The disclosed device relates generally to music, and changes to musical chords. More particularly, this invention pertains to a means for electronically changing the played chord for guitars, and a means to tune the guitar electronically.
The disclosed device comprises an apparatus for the translation of musical chords from one key to another key based upon the input from the guitar or stringed instrument. The device then outputs the changed sound to the guitar where the changed chord is audible. The device thus operates as a capo, but does not require placement of an object against the strings of the instrument. The guitar player will connect the guitar to the device using the input and output ports. The device can be electronically powered either by a nine-volt battery or through a transformer. The device transposes a chord input from the guitar and outputs the chord in the chosen chord to the guitar.
The user determines the preferred chord for the song and either raises the chord output from the guitar by increasing the output chord signal to the guitar or decreases the chord output from the guitar by decreasing the output chord signal to the guitar. The device may also be used to tune the guitar. An alternative embodiment accomplishes the tuning through a simultaneous pressing of both the chord increase and chord decrease buttons.
The guitar transposer comprises a sound input connected to a microchip that receives the input from the sound input and modifies the input sound, a sound output that transmits the modified sound back to the guitar, a power supply is connected to the microchip and provides an electrical circuit. There is an on and off means connected to the microchip and the power supply, and the on-off switch completes and breaks the electrical circuit. A visual indicator connected to the microchip and the power supply displays a visual indication of the chord corresponding to the modified sound. A user activated chord selection means is connected to the microchip.
The guitar transposer 10 comprises a sound input 12 connected to a microchip 14 that receives the input from the sound input 12 and modifies the input sound, a sound output 16 that transmits the modified sound back to the guitar, which is not shown, a power supply 18 is connected to the microchip 14 and provides an electrical circuit. There is an on and off 20 means connected to the microchip 14 and the power supply 18, and the on-off switch 20 completes and breaks the electrical circuit. A visual indicator 22 is connected to the microchip 14 and the power supply 18 displays a visual indication of the chord corresponding to the modified sound. A user activated chord selection means is connected to the microchip 14, and the user activated chord selection means is shown as a first button 24 and a second button 26.
The disclosed device comprises a guitar transposer 10 comprising, a microprocessor or microchip 14, a power supply 18 such as a nine volt battery providing power to the chip, or alternatively a nine volt adapter with transformer for providing an alternate source of power to the microprocessor 14, a visual indicator 22 readout to display the readings output by the microprocessor 14, a guitar input 12 for inputting sound to the microchip 14, a guitar output 16 for outputting sounds modified by the microprocessor to the guitar, an up chord transpose button 24 linked to the microchip 14 that initiates the conversion of the input sound to the next higher key, a down chord transpose button 26 linked to the microprocessor that initiates the conversion of the input sound to the next lower key, and a guitar tuner button 30 that initiates the tuning sequence of the guitar. The device may also be placed integrally to an in-line guitar cord, built within an amplifier, a PA system or a guitar pickup or the guitar itself, placed in a rack mount, placed upon the guitar or mounted using a clipping system.
While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited according to these factors, but according to the appended claims.
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/102,934 for this invention was filed on Oct. 6, 2008 for which the inventor claims domestic priority.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61102934 | Oct 2008 | US |