WO1999039316A1

WO1999039316A1 - System for instructing the playing of a musical instrument

Info

Publication number: WO1999039316A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/001530
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul S. Renard; Robert R. Graham, Jr.
Original assignee: Renarco Inc.
Priority date: 1998-01-28
Filing date: 1999-01-26
Publication date: 1999-08-05
Also published as: US6066791A; AU2340599A

Abstract

The present invention discloses a novel method and apparatus for instructing a student how to play a musical instrument. The method includes providing a display device (16), displaying a staff (34, 36) on the display device, displaying an image (38) on the display device, and instructing the student to focus on the image while preferably using a musical instrument (20) to play the notes on the staff, wherein the image moves generally in the direction of the progression of notes on the staff while the student attempts to play the notes with the musical instrument. As the image moves, the image preferably moves in a direction generally parallel to the staff.

Description

SYSTEM FOR INSTRUCTING THE PLAYING OF A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

Cross-Reference

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application

No. 60/072,891, filed January 28, 1998.

Background of the Invention

This invention generally relates to systems for instructing one how to play a

musical instrument. The invention more specifically relates to a novel system of

instructing one how to play a musical instrument by using a computer.

In general, for many, many years, instructors have used the same method for

educating students how to play musical instruments. For example, to teach the student

how to read the music on the page, the instructor has the student think of each

individual note on the lines of the staves and between the lines of the staves in terms

of mnemonics. For example, for the treble staff, the instructor has the student think in

terms of "F A C E" and "Every Good Boy Does Fine" where the musical notes "F," "A," "C" and "E" are the notes between the lines of the staff and the musical notes

"E," "G," "B," "D" and "F" are the notes on the lines of the staff. In much the same

manner, for the bass staff, the instructor has the student think in terms of "All Cows

Eat Grass" and "Good Boys Do Fine Always" where the musical notes "A," "C," "E"

and "G" are the notes between the lines of the staff and the musical notes "G," "B,"

"D," "F" and "A" are the notes on the lines of the staff. The method generally

involves having the student play the same songs over and over again while listening to

the "ticktock" sounds of a metronome in order to learn timing and counting.

Most students find the above-described, conventional method of learning how

to play a musical instrument time-consuming, frustrating, difficult to learn and not

very much fun. This is true especially of children who are often "forced" by their

parent(s) to take musical instrument instruction or "music lessons." As a result of the

particular method being used to teach the children how to play a musical instrument,

these children often "give up" after not really learning how to play the musical

instrument very well. Later, these children, after they have become adults, typically

are not willing again to try to learn how to play a musical instrument. Frankly, this is

because these adults do not generally want to relive an experience they feel has

tortured them during their childhood.

Adults who have not taken "music lessons" as children typically do not, as

adults, have the time or the inclination to sit through countless music lessons where

each lesson or session is time-consuming, frustrating, difficult and not very much fun

to experience. The above-described conventional teaching method essentially forces the

student to focus more on determining what notes should be played rather than focusing

on actually playing the piece of music. As a result, the student does not really

contribute much attention to actually listening to the music that she or he is playing

with the musical instrument. However, arguably, this is the most enjoyable part of

playing a musical instrument.

Presently, there is software commercially available for teaching one how to

play a musical instrument. The software is used with a computer connected to a

musical instrument, such as a piano keyboard. Unfortunately, the software generally

available at the present time uses the same ineffective teaching method described

hereinabove, and essentially merely amounts to "a gloss being put on old horse-and-

buggy thinking." While the computer may work to keep a student's interest slightly

longer due to the "gloss" such as computer animation, the same old ineffective

teaching method is essentially being used by the software.

It is apparent that a new method and apparatus for instructing one how to play a

musical instrument is needed, .and the present invention provides as such. By the

present invention, learning to play a musical instrument can be both easier and more

enjoyable than ever before.

Objects and Summary of the Invention

A general object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus

for instructing a student how to play a musical instrument where learning is more

enjoyable for the student. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus

for teaching a student a more effective way to read music.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus

for teaching a student how to sight-read musical notes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and

apparatus for instructing a student how to play a musical instrument where the student

is left to concentrate more on listening to what she or he is playing rather than on what

individual musical note should be played at a particular time.

Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention discloses a

novel method and apparatus for instructing a student how to sight-read music. The

apparatus provides program code which is readable by a computer, where the program

causes the computer to direct a display device to display a staff and an image generally

adjacent the staff, and to display the image moving in a direction which is generally

parallel to the staff, generally along a progression of notes on the staff. The method

includes steps of providing a display device, displaying a staff on the display device,

displaying an image on the display device, and instructing a student to focus on the

image while moving the image in a direction which is generally parallel to the staff,

generally along a progression of notes on the staff.

The above-described apparatus and method can be used to teach a student to

read music by having the student focus on a specific point in relation to the staff~i.e.

on the moving image—rather than actively looking at each individual note. Preferably, two staves are displayed on the display device, the bass staff and the

treble staff, and the staves "wrap around" the screen, thus appearing as two sets of two

staves, one over the other. Preferably, the moving image is initially displayed between

the two staves of the top set of staves, at a position approximately equivalent to middle

C, and "wraps around" the screen at the appropriate time to continue between the two

staves of the lower set of staves, again at a position approximately equivalent to

middle C. As a result, the student is trained to read the music by focusing on middle

C, between two staves of music.

Preferably, the student is instructed to initially focus on the moving image

without playing a musical instrument for a period of time so that the student can

become efficient at focusing on the moving image without having his eyes stray to the

musical notes above and/or below the moving image on the staves. Subsequently, the

student is instructed to attempt to play the musical piece while focusing on the moving

image.

Preferably, a video insert portion is provided on the display device showing the

instructor, and a personal one-on-one music lesson taught by a human instructor is

simulated.

Preferably, the computer is connected to the display device, to an audio device

and to a musical instrument, and the computer monitors the student's playing of the

musical notes. Should the student fail to play the correct musical note at a given time,

preferably the computer preferably instantly provides the student with guidance using

the audio device. At this time, a video insert may also instantly "pop up" and display a human instructor talking, where that which is emitted by the audio device is in

synchronization with what is displayed in the video insert. The audio device and

possibly also the video insert may, at times, instruct the student how to play the

musical instrument while the student is not actually playing. Again, the software is

directed to simulate personal interaction with a human instructor.

Preferably, if the computer detects that the student has made a mistake playing

the musical instrument, the computer uses the audio device and possibly also the video

insert to instruct the student. Preferably, the student is directed to attempt to play the

musical piece starting from the beginning. On the other hand, if the student plays the

entire musical piece correctly, preferably the computer provides that the student may

go on to the next musical piece, which may be more advanced.

It is preferred that, at times, as the student plays the first number of notes of a

musical piece, the computer determines the student's timing and adjusts accordingly

by adjusting the speed at which the image moves from note to note. In this manner,

the student sets the overall timing by his or her own play of the musical instrument,

and the computer teaches the student to have consistent timing throughout the playing

of the musical piece.

Alternatively, the speed at which the image moves from note to note may be

preset. Regardless, preferably the computer monitors the musical instrument and

determines whether each keystroke is made within an acceptable time period, typically

provided as a range. Preferably, the display device is used to teach the student interval patterns of

musical notes before the student is instructed to attempt to play a musical piece.

Specifically, a flash card method can be used to teach the student several interval

patterns, and then the display device can be used to quiz the student on the different

interval patterns. Preferably, the display device is also used to have the student do

some "touchwork" where the student is directed to attempt to play an interval pattern

as the interval pattern is displayed on the display device. Preferably, the computer

uses the audio device to instruct the student with regard to the interval patterns. The

display device may display a video insert, the interval pattern, and a keyboard image

showing the finger placement which should be employed to play the interval pattern.

In this case, the video insert preferably displays a human instructor and the computer

uses the audio device to output the words spoken by the human instructor. "Stop and

go lights" or some other visible indicator may be used to inform the student when he

or she should begin to attempt to play the interval pattern. This ensures that the

computer is ready to receive input from the musical instrument at the time the student

attempts to play the interval pattern.

Preferably, the computer uses the audio device to teach the student interval

patterns, and test him with regard to the interval patterns. A video insert may also be

displayed on the display device, wherein a human instructor "pops up" immediately

upon a mistake being made by the student. Hence, the student has immediate feedback

and live, personal instruction by a human instructor is simulated. With regard to the interface between the computer and the musical instrument,

preferably a Multimedia Authoring Environment, such as Macromedia Director^®, and

an external C++ program are used to create MIDI.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention,

together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by

reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying

drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view depicting a computer connected to, among other

items, a display device and a musical instrument;

FIGURE 2 is a view (screen shot) of the display device of FIGURE 1,

illustrating a specific interval pattern being displayed;

FIGURE 3 is a view (screen shot), similar to that of FIGURE 2, of the display

device, illustrating another interval pattern being displayed;

FIGURE 4 is a view (screen shot), similar to that of FIGURES 2 and 3, of the

display device, illustrating still another interval pattern being displayed;

FIGURE 5 is a view (screen shot) of the display of the display device,

illustrating an interval pattern game which is used to test a student;

FIGURE 6 is a view (screen shot), similar to that of FIGURE 5, of the display

of the display device, illustrating an interval pattern game which is used to test a

student, showing a video insert which appears on the display device; FIGURE 7 is a view (screen shot) of the display of the display device,

illustrating a three part display at which time the student is directed to attempt to play

an interval pattern which is displayed;

FIGURE 8 is a view (screen shot), similar to that of FIGURE 7, of the display

of the display device, illustrating a three part display, showing a video insert which

appears on the display device; and

FIGURE 9 is a view (screen shot) of the display on the display device,

illustrating, using a series of arrows, an image moving between a set of two staves.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there

is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, a specific embodiment

with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an

exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the

invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a computer 10 including a keyboard 12, a mouse 14 and

several other devices connected to the computer 10. Specifically, FIGURE 1 depicts a

display device 16, such as a computer monitor, connected to the computer 10, as well

as an audio device 18 and a musical instrument 20 connected to the computer 10. The

audio device 18 may be a sound card which is installed in the computer 10 and

speakers connected to the sound card. The musical instrument 20 is preferably a

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)-capable musical instrument such as a MIDI keyboard. The connection between the computer 10 and the musical instrument

20 provides that the computer 10 can monitor what is input through the musical

instrument 20, and therefore monitor a student as the student plays the musical

instrument 20.

The present invention provides software, i.e. code which is readable by the

computer 10, for instructing one how to sight-read music and play the musical

instrument 20. Preferably, the software is embodied on a data storage medium such as

on a CD-ROM disc, and the CD-ROM disc can be inserted into a CD-ROM drive 22

of the computer 10 so the computer 10 may run the software embodied thereon. Of

course, the software in accordance with the present invention may instead be provided

on one or more floppy discs for reading by a floppy disc drive connected to the

computer 10, or the software may be stored in the hard drive of the computer 10. Of

course, other possibilities exist without going outside the scope of the present

invention.

The software provides several screen shots or sequences of displays which the

computer 10 directs the display device 16 to display and provides audio which the

computer 10 directs the audio device 18 to output. Preferably, the screen shots and

audio tracks have been authored using a Multimedia Authoring Environment, such as

the presently commercially available program Macromedia Director^®.

The software also includes computer code, "Xtra", which essentially provides

an interface between the computer 10 and the musical instrument 20 connected

thereto. In other words, the code provides that the computer 10 "understands" the

10 musical instrument 20. This is important because the computer 10 preferably monitors

the playing of the musical instrument 20 by the student, compares it with what he or

she should be playing, and based on this comparison, takes appropriate instructional

action. The "Xtra" computer code provided by the present invention may be written in

C++, and is believed to be the first music-teaching program for the Macromedia

Director^® environment.

As mentioned, the software works to teach a student how to sight-read music

and play the musical instrument 20 connected to the computer 10. To this end, the

software provides that the computer 10 displays screen shots 26 on the screen 24 such

as that which is shown FIGURES 2 to 9. Preferably, the software provides that the

computer 10 directs the audio device 18 to output audio to the student. The software

may also provide that the computer 10 directs the display device 16 to, at times,

display a video insert 28 containing a human instructor. Preferably, as shown in

FIGURES 2 to 9, the software directs the display device 16 to display, at times, a

video insert portion 28, a main display portion 30 and an option select portion 32. The

option select portion 32 provides that the student may use the mouse 14, keyboard 12

or some other input device to select an option. For example, as shown in the

FIGURES, the option select portion 32 may include sections for ordering the computer

10 to print music to a printer connected to the computer 10, for ordering the computer

10 to pause the program, for ordering the computer or software to show the student

how to perform the task at hand, and for displaying other options which are available.

11 The video portion 28 preferably runs in synchronization with the audio device

18, and, at times, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 8, preferably displays the head of a

person, such as the music industry renown Mr. Paul Renard, speaking to the student

(essentially a "talking head"). As the person displayed in the video portion 28 speaks,

the audio device 18 plays the words spoken. As a result, the software generally causes

the computer 10 to simulate one-on-one interaction with a human instructor.

It is also anticipated that the software may cause the computer 10 to use the

audio device 16 to output speech for the student to hear without necessarily directing

the video device 16 to display a video insert 28. However, it is preferred that, at times,

the software causes the computer 10 to display a human instructor in the video insert

28, where the human instructor is talking. At this time, preferably, the computer 10

directs the audio device 16 to output sounds corresponding to what the human

instructor is apparently saying.

At times, the video portion 28 and audio device 18 provide long uninterrupted

monologues (unless the student selects "pause" from the option select portion 32)

instructing the student how to sight-read music and/or play the musical instrument 20.

For example, how to count correctly or how to respond to musical notes which will be

displayed during the lesson. At other times, the student is directed to focus on the

main portion 30 of the display and attempt to play the musical piece shown therein. In

other words, basically throughout the course, the software teaches the student by

playing audio through the audio device 18 connected to the computer 10, and at times,

directing the display device 16 to display a video insert 28 which includes an image of

12 a human instructor talking with the words spoken being played through the audio

device 18.

Preferably, the software initially causes the computer 10 to direct the display

device 16 to display one or more start up screens, and then prompts the student to

insert his name using the keyboard 12. This is because the software provides that the

computer 10 keeps a database or history of how far along one or more users have

progressed through the course. As a result, several different people may use the

software, and the software keeps track of where each user is within the course. This is

useful in some applications, such as in the case where a music instruction school is

using the software to instruct its students.

After the student logs in his or her name, the software preferably causes the

computer 10 to direct the display device 16 to display a progress report for that

particular student. Essentially, this is a table of contents of the entire course, showing

how far along that particular student has progressed. The progress report may include

listings such as "finding your way," "music theory and pulse," "sight-reading,"

"picture," "rules of the road," "interval training," "touch work," "peripheral line

training" and "reading and playing." Of course, other possibilities exist while

remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, a new student begins the course at "finding your way," and this

section of the course has the student determine which musical instrument 20, such as

which type of keyboard (i.e. 61 key, 76 key, or 88 key), is connected to the computer

10. Then, the software teaches the student music basics, such as the notes on the

13 keyboard, what the staff, staves and clefs are, what measures or bars are, what double

bars and repeat marks are, the location of middle C, what the definitions of treble and

bass are and what a brace is.

As the software teaches the student, the student is prompted by the audio device

18 or display device 16 to strike a key on the musical instrument 20 and/or to strike a

key on the keyboard 12 and/or to provide an input using the mouse 14 (or some other

type of input). Once the computer 10 receives this input, the software proceeds to the

next step in the course, sometimes by changing the display of the display device 16,

and sometimes by proceeding to the next section listed in the progress report as

described above.

The "music theory and pulse" section of the course preferably teaches the

student more music basics, such as what ledger lines are, the different notes of the two

staves, what sharps, flats and naturals are, what the chromatic scale is, what the

diatonic scales are, what time signatures are, what the different note values are, what

dotted notes are, what rests are, what piano and pianissimo are, what forte and

fortissimo are, what crescendo and decrescendo are, what key signatures are and what

legato and staccato are.

The "sight-reading" section of the course preferably teaches the student sight-

reading basics, such as what intervals are, generally how to read them and what the

difference is between reading individual notes and reading intervals.

The "picture" section of the course has the student view different eye pictures,

or interval patterns, displayed on the display device 16.

14 The "rules of the road" section of the course teaches the student further sight-

reading concepts.

The "interval training" section of the course is like a flash card session, and

teaches the student different interval patterns by having the student view several

different interval patterns which are sequentially displayed on the display device 16.

For example, FIGURE 2 depicts the situation where the display device 16

displays an interval pattern called "same." After the student views this interval

pattern, the student may strike a key on the musical instrument 20 which causes the

display device 16 to display another interval pattern, such as that which is depicted in

FIGURE 3~an interval pattern called "second." After the student views this interval

display device 16 to display yet another interval pattern, such as that which is depicted

in FIGURE 4~an interval pattern called "third." This is just one example of a

progression of screen shots 26 which is possible, and several other possibilities exist.

Additionally, preferably more interval patterns are preferably displayed on the display

device 16 than are depicted in FIGURES 2 through 4, as FIGURES 2 through 4 are

meant merely to provide an example.

Subsequently, preferably within the "interval training" section of the course, the

software causes the computer 10 to quiz the student to determine if he of she has

learned the different interval patterns which have been previously shown to him on the

display device 16.

15 This quiz section of the course may be called "name that interval" and is shown

in FIGURE 5. As shown in FIGURE 5, preferably a specific interval pattern is

displayed, and then different answers (i.e. names of interval patterns) are displayed in

an answer section 31 of the display. Specifically, the computer 10 may monitor input

received from the musical instrument 20, the keyboard 12 and/or the mouse 14 as

different interval pattern names are displayed in the answer section 31. For example,

the student may be prompted to press a key on his musical instrument 20 (or provide

some other type of input) when he sees the correct answer displayed in the answer

section 31. Then, a first possible answer may appear in a first box 33 of the answer

section 31, and if no input is received from the student within a certain period of time,

a second possible answer may be displayed in a second box 35 of the answer section

31, and if still no input is received from the student after a certain amount of time, a

third possible answer may be displayed in a third box 37 of the answer section 31. If

the student selects the incorrect answer (i.e. selects the incorrect interval name),

preferably, as shown in FIGURE 6, the video portion 28 displays the human instructor,

and the human instructor (along with synchronous output from the audio device 18)

effectively informs the student that he has selected the wrong answer, and informs the

student as to what the correct answer is. In this manner, the software simulates

personal one-on-one instruction from a human instructor. Preferably, the interval

pattern quiz is repeated for several different interval patterns until it is determined that

the student is competent at identifying the different interval patterns.

16 Of course, other means of testing or quizzing the student may be used. For

example, three different answers may be displayed simultaneously in the boxes 33, 35

and 37, and the student may be prompted to provide an input (e.g. by hitting a specific

key on the musical instrument 20 or keyboard 12) which corresponds to the answer he

selects.

Subsequently, the "touch work" section of the course provides that the student

is directed to attempt to play, using the musical instrument 20, different interval

patterns as they are displayed on the display device 16. As the student attempts to play

the interval pattern being displayed, the computer 10 monitors the musical instrument

20 to determine if the student is playing the interval pattern correctly and plays the

keys struck on the musical instrument 20 through the audio device 18. A display such

as that which is shown in FIGURE 7 may be employed, wherein a video insert 28 of a

human instructor, an interval pattern 39, and an image 41 representing at least a

portion of the musical instrument 20 are simultaneously displayed. Alternatively, the

software may not cause the computer 10 to direct the display device 16 to display the

video insert 28, and may instead merely use the audio device 18 to instruct the student.

As shown, the image 41 representing at least a portion of the musical instrument 20

may include a representation of finger placement which should be employed in

association with the musical instrument 20 to play the interval pattern correctly.

After a specific interval pattern is displayed such as is shown in FIGURE 7, the

computer 10 preferably monitors the musical instrument 20 to determine if the interval

17 pattern is played correctly. To ensure that the computer 10 is ready the receive input

from the musical instrument 20, a computer ready indicator 43, such as a stop and go

light, may be displayed which informs the student when he or she can attempt to play

the interval pattern which is being displayed. When the student attempts to play the

interval pattern, preferably any musical notes played by the student using the musical

instrument 20 are played through the audio device 18 connected to the computer 10.

If the interval pattern is not played correctly, preferably the human instructor

appears in the video portion 28 of the display to inform (using synchronous audio

output from the audio device 18) the student as such. Preferably, this process is

repeated for several different interval patterns, and this section of the course is fairly

extensive.

By recognizing interval patterns of several musical notes, the student need not

think of each note as a separate note standing alone. In much the same manner that

people do not generally think of words as individual letters when one is speaking,

having the student think of the notes in terms of interval patterns will cause the student

to read musical notes much more efficiently, thereby allowing the student to

concentrate more on hearing the music he or she is playing rather than on the

individual notes he or she is reading.

Preferably, the software builds instantaneous reaction to music through screens

that train the student to react to musical notes by striking notes on the musical

instrument 20, much like a driving simulator teaches reaction to traffic situations.

18 By learning to recognize musical notes in terms of interval patterns and by

learning to see adjacent notes by focusing on a specific point, one essentially learns

how to sight-read music which provides that one can essentially read the music

subconsciously while freeing up more conscious mind listening to the music that is

being played.

In the "peripheral line training" section of the course, as shown in FIGURE 9,

preferably a musical piece or a portion thereof is displayed on the display device 16,

and the musical portion includes a bass staff 34 and a treble staff 36 which "wrap

around" the screen or display. In other words, while it appears in FIGURE 9 that there

are two separate sets of two staves displayed, what is being displayed is actually one

set of two staves where the bottom two staves are merely a continuation of the top two

staves. As the notes progress to the last notes of the screen (identified by reference

numeral 37), either the musical piece is done, or the screen will change to show the

rest of the musical piece. Of course, more than two sets of staves may be displayed on

the screen such that a whole page of musical score is displayed on a single screen.

As shown in FIGURE 9, an image or what can be called an "anchor" 38 is

displayed on the screen 24, between the top two staves, between the bass staff 34 and

the treble staff 36, approximately at middle C, near the first notes of the musical piece.

At this point in the course, the student is directed (e.g. by the video portion 28 and/or

the audio device 18) to focus on the anchor 38 while the anchor 38 moves across the

screen 24. As the anchor 38 moves, the audio device 18 may count out the beat in the

following manner: "One and," "One and two and," etc. This method of counting can

19 be called "pulse" and is more effective than merely saying "One... Two...." By hearing

"One and," "One and two and," etc. while attempting to play the piece, the student

becomes better at internally counting, and after a while, can do so subconsciously.

Importantly, the anchor 38 concept will now be described in detail. The anchor

38 is an image displayed on the screen 24 to teach the student to focus on a constant

point while trying to read the nearby musical notes with his or her peripheral (up-to-

down) view. By focusing on the anchor 38, the student can see both the bass notes

and the treble notes without moving his or her eyes in either the direction of the bass

staff 34 or the treble staff 36. As a result, one may read the notes faster and with more

accuracy over time without moving one's eyes up or down, but only across, along the

staves 34 and 36 of music.

As represented in FIGURE 9 by arrows 51, the anchor 38 moves from note to

note, but remains substantially at middle C. In other words, the anchor 38 moves

along the staves but does not really move in relation to either staff. The anchor 38

remains essentially generally parallel with each staff as it moves along the piece

causing the student to focus on middle C and read adjacent musical notes using his or

her peripheral (up-to-down) vision.

The anchor 38 "wraps around" the screen at the appropriate time. Additionally,

if the entire musical piece is not displayed on the screen 24, the screen may "renew"

and display the next portion of the music piece at which time the anchor 38 will move

to the first note of the new screen.

20 Preferably, the student is initially instructed, during the "peripheral line training

portion" of the course, to focus on the anchor 38 without trying to play the musical

piece on the musical instrument 20, and may be instructed to do so for as long as one-

half hour before attempting to play a musical piece. In this manner, the student may

become efficient at focusing on the anchor 38 without having his eyes move up or

down, and this may be learned quickly without being distracted by attempting to play

the musical instrument 20.

Subsequently, in the "reading and playing" portion of the course, the student is

directed to attempt to play the musical piece which is being displayed. At this time,

the screen may also appear as shown in FIGURE 9, but with the "Peripheral Line

Training" heading being replaced with a "Reading and Playing" heading. As the

student attempts to play the musical piece being displayed, the anchor 38 moves along

the piece, as described hereinabove, and the computer 10 monitors the musical

instrument 20 to determine whether the student is playing the musical piece correctly.

If not, the software may provide that the audio device 18 outputs some verbal direction

and/or the human instructor may appear in the video portion 28. If the student plays

correctly, the software may provide that the audio device 18 outputs some verbal

direction and/or the human instructor may appear in the video insert 28 and the next

lesson will appear. Again, this simulates one-on-one instruction from a human

instructor. As the student plays the musical instrument 20, preferably the notes which

are played are emitted through the audio device 18 connected to the computer 10.

21 Preferably, the software provides that upon the student making a mistake, the

human instructor immediately pops up to inform the student of the error, and to

provide guidance. In this manner, one-on-one instruction is simulated. When the

instructor pops up, preferably the computer 10 uses the audio device 16 to emit the

words apparently spoken by the human instructor. Alternatively, the computer may, at

times, merely use the audio device 16 to instruct the student and may not employ the

video insert 28.

Preferably, during the "reading and playing" portion of the course, the software

provides that the student is able to attempt playing several different musical pieces

which range in difficulty. In this manner, the student can progress to more difficult

musical pieces as he or she becomes more advanced.

musical piece using the musical instrument 20, the computer 10 determines the

student's timing and adjusts accordingly by adjusting the speed at which the anchor 38

moves from note to note and possibly the rate at which audible counting is performed

through the audio device 18. In this manner, the student sets the overall timing by his

or her own play of the musical instrument 20 and the computer 10 teaches the student

to have consistent timing throughout the playing of the musical piece. Alternatively,

the speed at which the image moves from note to note may be preset.

Regardless, preferably the software provides that the computer 10 monitors the

playing of the musical instrument 20 to determine whether each keystroke is played at

the correct time, where the "correct time" is preferably provided as a range which is

22 generally centered at the correct time at which the keystroke was supposed to have

been made, and provides some leeway as a result of the range.

While the student is playing the musical piece displayed, the computer 10

monitors the student's playing and audibly sounds the notes struck by the student

through the audio device 18. When a mistake is detected, such as in the timing of the

playing of the notes, or that the incorrect note has been played, the video portion 28 of

the display may provide guidance to the student in the form of monologue (using the

audio device 18) from the instructor shown in the video. Of course, this monologue

may be implemented during the playing of the piece, such as by urging the student to

correct his or her timing or counting, or may be implemented after the student has

attempted to play the piece. If the student plays correctly, the software may provide

that the audio device 18 outputs some verbal direction at which time the human

instructor may also appear in the video insert 28, and the next lesson will appear.

Thus, it is an important aspect of the present invention to provide an image or

"anchor" 38 on the screen 24 of the computer display device 16. As mentioned, the

anchor 38 teaches the student how to read musical notes with his or her peripheral

vision, and this increases the speed and efficiency at which the student can read the

notes. Another important aspect of the present invention is the providing of

instruction, using the computer 10 and audio device 18 (and possibly also the human

instructor in the video insert 28), of how to count in terms of "One and," "One and two

and," etc. This method of counting greatly improves one's timing while attempting to

play musical notes. Still another important aspect of the present invention is the

23 providing of instruction, using the computer 10 and audio device 18 and/or display

device 16, of how to recognize interval patterns of music notes rather than attempting

to read notes individually.

As a result of the foregoing, the present invention provides that a computer 10

can teach a student how to effectively and effortlessly (over time) sight-read musical

notes and play a musical instrument well. The present invention provides that a

computer 10 can instruct a student how to play a musical instrument where the

learning is more enjoyable for the student than ever before. As can be seen by

reviewing the above, preferably the software provides a course which is fairly

comprehensive such that anyone can use it— from a beginner to a professional.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described,

it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications thereto

without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

24

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Computer readable program code CHARACTERIZED BY code

configured to cause a computer (10) to direct a display device (16) to display a staff

(34, 36) having musical notes thereon and an image (38) generally adjacent the staff,

and configured to cause the computer to direct the display device to display the image

moving in a direction which is generally parallel to the staff, generally along a

progression of the musical notes on the staff.

2. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to display the image (38) between two staves (34, 36), at

a position approximately equivalent to middle C.

3. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to display two staves (34, 36), wherein the staves

represent a bass staff and a treble staff, and wherein the staves wrap around the display

thereby appearing as a plurality of sets of staves on the display device.

4. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to further display a video insert (28) of a human

instructor.

5. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 4,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

25 emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

sounds are a voice of the human instructor and the voice is synchronized with

movement of a mouth of the human instructor displayed in the video insert (28).

6. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

sounds are a voice of a human instructor.

7. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

monitor a musical instrument (20) connected thereto.

8. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 7,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

play musical notes played on the musical instrument (20) through an audio device (18)

connected to the computer.

9. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 7,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to display a video insert (28) of a human instructor,

depending on what the computer receives from the musical instrument (20) connected

thereto.

10. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 9,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

26 sounds are a voice of the human instructor and the voice is synchronized with

movement of a mouth of the human instructor displayed in the video insert (28).

11. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 7,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

sounds are a voice of a human instructor.

12. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 7,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

determine a student's timing as the student plays the musical instrument (20)

connected to the computer and then adjust a speed at which the image (38) moves

along the progression of musical notes displayed on the display device (16) depending

on the student's timing.

13. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1 ,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to sequentially display different interval patterns of

musical notes in order to teach the student the different interval patterns.

14. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 1,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to display an interval pattern while monitoring a musical

instrument (20) connected to the computer to determine if the interval pattern is played

correctly on the musical instrument.

27

15. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 14,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

connected to the computer.

16. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 14,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to simultaneously display a video insert (28) of a human

instructor, the interval pattern, and an image (41) representing at least a portion of the

musical instrument (20) connected to the computer.

17. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 14,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

sounds are a voice of a human instructor.

18. Computer readable program code CHARACTERIZED BY code

configured to cause a computer (10) to direct a display device (16) to display different

interval patterns of musical notes in order to teach the student the different interval

patterns.

19. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 18,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

direct the display device (16) to display the interval pattern while monitoring a musical

correctly on the musical instrument.

28

20. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 19,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

connected to the computer.

21. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 19,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause a computer (10) to

direct a display device (16) to display a video insert (28) of a human instructor,

thereto.

22. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 21 ,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

sounds are a voice of the human instructor and the voice is synchronized with

movement of a mouth of the human instructor displayed in the video insert (28).

23. Computer readable program code as recited in claim 19,

CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the code is configured to cause the computer (10) to

emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, wherein the

sounds are a voice of a human instructor.

24. A method for instructing a student how to sight-read music, said method

CHARACTERIZED BY: providing a display device (16); displaying a staff (36, 38)

on the display device; displaying an image (38) on the display device; and instructing

29 the student to focus on the image while moving the image in a direction which is

generally parallel to the staff, generally along a progression of notes on the staff.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY

displaying the image (38) between two staves (34, 36), at a position approximately

equivalent to middle C.

26. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY

displaying on the display device (16) a video insert (28) of a human instructor.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, further CHARACTERIZED BY

emitting sounds through an audio device (18) connected to the computer (10), wherein

the sounds are a voice of the human instructor and the voice is synchronized with

movement of a mouth of the human instructor displayed in the video insert (28).

28. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY

the sounds are a voice of a human instructor.

29. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY

providing a computer (10) connected to the display device (16), and having the

computer monitor the musical instrument (20) connected thereto.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, further CHARACTERIZED BY

causing the computer (10) to play musical notes played on the musical instrument (20)

through an audio device (18) connected to the computer.

31. A method as recited in claim 29, further CHARACTERIZED BY having

the computer (10) monitor the musical instrument (20) connected thereto and

30 determine a student's timing as the student plays the musical instrument, and adjusting

a speed at which the image (38) moves along the progression of musical notes

displayed on the display device (16) depending on the student's timing.

32. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY

sequentially displaying different interval patterns of musical notes on the display

device (16).

33. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY having

a computer (10) monitor a musical instrument (20) connected thereto; displaying an

interval pattern on the display device (16) and having the computer monitor the

musical instrument connected to the computer to determine if the interval pattern is

played correctly; and simultaneously displaying, on the display device, a video insert

(28) of a human instructor, the interval pattern, and an image (38) representing at least

a portion of the musical instrument connected to the computer.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, further CHARACTERIZED BY

causing the computer (10) to emit sounds through an audio device (18) connected to

the computer, wherein the sounds are a voice of the human instructor and the voice is

synchronized with movement of a mouth of the human instructor displayed in the

video insert (28).

35. A method as recited in claim 24, further CHARACTERIZED BY having

interval pattern on the display device (16) and having the computer monitor the

31 played correctly; simultaneously displaying the interval pattern, and an image (38)

representing at least a portion of the musical instrument connected to the computer;

and causing the computer to output audio using an audio device (18) connected

thereto.

36. Computer readable program code CHARACTERIZED BY code

configured to cause a computer (10) to direct a display device (16) to display a video

insert (28) of a human instructor and emit a voice of the human instructor through an

audio device (18) connected to the computer, generally upon the computer detecting

that an incorrect musical note has been played on a musical instrument (20) connected

to the computer, wherein the code causes the computer to simulate one-on-one musical

instruction from the human instructor.

37. Computer readable program code CHARACTERIZED BY code

configured to cause a computer (10) to direct an audio device (18) to emit a voice of a

human instructor through an audio device (18) connected to the computer, generally

upon the computer detecting that an incorrect musical note has been played on a

musical instrument (20) connected to the computer, wherein the code causes the

computer to simulate one-on-one musical instruction from the human instructor.

32