System and method for music composition

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to music composition devices and methods. A system is provided which allows composers of all skill levels to easily create music that is pleasurable to the ear. The system may also assist more advanced composers in creating complex musical arrangements based off of partially completed compositions. The system also streamlines composition and arrangement in multi-instrument environments. The user is able to select from a variety of available music visualizations and instrument views, allowing comparison therebetween. The system may comprise composition error checking functions, free-play performance abilities, and recording and playback features. Certain embodiments incorporate remote access for collaboration between users.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to music composition and, more specifically, to a system and method for musical composition using analysis of tonal and rhythmic structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Composing music typically requires a thorough knowledge of music theory and the ability to hear and evaluate note and chord progressions to obtain a finished work that has the melody, harmony, and rhythm, as well as the “feel,” that the composer intended. Beginning composers often have a difficult time in arriving at the intended results of their creative efforts, particularly if they are not well trained in music theory or do not easily recognize chord and rhythm structures and patterns that define or suggest particular genres of music. Even seasoned composers often struggle to achieve a desired overall sound when composing due to the complexity of tonal or rhythmic relationships and the cumbersome nature of traditional music notation.

Methods are needed that will allow beginning composers to create music having acceptable quality and allow advanced composers to improve the quality and efficiency of their compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect, a music composition system is disclosed comprising: (a) a processing device; and (b) a display; wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a first musical structure within a composition for output on said display; wherein said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of: (a) labeling the perimeter of a circle with twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective notes in an octave, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a musical half-step; (b) identifying an occurrence of a first one of the twelve notes within said musical structure; (c) identifying an occurrence of a second one of the twelve notes within said musical structure; (d) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note; (e) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note; (f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein: (1) said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by a half step; (2) said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a whole step; (3) said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a minor third; (4) said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a major third; (5) said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a perfect fourth; and (6) said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a tri-tone; and wherein said first visual representation is displayed on a time axis on said display.

According to another aspect, a method of music composition is disclosed comprising the steps of (1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display, whereby said visual representation is generated by a method comprising the steps of (a) labeling the perimeter of a circle with twelve labels on a display corresponding to twelve respective notes in an octave, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a musical half-step; (b) identifying an occurrence of a first one of the twelve notes; (c) identifying an occurrence of a second one of the twelve notes; (d) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note; (e) identifying a second corresponding to the second note; (f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label on the display; wherein (1) said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by a half step; (2) said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a whole step; (3) said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a minor third; (4) said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a major third; (5) said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a perfect fourth; and (6) said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a tri-tone.

According to another aspect, a music composition system is disclosed, comprising: (a) a processing device; and (b) a display; wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a first musical structure within a composition for output on said display; wherein said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of (a) providing a helix having a plurality of turns; (b) labeling the perimeter of the helix with labels, wherein (1) each turn of the helix has a respective plurality of labels corresponding to a plurality of respective notes in a respective octave; and (2) moving clockwise or counter-clockwise on the helix from any label to an adjacent label represents a first interval; (c) identifying an occurrence of a first note; (d) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the first note; (e) identifying an occurrence of a second note; (f) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the second note; (g) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note; (h) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note; (i) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein (1) each line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by the first interval; (2) each line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a second interval; (3) each line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a third interval; (4) each line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fourth interval; (5) each line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fifth interval; and (6) each line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a sixth interval; and wherein said first visual representation is displayed on a time axis on said display.

According to another aspect, a method of music composition is disclosed, comprising the steps of (1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display, whereby said visual representation is generated by a method comprising the steps of (a) providing a helix having a plurality of turns; (b) labeling the perimeter of the helix with labels, wherein (1) each turn of the helix has a respective plurality of labels corresponding to a plurality of respective notes in a respective octave; and (2) moving clockwise or counter-clockwise on the helix from any label to an adjacent label represents a first interval; (c) identifying an occurrence of a first note; (d) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the first note; (e) identifying an occurrence of a second note; (f) identifying which of the plurality of respective notes and which respective octave corresponds to the second note; (g) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note; (h) identifying a second label corresponding to the second note; (i) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein (1) each line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by the first interval; (2) each line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a second interval; (3) each line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a third interval; (4) each line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fourth interval; (5) each line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a fifth interval; and (6) each line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a sixth interval.

According to another aspect, a music composition system is disclosed, comprising (a) a processing device; and (b) a display; wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of a first musical structure for output on said display; wherein (1) said visual representation comprises a first substantially circular shape having a first maximum diameter if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a first rhythmic instrument; said first rhythmic instrument having a first primary frequency; (2) said visual representation comprises a second substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a second rhythmic instrument; said second rhythmic instrument having a second primary frequency that is higher than said first primary frequency; said second substantially circular shape having a second maximum diameter which is greater than said first maximum diameter; and (3) said visual representation comprises a third substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a third rhythmic instrument; said third rhythmic instrument having a third primary frequency that is higher than said second primary frequency; said third substantially circular shape having a third maximum diameter which is greater than said second maximum diameter; and wherein said first visual representation is displayed on a time axis on said display.

According to another aspect, a method of music composition is disclosed comprising the steps of (1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display; wherein (a) said visual representation comprises a first substantially circular shape having a first maximum diameter if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a first rhythmic instrument; said first rhythmic instrument having a first primary frequency; (b) said visual representation comprises a second substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a second rhythmic instrument; said second rhythmic instrument having a second primary frequency that is higher than said first primary frequency; said second substantially circular shape having a second maximum diameter which is greater than said first maximum diameter; and (c) said visual representation comprises a third substantially circular shape if said first musical structure represents the sounding of a third rhythmic instrument; said third rhythmic instrument having a third primary frequency that is higher than said second primary frequency; said third substantially circular shape having a third maximum diameter which is greater than said second maximum diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing the six intervals.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing the chromatic scale.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing the first through third diminished scales.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing all six tri-tones.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing a major triad.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing a major seventh chord.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a twelve-tone circle showing a major scale.

FIGS. 9-10 are diagrams of a helix showing a B diminished seventh chord.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a helix showing an F minor triad covering three octaves.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the visual representation of percussive music according to one embodiment shown with associated standard notation for the same percussive music.

FIG. 13 is a two dimensional view looking along the time line of a visual representation of percussive music at an instant when six percussive instruments are being simultaneously sounded.

FIG. 14 is a two dimensional view looking perpendicular to the time line of the visual representation of percussive music according to the disclosure associated with standard notation for the same percussive music of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing a music composition system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an example of a screen layout including a visualization selection menu, a tonal visualization placed on an axis within a composition, and traditional staff notation according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an example of a screen layout including two and three dimensional tonal visualizations along with traditional staff notation for a composition according to one embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an example of a screen layout including a visualization of rhythmic structures in a composition along with corresponding traditional staff notation according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19 depicts the composition of FIG. 18 after editing by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Before describing the system and method for music composition, a summary of the above-referenced music tonal and rhythmic visualization methods will be presented. The tonal visualization methods are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/827,264 filed Jul. 11, 2007 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Visualizing Music and Other Sounds” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

There are three traditional scales or ‘patterns’ of musical tone that have developed over the centuries. These three scales, each made up of seven notes, have become the foundation for virtually all musical education in the modern world. There are, of course, other scales, and it is possible to create any arbitrary pattern of notes that one may desire; but the vast majority of musical sound can still be traced back to these three primary scales.

Each of the three main scales is a lopsided conglomeration of seven intervals:

• Major scale: 2 steps, 2 steps, 1 step, 2 steps, 2 steps, 2 steps, 1 step
• Harmonic Minor Scale: 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1
• Melodic Minor Scale: 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1

Unfortunately, our traditional musical notation system has also been based upon the use of seven letters (or note names) to correspond with the seven notes of the scale: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. The problem is that, depending on which of the three scales one is using, there are actually twelve possible tones to choose from in the ‘pool’ of notes used by the three scales. Because of this discrepancy, the traditional system of musical notation has been inherently lopsided at its root.

With a circle of twelve tones and only seven note names, there are (of course) five missing note names. To compensate, the traditional system of music notation uses a somewhat arbitrary system of ‘sharps’ (#'s) and ‘flats’ (b's) to cover the remaining five tones so that a single notation system can be used to encompass all three scales. For example, certain key signatures will have seven ‘pure letter’ tones (like ‘A’) in addition to sharp or flat tones (like C^# or G^b), depending on the key signature. This leads to a complex system of reading and writing notes on a staff, where one has to mentally juggle a key signature with various accidentals (sharps and flats) that are then added one note at a time. The result is that the seven-note scale, which is a lopsided entity, is presented as a straight line on the traditional musical notation staff. On the other hand, truly symmetrical patterns (such as the chromatic scale) are represented in a lopsided manner on the traditional musical staff. All of this inefficiency stems from the inherent flaw of the traditional written system being based upon the seven note scales instead of the twelve-tone circle.

To overcome this inefficiency, a set of mathematically based, color-coded MASTER KEY™ diagrams is presented to better explain the theory and structures of music using geometric form and the color spectrum. As shown in FIG. 1, the twelve tone circle 10 is the template upon which all of the other diagrams are built. Twelve points 10.1-10.12 are geometrically placed in equal intervals around the perimeter of the circle 10 in the manner of a clock; twelve points, each thirty degrees apart. Each of the points 10.1-10.12 on the circle 10 represents one of the twelve pitches. The names of the various pitches can then be plotted around the circle 10. It will be appreciated that in traditional musical notation there are more than one name for each pitch (e.g., A^# is the same as B^b), which causes inefficiency and confusion since each note can be ‘spelled’ in two different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the circle 10 has retained these traditional labels, although the present disclosure comprehends that alternative labels can be used, such as the letters A-L, or numbers 1-12. Furthermore, the circle 10 of FIG. 1 uses the sharp notes as labels; however, it will be understood that some or all of these sharp notes can be labeled with their flat equivalents and that some of the non-sharp and non-flat notes can be labeled with the sharp or flat equivalents.

The next ‘generation’ of the MASTER KEY™ diagrams involves thinking in terms of two note ‘intervals.’ The Interval diagram, shown in FIG. 2, is the second of the MASTER KEY™ diagrams, and is formed by connecting the top point 10.12 of the twelve-tone circle 10 to every other point 10.1-10.11. The ensuing lines—their relative length and color—represent the various ‘intervals.’ It shall be understood that while eleven intervals are illustrated in FIG. 2, there are actually only six basic intervals to consider. This is because any interval larger than the tri-tone (displayed in purple in FIG. 2) has a ‘mirror’ interval on the opposite side of the circle. For example, the whole-step interval between C (point 10.12) and D (point 10.2) is equal to that between C (point 10.12) and A^# (point 10.10).

Another important aspect of the MASTER KEY™ diagrams is the use of color. Because there are six basic music intervals, the six basic colors of the rainbow can be used to provide another way to comprehend the basic structures of music. In a preferred embodiment, the interval line 12 for a half step is colored red, the interval line 14 for a whole step is colored orange, the interval line 16 for a minor third is colored yellow, the interval line 18 for a major third is colored green, the interval line 20 for a perfect fourth is colored blue, and the interval line 22 for a tri-tone is colored purple. In other embodiments, different color schemes may be employed. What is desirable is that there is a gradated color spectrum assigned to the intervals so that they may be distinguished from one another by the use of color, which the human eye can detect and process very quickly.

The next group of MASTER KEY™ diagrams pertains to extending the various intervals 12-22 to their completion around the twelve-tone circle 10. This concept is illustrated in FIG. 3, which is the diagram of the chromatic scale. In these diagrams, each interval is the same color since all of the intervals are equal (in this case, a half-step). In the larger intervals, only a subset of the available tones is used to complete one trip around the circle. For example, the minor-third scale, which gives the sound of a diminished scale and forms the shape of a square 40, requires three transposed scales to fill all of the available tones, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The largest interval, the tri-tone, actually remains a two-note shape 22, with six intervals needed to complete the circle, as shown in FIG. 5.

The next generation of MASTER KEY™ diagrams is based upon musical shapes that are built with three notes. In musical terms, three note structures are referred to as triads. There are only four triads in all of diatonic music, and they have the respective names of major, minor, diminished, and augmented. These four, three-note shapes are represented in the MASTER KEY™ diagrams as different sized triangles, each built with various color coded intervals. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the major triad 600 is built by stacking (in a clockwise direction) a major third 18, a minor third 16, and then a perfect fourth 20. This results in a triangle with three sides in the respective colors of green, yellow, and blue, following the assigned color for each interval in the triad. The diagrams for the remaining triads (minor, diminished, and augmented) follow a similar approach.

The next group of MASTER KEY™ diagrams are developed from four notes at a time. Four note chords, in music, are referred to as seventh chords, and there are nine types of seventh chords. FIG. 7 shows the diagram of the first seventh chord, the major seventh chord 700, which is created by stacking the following intervals (as always, in a clockwise manner): a major third, a minor third 16, another major third 18, and a half step 12. The above description illustrates the outer shell of the major seventh chord 700 (a four-sided polyhedron); however, general observation will quickly reveal a new pair of ‘internal’ intervals, which haven't been seen in previous diagrams (in this instance, two perfect fourths 20). The eight remaining types of seventh chords can likewise be mapped on the MASTER KEY™ circle using this method.

Every musical structure that has been presented thus far in the MASTER KEY™ system, aside from the six basic intervals, has come directly out of three main scales. Again, the three main scales are as follows: the Major Scale, the Harmonic-Minor Scale, and the Melodic-Minor Scale. The major scale is the most common of the three main scales and is heard virtually every time music is played or listened to in the western world. As shown in FIG. 8 and indicated generally at 800, the MASTER KEY™ diagram clearly shows the major scale's 800 makeup and its naturally lopsided nature. Starting at the top of the circle 10, one travels clockwise around the scale's outer shell. The following pattern of intervals is then encountered: whole step 14, whole step 14, half step 12, whole step 14, whole step 14, whole step 14, half step 12. The most important aspect of each scale diagram is, without a doubt, the diagram's outer ‘shell.’ Therefore, the various internal intervals in the scale's interior are not shown. Since we started at point 10.12, or C, the scale 800 is the C major scale. Other major scales may be created by starting at one of the other notes on the twelve-tone circle 10. This same method can be used to create diagrams for the harmonic minor and melodic minor scales as well.

The previously described diagrams have been shown in two dimensions; however, music is not a circle as much as it is a helix. Every twelfth note (an octave) is one helix turn higher or lower than the preceding level. What this means is that music can be viewed not only as a circle but as something that will look very much like a DNA helix, specifically, a helix of approximately ten and one-half turns (i.e. octaves). There are only a small number of helix turns in the complete spectrum of audible sound; from the lowest auditory sound to the highest auditory sound. By using a helix instead of a circle, not only can the relative pitch difference between the notes be discerned, but the absolute pitch of the notes can be seen as well. For example, FIG. 9 shows a helix 100 about an axis 900 in a perspective view with a chord 910 (a fully diminished seventh chord in this case) placed within. In FIG. 10, the perspective has been changed to allow each octave point on consecutive turns of the helix to line up. This makes it possible to use a single set of labels around the helix. The user is then able to see that this is a B fully diminished seventh chord and discern which octave the chord resides in.

The use of the helix becomes even more powerful when a single chord is repeated over multiple octaves. For example, FIG. 11 shows how three F minor triad chords look when played together over three and one-half octaves. In two dimensions, the user will only see one triad, since all three of the triads perfectly overlap on the circle. In the three-dimensional helix, however, the extended scale is visible across all three octaves.

The above described MASTER KEY™ system provides a method for understanding the tonal information within musical compositions. Another method, however, is needed to deal with the rhythmic information, that is, the duration of each of the notes and relative time therebetween. Such rhythmic visualization methods are described in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/023,375 filed Jan. 31, 2008 entitled “Device and Method for Visualizing Musical Rhythmic Structures” which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In addition to being flawed in relation to tonal expression, traditional sheet music also has shortcomings with regards to rhythmic information. This becomes especially problematic for percussion instruments that, while tuned to a general frequency range, primarily contribute to the rhythmic structure of music. For example, traditional staff notation 1250, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 12, uses notes 1254 of basically the same shape (an oval) for all of the drums in a modern drum kit and a single shape 1256 (an ‘x’ shape) for all of the cymbals. What is needed is a method that more intuitively conveys the character of individual rhythmic instruments and the underlying rhythmic structures present in a given composition.

The lower portion of FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the disclosed method which utilizes spheroids 1204 and toroids 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212 and 1214 of various shapes and sizes in three dimensions placed along a time line 1202 to represent the various rhythmic components of a particular musical composition. The lowest frequencies or lowest instrument in the composition (i.e. the bass drum) will appear as spheroids 1204. As the rhythmical frequencies get higher in range, toroids 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212 and 1214 of various sizes are used to represent the sounded instrument. While the diameter and thicknesses of these spheroids and toroids may be adjustable components that are customizable by the user, the focus will primarily be on making the visualization as “crisply” precise as possible. In general, therefore, as the relative frequency of the sounded instrument increases, the maximum diameter of the spheroid or toroid used to depict the sounding of the instrument also increases. For example, the bass drum is represented by a small spheroid 1204, the floor tom by toroid 1212, the rack tom by toroid 1214, the snare by toroid 1210, the high-hat cymbal by toroid 1208, and the crash cymbal by toroid 1206. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other geometric shapes may be utilized to represent the sounds of the instruments within the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment which utilizes a two-dimensional view looking into the time line 1202. In this embodiment, the spheroids 1204 and toroids 1206, 1208, 1210 and 1212 from FIG. 12 correspond to circles 1304 and rings 1306, 1308, 1310 and 1312, respectively. The lowest frequencies (i.e. the bass drum) will appear as a solid circle 1304 in a hard copy embodiment. Again, as the relative frequency of the sounded instrument increases, the maximum diameter of the circle or ring used to depict the sounding of the instrument also increases, as shown by the scale 1302.

Because cymbals have a higher auditory frequency than drums, cymbal toroids have a resultantly larger diameter than any of the drums. Furthermore, the amorphous sound of a cymbal will, as opposed to the crisp sound of a snare, be visualized as a ring of varying thickness, much like the rings of a planet or a moon. The “splash” of the cymbal can then be animated as a shimmering effect within this toroid. In one embodiment, the shimmering effect can be achieved by randomly varying the thickness of the toroid at different points over the circumference of the toroid during the time period in which the cymbal is being sounded as shown by toroid 1204 and ring 1306 in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively. It shall be understood by those with skill in the art that other forms of image manipulation may be used to achieve this shimmer effect.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment which utilizes a two dimensional view taken perpendicular to the time line 1202. In this view, the previously seen circles, spheroids, rings or toroids turn into bars of various height and thickness. Spheroids 1204 and toroids 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212 and 1214 from FIG. 12 correspond to bars 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, and 1414 in FIG. 14. For each instrument, its corresponding bar has a height that relates to the particular space or line in, above, or below the staff on which the musical notation for that instrument is transcribed in standard notation. Additionally, the thickness of the bar for each instrument corresponds with the duration or decay time of the sound played by that instrument. For example, bar 1406 is much wider than bar 1404, demonstrating the difference in duration when a bass drum and a crash cymbal are struck. To enhance the visual effect when multiple instruments are played simultaneously, certain bars may be filled in with color or left open.

The spatial layout of the two dimensional side view shown in FIG. 14 also corresponds to the time at which the instrument is sounded, similar to the manner in which music is displayed in standard notation (to some degree). Thus, the visual representation of rhythm generated by the disclosed system and method can be easily converted to sheet music in standard notation by substituting the various bars (and spaces therebetween) into their corresponding representations in standard notation. For example, bar 1404 (representing the bass drum) will be converted to a note 1254 in the lowest space 1260a of staff 1252. Likewise, bar 1410 (representing the snare drum) will be converted to a note 1256 in the second highest space 1260c of staff 1252.

The 3-D visualization of this Rhythmical Component as shown, for example, in FIG. 12, results in imagery that appears much like a ‘wormhole’ or tube. For each composition of music, a finite length tube is created by the system which represents all of the rhythmic structures and relationships within the composition. This finite tube may be displayed to the user in its entirety, much like traditional sheet music. For longer compositions, the tube may be presented to the user in sections to accommodate different size video display screens. To enhance the user's understanding of the particular piece of music, the 3-D ‘wormhole’ image may incorporate real time animation, creating the visual effect of the user traveling through the tube. In one embodiment, the rhythmic structures appear at the point “nearest” to the user as they occur in real time, and travel towards the “farthest” end of the tube, giving the effect of the user traveling backwards through the tube.

The two-dimensional view of FIG. 13 can also be modified to incorporate a perspective of the user looking straight “into” the three-dimensional tube or tunnel, with the graphical objects made to appear “right in front of” the user and then move away and into the tube, eventually shrinking into a distant center perspective point. It shall be understood that animation settings for any of the views in FIGS. 12-14 can be modified by the user in various embodiments, such as reversing the animation direction or the duration of decay for objects which appear and the fade into the background. This method of rhythm visualization may also incorporate the use of color to distinguish the different rhythmic structures within a composition of music, much like the MASTER KEY™ diagrams use color to distinguish between tonal intervals. For example, each instance of the bass drum being sounded can be represented by a sphere of a given color to help the user visually distinguish it when displayed among shapes representing other instruments.

In other embodiments, each spheroid (whether it appears as such or as a circle or line) and each toroid (whether it appears as such or as a ring, line or bar) representing a beat when displayed on the graphical user interface will have an associated small “flag” or access control button. By mouse-clicking on one of these access controls, or by click-dragging a group of controls, a user will be able to highlight and access a chosen beat or series of beats. With a similar attachment to the Master Key™ music visualization software (available from Musical DNA LLC, Indianapolis, Ind.), it will become very easy for a user to link chosen notes and musical chords with certain beats and create entire musical compositions without the need to write music using standard notation. This will allow access to advanced forms of musical composition and musical interaction for musical amateurs around the world.

The present disclosure utilizes the previously described visualization methods as the basis for a system of music composition. The easily visualized note, chord, and rhythm shapes provide a much more intuitive graphical format for purposes of creating and editing music when compared with traditional music staff notation. This allows composers of all skill levels to focus their energies on the core creative aspects of music composition and limit the need for an extensive knowledge of music theory.

FIG. 15, shows, in schematic form, one embodiment of a music composition system 1500 according to the present disclosure. It is understood that one or more of the functions described herein may be implemented as either hardware or software, and the manner in which any feature or function is described does not limit such implementation only to the manner or particular embodiment described. The system 1500 may include a first subsystem 1501 including a digital music input device 1502, a sheet music input device 1506 for inputting sheet music 1504, a processing device 1508, data storage device 1509, a display 1510, user input devices such as keyboard 1512 and mouse 1514, a printer device 1516 and one or more speakers 1520. These devices are coupled to allow the input of music or other sounds, and the input of musical notation or other sound notation, into the processing device 1508 so that the music or sounds may be produced by the speaker 1520 and the visual representations of the music or sounds may be displayed, printed or manipulated by users.

The digital music input device 1502 may include a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) instrument coupled via a MIDI port with the processing device 1508, a digital music player such as an MP3 device or CD player, an analog music player, instrument or device with appropriate interface, transponder and analog-to-digital converter, or a digital music file, as well as other input devices and systems. As one non-limiting example, a piano keyboard with a MIDI interface may be connected to the processing device 1508 and the diagrams discussed herein may be displayed on the display 1510 as the keyboard is played. As another non-limiting example, a traditional analog instrument may be sensed by a microphone connected to an analog-digital-converter.

In addition to visualizing music played on an instrument through a MIDI interface, the system 1500 can implement software operating as a musical note extractor, thereby allowing the viewing of MP3 or other digitally formatted music. The note extractor examines the input digital music and determines the individual notes contained in the music. This application can be installed in any MP3 or digital music format playing device that also plays video, such as MP3-capable cell phones with video screens and MP3-based gaming systems like PSP. The structure of musical compositions from the classical masters to today's popular bands can then be visualized as the user listens to the music. The note extraction methods are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/025,374 filed Feb. 1, 2008 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Visualization of Music Using Note Extraction” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The system 1500 can also be configured to receive musical input using the sheet music input device 1506. In certain embodiments, sheet music input device 1506 may comprise a scanner suitable for scanning printed sheet music. Using optical character recognition (OCR) or other methods known in the art, the system 1500 is able to convert the scanned sheet music into MIDI format or other mathematical data structures for display and editing by the user.

The processing device 1508 may be implemented on a personal computer, a workstation computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a wireless terminal having computing capabilities (such as a cell phone having a Windows CE or Palm operating system), a game terminal, or the like. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other computer system architectures may also be employed.

In general, such a processing device 1508, when implemented using a computer, comprises a bus for communicating information, a processor coupled with the bus for processing information, a main memory coupled to the bus for storing information and instructions for the processor, a read-only memory coupled to the bus for storing static information and instructions for the processor. The display 1510 is coupled to the bus for displaying information for a computer user and the input devices 1512, 1514 are coupled to the bus for communicating information and command selections to the processor. A mass storage interface for communicating with data storage device 1509 containing digital information may also be included in processing device 1508 as well as a network interface for communicating with a network.

The processor may be any of a wide variety of general purpose processors or microprocessors such as the PENTIUM microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation, a POWER PC manufactured by IBM Corporation, a SPARC processor manufactured by Sun Corporation, or the like. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, however, that other varieties of processors may also be used in a particular computer system. Display 1510 may be a liquid crystal device (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma monitor, a holographic display, or other suitable display device. The mass storage interface may allow the processor access to the digital information in the data storage devices via the bus. The mass storage interface may be a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) interface, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface or the like, coupled to the bus for transferring information and instructions. The data storage device 1509 may be a conventional hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a flash device (such as a jump drive or SD card), an optical drive such as a compact disc (CD) drive, digital versatile disc (DVD) drive, HD DVD drive, BLUE-RAY DVD drive, or another magnetic, solid state, or optical data storage device, along with the associated medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, etc.)

In general, the processor retrieves processing instructions and data from the data storage device 1509 using the mass storage interface and downloads this information into random access memory for execution. The processor then executes an instruction stream from random access memory or read-only memory. Command selections and information that is input at input devices 1512, 1514 are used to direct the flow of instructions executed by the processor. Equivalent input devices 1514 may also be a pointing device such as a conventional trackball device. The results of this processing execution are then displayed on display device 1510.

The processing device 1508 is configured to generate an output for viewing on the display 1510 and/or for driving the printer 1516 to print a hardcopy. Preferably, the video output to display 1510 is also a graphical user interface, allowing the user to interact with the displayed information.

The system 1500 may optionally include one or more subsystems 1551 substantially similar to subsystem 1501 and communicating with subsystem 1501 via a network 1550, such as a LAN, WAN or the internet. Subsystems 1501 and 1551 may be configured to act as a web server, a client or both and will preferably be browser enabled. Thus with system 1500, remote composition and music exchange may occur between users.

The system 1500 is able to provide visualizations of the tonal and rhythmic components of the inputted musical information on display 1510. In one embodiment, the visualizations are generated in real time as the user plays an instrument. In another embodiment, the visualizations are based on prerecorded information, such as compositions previously made or purchased by the user. If desired, the user may select various types of visualizations to be displayed for comparison purposes. In further embodiments, the user is able to compose music simply by choosing certain notes or chords from selection menus in the system software, placing the musical structures on a timeline, and graphically manipulating the structures to modify their musical properties, all without the need for traditional music notation.

The system 1500 may also be configured to limit the selection of notes and chords in a musical composition or session to those having certain musical attributes. For example, a drop-down list of available notes can be limited to those within a certain key signature, making it easier for the user to select notes that sound musically correct when played in succession. The system may also provide a list of chords or notes that fit within the key signature for use in the composition and optionally suggest certain chords to the user that musically fit with a composed melody. This allows inexperienced composers to create a simple melody, and then quickly match appropriate chords to provide a more complex musical arrangement.

FIG. 16 shows one embodiment according to the present disclosure. The user selects a musical structure 1630 (such as, for example, a chord) from the menu 1632 for placement on the time line 1634. Time line 1634 may optionally contain measure indicators 1636. To position the musical structure 1630 on the time line 1634, the user can first select a point on the time line 1634 then click a specific musical structure from the menu 1632. In other embodiments, the user can “drag” a musical structure from the menu using the mouse 1514 and “drop” it on the desired point on the time line 1634. The system may also be configured to restrict the placement of notes or musical structures to incremental points on the time line 1634. For example, when a user drags a musical structure onto the time line 1634, the musical structure will automatically “snap” to the nearest eighth note position if eighth notes are the smallest configured increment. Alternatively, the system may be set to allow the musical structures to be placed freely on the time line 1634, with no time quantization by the system. To provide an additional format for comparison, the user can view musical structure 1630 (according to one visualization method of the present disclosure) concurrently with traditional staff notation 1638. As the user makes changes to the musical structure 1630, the system will automatically adjust the displayed traditional staff notation 1638. Likewise, the user is able to graphically manipulate the traditional staff notation whereby the system 1500 will make corresponding changes to the musical structure 1630.

Once the notes and musical structure have been placed on the time line, the user may make changes to the resulting composition using simple graphical manipulation. In one embodiment, the user can move the notes and chords forward or backward in time by simply dragging the corresponding visualizations back and forth along the time line. The user can also make changes to a given note within a musical structure by graphically manipulating the lines within the displayed visualization. For example, by dragging the “F#” note within the musical structure 1630 counterclockwise one position (to an “F”), the user can change the chord from a D Major to a D minor chord. In other embodiments, the user can simply click on the structure, whereby the system will display a list of possible changes to be made. For example, the user may click on the musical structure 1630 to activate a pop-up menu and select “minor” from a list of options. The system will then automatically change the “F#” to an “F” with no additional input from the user. In still further embodiments, the size or thickness of the musical structures can be graphically stretched or compressed to increase or decrease their relative volume or duration.

FIG. 17 shows one embodiment of the present disclosure whereby the first musical structure 1740 represents a D Major 7^th chord placed on the timeline 1734. Traditional staff notation 1738 is also displayed for user reference. When the user copies the first musical structure 1740 to the following measure, then drags the F# and C# notes to the F and C positions respectively, the resulting second musical structure 1750 (a D Minor 7^th chord) is displayed. Certain embodiments may concurrently display three-dimensional tonal visualizations 1760 and 1770 to correspond to the two-dimensional chord visualizations 1740 and 1750 respectively.

For less experienced composers, the system can provide templates for various genres of music, or even certain musical “moods,” based on information entered by the composer when initiating a composing session. In certain embodiments, the system will supply a list of possible chord progressions for the user to choose from. For example, if the user chooses “blues rock,” a list of typical blues rock chord progressions will be displayed for selection by the user. After the chords are placed on the time line, the system can optionally supply a list of acceptable notes for the user to choose from when composing an appropriate melody. If the user has manually selected a note that does not fit within the chosen scale or key signature, the system can be configured to automatically snap the note to an acceptable scale tone. In certain embodiments, this can be accomplished by shortening or lengthening the note's interval with respect to the previous or following note, relying on the linear nature of melody. This allows the composer to produce music that is “listenable,” even without significant knowledge of composition or music theory.

As the composer becomes more adept, the system can be configured to provide varying degrees of help or suggestions to the composer. For example, if the composer is having trouble determining a proper chord to fit at a particular point in a partially completed composition, the system can simply provide suggestions of chords that fit musically with the adjacent chords or notes. In certain embodiments, the system can be used to merely check over a completed composition for major tonal or rhythmic anomalies that the composer may logically want to correct, much like a “spell checker” operates on written word documents. In still further embodiments, the system can be utilized to “spruce up” or enhance a very simple composition to give it more musical “flavor.” For example, when a user creates a melody based on a succession of basic triad chords, the system can automatically add various sevenths, ninths, or even accidentals, depending on the desired style or genre of the composition (e.g. jazz, blues, country, rock, classical).

It will be understood that the methods described for placing and manipulating musical chord structures on the time line may also be applied to individual notes and other types of visualizations, such as rhythm structures, according to the present disclosure. FIG. 18 shows one embodiment of the present disclosure whereby rhythm visualizations 1830 are placed on a time line 1834, with corresponding traditional drum staff notation 1838 concurrently displayed. Again, the user is able to graphically move the rhythm visualizations 1830 back and forth along the time line 1834 to change their respective occurrence intervals. FIG. 19 depicts the resulting display after a user has graphically manipulated the rhythm visualizations 1830 from FIG. 18 to the right by a distance corresponding to a half-measure. When the user wishes to add additional rhythm structures to the composition, the system may suggest rhythm structures corresponding to instruments common to the genre of music being composed. For example, if the user has chosen “latin” as the genre, the system will list instruments such as congas, cowbell, shaker, timbales, and other traditional latin instruments as possible candidates for visualization.

In addition to multiple tonal or rhythmic visualizations for a single instrument, visualizations for multiple instruments may also be displayed together. This configuration is useful when music visualizations for multiple instruments need to be synchronized, such as when composing for an orchestra or band. It shall be understood that any combination of instruments and visualizations may be displayed simultaneously to the user. In certain embodiments, the system 1500 will allow the user to copy the assigned composition for one instrument to another instrument. For example, the part being played by a flute can be copied by a piccolo, and later customized for enhanced effect. In further embodiments, the system will automatically transpose a copied melody to an appropriate octave. For example, if the user copies a melody from a cello to a violin, the system will automatically transpose the melody to a higher octave within the playable range of the violin. In still further embodiments, the user can assign one instrument to play a specified harmony of a melody being played by another instrument. The system will then assign notes to the harmony instrument, taking into account the various sharps and flats within the key signature of the composition. The system will also take into account any key signature changes that occur during the composition.

System 1500 can also be configured to allow the user to make adjustments to a note or group of notes in traditional musical notation using the pointing device or keyboard, whereby the system will automatically make proportional adjustments to the rest of the composition (or, alternatively, to a portion of the remainder of the composition selected by the user). For example, if the user selects a whole note and changes it to a half note, the duration of other notes and rests in the composition will also be cut in half. This concept can be applied to other musical properties of the composition such as, but not limited to, changes in time signature or “meter,” dynamic or loudness levels, or transpositions in key signatures.

When a user logs in, the system will be able to retrieve all of the compositions and data associated with that user. In addition, the user can save the current composition or recording session using data storage device 1509, along with all associated audio and visualization information, for later retrieval and editing. This will allow multiple users to utilize a single system, as in a multi-use studio environment or by accessing the software from an application service provider using the internet or other appropriate communications link.

Remote access to subsystem 1501 via network 1550 allows musical collaboration between physically isolated users. In certain embodiments, composers can transmit and receive entire music compositions for peer review and editing. In further embodiments, users are able to engage in live collaborative composition and performance, with subsystem 1501 operatively synchronized to the input, output, and processing functions of system 1500. For example, as a first user composes music on system 1500, a second user is able to view and make edits to the composed music using subsystem 1501. The first user is then able to immediately view the newly-edited music using system 1500. Users may also collaborate in sequential fashion, whereby the first user, after composing a piece of music, sends the second user an electronic file containing the musical data for evaluation and editing by the second user.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure provided herein are desired to be protected. The articles “a,” “an,” “said,” and “the” are not limited to a singular element, and may include one or more such elements.

Claims

1. A music composition system, comprising: a processing device; anda display;

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a user input device for communicating information and command selections to the processing device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system receives user specified changes to a musical property of said first musical structure from said user input device; andwherein the processing device executes computer readable code to make corresponding graphical changes to said first visual representation on said display in response to said user specified changes.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the user is able to change the assigned chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating said first visual representation along said time axis on said display using said user input device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor executes computer readable code to assign the chronological placement of said first musical structure within the composition to a nearest predetermined time increment

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the user is able to change the assigned duration of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the user is able to change the assigned relative volume of said first musical structure within the composition by graphically manipulating the size of said first visual representation using the user input device.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the user can change the pitch of at least one of said first note and said second note by graphically manipulating at least one of said first line, said first label, and said second label using the user input device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said first musical structure is chosen by the user from a selection list of possible musical structures displayed on the display.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list are common to a predetermined musical genre.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the possible musical structures contained in said selection list contain tonal elements common to a predetermined key signature.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to consider the musical properties of existing musical structures within the composition when populating the selection list.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said existing musical structures are adjacent to the chronological position where said first musical structure is to be placed.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to add additional harmonic tonal elements to said first musical structure, said additional harmonic tonal elements being consistent with the key signature of said composition.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to create a second musical structure by duplicating said first musical structure; andwherein the processing device executes computer readable code to shift at least one of the tonal elements within said second musical structure by a predetermined harmonic interval.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to ensure that the tonal elements within said second musical structure remain consistent with a predetermined key signature.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to analyze a plurality of musical structures having a first key signature and identify notes in the musical structures which are not consistent with said first key signature.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to proportionally adjust a musical property of a plurality of musical structures within the composition when a user initiates changes to said musical property of said first musical structure within the composition.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said musical property is duration.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said musical property is volume.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a music input device coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on music received from said music input device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises an analog to digital converter.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises a digital music player.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises a MIDI interface.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein said music input device comprises a microphone.

26. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a scanner coupled to said processing device, wherein the musical properties of said first musical structure are determined based on printed documents scanned by said scanner.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing device executes computer readable code to create a second visual representation of said first musical structure, said second visualization being simultaneously viewable with said first visual representation.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said second visual representation comprises traditional music staff notation.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said first visual representation when a user manipulates said second visual representation to change said musical property.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to change a musical property of said second visual representation when a user manipulates said first visual representation to change said musical property.

31. The system of claim 1, further comprising an data storage device coupled to said processing device;wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to store compositions made by the user in the data storage device.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device executes computer readable code to retrieve previously stored compositions from the data storage device.

33. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an interface operable to connect said processing device with a remote subsystem via a network.

34. A method of music composition, comprising the steps of: (1) arranging a visual representation of a musical structure along a time axis on a display, whereby said visual representation is generated by a method comprising the steps of: (a) labeling the perimeter of a circle with twelve labels on a display corresponding to twelve respective notes in an octave, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a musical half-step;(b) identifying an occurrence of a first one of the twelve notes;(c) identifying an occurrence of a second one of the twelve notes;(d) identifying a first label corresponding to the first note;(e) identifying a second corresponding to the second note;(f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label on the display, wherein:(1) said first line is a first color if the first note and the second note are separated by a half step;(2) said first line is a second color if the first note and the second note are separated by a whole step;(3) said first line is a third color if the first note and the second note are separated by a minor third;(4) said first line is a fourth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a major third;(5) said first line is a fifth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a perfect fourth; and(6) said first line is a sixth color if the first note and the second note are separated by a tri-tone.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of: (a) simultaneously displaying said first note and said second note on the display using traditional music staff notation.