1611 results about "Guitar" patented technology

A pedal board for releasably retaining a plurality of foot pedal operated sound effect generators used in conjunction with musical instruments, such as guitars. The pedal board comprises an upper plate having a surface constructed to releasably hold a plurality of foot pedal operated sound effect generators. The pedal board is provided with an internal wiring harness and external jacks for connection of the sound effect generators in a desired array and which enable connection to the musical instrument as well as to an auxiliary sound generating component used with the musical instrument.

Disclosed is a guitar effects controller comprising a digital compass and means for converting directional degree information to signal effect level values. Alternate embodiments provide different sensors, e.g., GPS receiver or tilt sensor. The invention allows user control of instrument volume or other signal effects by turning, tilting, or otherwise manipulating the guitar. Also disclosed is a user configuration system whereby an effects controller can be configured using RF or infrared technology, RFID tags, the Internet, and other tools. Controller function is enhanced by a multipurpose guitar docking station and case. Also disclosed is a universal music exchange medium to facilitate the rapid configuration of system components.

An interactive game designed for learning to play a guitar. A guitar may be connected to a computer or other platform, capable of loading music and displaying notes and chords and other feedback and visual learning aids on a display screen, allowing a user to read music and play along. The goal of the software or interactive game engine is for players to learn how to play a guitar. Users may operate the game in a number of modes with different goals, playing mini-games throughout the levels of the game. The game provides feedback and statistics to help users learn how to play the guitar.

Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.

A digital guitar includes a two or three-axis input on the body and an array of inputs on the neck. The two or three axis input serves as an actuator to commence generation of an output representing sounds. The array of inputs on the neck provide for player control of the sounds represented by the output. The different axes of the two or three axis input provide for an ability to configure the instrument to simultaneously control multiple different characteristics of the output from the guitar. The two or three axis input on the body of the guitar may be a touch pad or touch and display screen. The display screen provides visual feedback to the player.

An electronic battery operated and self contained acoustic guitar allowing playing back high quality prerecorded notes through its own soundboard electromechanically activated by a piezoelectric vibrating means. The guitar allows to play chords or melody with simplified fingering and provides trigger events (note ON, Off, velocity of the note played) with less than 15 ms delay. When the guitar is not powered it can be played as a normal high quality musical instrument.

A removable and portable single pickup unit for stringed instruments such as guitars, and the like. The unit can be mounted inside of a sound hole of an acoustic guitar without damaging the guitar. The unit can combine inputs from three different pickups(such as a magnetic sensor, vibratory transducer, and a microphone) into a single small housing. The unit can include a pre-amplifier and circuitry within the unit along with three rotatable rheostat type control knobs for each of the pickups, and an overall volume control knob that are easily reachable to the user's fingers while the fingers are on the strings. An output cable connects the unit to a single external amplifier or three individual amplifiers for each of the three different pickups.

The apparatus (1) comprises a guitar (3) having strings (42) operable by a user to generate electric signals, a control unit (2), storage means for a simulation backing track in any desired multi-media file format and audio / audio-visual equipment for playing a main track. The control unit (2) has software for receiving and analyzing the electrical signals from the guitar (41) and for synchronizing the backing track with the main track during playback. The software of the control unit (2) opens the backing track multi-media file and streams the file in mute mode in synchronisation with the main track. In response to the electrical signals from the guitar (41), the control unit generates an output from the multi-media file to the audio / audio-visual equipment. Alternatively, the apparatus opens and plays extracts from the multi-media file and generates an output from the multi-media files to the audio equipment (4) together with the background track.

A system and method of enhancing guitar instruction based on Tablature Plus encoding of playing techniques within a MIDI file or other data structure, that may be rendered on an associated player application that provides multimedia output of the piece being played including a number of playing techniques. The system hardware for encoding the information comprises a pickup head for registering string motion, and optionally a hand motion and finger positioning sensor, such as a data glove, for simultaneously registering the actions of the guitarist while playing the piece. The software comprises algorithms for determining note pitch and duration, and for extracting playing techniques from the data being collected. Multimedia player software is also described which renders a visual and audio output for the Tablature Plus encoded file, wherein the encoded playing techniques are represented within the display output.

Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamically determining a musical part performed by a player of a rhythm-action game. In one aspect of a rhythm-action game, microphones are not tied to a particular part and therefore any player can play any of a number of parts, e.g., melody or harmony, lead or rhythm, guitar or bass, without switching instruments. This is accomplished by displaying, on a display, a plurality of target music data associated with a musical composition, receiving a music performance input data via the input device, determining which of the plurality of target music data has a degree of matching with the music performance input data, and assigning the music performance input data to the determined target music data.

A music based video game provides an auxiliary palm input on an associated guitar shaped video game controller. In some embodiments, the auxiliary palm input is positioned near a strum input on a body of the guitar shaped video game controller, allowing for simultaneous operation of both the strum input and the auxiliary palm input with one hand. In some embodiments, the auxiliary palm input modifies audio outputs generated in the music based video game. In some embodiments, the auxiliary palm input triggers an alternate game mode, for example, a bonus mode, during video game play of the music based video game.

An acoustic guitar is fitted with a fingering display embedded in its fretboard. A fingering-display processor with tempo control allows a user to select a tune to practice and the speed of tempo to use. The user is progressively shown where to finger each successive note and chord in a tune. A fingering extraction processor downloads fingering patterns that have been discerned from input tunes that are whistled, hummed, played on another instrument, or performed by an orchestra. A microphone is used to capture ambient sounds, and an electronic audio input is used to collect recorded or broadcast performances. The fingering extraction processor is implemented with a digital signal processor that samples analog audio inputs. Such inputs are filtered for noise and interstitial breaks indicating start-end of play. Orchestral performances are filtered by voice to create a guitar fingering arrangements. The fingering extraction processor can be collocated with the fingering display processor. And the fingering display processor can be attached to or integrated within a guitar.

A synthetic guitar includes a body, a neck extending from the body, and at least one touch sensor at the neck for indicating finger position of a user. The body has a receptacle for removably securing a tablet computer to the body. The tablet computer has a touch screen for indicating finger position of the user. A processor of the tablet computer is programmed to receive input signals from the touch sensor and the touch screen and to produce an output signal based at least partially on the input signals. The software can enable the synthetic guitar to be used as a music synthesizer or to be used as a video game controller. The synthetic guitar can also include a retainer for removably securing a portable media player to be used as an additional video display while playing the guitar.

A stand (10) for supporting a musical instrument (12), such as a guitar, in an upright position when not in use and for retention on the instrument when the instrument is in use. The stand comprises a mounting base (22) secured to the rear surface of the instrument (18), and a support member (24) pivotally connected to the mounting base (22) and containing first and second foot portions (34A & B) and third foot portion (56). The pivotal attachment allows the support member (24) to be transitioned between a storage position adjacent the rear surface of the instrument (18) and a deployed position spaced away from the rear surface of the instrument (18) where, together with the bottom edge of the instrument (20), the first and second foot portions (34A & B) act to support the instrument (12). Third foot portion (56) engages a floor or other support surface providing fixative force to the support member allowing the instrument and mounting base to be pivoted away from the support member to the deployed position without the need to touch the stand. The support member (24) is spring-loaded and automatically returns to the storage position when the instrument (12) is lifted for use.

An electronic synthesized steelpan drum resembling a conventional steelpan drum and featuring the same shallow cylindrical shape with a sunken concave playing surface. The steelpan drum includes a central processor chip and associated memory chips for providing a variety of synthesized steelpan and a full range of musical, orchestral, and symphonic instrumental sounds, including tenor, double-seconds, guitar, cello, quadraphonic, tenor-bass, and bass steel drums. The concave playing surface is comprised of a series of rubber striking pad areas, which can be arranged in a conventional or other unique pattern typical of a tenor pan. The striking pad areas will be played with a pair of pansticks. Attached under each pad is a pressure sensor, which will detect the amount of force applied when a pannist strikes a pad and provide a signal to the central processor for controlling the synthesized sound. The steelpan has various control functions including speakers, volume control, function selection buttons, and a control display panel.

Provided is a guitar tuner that is capable of tuning each string of a guitar with a capotasto being attached thereto to a specified pitch. The guitar tuner includes attachment position setting means for, when the capotasto is attached to the guitar, setting an attachment position of the capotasto to the tuner, and a pitch of each string can be automatically set to a pitch that is specified in the attachment position of the capo.

A playing motion capturing apparatus includes a guitar, a photoreflector, a controller, a piezoelectric pickup, and a personal computer. The photoreflector includes a plurality of full-color LEDs and a plurality of phototransisters, and is disposed in a fingerboard region of the guitar. The photoreflector detects a color of a finger pressing a string, and outputs a position of the finger. The controller turns the full-color LEDs on and off, and outputs light receiving signals of and position information on the phototransister to the personal computer. The piezoelectric pickup detects vibration of the strings and outputs vibration signals to the personal computer.

An improved guitar and accompaniment apparatus featuring an electronic means configured to permit playback of a variety of accompaniment beats that may be selectively accessed and manipulated by the guitar player.

A method of playing a digital sound clip, including creating a digital sound clip, and producing, by an amplifier, the digital sound clip in response to a hitting of the note on a guitar.

Apparatus and methods of decorating guitars and other stringed musical instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a carrier to hold a portion of a guitar, a surface to support the carrier, one or more ink-jet printheads to apply radiation-sensitive ink compositions on a surface of the portion of the guitar, when the portion of the guitar is held by the carrier, and when the carrier is supported by the surface, and a radiation source to supply radiation to the radiation-sensitive ink on the surface of the portion of the guitar. In another aspect, a method may include providing at least a portion of a guitar having a surface, and applying a decoration over the surface by spraying radiation-sensitive ink compositions over the surface with one or more ink-jet spray nozzles and exposing the radiation-sensitive ink compositions to radiation.

A support which positions a musical instrument or other device in front of a musician or user in a near-vertical orientation, while comfortably distributing the instrument's weight upon the musician's body. It comprises a strap made from a strip of flexible material which is passed over the shoulder of a musician. The ends are attached to a guitar at points of attachment located upon either side of the guitar's body, a departure from previous practice. Due to the selection of the points of attachment, the guitar is supported in a generally vertical orientation. The tuner head or upper portion of the guitar then extends to a position generally above the musician's shoulder. A shoulder pad of cushioning material is slidably affixed to the underside of the strap. An adjustable cord or strap is attached from the shoulder pad to the guitar's tuner head, whereby the cord can secure and stabilize the positioning of the tuner head and thus the vertical orientation of the guitar. In addition, upwardly-pulling tension afforded by the cord's attachment to the guitar's tuner head stabilizes the position of the shoulder strap at the highest point of the strap, which is above the musician's shoulder. The guitar is supported and positioned in a near-vertical position, and the musician can play freely with both hands, without requiring either hand for support or positioning of the instrument. Such positioning enhances certain musical techniques, including "two-handed tapping' or "touch-style' methods of play. The guitar will remain in the proper playing position during seated or standing performance and during performance gyrations, and the shoulder pad will remain properly positioned atop the musician's shoulder during a performance.

A vibrato device for an instrument, such as a guitar, comprises a base plate having a forward side with a pivot means and at least one elongated bridge post fixed thereto. Each bridge post is fixed to at least one of the strings of the instrument above a top surface of the base plate and includes a spring fixed below a bottom surface thereof. The spring generally balances the string tension around the pivot means. A vibrato handle is fixed to the base plate, and when moved it causes the base plate to pivot around the pivot means and the effective pitch of each string is changed accordingly. Yet each string may be tuned against the string biasing means independently of any other string since each string has its own spring biasing means.

A digital guitar processing circuit includes a guitar converter circuit and a guitar formatting circuit. The guitar converter circuit receives one or more analog string signals representative of the string vibrations of a guitar and generates one or more digital string signals based upon the analog string signals. The guitar formatting circuit formats the digital string signals to be compatible with a digital communication protocol, and outputs the formatted digital string signals.

A multi-media entertainment device enabling a user to control sound / audio elements of a music or sound program while video, such as a musical performance, is displayed and which is correlated to the played sound elements. The user interacts with triggers such as laser beams that can be interrupted by a player's fingers to play music, such as particular instruments of a soundtrack. For instance, a music video or concert has a video track and a sound track. The video track is displayed, and the user controls the audio play of the sound track by interrupting the beams, each beam associated with a different instrument. This allows the user to play the multimedia device along with a displayed video performance, in unison or synchronization with one or more musicians displayed on a display, such as a TV, monitor or video projection system. The user's play may be scored as a function of the user's accuracy of engaging the triggers in time unison with the displayed video image. For instance, a user can strum a trigger associated with a guitar program in unison with a guitarist on the display. The music created by the user interacting with multiple triggers is sympathetic and always synchronized to the video performance. If the user misses the timing of a note, the sound is not played. In another version, a video program such as that associated with a video game is displayed, and the user interacts by playing the triggers controlling sound elements associated with the displayed video game.

A portable travel guitar comprises a removable neck and a tapered removable panel attached to an opening in the body of the guitar by an airtight joint. Pre-tensioned strings attached to the removable panel bias it towards the closed position. Items can be stored inside the body of the guitar for ease of storage inside luggage. An auxiliary panel is provided permitting using the body of the guitar as separate luggage.

A synthetic guitar includes a body, a neck extending from the body, and at least one touch sensor at the neck for indicating finger position of a user. The body has a receptacle for removably securing a tablet computer to the body. The tablet computer has a touch screen for indicating finger position of the user. A processor of the tablet computer is programmed to receive input signals from the touch sensor and the touch screen and to produce an output signal based at least partially on the input signals. The software can enable the synthetic guitar to be used as a music synthesizer or to be used as a video game controller. The synthetic guitar can also include a retainer for removably securing a portable media player to be used as an additional video display while playing the guitar.

This invention applies to a bolt-on neck guitar or similar instrument or device. The mechanism of this invention, a multiple section hinge with one end flap attached to the neck and the other end flap attached to the body while the center section stays sandwiched between the neck and the body in normal use, allows the removal of the neck screws with the strings under tension by the hinge absorbing the horizontal stress produced by the tension of the strings. The neck is then rotated 180 degrees to rest on top of the body where it can be secured with a clamp or a strap for transportation or stowage. The neck holding screws can be replaced with a large single one, reducing the time required to loosen the neck, while still maintaining the possibility of using the normal four screws in addition to or in lieu of the single one if so desired, since the tone of the guitar is improved when the pressure of the neck-body junction is increased and distributed over a larger area. By folding the neck on top of the guitar, the bulk and the chances of damaging the instrument are greatly reduced, since the neck can be secured at both ends and the instrument can fit in boxes or pieces of luggage in which an ordinary guitar would not fit, in particular a carry-on size piece of luggage, which allows the traveler guitarist to have full control of the whereabouts of the instrument at all times.