Patent ID: 7402746
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
1. A self teaching apparatus for training a user to play a guitar by converting encoded MIDI music data into a user guiding sequence of illuminated finger positions on frets of a six string guitar, the apparatus comprising: a guitar comprising: an electronic computer based logic system secured within the body of the guitar, the logic system comprising: a plurality of light emitting transparent panels secured to the fret board between the frets, wherein the transparent panels illuminate to indicate finger placement positions during a practice session, and are configured to display other indicators including symbols, numbers, characters, and musical symbols to identify musical properties including pitch, interval, and scale degree, the panels interfaced to the electronic computer based logic system; a hard disk secured within the body of the guitar, the hard disk storing encoded MIDI music, instructional exercises and references, the hard disk interfaced to the electronic logic system; a backlit graphic display screen, the screen secured to the body, the display screen viewable by the user playing the guitar, the display electronically interfaced to the electronic logic system, the screen for displaying status, controls, options, musical scores, staff notation, tablature; a control and edit panel secured to the body of the guitar, the panel including controls for tempo, metronome clicks, transposition, repetition, play, stop, pause, rewind, fast forward, cue, paste, cut and record; a plurality of interface connectors secured to the body and interfaced to the electronic logic system, the interface connectors comprising: an audio speaker secured to the guitar body and interfaced to the electronic logic system; a recessed flash memory card receptacle with electronic interface, the flash memory card receptacle secured to the guitar body, the receptacle for receiving a flash memory card, the flash memory card for storing recorded music, encoded MIDI music, lessons, exercises; and a rechargeable battery pack secured within the guitar body, the battery pack for powering the self instructional apparatus.