U.S. patent application number 15/984362 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-20 for musical modification method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Berggram Development Oy. The applicant listed for this patent is Berggram Development Oy. Invention is credited to Jussi Bergman.
Application Number | 20180268731 15/984362 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62243340 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180268731 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bergman; Jussi |
September 20, 2018 |
Musical Modification Method
Abstract
A method for producing modified music can be for facilitating
playing of a musical instrument and/or facilitate learning of a
song. Such methods can include several computer implemented steps
which can be some or all of the following steps; digitally
obtaining original note data about a song and/or original audio
data of the song, creating modified note data for a musical
instrument, synchronizing audio data of the song to the modified
note data, and presenting the modified note data to a user. The
steps can also be ordered as outlined above and below.
Inventors: |
Bergman; Jussi; (Helsinki,
FI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Berggram Development Oy |
Helsinki |
|
FI |
|
|
Assignee: |
Berggram Development Oy
Helsinki
FI
|
Family ID: |
62243340 |
Appl. No.: |
15/984362 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15368699 |
Dec 5, 2016 |
10002541 |
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15984362 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 15/00 20130101;
G10H 2210/091 20130101; G10H 2210/066 20130101; G10H 2240/131
20130101; G10H 2220/015 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09B 15/00 20060101
G09B015/00 |
Claims
1. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
a set of computer implementable instructions of a musical
instrument learning application for causing the processor of an
electronic device to carry out the steps comprising; playing a song
with original audio from an audio output associated with the
electronic device, presenting modified note data, based on the
song's original audio and synchronized with the original audio, on
a display of the electronic device, determining information about a
user's playing of the modified note data on a musical instrument
from an audio input associated with the electronic device,
including determining if the user has correctly played the
presented modified note data, and based on the determination of
correct playing of the modified note data, playing additional audio
from the audio output associated with the electronic device.
2. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
the song contains audio portions from multiple instruments, wherein
playing the original audio does not include playing an audio
portion corresponding to the type of musical instrument to be
learned, and wherein the additional audio corresponds to the audio
portion corresponding to the type of musical instrument to be
learned which is not played with the original audio.
3. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
the additional audio is music emulated based on a portion of the
original audio corresponding to the type of musical instrument to
be learned.
4. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
the modified note data is presented in the form of musical
notations visually to a user, in the form of audio and/or visual
cues to a user, or in a combination thereof.
5. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
the modified note data has less notes than within a portion of the
original audio corresponding to the type of musical instrument to
be learned, and wherein the additional audio corresponds directly
to the portion of the original audio corresponding to the type of
musical instrument to be learned.
6. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, further
comprising: interrupting the original audio when it is determined
that a user makes an error in playing the presented modified note
data.
7. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein
the interruption is one of the following; stopping all audio,
modifying the original audio in a manner representative of the
error, adding a sound to the original audio, adding a sound to the
original audio which is representative of the error, adjusting the
volume of the original audio and/or the additional audio.
8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
the modified note data includes at least one of the following
changes compared to original note data of the song; pitches, length
of notes, the string of a string instrument required to play a
note, the fret of a fretted instrument required to play a note, the
finger(s) required to play a note on the musical instrument.
9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
synchronizing includes synchronizing the entire length of the
original audio to the entire length of the modified note data such
that the timing of play of the original audio is not dependent on a
user following the modified note data.
10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
synchronizing includes synchronizing notes, bars or other musical
identifiers in the original audio which correspond to a
corresponding portion of the modified note data such that play of
the original audio data is dependent on the playing of the modified
note data by a user.
11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein
the music is caused to be at least partially emulated on and/or by
the played musical instrument.
12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, further
comprising the step of determining an accuracy of the user's
playing and rating it compared to the modified note data.
13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12,
wherein based on a rating a new modified note data is created by
applying at least one predefined rule to either the original note
data or old modified note data, and wherein the new modified note
data is synchronized with the original audio and presented to the
user.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of learning
musical instruments. In particular, the embodiments of the present
invention relate to methods of modification of existing music in
order to make the music easier to learn and/or to make the
instrument easier to learn.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Learning how to play a musical instrument and songs have
been a persistent challenge. A major challenge, particularly for a
beginning musician, is the complexity of well known songs and the
scarcity of easy music which is interesting to the player.
[0003] Many people who start playing an instrument quit early on in
their studies due to difficulty in learning and loosing interest in
learning. One way to easily keep the interest of a student is to
teach them to play songs which they know early on and which they
can recognize. However, finding versions of a desired song which
are technically at the level which a new student can play is often
impossible or impractical at best. Therefore, there exists a need
for a way to automatically generate music which a student can play
at their own skill level from songs which are familiar to the
student.
[0004] Additionally, when learning a complex song, or at the very
early stages in a musician's studies, it is very difficult or
impossible for a student to learn notes, melody, timing,
intonation, intensity, chords, strumming, fretting and other
aspects of musicality simultaneously. Additionally, when focusing
on only one aspect of a song the learning can become monotonous or
the user may not have the imagination necessary to see how their
playing of the single aspect fits with the rest of the song.
Therefore, there exists a need for a musical augmentation system
and/or method where a user can learn, focus and/or play only one
aspect of a song but be presented with the whole familiar song or a
version thereof so the student can tell how the part they are
playing interacts with the song as a whole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Described herein is a method for producing modified music
for facilitating playing of a musical instrument.
[0006] Methods can comprise some or all of the following steps;
digitally obtaining original note data about a song and original
audio data of the song, creating modified note data for a musical
instrument by applying at least one predefined rule to the original
note data, synchronizing the original audio data of the song to the
modified note data, such that when the modified note data is played
correctly by the musical instrument the original audio data is
played, presenting the modified note data to a user, playing the
original audio data when a user correctly plays the presented
modified note data and interrupting the original audio data
playback when a user makes an error in playing the presented
modified note data.
[0007] Creating modified note data can include changing at least
one of the following compared to original note data; pitches,
length of notes, the string of a string instrument required to play
a note, the fret of a fretted instrument required to play a note,
the finger(s) required to play a note on the musical
instrument.
[0008] Original note data can be obtained from original audio data
of the song through note recognition software of the original audio
data. Additionally and/or alternatively, original audio data can be
synthesized from original note data. When emulated, original note
data in an audio format can be therefore produced.
[0009] Examples of interruption of the audio playback can be any
one or a combination of any of the following; stopping playback,
modifying the original audio data playback in a manner
representative of the error, adding a sound to the original audio
data playback, adding a sound to the original audio data playback
which is representative of the error, adjusting the volume of the
audio data playback.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a first set of staffs.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a second set of staffs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0012] A method for producing modified music can be for
facilitating playing of a musical instrument and/or facilitate
learning of a song. Such methods can include several computer
implemented steps which can be some or all of the following steps;
digitally obtaining original note data about a song and/or original
audio data of the song, creating modified note data for a musical
instrument, synchronizing audio data of the song to the modified
note data, and presenting the modified note data to a user. The
steps can also be ordered as outlined above and below.
[0013] The musical instrument can be an acoustic, electric, digital
or virtual instrument. Examples can be a guitar, a violin, a
stringed instrument, a fretted instrument, a piano, a percussion
instrument, etc. In examples where the instrument is either
acoustic or is not capable of being directly connect, or is not
directly connected, to an electronic device, the musical instrument
can be played by a user and an audio output from the musical
instrument can be captured by a microphone or other suitable input
of an electronic device. The audio output of the instrument can
then be analyzed and by note recognition or melody recognition
software by an electronic device. The analyzed audio output, or the
audio output itself can then be used in connection with the present
embodiments and examples. Additionally, an electrical instrument,
virtual instrument, midi instrument or the like which is, or can
be, connected directly or indirectly to an electronic device can be
used in connection with the present methods by using a direct or
converted output from the instrument itself. In any of these cases,
the output from a musical instrument can be presented or played to
the user or another synthesized output based in part on the user's
playing can be output, as will be described in more detail
below.
[0014] Regarding modification of music for a song, information
about the song can be obtained by an electronic device. Information
can be in the form of original note data about the song and/or
original audio data of the song. For instance, an audio file about
a song can be obtained by input or downloading to the electronic
device. If there is note data available, either in musical notation
on one or more staffs, chord data, tabular data or other digital
format, the note data can be retrieved and/or similarly input with
the audio file. Note data about the song can also be generated from
an audio file through note recognition software. Examples of some
note recognition methods can be found in U.S. application Ser. Nos.
14/979,731 and 15/196,136 which are incorporated by reference in
their entirety herein. Furthermore, original audio data of a song
can be generated by synthesizing or otherwise creating or
re-creating an audio file based on note data about a song.
Therefore, digitally obtaining original note data about a song and
original audio data of a song can include simply imputing/obtaining
each or it can include inputting/obtaining either one and
generating the other.
[0015] Based at least in part on original note data, or note data
of a song to be played/learned, modified note data is created. The
modified note data is created by applying at least one predefined
rule to the original note data. Examples of predefined rules will
be discussed below in more detail. However, the predefined rules
are selected and/or created in order to allow a student to focus on
fewer than all of the attributes of an original song. For example,
any given song is composed of a plurality of components or
attributes including; notes, rhythm, melody, timing, strumming,
chord changes, transitions, transposition, etc. For either a
beginner student or someone learning a complicated song for the
first time, trying to learn everything at once can be to
complicated, frustrating or intimidating. Therefore, by applying a
predefined rule which reduces the complexity of at least one of
these or another component/attribute, it is easier and/or more
enjoyable for someone to learn the song. For example, the
complexity of the melody can be reduced by removing some notes but
keeping the same general ascending/descending patterns of the
melody. Another example is that some or all of the notes can be
replaced by fewer, e.g. one or two notes, so that the student can
focus on timing, rhythm, strumming or another attribute.
[0016] Learning an instrument is almost always a challenge for the
student. One of the challenges is that while there are plenty of
"easy" songs or exercises for a student to play, they are often
times monotonous, uninteresting or even annoying. Most students
start playing a musical instrument wanting to play a favorite song
eventually, and getting to the point where they can play that song
may take months or years. Most students will lose interest in
playing before they reach that ability level. Additionally, most
students learning a musical instrument do not have the music theory
knowledge to make a difficult song easier for themselves.
Therefore, by creating the modified note data electronically and
presenting it to the user, the user can select any song they like
and know and essentially can create simple versions of the song
and/or exercises based on that song itself. This very clearly is
more interesting to a student than learning a children's song or
scale.
[0017] Additionally, audio data about a song that the user wants to
play can be synchronized with the modified note data created by the
methods herein. Similarly how a user can get bored or can be
uninspired by playing simple exercises, this can also happen,
though to a lesser degree, when playing the specific exercises
created by the methods herein. When a user plays the modified note
data on a musical instrument, the musical instrument can create
sound and/or audio data corresponding to the modified note data.
This sound or audio information can be presented to the user.
Additionally or alternatively, the original song can be played to
the user when they are playing the modified note data. This can be
accomplished with the synchronization of the original audio data
and the modified note data.
[0018] For example, the original audio data of the song can be
synchronized with the modified note data such that when the
modified note data is played correctly by a musical instrument then
the original audio data is played. For example, if a rule is
applied to a song which reduces the notes to a single pitch so that
a user can focus on rhythm, timing and/or strumming, if the user
plays the correct rhythm then instead of hearing the single note
played the user will hear the actual song being played. This way
the user is kept interested as they are hearing a song instead of
hearing a single note being played and having to imagine themselves
what the song would sound like.
[0019] The synchronization can be with an entire audio file or a
portion of an audio file. For example, if an audio file is of a
song having several instruments, the synchronization can be with
the entire song or it can be specifically with the audio portion
related to the instrument which the modified note data has been
generated for. As an example, if a song has a singer, a bass, a
guitar and drums, and the user is learning the part of the guitar,
then the modified notes are to for the guitar's portion of the
song. The audio file can be analyzed and the audio components for
each of the parts, or for just that of the musical instrument being
learned, can be separated. Once separated, then the method for
creating modified note data can be applied to the portion of the
audio file related to the part for the musical instrument being
learned. The modified note data can be synchronized with the
separated part corresponding to the musical instrument to be
learned. Then, when a user plays the modified note data the portion
of the audio file for that instrument from the song can be played
alone or it can be recombined and played with the whole song.
[0020] The playback of the original audio or a portion thereof can
be, for example, in head phones, with a speaker or other audio
playback device connected with an electronic device carrying out
the methods herein. The playback can also be from a musical
instrument or device connected thereto such as an amp connected
with an electric guitar or from a electronic keyboard.
[0021] The manner in which the modified note data is synchronized
with audio data can be dependent on the rule used to create the
modified note data itself. For example, if the rule used to create
the modified note data reduces the number of notes in order to
focus on rhythm, then each note or notation from the modified note
data can be synchronized to the corresponding pitch of the audio
data. According to such a synchronization, when the user plays the
first five notes, the audio data will play the first five pitches
with the same timing as played by the user. This way, the user can
easily hear if they are playing the correct rhythm if they hear a
familiar song. If the user rushes a note or otherwise makes an
error in the timing or rhythm, this can be reflected directly in
the audio outcome with the correct pitches but with the user's
played timing. If the audio data for the musical instrument is
combined with other portions from a song, but only synchronized
with the specific instruments portion of the file, then the rest of
the instruments can continue with the song and the user can speed
up or slow down their part in order to practice playing in time
with other musicians. The user will then quickly learn when they
are playing the correct rhythm or when they are making an error,
which can otherwise be difficult for a beginning musician to
detect.
[0022] The synchronization can take several other forms as
discussed below. Additionally, the audio playback can be altered in
several ways based on the users playing, correctness in how they
play or other criteria, as discussed below. Combinations of all of
the variables discussed are encompassed by the present invention
though they may not all be individually stated herein for
brevity.
[0023] Examples of ways in which the audio playback can be altered
based on the user's playing include interrupting the original audio
data playback when a user makes an error in playing the presented
modified note data. The interruption can be one of the following;
stopping playback, modifying the original audio data playback in a
manner representative of the error, adding a sound to the original
audio data playback, adding a sound to the original audio data
playback which is representative of the error, adjusting the volume
of the audio data playback.
[0024] Additionally, the synchronization and playback can be
arranged such that the when the correct modified note is played by
the user then the audio file progresses and otherwise is either
silent, paused or essentially "stuck" on the previous note. In such
an arrangement where, for example, the rule applied is to reduce
the complexity of the song by reducing the complexity or number of
chords to work on learning chords or chord transitions, then a user
can strum along on one chord and the audio file progresses. This
can be regardless if the strumming is in the correct rhythm or if
the user is playing the correct melody as long as the basic chord
or fingering is correct. Once a transition arises, once the user
gets the new chord correct then the audio file will continue.
[0025] Additionally, synchronizing can include synchronizing the
entire length of the original audio data to the entire length of
the modified note data such that the timing of playback of the
audio data is not dependent on a user following the modified note
data. The synchronization can also be to only a portion of the
audio file. The synchronization can be by synchronizing notes, bars
or other musical identifiers in the original audio data which
correspond to the corresponding portion of the modified note data
such that playback of the original audio data is dependent on the
playing of the modified note data by a user.
[0026] There can also be a rating factor which figures in to the
playback. The rating factor can be a simple percentage of correct
notes and/or rhythm played or it can be a more complicated factor
determination method. There may also be, together with or separate
from the rating factor, a series of difficulty levels. For example,
in a beginner level, if a user has beyond a certain rating factor,
e.g. correctly plays more than 90% of the notes, then the audio
playback can be played normally without any modifications to the
playback, e.g. it can be played back as if the user had not made
and mistakes. A difficulty level can be adjusted such based on the
level of accuracy of the user has a closer correlation to the type
of alteration made in the audio playback based on the error made by
the user in playing back the modified note data.
[0027] The rating factor can be compared to the modified note data,
information on the user's playing of the modified note data, the
original note data, the original audio data or a combination
thereof. New modified note data can also created, for example based
on the rating and/or difficulty level, by applying at least one
predefined rule to either the original note data or the old
modified note data. The new modified note data can be synchronized
with the original audio data, or other audio data and presented to
the user. For example, if the user starts by learning the rhythm,
if the user is successfully playing the rhythm for a first portion
of the song then new modified note data can be presented during the
playing of that same iteration of the song where additional notes
are provided so the user can start learning pitches, melody, chord
transitions or other attributes of the song without needing to
start over playing of the song. Similarly, if the modified note
data is proving to difficult for the user then a new rule can be
applied such that the modified note data becomes easier for the
student. This can alleviate possible frustration and aide in
teaching the user at the level at which they can best learn.
[0028] Creating the modified note data can include changing at
least one of the following compared to the original note data;
pitches, length of notes, the string of a string instrument
required to play a note, the fret of a fretted instrument required
to play a note, the finger(s) required to play a note on the
musical instrument. Creating the modified note data can also
include any combination of the above.
[0029] Examples of predefined rules which can be applied to create
the modified note data are; simplifying the notes to a single pitch
without changing the rhythm, reducing the number of notes according
to a predefined formula, replacing notes with predefined notes,
replacing notes or chords with notes or chords requiring fewer
strings than the original on a stringed instruments, replacing
notes or chords with notes or chords requiring fewer fingerings
than the original on the musical instrument, replacing notes or
chords with notes or chords requiring fewer frets or fret changes
than the original on a fretted instruments, or any combination
thereof.
[0030] As an example, if a user knows three chords, you can take
any song that only uses three chords and according to a replacement
rule, replace those three chords with the ones the user knows. This
way the user can practice switching between chords and can play
different songs. The chord progression can be the same in the
modified note data, e.g. the lowest chord in the original song can
be replaced with the lowest chord known by the user, the middle and
highest replaced accordingly as well. Additionally, if a song uses
more than three chords, the chord transition can be replaced with
only the three chords that the user knows according to several
different rules. For example, each chord transition in the song can
be replaced with a chord transition between the three known.
Additionally, fewer chord transitions can be made in the modified
note data which correspond to specific, or major chord changes in
the original song.
[0031] Chord progression in the modified note data can correspond
to the simplest transition between the known chords of the user.
For example, if the user knows chords "A", "C" and "D", and it is
easiest to transition fingers on a stringed instrument between
chords "A" and "C", then the modified note data can arrange
transitions between chords "A" and "C" regularly even if that
transition would not otherwise correspond to the direction of pitch
change in the original song.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an example of original note data and modified
note data. Staffs 10 shows a representation of a musical piece with
traditional notation on top and as a guitar tab notation on bottom.
A user can be presented with modified note data such as shown as
staffs 12, 14 and 16. Each modified staff has been modified based
on a rule and the original staff data.
[0033] Staff 12 is arranged so that a player is presented with just
the rhythm. For example, on a guitar or violin, the fret and/or
string played is irrelevant. A rule can be applied that the timing
and length of each note from the original note data can be copied
and fret and string data associated therewith can be omitted. An
arbitrary note can be selected to be shown, the rhythm can be
displayed in a manner not on a staff, or a specific note can be
chosen as shown.
[0034] Staff 14 can be arranged such that the player must play the
correct frets along with the correct rhythm, however the correct
string can be irrelevant. As such, a rule is applied that
information on the timing and length of each note as well as fret
data from or corresponding to the original audio file or original
note data can be copied while string information is omitted.
[0035] Staff 16 can be arranged such that the player must play the
correct string and the correct rhythm but the fret is irrelevant. A
rule can be applied that the timing, length and string information
from the original note data is copied but fret data is omitted.
[0036] Additional rules can be related to the melody curve, as
shown in example FIG. 2. For a fretted instrument, as an example,
one fret can be assigned to represent a downward motion in a melody
and another fret can be assigned to represent an upward motion in a
melody. These frets can be selected based on information in the
song, they can be arbitrary or they can be based on information
known about the user, such as which skill level they are, what
chords they know or based on something in particular that is to be
taught.
[0037] If a note next to a current one is higher than the previous
one, then the up fret can be supplied in the modified note data.
Similarly if the next note is lower than the previous, then the
down fret can be supplied in the modified note data. The modified
note data may contain only these two frets. These series of these
two frets can be represented with the same timing and length as the
respective notes or with an arbitrary or otherwise selected set of
timing or lengths. As shown in FIG. 2, where staffs 20 represent a
normal musical notation on top of a melody and tabular notation
below, in staff 22 and/or with the written up/down notation above
staff 20, the melody curve can be followed with two frets. In place
of frets as discussed above, specific chords, notes, strings, keys
or other features can be used.
[0038] Staff 24 shows a similar example where a melody curve can be
followed with two strings, with one string representing a down
movement and another representing an up movement in the melody
curve. Staff 26 shows that other combinations of frets and strings
can be used in a simplified manner to follow the melody curve. More
than two of any of the elements, e.g. strings or frets, can be used
in order to add more detail to the melody curve. Additionally,
similar rules can be applied to chord transitions within a song
where one string or fret corresponds to a type of change in the
chord and another string/fret to another type of change.
[0039] With a stringed instrument, a single pitch can be played
from multiple locations on the instrument. Therefore, a guitar like
tab notation version of the modified note data can be presented in
multiple ways and/or in traditional notation, e.g. tabs can be
written in several positions and the positions can also change
dynamically as discussed herein with other attributes of the song.
Piano and percussion notation can also be similarly used and
modified in accordance with the methods described herein.
[0040] Notation and information from the original audio file or
original note data can be written and/or visual. However, the data
can also be purely digital. Similarly, the modified note data can
be purely digital, visual or a combination thereof.
[0041] Pitch data which describes the pitch for some or all
possible string-fret combinations can be present in the original
audio and/or note data. Such pitch data may also be absent from
that original audio and/or note data. Such pitch data can be
determined and either added to said data or it can be kept in a
separate file, if needed, and used in the creation of the modified
note data. The pitch of the same fret from the same string might
vary depending on the instrument of the tuning of the instrument
and this can also be taken into account within the methods
described herein.
[0042] Additionally, the rule applied can be simply reducing the
number of notes from within an original piece. For some notes only
playing the correct rhythm and string can be enough and for others
the correct fret or chord can be enough. Gradually, notes and
complexity can be added, for example based on the rating described
above, until all of the notes are being played.
[0043] Modified note data can be presented in a variety of manners,
such as being presented on a display screen of an electronic
device. It may also be presented, in the form of musical notations
visually to a user, in the form of audio and/or visual cues to a
user, or in any combination of the above. For example, on an
electrical musical instrument the correct note, fingering, timing
or other information can be presented by visually lighting up a
string, key or button or by creating a vibration or other tactile
sensation thereon for the user based on the modified note data.
[0044] As discussed above, methods can further include obtaining
information about a user playing the modified note data by a
musical instrument. Additional steps can include emulating music
for the user based on the synchronized audio data, the modified
note data, the obtained information, or a combination thereof.
Music can be at least partially emulated on and/or by the played
musical instrument. Music can be played to the user by an
electronic device and/or a musical instrument.
[0045] Information about how the user is playing a musical
instrument, e.g. how they are playing the modified note data, can
be obtained by a microphone. The microphone or other audio
collection device can be a part of and/or connected to an
electronic device. The electronic device can be carrying out a
method as discussed herein. The information about how the user is
playing the musical instrument can also be obtained directly from
the played musical instrument.
[0046] There can be a non-transitory computer readable medium
having stored thereon a set of computer implementable instructions
for causing the processor of an electronic device to carry out any
combination of the above mentioned method steps. Additionally,
there can be an electronic device comprising a display means, a
microphone and/or audio input, an audio output and a non-transitory
computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer
implementable instructions for causing the processor of an
electronic device to carry any of the above mentioned method
steps.
[0047] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention
disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process
steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to
equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily
skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that
terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
[0048] 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 invention. 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.
[0049] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements,
compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a
common list for convenience. However, these lists should be
construed as though each member of the list is individually
identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual
member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of
any other member of the same list solely based on their
presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.
In addition, various embodiments and example of the present
invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the
various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments,
examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto
equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate
and autonomous representations of the present invention.
[0050] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes,
etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the
invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however,
that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the
specific details, or with other methods, components, materials,
etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or
operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of the invention.
[0051] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the
principles of the present invention in one or more particular
applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of
implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive
faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of
the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention
be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *