036] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the visualization device according to the invention, it has a multiple arrangement of grid dimensions.

[0037] According to a first variant, the visualization device has several grid dimensions that are connected to each other in their longitudinal direction, whereby rhythm and sounds for a rhythm instrument can be specified using grid elements in the grid dimensions.

[0038] The individual grid dimensions thus complement each other to form an overall grid dimension, with which it is possible to visualize even complex melodies.

[0039] According to a second variant, the visualization device has several grid dimensions adjacent to each other perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, with each grid dimension defining the rhythm and sounds for a rhythm instrument.

[0040] This allows multiple melodies, which can be played with different rhythm instruments, to be visualized simultaneously.

[0041] The advantage of both variants is that the grid dimensions are identical.

[0042] In both variants, a further advantage is that adjacent grid dimensions are connected by connecting elements, resulting in a stable structural unit of grid dimensions.

[0043] The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. They show Fig. 1: Illustration of the components of an embodiment of the visualization device according to the invention. Fig. 2: Representation of a configuration of the visualization device according to Fig. 1 for the visualization of a melody to be played. Fig. 3: Variant of a grid dimension for the visualization device according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0044] Fig. Figure 1 shows the components of an embodiment of the visualization device 1 according to the invention.

[0045] The visualization device 1 according to the invention comprises a grid dimension 2 with a linear arrangement of recordings 3. In the present case, the grid dimension 2 consists of a bar extending along a straight line, which has the shape of a flat elongated cuboid.

[0046] The recordings 3 are identical and arranged equidistantly along the longitudinal direction of the grid dimension 2. The recordings 3 extend over the entire length of the grid dimension 2. In this case, the grid dimension 2 has sixteen recordings 3, but this is not mandatory. In general, the visualization device 1 can also have several, in particular identically designed, grid dimensions 2, which can be combined to form more complex overall grid dimensions 2.

[0047] In the present case, the recordings 3 are formed by recesses that open onto the top of the grid dimension 2.

[0048] Further components of the visualization device 1 include grid elements 4a to 4d. In this case, four groups of different grid elements 4a to 4d are provided, as follows: Fig. Figure 1 shows that this number of groups is not mandatory and may vary depending on the application.

[0049] The grid elements 4a to 4d of the individual groups differ in their shape and size in this case. Each group has a number of identically designed grid elements 4a, 4b, 4c, or 4d.

[0050] Each grid element 4a to 4d of the individual groups has a pin segment 5 on its underside. The pin segments 5 of all grid elements 4a to 4d are identical and adapted to the sizes of the receptacles 3. Each grid element 4a to 4d can therefore be freely selected and reversibly fixed to a receptacle 3 without tools by inserting its pin segment 5 into the receptacle 3. The pin segment 5 is then fixed in position within the receptacle 3 by a positive locking mechanism.

[0051] Fig. Figure 1 shows the grid elements 4a to 4d of the individual groups, each consisting of solid bodies.

[0052] As from Fig. 1 The grid elements 4a of the first group are formed in the form of narrow cylindrical pins, with the lower end of a pin forming the pin segment 5.

[0053] The grid elements 4b of the second group have an elongated cylindrical body that is significantly longer than the grid element 4a of the first group. Furthermore, the cylindrical body of grid element 4b has a larger cross-sectional area than grid element 4a. The pin segment 5 is attached to the underside of the cylindrical body.

[0054] The in Fig. The grid element 4c of the third group, as shown in Figure 1, also has a cylindrical body, to the underside of which the pin segment 5 is attached. The cylindrical body of grid element 4c has approximately the same cross-sectional area as grid element 4b, but is considerably shorter and can therefore be easily distinguished visually from grid element 4b.

[0055] The in Fig. 1. The grid element 4d shown has a cylindrical body whose cross-sectional area is considerably larger than the cross-sectional areas of the other grid elements 4a, 4b, 4c.

[0056] The functionality of the visualization device 1 is shown in particular Fig. 2.

[0057] The visualization device 1 can visualize a melody or drum pattern to be played on a rhythm instrument, making it easy for even beginners to play it. The visualization is achieved by inserting a grid element 4a to 4d into each recording 3. If a recording 3 remains empty, a rest is encoded.

[0058] The rhythm instrument can be a cajon or a percussion instrument such as a drum.

[0059] Each group of grid elements 4a to 4d specifies a particular striking method for playing the rhythm instrument. The striking method is essentially determined by where on the playing surface of the rhythm instrument a person strikes the instrument and how they strike it.

[0060] If the instrument to be played is a cajon or drum set, different types of strokes can, for example, be assigned to the following groups of grid elements 4a to 4d. Grid element 4a: Tap, Ghost Note (very quiet hits) or Hi-Hat. Grid element 4b: Slap or snare rimshot Grid element 4c: Snare Open Grid element 4d: Bass beat or bass drum

[0061] The sequence of recordings 3 of grid dimension 2 corresponds to a subdivision of a given number of sound events, in particular rhythmic events.

[0062] How Fig. Figure 2 shows that grid elements 4a to 4d are inserted into recordings 3 according to the melody to be played. The sequence of grid elements 4a to 4d in recordings 3 (from left to right) specifies a temporal sequence of the types of strokes to be performed by a person on the rhythm instrument, whereby the person plays the desired melody or stroke sequence encoded in the visualization device 1 with their strokes on the rhythm instrument.

[0063] Fig. Figure 3 shows an optional further development such that several markings 6 are present on the grid dimension 2, in this case three.

[0064] The markings 6 consist of flexible rings that can be slid onto the grid dimension 2 and moved along the length of the grid dimension 2. The markings 6 are color-coded to differ from the grid dimension 2.

[0065] The markers 6 can be used to visualize group subdivisions on grid dimension 2. For this purpose, the images 3 are divided into individual image groups using the markers 6. The number and position of the markers 6 on grid dimension 2 can be freely selected by the user. Reference symbol list 1 Visualization device 2 grid dimension 3 recording 4a - 4d Grid element 5 pin segment 6 Marking

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