Musical apparatus

Abstract

A musical apparatus comprising: an input interface configured to receive user input corresponding to at least one musical note of a plurality of musical notes; a vocalization module configured to generate vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input; and an output device configured to simultaneously output the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of musical instruments, and more specifically to electronic keyboards.BACKGROUND

[0002] Musical education plays a vital role in fostering creativity and enhancing cognitive abilities. Learning to play instruments such as the piano has long been a pursuit for individuals seeking personal enrichment and artistic expression. Traditional teaching methods often rely on repetitive practice and standard instruments that produce auditory feedback corresponding to the keys pressed.

[0003] In recent years, technological advancements have led to the development of electronic keyboards and digital pianos equipped with features such as prerecorded sounds, metronomes, and visual displays designed to aid instruction. While these tools have made learning such instrument more accessible and engaging, challenges remain in bridging the gap between the theoretical understanding of music and its practical application. Developing strong note recognition and an understanding of the relationships between musical notes often proves difficult through conventional practice alone.

[0004] Moreover, maintaining motivation and engagement, particularly among beginners and younger learners, continues to be a significant concern. Traditional approaches may not fully address diverse learning styles or provide the level of interactivity necessary to enhance comprehension and retention. As a result, learners may experience reduced enthusiasm and slower progress in developing musical skills.

[0005] There remains a clear need for further innovation in the field to overcome at least some of these challenges, improving the effectiveness of musical education and supporting learners to develop their abilities more efficiently and enjoyably.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an objective of embodiments of the present invention to enhance music education by providing real-time auditory feedback of note names through integrated vocal synthesis. This objective is accomplished by the aspects of the present invention.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention relates to a musical apparatus comprising an input interface configured to receive user input corresponding to a plurality of musical notes, a vocalization module configured to generate vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input, and an output device configured to simultaneously output the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module.

[0008] In embodiments, the vocalization module may comprise a vocal synthesis module configured to generate vocalizations of the note names in real-time by applying a synthetic voice generation algorithm.

[0009] In embodiments, the vocalization module may comprise a sampling unit containing a plurality of pre-recorded samples of a human voice vocalizing the note names.

[0010] In embodiments, the vocalization module may be configured for customization of the vocalizations, including a selection from a plurality of predefined vocal styles and / or naming systems selectable by the user, preferably wherein the selection of different note naming systems for vocalization includes at least a solfège system with note names "do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si," an alphabetical system with note names "A, B, C, D, E, F, G" and / or a Sargam system with note names "sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni."

[0011] In embodiments, the vocalization module may be configured for adjustment of vocalization parameters including pitch, speed, and / or accent of the vocalizations selectable by the user.

[0012] In embodiments, the vocalization module may be configured to generate vocalizations in a plurality of languages selectable by the user.

[0013] In embodiments, the musical apparatus may further comprise a visual display configured to display a color associated with the musical notes input alongside the vocalization, preferably wherein the color displayed on the visual display is dependent on the frequency of the musical note input, such that each musical note frequency is associated with a distinct color.

[0014] In embodiments, the musical apparatus may further comprise an auxiliary input interface configured to receive input from an external musical instrument, wherein the vocalization module and output device are further configured to generate and output vocalizations and musical notes based on the user input received from the external musical instrument.

[0015] In embodiments, the musical apparatus may further comprise a tempo detection module configured to adjust the speed of vocalizations based on a tempo of the user input.

[0016] In embodiments, the vocalization module may be configured to generate harmony vocalizations for multi-note input.

[0017] In embodiments, the musical apparatus may further comprise a difficulty adjustment module configured to modify the complexity of vocalizations based on user skill level.

[0018] In embodiments, the musical apparatus may further comprise a communication interface configured to connect with an external computing device, preferably a mobile device, provided with an application configured to track user data related to user engagement with the musical apparatus.

[0019] In embodiments, the input interface may comprise a plurality of keys arranged in a piano keyboard layout.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes, the method comprising receiving, through an input interface, user input corresponding to a plurality of musical notes, generating, by a vocalization module, vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input, and simultaneously outputting, via an output device, both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a musical apparatus to, upon receiving user input corresponding to a plurality of musical notes through an input interface, generate vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input, and simultaneously output, via an output device, both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization of the note name generated based on the user input.

[0022] Aspects of the invention are detailed in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features in the dependent claims may be freely combined with those of the independent claims, as well as with features from other dependent claims, where appropriate, and not solely in the explicit combinations set forth in the claims. Specifically, any embodiments of the apparatus as described herein, also serve as embodiments of the method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes, and vice versa. These considerations similarly apply to other aspects of the present invention.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The following description of the figures relates to specific embodiments of the disclosure which are merely exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. In the different figures, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements. Figure 1. is a schematic presentation of a musical apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2. is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the musical apparatus. Figure 3. is a schematic diagram of the musical apparatus with a visual display according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the musical apparatus with an auxiliary input interface according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5. is a schematic diagram of the musical apparatus with a communication interface for connecting to an external mobile device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] In the different figures, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. This description is meant to aid the reader in understanding the technological concepts more easily, but it is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is limited only by the claims.

[0026] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "input interface" refers to any hardware or software component, or a combination thereof, configured to receive user input corresponding to musical notes. This can include, but is not limited to, keyboards, touchscreens, buttons, strings, wind inputs, MIDI interfaces, or other mechanisms suitable for capturing musical note inputs from a user.

[0027] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "user input" when used in reference to a plurality of musical notes refers to any input provided by the user through the input interface to generate one or more musical notes. For example, this may include inputs resulting in single notes, chords, sequences of notes, or combinations thereof, via any suitable input device or method.

[0028] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "vocalization module" refers to a component or system, implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof, configured to generate vocalizations that correspond to musical notes input by the user. The vocalization module processes the user input to produce audible outputs that indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input.

[0029] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "generate vocalizations" when used in reference to user input refers to the process of producing audible vocal outputs that represent the names or identities of the musical notes entered by the user. For example, this may include synthesizing speech or playing back recorded samples that articulate the note names.

[0030] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "vocalizations" refers to the vocal outputs generated explicitly state or represent the names of the musical notes input by the user. For example, this may include spoken words, sung syllables, or other audible representations.

[0031] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "output device" refers to any hardware component capable of producing audible sounds. In the context of the musical apparatus, this may, for example, includes speakers, headphones, or amplifiers, which are configured to output both the musical notes associated with the user input and the vocalizations generated by the vocalization module. Additionally, embodiments of the output device may include visual displays configured to generate a corresponding visual presentation of the musical notes.

[0032] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "simultaneously" when used in reference to the musical device refers to the concurrent or near-concurrent audible and optionally visual presentation of both the musical note sound and its corresponding vocalized note name, such that they are perceived as occurring together or at the same time by the user.

[0033] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "vocal synthesis module" refers to a component of the vocalization module that utilizes computational algorithms to generate vocalizations of note names in real-time, without relying solely on pre-recorded samples. For example, this may include software implementing text-to-speech synthesis or other synthetic voice generation techniques.

[0034] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "synthetic voice generation algorithm" refers to a computational method or set of methods used by the vocal synthesis module to create artificial vocalizations of note names. For example, this may include algorithms based on text-to-speech synthesis, formant synthesis, concatenative synthesis, or neural network-based speech synthesis.

[0035] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "sampling unit" refers to a component within the vocalization module that stores and retrieves pre-recorded audio samples of a human voice vocalizing note names. The sampling unit may play these samples in response to user input corresponding to specific musical notes.

[0036] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the terms "pre-recorded samples" when used in reference to a human voice vocalizing the note names refers to audio recordings of a person articulating the names of musical notes. These samples can be stored in the sampling unit and are used to provide auditory feedback that corresponds to the user's musical note inputs.

[0037] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "customization" when used in reference to the vocalizations refers to the configuration of the vocalization module to allow the user to modify various aspects of how vocalizations are generated and presented. For example, this may include selecting from a plurality of predefined vocal styles, adjusting vocalization parameters, or choosing different naming systems for the note names.

[0038] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "predefined vocal styles" refers to selectable options within the vocalization module that alter the characteristics of the vocalizations. For example, this may include variations in voice type (e.g., male, female, child), tone, expression, or stylistic elements, providing different auditory experiences for the user.

[0039] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "naming systems" refers to conventions or systems for referring to musical notes by name. In embodiments the naming system includes the "solfège system", which assigns syllables to the notes of a musical scale, commonly using the syllables 'do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si' (or variations such as 'do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti') to represent the major scale degrees. In other embodiments, the naming system includes the "alphabetical system", which assigns the first seven letters of the Western alphabet 'C, D, E, F, G, A, B' (or variations such as 'C, D, E, F, G, A, H') to the notes of the diatonic scale. In yet other embodiments, the naming system includes the "Sargam system", which assigns syllables to the notes of a musical scale, commonly using the syllables 'sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni'. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to these specific naming systems, and various other naming systems may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0040] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "adjustment of vocalization parameters" refers to the user's ability to modify specific characteristics of the vocalizations produced by the vocalization module. Embodiments may include altering the pitch (frequency), which refers to the perceived frequency of the vocalizations, that can be adjusted to make the voice sound higher or lower in tone according to user preference. Other embodiments may include altering the speed (tempo), which refers to the rate at which the vocalizations are delivered, allowing the user to adjust how quickly or slowly the note names are vocalized. Other embodiments still may include altering the accent (pronunciation style) of the vocalized note names, which refers to the characteristic pronunciation associated with a particular region or language, which can be applied to the vocalizations to reflect different linguistic styles or preferences. Combinations of these embodiments are also explicitly disclosed.

[0041] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "vocalization module is configured to generate vocalizations in a plurality of languages selectable by the user" means that the module supports multiple languages for the vocalized note names, allowing the user to choose their preferred language for auditory feedback. Exemplary languages may include, but are not limited to, English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, or others.

[0042] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "visual display" refers to any electronic screen or display device capable of presenting visual information to the user. This includes LCD screens, LED displays, touchscreens, or other visual output components integrated into the musical apparatus.

[0043] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "colour display" when used in association with user input means that the visual display presents a specific colour corresponding to each musical note input by the user, providing visual feedback in conjunction with the auditory vocalization. Embodiment of the colour display may include a systematic assignment of colours to musical notes based on their soundwave frequencies. This creates a visual representation of the notes that complements the auditory output.

[0044] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "auxiliary input interface" refers to an additional input mechanism configured to receive musical input from external musical instruments. This interface can include audio input jacks, MIDI ports, USB connections, wireless receivers (e.g., Bluetooth), or other means of connecting external devices to the musical apparatus.

[0045] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "receive input from an external musical instrument" means that the musical apparatus is capable of accepting and processing musical note inputs provided by instruments not integrated into the apparatus itself, for example, (external) keyboards, guitars, wind instruments, or electronic musical devices.

[0046] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "tempo detection module" refers to a component configured to analyse the timing of the user inputs to determine the tempo at which the user is playing. This module adjusts the speed of vocalizations or other outputs based on the detected tempo to synchronize with the user's performance. Embodiments may include adjusting the speed of vocalizations based on a tempo of the user input, wherein the apparatus modifies how quickly the note names are vocalized in response to the user's playing speed, ensuring that the vocalizations remain in sync with the music being played.

[0047] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "harmony vocalizations" refers to vocal outputs generated by the vocalization module that include harmonic intervals or chords in addition to the principal note names. This feature provides a richer auditory experience by vocalizing harmonies when multiple notes are input simultaneously.

[0048] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "multi-note input" refers to the user inputting a plurality of musical notes at the same time, such as playing chords or harmonies, which the apparatus detects and processes accordingly.

[0049] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "difficulty adjustment module" refers to a component that modifies the complexity or features of the outputs, including vocalizations, based on the user's skill level. This allows the musical apparatus to provide appropriate feedback and challenges tailored to beginners, intermediate, or advanced users.

[0050] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "modify the complexity" when used in association with user skill level means that the apparatus can adjust the detail or intricacy of the vocalizations provided, offering simpler guidance for beginners and more advanced information for skilled users.

[0051] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "communication interface" refers to a hardware or software component that enables the musical apparatus to connect and communicate with external computing devices. For example, this may include wired connections like USB or Ethernet ports, as well as wireless connections such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi adapters.

[0052] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "external computing device" refers to any device separate from the musical apparatus that has computational capabilities. For example, this may include mobile phones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers.

[0053] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the phrase "tracking user data", for example related to user engagement with the musical apparatus refers to software installed on an external computing device that monitors and records information about how the user interacts with the musical apparatus. This may include tracking practice times, note accuracy, progression, and other metrics relevant to the user's learning and engagement.

[0054] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" refers to any physical storage medium capable of storing computer-executable instructions, excluding transitory propagating signals. This includes, but is not limited to, hard drives, solid-state drives, flash memory devices, optical discs, and ROM.

[0055] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "processor" refers to a hardware component or integrated circuit capable of executing computer instructions, including central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, microcontrollers, or digital signal processors (DSPs).

[0056] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "instructions" refers to computer-executable code or programs stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which, when executed by a processor, cause the musical apparatus to perform specific functions as described in the claims.

[0057] The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a musical apparatus 100 according to aspects of the present invention, the musical apparatus 100 comprises an input interface 110, a vocalization module 120, and an output device 130. The input interface 110 is configured to receive user input corresponding to at least one musical note of a plurality of musical notes. The vocalization module 120 is configured to generate vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user through the input interface 110, thereby, indicating the note names associated with the musical notes input. The output device 130 is configured to simultaneously output both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module 120.

[0059] In an example illustrating the use of the apparatus, the input interface comprises a plurality of keys arranged in a piano keyboard layout. The user interacts with the input interface by pressing one or more keys on the keyboard associated with a musical note of choice. In the present example, the solfège system, as defined herein, is previously selected as the note-naming system by the user. Accordingly, when the user presses a key associated with, for instance, the "do" note, the apparatus registers an instruction to generate the sound of the musical note "do." In response to the user input, the vocalization module produces a vocalization of the solf6ge name "do." Then, simultaneously, the output unit, such as a speaker, emits the sound of the musical note "do" along with its vocalized solfège name in a spoken voice. This enables the user to easily associate the sound of the musical note with its corresponding solf6ge name.

[0060] Through this example, the advantages of the present invention are evident, as the apparatus provides immediate auditory feedback of note names while musical notes are played, thereby enhancing users' note recognition and pitch identification. Notably, these vocalizations are generated in real time, delivering instant auditory cues that facilitate effective learning.

[0061] In embodiments, the input interface 110 may comprise a plurality of keys arranged in a piano keyboard layout. This configuration means that the input interface 110 includes multiple keys organized in the same configuration as a traditional piano keyboard or variations thereon. This allows users familiar with piano playing to input musical notes in a recognizable format and / or makes the apparatus particularly suitable for learning to play the piano using the keyboard layout. Variations of this configuration can be envisioned by those skilled in the art to facilitate learning or interaction with other known musical instruments.

[0062] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the musical apparatus 100 wherein the vocalization module 120 can comprise a vocal synthesis module 121 configured to generate vocalizations of the note names in real-time by applying a synthetic voice generation algorithm. This allows for generating realistic vocalizations in real-time.

[0063] In an alternative or complementary embodiment, the vocalization module 120 can comprises a sampling unit 122 containing a plurality of pre-recorded samples of a human voice vocalizing the note names. Using pre-recorded samples can provide high-quality, natural-sounding vocalizations that clearly provide the word of the corresponding note.

[0064] In embodiment, the vocalization module 120 may be configured for customization of the vocalizations, including a selection from a plurality of predefined vocal styles and / or naming systems selectable by the user. Preferably, the selection of different note naming systems for vocalization includes at least a solfège system with note names "do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si" or any of its known variations, an alphabetical system with note names "C, D, E, F, G, A, B" and / or a Sargam system with note names "sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni." Customization options engage the user and cater to different preferences and learning styles suited to the user.

[0065] In embodiments, the vocalization module 120 may be configured for adjustment of vocalization parameters including pitch, speed, and / or accent of the vocalizations selectable by the user. This allows the user to tailor the vocalizations to their needs and preferences. Customization options engage the user and cater to different preferences and learning styles.

[0066] In embodiments, the vocalization module 120 may be configured to generate vocalizations in a plurality of languages selectable by the user. Supporting multiple languages makes the apparatus accessible to a wider user base.

[0067] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the musical apparatus 100, which further comprises a visual display 140 configured to display a colour associated with the musical notes input alongside the vocalization. The incorporation of visual reinforcement enhances the multi-sensory learning experience. Advantageously, the visual display 140 is configured to output the colour corresponding to the user input simultaneously with the sound of the musical note and its vocalization, as produced by the output device 130.

[0068] In embodiments, the colour displayed by the visual display 140 is determined by the frequency of the musical note input, with each musical note frequency being associated with a distinct colour. Advantageously, the relationship between the frequency of the musical note (in Hz) and the wavelength of the corresponding colour is determined through a mathematical linear relationship. For example, the note "sol" may be associated with the colour red, the note "do" with the colour green, and so on.

[0069] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the musical apparatus 100, which further comprises an auxiliary input interface 150 configured to receive input from an external musical instrument 160. The auxiliary input interface 150 can allow users to connect and / or integrate external musical instrument 160 into the musical apparatus 100. By receiving input signals from the external musical instruments 160, the musical apparatus 100 can process and incorporate the sounds or data from the external musical instruments 160into its output. The vocalization module 120 and output device 130 can be further configured to generate and output vocalizations and musical notes based on the user input received from the external musical instrument. This expands the versatility of the apparatus.

[0070] In embodiments, the musical apparatus 100 may further comprise a tempo detection module 170 configured to adjust the speed of vocalizations based on a tempo of the user input. Synchronizing the vocalizations with the user's playing tempo provides a cohesive learning experience.

[0071] In embodiments, the vocalization module 120 may be configured to generate harmony vocalizations 129 for multi-note input. Vocalizing harmonies helps develop the user's understanding of musical structures.

[0072] In embodiments, the vocalization module 120 may be further configured to recognize chords formed by the user input and to generate vocalizations indicating the chord names associated with the input chords. The module may detect when multiple notes forming a chord are played simultaneously and provide vocal output of the chord names, recognizing common chord types. For example, the vocalization module 120 may recognize major, minor, diminished, augmented, and seventh chords, and upon detection of such chords from the user input, may generate vocalizations indicating the specific chord names, such as "C major," "A minor," or "G seventh."

[0073] In embodiments, the musical apparatus 100 may further comprise a difficulty adjustment module 200 configured to modify the complexity of vocalizations based on user skill level. Adapting to the user's proficiency keeps them more engaged and motivated.

[0074] In embodiments, the musical apparatus 100 may be configured to provide at least one interactive learning mode that offers vocal feedback in response to the user input. The interactive learning mode may include exercises or activities that adaptively respond with vocal feedback to assist the user in learning musical concepts or improving their playing skills. For example, the interactive learning modes may comprise a "play-along" mode where the apparatus provides vocal prompts for notes to be played, and a "quiz" mode where the user is prompted to play specific notes or sequences, with the apparatus providing vocal feedback on the accuracy of the user's input and offering guidance for improvement.

[0075] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the musical apparatus 100, which further comprises a communication interface 180 configured to connect with an external computing device 190, for example a mobile device provided with an application configured to track user data related to user engagement with the musical apparatus 100. The communication interface 180 can enable data exchange between the musical apparatus 100 and the mobile device 190.

[0076] In embodiments, the external application on the computing device may provide educational content including music theory resources, lessons, and tutorials that complement the functionality of the musical apparatus, offering additional learning materials. For example, the application may offer detailed music theory lessons, interactive exercises, progress tracking, goal-setting features, and integrate with the musical apparatus 100 to provide personalized recommendations based on the user's interactions and performance with the apparatus, enhancing the overall educational experience. Furthermore, the integration of the mobile application allows the user to receive personalized insights, such as tips to improve their musical skills, or it could even generate customized challenges based on their performance. This enhanced interactivity and data tracking can significantly improve the user experience, making the musical apparatus not only a tool for music creation but also a platform for skill development and engagement.

[0077] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes. The method comprises the steps of receiving, through an input interface 110, user input corresponding to a plurality of musical notes; generating, by a vocalization module 120, vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input; and simultaneously outputting, via an output device 130, both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module 120.

[0078] The herein described method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes includes to a sequence of steps executed by the musical apparatus to receive musical note inputs from the user, generate corresponding vocalizations indicating the note names, and output both the musical notes and vocalizations simultaneously.

[0079] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes. The method comprises the steps of receiving, by a processor associated with a user input module, user input corresponding to a plurality of musical notes; generating, by a processor associated with a vocalization module 120, vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input; and instructing, by a processor associated a output device 130, the output device 130 to simultaneously output both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module 120.

[0080] The herein described method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes includes to a sequence of steps executed by the musical apparatus to receive musical note inputs from the user, generate corresponding vocalizations indicating the note names, and output both the musical notes and vocalizations simultaneously.

[0081] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a musical apparatus 100, cause the musical apparatus 100 to, upon receiving user input corresponding to a plurality of musical notes through an input interface 110, generate vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input, and simultaneously output, via an output device 130, both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization of the note name generated based on the user input.

[0082] It is understood that although specific embodiments, constructions, configurations, and materials for devices according to the present invention have been discussed herein, various changes or modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, any drawings provided are merely representative of possible procedures. Functionality may be added to or removed from block diagrams, and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may also be added or omitted in the methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0083] Additionally, while certain embodiments, constructions, and configurations are described as providing an "improvement," it should be understood that any such improvement represents a benefit based on a comparison to similar devices, structures, systems, or methods in the art, depending on the context. The degree of improved performance may vary between disclosed embodiments, and no uniformity in the amount, degree, or realization of improved performance should be assumed to apply universally across all embodiments.

[0084] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0085] As used herein, the terms "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "including", "includes" or "containing", "contains", and are inclusive or openended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or method steps. The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of" when referring to recited members, elements or method steps also include embodiments which "consist of" said recited members, elements or method steps. The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0086] As used herein, relative terms, such as "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," etc., are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments as described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or described herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0087] Objects described herein as being "adjacent" to each other reflect a functional relationship between the described objects, that is, the term indicates the described objects must be adjacent in a way to perform a designated function which may be a direct (i.e. physical) or indirect (i.e. close to or near) contact, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used.

[0088] Objects described herein as being "connected" or "coupled" reflect a functional relationship between the described objects, that is, the terms indicate the described objects must be connected in a way to perform a designated function which may be a direct or indirect connection in an electrical or nonelectrical (i.e. physical) manner, as appropriate for the context in which the term is used.

[0089] As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is "substantially" enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of "substantially" is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

[0090] As used herein, the term "about" is used to provide flexibility to a numerical value or range endpoint by providing that a given value may be "a little above" or "a little below" said value or endpoint, depending on the specific context. Unless otherwise stated, use of the term "about" in accordance with a specific number or numerical range should also be understood to provide support for such numerical terms or range without the term "about". For example, the recitation of "about 30" should be construed as not only providing support for values a little above and a little below 30, but also for the actual numerical value of 30 as well.

[0091] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited endpoints. Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A musical apparatus (100) comprising: - an input interface (110) configured to receive user input corresponding to at least one musical note of a plurality of musical notes; - a vocalization module (120) configured to generate vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input; and - an output device (130) configured to simultaneously output the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module (120).

2. The musical apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vocalization module (120) comprises a vocal synthesis module configured to generate vocalizations of the note names in real-time by applying a synthetic voice generation algorithm .

3. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vocalization module (120) comprises a sampling unit containing a plurality of pre-recorded samples of a human voice vocalizing the note names.

4. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vocalization module (120) is configured for customization of the vocalizations, including a selection from a plurality of predefined vocal styles and / or naming systems selectable by the user; preferably wherein the selection of different note naming systems for vocalization includes at least a solfège system with note names "do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si," an alphabetical system with note names "C, D, E, F, G, A, B" and / or a Sargam system with note names "sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni."5. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vocalization module (120) is configured for adjustment of vocalization parameters including pitch, speed, and / or accent of the vocalizations selectable by the user.

6. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vocalization module (120) is configured to generate vocalizations in a plurality of languages selectable by the user.

7. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a visual display (140) configured to display a colour associated with the musical notes input simultaneously with the vocalization; preferably wherein the colour displayed on the visual display (140) is associated with the frequency of the musical note input such that each musical note frequency corresponds to a distinct colour.

8. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an auxiliary input interface (150) configured to receive input from an external musical instrument (160), wherein the vocalization module (120) and output device (130) are further configured to generate and output vocalizations and musical notes based on the user input received from the external musical instrument (160).

9. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tempo detection module (170) configured to adjust the speed of vocalizations based on a tempo of the user input.

10. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vocalization module (120) is configured to generate harmony vocalizations for multi-note input.

11. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a difficulty adjustment module (200) configured to modify the complexity of vocalizations based on user skill level.

12. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication interface (180) configured to connect with an external computing device (190), preferably a mobile device, provided with an application configured to track user data related to user engagement with the musical apparatus (100).

13. The musical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input interface (110) comprises a plurality of keys arranged in a piano keyboard layout.

14. A computer-implemented method for providing vocalized feedback of musical notes, the method comprising: - receiving, through an input interface (110), user input corresponding to at least one musical note of a plurality of musical notes; - generating, by a vocalization module (120), vocalizations corresponding to the musical notes input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note names associated with the musical notes input; and, - instructing an output device (130) to simultaneously output both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization generated by the vocalization module (120).

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a musical apparatus (100) to: - receive, through an input interface (110), user input corresponding to at least one musical note of a plurality of musical notes; - generate, by a vocalization module (120), vocalizations corresponding to the musical note input by the user, wherein the vocalizations indicate the note name associated with the musical note input; and, - instruct an output device (130) to simultaneously output both the musical note associated with the user input and the vocalization of the note name generated by the vocalization module (120).

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