April 27, 1965 K. B. Low, JR., ETAL 3,180,201 MUSIC NOTE PITCH TEACHING DEVICE

Filed NOV. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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F/G. a W%H»M ATTORNEYS April 27, 1965 K. B. Low, JR., ETAI.. 3,180,201 MUSIC NOTE FITCH TEACHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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KC L R B V.. mano mN._ MJ@E fA ma@ .nv/.o RWZ ß.„mw 3,l.8l),20l United States Patent 0 ” ICE Patented Apr. 27, 1h65

l.. 2 music note pitch teaching device which will yield an ac , 3,18%,2ul MUSE@ NOTE FETCH TEACHENG DEVECE curate visual indication of the note being sung. Kenneth B. Low, Jr., 4230 Regent St., Philadelphia, Pa., Another object ot this invention is to provide a music ' and Charles Goetz-Gabor, 461 S. Narheth Ave., Nar note pitch teaching device which employs a single, con heth, Pa. , tinuously-variable light beam with a hairline indication so Filed Nov. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 324,350 as to make it possible to tell exactly where the tone being S Claims. (Cl. tht-«477) sung is, and whether that tone is a triñe too low or too This invention relates to a music note pitch teaching high for a particular note on the scale. device, and more particularly relates to an apparatus into Another object of this invention is to provide a music which a pupil sings a note of the scale and a visual indica note pitch teaching device which is responsive only to tion of that tone Will appear on a diatonic staff in correct the pitch of the fundamental tone of the note being sung K relationship to other notes in that key. so as to eliminate “color” or overtone content of the par In teaching music,`especially instructional singing, it is ticular voice which is singing. difticult for the untrained pupil t0 read music and make a Another object of our invention is to provide a music voice of exactly the right pitch corresponding to 15 note pitch teaching device whose response is independent each of the notes that he reads. As is well known, there of the volume of the note being sung thereby eliminating are fifteen major scales in common use with fifteen tonics the confusion resulting from the use of prior are devices or keynotes, the key signatures for the major scales being which employed discrete lamps that would become brighter , G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, Ab (harmonic keys) and B, or dimmer with variation in volume. Fil, Cit, Db, Gb, and Cb (enharmonic keys). In effect, Another object of our invention is to provide a music there are only twelve possible different keys since the en note pitch teaching device in which the visual indication harmonic tones or keys, Cil-Db, Fit-Gb, and B-Cb, while ci note being sung will be an accurate representation >they have different letter names, have the same pitch. of the of that note. In addition, there are the same number of minor scales Other objects of our invention are to provide a music which have the same signature as its relative major, but 25 note pitch teaching device which will eliminate the need accidentals are added wherever necessary. The major for blackboard instructing in sight reading. scale is a succession of eight notes from any note to its ther objects of this invention are to provide an im~ octave, so arranged that a semi-tone or ‘half step appears proved device of the character described which is sturdy in between the third and fourth degrees, and also between construction, economically produced, and highly etlicient the seventh and eighth degrees reckoning upward. The 30 and effective in operation. minor scale derives its name from the fact that the third Withthe above >and related objects in view, this inven is a semi-tone lower than that of the major scale, thus tion consists of the details of construction and combina producing a smaller (or minor) interval between the tion of parts as will be more fully understood from the tonic and the mediant. following detailed description when read in conjunction It is therefore apparent that a student is likely to be with the accompanying drawing in which: come confused in not only relating the various scales to FEGURE 1 is a perspective view, and partly broken ‘one another, but also in recognizing and distinguishing away, of a music note pitch teaching device comprising the pitch of the tone which he is singing. this invention. ` Y FlGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2_2 The ordinary method of blackboard instruction is a of FlG. l. laborious and tedious one for both the student and the FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken along lines â--S instructor, and has not proven particularly ettective inas~ of FIG. 2. much as the average child is unable to sing by sight even FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 after prolonged courses in blackboard materials. While of FiG. 3. combined visual and audio training aids have been em ployed in the past, _each of the prior art devices have been FÍGURE 5 is a front elevational View of the music note ineffective and deficient in that they have depended upon pitch teaching device showing a musical staff panel in the tuned devices, for example, reeds, to produce the signal, key of B-ñat mounted thereon. FIGURE 6 is a front elevational View of the music and consequently neglected overtone content, or they note pitch teaching device with an A-major key signature utilized colored lights and dimmed lights to indicate the panel mounted thereon. response to Sharps and flats from the fundamentals. Fur 50 ' thermore these prior constructions were quite sensitive FÍGURE 7 is a schematic diagram an example of the general type of electrical circuit embodied in this inven in their reactions to the volume of the input sound so as tion. to result in deviations in the output indication. Accordingly, the general object of the instant invention FÍGURE 8 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit. is to aidin the teaching of music reading and solfeggio. Referring now in greater detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there Another vobject of this invention is to provide a music is illustrated a music note pitch teaching device compris note teaching device which will enable the student to learn ing a housing, generally designated as A, a plurality of ymorey rapidly the positions on the stati or the dif ferent solfeggio tones for all of the keys. apertured musical staff panels B in the various key signa 60 tures, an optical system C for directing a beam of light Still another object of this invention is to provide a on the desired note aperture, andan electrical circuit D music aid teaching device which permits the pupil to for translating the pitch of a note being sounded into thoroughly familiarize himself in how the key signature an electrical signal which will cause the beam of light (system of Sharps and iiats) affects the pitch of the dif Y to be deflected and illuminate the particular note aperture ferent notes on the' staff and the various intervals between 65 corresponding to the note being sounded. them. The housing A is a substantially rectangular box, pref A further object of this invention is to provide a music erably of wood, although sheet metal or even paperboard note pitch teaching device in which a plurality of key sig may prove satisfactory. The box or frame A includes nature staffs are interchangeable so as to permit the device a base l12, a front panel 14, side walls 16 and 18, a back to be used with any particular diatonic scale simply by 70 wall Ztl, and a cover 22. The front panel 14 has a plu placing' a scale board in front of a visually indicating panel. rality of circular apertures 26 to 50 inclusive therein Yet another object of this invention is to provide a .which are diagonally-arranged in adjacently spaced dis .alacant @Y position. See FIGURE 3. Each of the apertures 26 to a flip-flop or integrating circuit, and executes one flip-flop '50 is covered by a translucent screen, and a strip 24 of for each input pip. The` grid of the first half of the sec ground glass or translucent plastic has been found entirely ond 12AT7 is coupled through a'1N34 diode to a voltage suitable Vfor this purpose although individual translu divider network which includes a 40K resistor and a cent disks A(not> shown) may be incorporated within the ` UI neon bulb 9S. The neon bulb 98 functions as an auto respective apertures. A sloping shelf or ramp 52 is diag matic constant voltage regulator. A- variable resistor onally supported in the housing yA spaced below the feti in the cathode circuit of the first half of the cascaded apertures 26 to _50 but parallel to the line passing through multi-vibrator controls the of the pipsv which

their centers. _ . t e are the D.C. output ofthe secondhalf. Thus',.the second A plurality of reflectors or mirrors 56 to Si) inclusive, 12AT 7 acts as a frequency meter, since the pulses of cur corresponding in number to the apertures 26 to Sti, are rent at the plate of the second half ofthe cascade will supported ,on stems S2 on the-shelf 52 in 'a generally ar producepips of constant amplitude, but the number of cuateor> semi-circular configuration at the rearward por pips will beproportional to the frequency of the'note be tion of the housing A. SeeFIGURES 2, 3 and 4. The ing sung into Vthe microphone. Therefore, since the . stemsrSZmaybe flexibleror soft metal pins which can number of current pips which are fed >into the coil of the be twisted about their longitudinal axes to provide for ro galvanometer affects the mean current ratio, the gal tatable adjustment of the respective fixed mirror elements` vanometer and hence the mirror deflection will be propor Séto 8f) and canted forward or backward to permit verti tional to the frequency or pitch of the note 'being sung. cal` alignment of a light beam from the projector C with The potentiometer Miti is adjusted, together with the. zero respectto the various apertures 26 to 5t?. It is also ap 20 position of the galvanometer, so that the range of `defiec parent that a universal >ball-and-socket joint may be sub tion of the light beam corresponds to the desired range stituted for the stem relements 82, and it is to be under of scale to be used. ' stood that other equivalent structures may be employed It is to be observed that each of the apertures 26 to 5t) instead of theY illustrated embodiment. The significant are correlated with the deflection of the. galvanometer mir . point of the-adjustment stem construction is to note that ror 85 so as to represent half-tone increments-ie. twelve the various mirror elements must reflect a collimated light equally tempered intervals per octave. This permits the beam initiating at'the source C and impinging upon a ro device to be used in conjunction with any particular tatable mirror 85 (D’Arsonval Galvanometer) so that the diatonic scale simply by-placing a scale or staff panel B beam will be focpsed upon and ñll the translucent screen of a particular key signature in abutment with the front of the respective apertures 26 to 50. 30 panel 14. lt is also to be noted that apertures 26 to 50 The optical projector` C is essentially a collimating are arranged on a diagonal inthe panel 14 so that their telescope having anobjective lens S58 mounted at one end respective centers fall on a single line. f ' » of a barrel 90 and a cross hairor reticle 92 supported at The musicalfstaff'panels B are fifteen in number, Cit the other'end._ YA lamp 94illuminates the reticle or cross and Db, Fil and Gb, and B and Cb being constructed re hair 92 which is located behind the focal plane of the lens spectively so that the same apertures> areused, and indi 8S _so thatthe total light path between the collimator, cate the 'positions on the staff for the different solfège the rotatable mirror 85, the stationary reflectors 56 to 80, tones in each of the keys. For purposes of illustration and the screens. _of the-respective apertures 26 to 5@ is the erein only the keys of F, Bb and A are embodied, key same and the image of the cross hair will be sharply fo signature panels Bl., B2; and B3 being shown respectively cused withinpthe‘illuminated aperture. Thus, with the ro in FIG. l, 5 and 6, since these willA be sufficient to dem tatable D’Arsonvalmirror S5 turned as indicated in FIG onstrate the applicability of the instant invention in teach URE-2, lfor example, they light beamkwill berefiected from Y ing how the key signature affects the pitches of the vari stationary mirror 60 to illuminate the screen of aperture ous notes on the staff. y ' Y 30 withthe cross hair sharply defined therein as shown The key of F signature panel B1 comprises 'a black lin FIGURE 3. . . . 45 paperboard sheet with the G clef andV attendant staff and As `>has been> mentioned previously, the rotatable mirror leger lines printed thereon in white. A‘plurality of open 8‘5 yis essentially part of a D’Arsonval Galvanometer sys ings ltll to MS are formed or cut in the panel B1 (fifteen tem and is mounted upon ythe movable coil (not shown) in number) to designate the solfège tones for two full oc whichis suspended-between the poles of the permanent ' taves in the diatonic scale of the key of F. These open-` magnet thereof. For practical purposes, the galvanom 50 ings lltll to U5 are smaller than the apertures 26 to Sti eter defiection lis proportional to the current input therein, in the panel 14 and are approximately tifty'to sixty per and the turning of the coil similarly causes rotation ofthe cent of the area of the latter. While the. openings 101 plane mirror 85 so that the beam from the collimator C to 115 are sho-wn in the drawings to be >circular in `con will be deñected upon one of the plane stationary mirrors figuration, they may also be oval to more accurately simu l56 to 80 and accordingly reflected within the appropriate 55 llate the normal manner in which notes-are depicted. In aperture. . ` addition to being smaller in area tothe apertures 26 to The electronic or electrical circuit includes a micro Sfi, it is to be observed that' the openings 161 to l115 do phone 95 which is connected across the grid of a 12AT7 not fall on an exact diagonal line. VThe reduction 1n >twin audio amplifier tube, for example. Suitable capaci- ' diameter is necessary so that-the openings ltlll‘ to 115, _tors are'mounted. across the plate resistors of the respec 60 »which represent thesolfège tones in thefkey of F, will tive halves of the twin triode. These last-mentioned ca register with the proper apertures in the panel 14, which, A pacitors are'high frequency limitors which partially ñlter as has been ‘said before, indicate and represent half- or out the overtones in the human voice from the fundamen semi-tones. Accordingly when the staff panels B are tal note being sung into the microphone 9S. The output mounted in face-to-face abutment with the panel 14 by of the audio amplifier and filter is directed into a wave clips 12€) secured to the housing A, the solfège> tone open shaping circuit which includes a 6AU6 tube, for example. ings must overlie the appropriate half-tone aperture. The `6AU6 tube is highly overdriven to cutoff most of the For example, in the key of F, as .shown-in FIGURE 1, time'of each cycle, and only conducts brieliy when the Y the firstnote F (do) is represented ,by the opening itilV` most positive parts of the input signal appearY on the grid. which overlies-a portion of the aperture 26. The second This occurs'at the fundamental tone'frequency, indepen 70 note (re), as symbolized by the'space G in .the staff, is Y dently of the amount of overtone content. The result is »represented by the opening 102 Ywhich overlies a portion that a lseries of pips, corresponding in cycle frequency to of the yaperture 28, and not aperture .27. This is so be the fundamental-tone ofthe note being sung, is imposed cause the yinterval between F (do) and G (re) in the upon theY grid of the first halfofrthe second twin triode major scale is a full tone, and the successive apertures 12AT7._ YThe second-twin triode 12AT7 is connected as 75 represent and designate half-tones. The note A is sung ’ 3,180,201 ' 6 “mi” in the key of F and is represented by the opening register with certain of the apertures' in said housing, 103 which overlies a portion of aperture 31 since the in means to convert the sound of a person’s voice into a sig terval for the “third” is a full tone. However, Bb (fa) nal corresponding to the pitch of the particular funda is the fourth note in the lower tetrachord and hence the mental tone of the audio frequency note being sung, and note fa is elevated in pitch only a half tone. According means responsive to the signal directing said illuminating ly, the opening 104 registers with the aperture 32 (succes means upon the translucent screen consonant with the par sive semi-tone to aperture 31). The upper tetrachord is ticular note pitch, whereby a pupil may identify visually similarly disposed. the particular note in the scale he is singing by the il For purposes of illustration, a chart for the diatonic lumination of that note opening on the scale of the key scales for the signature panels B1 (key of F), B2 (key of signature stati which is mounted. Bb), and B3 (key of A) 4is set forth immediately belovsÍ 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said illuminating for illustration, it being understood that the same prin means comprises a collimator which optically projects a ciples would apply to the other key signatures: light source and a rotatable reliector which causes the

Key ofF Key otBb Key ci A No. Sol-fa Inter Sylla- val bles Note Open. Aper. Note Open. Aper. Note Open. Aper.

1 ______D0 1 F 101 26 Bb 201 3l A 301 30 2 .... _- Re 1 G 102 28 C 202 33 B 302 32 3 .... __ Mi y A 103 30 D 203 35 C# 303 34 4 .... __ Fa 12 Bb 104 31 El, 204 se D ani 35 5 .... ._ Sol 1 C 105 33 F 205 38 E 305 37 6 .... -_ La 1 D 106 35 Gr 206 40 F# 306 39 7 ____ _- Tl 1% E 107 37 .A 207 42 G# 307 4l 8 ______Do F 108 38 Bb 208 43 A 308 42

“Open." ind‘çicates the reference character for the respective openings in the stati panels 181,132, and B . “Aperj’ indicates the reference characters for the apertures in the panel 14. "Sol-fa Syllables” indicates the solfeggio scale. “NoJ’ indicates the step in the octave of the diatonic scale. As is apparent from the foregoing description, after 35 beam of light to impinge upon and be focused on the rc tuning of the electronic circuit by the potentiometer 100 spective translucent screens. and the optical deiiections byrmeans of the respective 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for mirrors 55 to S0, the student or pupil need merely sing converting the sound into a signal comprises a micro the particular solfeggio note into the microphone 95. phone, an ampliiier and ñlter circuit coupled with said That is, the horizontal and vertical hairlines ‘92 are ad 40 microphone, and a Wave shaping and integrator circuit justed with respect to the apertures `2%6 to 50 so that the translating the audio signal input from said amplilier and horizontal indication of the horizontal hairline With re iilter circuit into a D.C. current which is proportional to spect to the center of the openings -in the respective keys the frequency of the fundamental tone of the note being will provide an accurate visual representation of the devia sung, and said signal responsive means comprises a gal tion in the note that is being sung. In this manner, it is vanometer to the coil of which said reflector is secured possible to determine exactly Where the pitch of the tone 45 and is rotatable therewith. being sung is, and Whether it is too high or too low With 4. A music note pitch teaching device comprising a respect to the particular note hole on the scale. The musical stad panel having a series of screened openings electronic circuit and galvanometer movement (mirror therein corresponding to the notes of the diatonic scale drive 35)k are designed to respond only to the pitch of the for a given key signature, projection means for directing fundamental tone of the note being sung. Since the elec a single beam of light upon said panel and spot illuminat tronic circuit is designed to eliminate the eiîects of over ing an area thereon approximating the size of the screened tone content, the response as a visual indication is not openings, means to sweep the beam of light across the affected by the “color.” The output of the integrator musical stati so that the illuminated spot will sequentially circuit produces a constant current amplitude but is fre register with one of said openings at a time, and means quency modulated. Therefore, the output of the instant responsive to an audio frequency signal actuating the invention does not depend upon the volume of the note means to sweep and directing the ‘illuminated spot of light being sung. Accordingly, the visual indication is con from said projection means upon the screened opening tinuous and discrete so as to produce a direct translation corresponding to the pitch of the note being sung. of the frequency input as a quantitative measurement. 5. A music note pitch teaching device comprising a Although this invention has been described in con 60 musical staff panel having a set of screened openings there siderable detail, such description is intended as being il in corresponding to the notes of the diatonic scale for lustrative rather then limiting, since the invention may a given key signature, projection means for focusing upon be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention said panel an illuminated spot of light having a periph is to he determined as claimed. erally defined area approximating the size of the screened What is claimed is: openings, and sweep means responsive to an audio fre l. A music note pitch teaching device comprising a quency signal directing the illuminated spot upon the housing having a plurality of diagonally-arranged ad screened openings which corresponds to the pitch of the jacently-spaced circular apertures therein, a translucent note being sung, said projection means further imping screen over each of the apertures, ya plurality of musical ing an image of a cross hair centrally focused within the stati panels each having a series or" openings therein cor 70 illuminated spot of light whereby the displacement of the responding to the notes' of the diatonic scale for respec projected image of said cross hair from a central position tive ykey signatures, illuminating means adapted to direct Within each of said screened openings will visually in a beam of light upon one of said translucent screens at dicate an increment .of error in true pitch from the note a time, means to mount one of said staiî panels at a time being sung. upon said housing so that particular openings in said panel 75 6. A music note pitch teaching device comprising a 13,180,201 8 frame, a verticalspanel supported in said frame and hav to illumînatetheopening in-.the keyfsignature panel which ing a vplurality of 4diagocu'ally-arranged, adjacently-spaced indicates the `pitch ofthe fundamental tone of the note circular apertures therein, a translucent screen over each being` sung. l ' ' s of the apertures, a like Yplurality of reflectors facing said 7. The‘inventionof claim ó’where‘in successive aper apertures, a galvanometer having a pivotally supported tures .in the panel lindicate 'semi-tone graduations.' coil, a mirror rotatable with said coil, a projector direct 8'. Theïinvention »of claim’7 wherein a cross hair-:image ing va beam of `light toward said mirror, a plurality of issuperimposed upon the ,focusedrbeamof light so as to ~ musical stafìtpanels detachably secured to said vertical indicate deviations rin pitch of the note .being sung from »panel and each having a plurality of openingsrtherein cor vthe note being read. responding to the notes of thevdiatonic scale for respec-Y 10 tive keyfsignatures, a microphone, and an ampliñer and References Cited bythe Examiner integratorvcircuit converting an audio frequency input to ,said microphone Vinto an output signal current propor UNITED STATES PATENTS tional to the frequency of the fundamental `tone being 2,070,867 2/ 37 Severy ______84-454 sung into` the microphone and said output signal current 15 2,252,726 ' 8/ 41 Peck. ’ Í n passing through said galvanometer coil, whereby the ,beamy 2,779,920 1/57 Petroli ______..... __ SLL-4,7() X of light impinging upon salid mirror Will be reflected there 2,888,849 6/59 Humphrey et al ______811-470 X from upon one of said rellectors and thereafter redirected and focused upon the corresponding aperture screen so as LEO SMIL'OW, Primary Examiner.