MUSICAL THEORY SLIDE RULE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS

Abstract: A musical theory slide rule for stringed instruments having a base member (1) with a representation of the neck (3) of the instrument showing the strings (4), frets and colour coded fingering positions. One or more sliding masks (16, 26) are provided, each relating to a specific chord or scale type (e.g. Major Chords) that can be engaged with the base member and moved longitudinally against an index (18, 19) to highlight the fingering positions for the chord or scale shown by the index (e.g. G Major). Chord and scale masks may be used simultaneously to show acceptable combinations. The base member also incorporates calibrations (22, 30) of the chromatic scale and the masks have apertures which reveal only those notes which are contained within the specific chord or scale set on the slide rule. The chromatic scale calibrations are colour coded corresponding to the colour coding of fingering positions on the neck. A pentatonic scale cursor (35) is also described for use in highlighting those notes which can be fingered in the pentatonic scale for any particular setting of the slide rule.

Description: "MUSICAL THEORY SLIDE RULE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS" This invention relates to a musical theory slide rule for stringed instruments and has been devised particularly though not solely to enable a musical student to understand the intricacies of the various fret boards of stringed instruments without having to learn them by rote. In the past students of musical instruments have been faced with the onerous task of learning hundreds of chords of often unrelated shape before they acquire a working knowledge of the stringed instrument such as a guitar, bass. etc. As a result learners may be restricted in the music they can play or write, while others may be discouraged to the point of discontinuing their music studies altogether. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a musical theory slide rule for a stringed instrument which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet effective manner, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. Accordingly the invention may broadly be said to consist in a musical theory slide rule for a stringed musical instrument, comprising a base member incorporating a representation of the neck of the instrument, one or more masks each relating to a particular chord type or scale type, guide means arranged to guide and restrain each said mask to slide in the base member in the longitudinal direction of the neck, indexing means arranged to indicate the longitudinal position of the mask relative to the base member for any specific chord or scale, and wherein each said mask incorporates masking means arranged to highlight those parts of the neck to be used for fingering the specific chord or scale indicated by the indexing means and of the type determined by that mask. In the preferred form of the invention the neck representation is provided with a colour coded pattern, there being a different colour for each note and a coloured patch for each fingering position on the neck, producing a note corresponding to that colour. Preferably the base member is provided with at least one longitudinal calibration of notes, and each mask incorporates indicator means operable in conjunction with the calibration of notes to indicate those notes which can be fingered on the neck of the instrument in the specific chord or scale indicated by the indexing means. Preferably the base member is formed from a plurality of layers of suitable material including a lower layer on which the neck and calibration of notes are displayed, the layers above the lower layer incorporating a plurality of windows allowing the neck and calibration of notes to be viewed from the top of the base member through the windows, and wherein the intermediate layers define one or more longitudinal channels incorporating the guide means and adapted to receive the masks, and wherein the indicator means comprise a set of apertures in predetermined locations in each mask aligned for the viewing of selected ones of said calibration of notes therethrough, and wherein the masking means comprise a predetermined pattern of holes in the mask arranged to overlay the neck. Preferably two such channels are provided, the first channel being adapted to receive masks relating to scale types and the second channel adapted to receive masks relating to chord types, and wherein there are also two calibrations of notes, one adapted for use with masks relating to scale types and the other for use with masks relating to chord types so that one scale mask and one chord mask may be used and set to the desired chord and scale independently and simultaneously, highlighting through the aligned holes in the two masks only those fingering positions usable for that particular chord and scale combination. Preferably the musical theory slide rule is also provided with a transparent pentatonic scale cursor arranged to slide longitudinally relative to the base member, there being a calibration of notes arrayed longitudinally on the cursor arranged so that each note may be successively aligned with an index mark on the base member as the cursor slides thereover, and wherein the cursor incorporates highlight markings in predetermined locations over the neck area arranged to highlight those fingering positions relating to the pentatonic scale for the particular pentatonic scale name in said calibration of notes which is aligned with the index mark, and wherein the cursor is also provided with further highlight markings aligned with the calibration of notes on the lower layer, arranged so as to highlight those notes which can be fingered in the pentatonic scale. Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, one preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the base member of a musical theory slide rule according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation on the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a typical scale type mask adapted to slide in the base member shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a typical chord type mask adapted to slide in the base member shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a pentatonic scale cursor for use over the base member shown in Fig. 1: and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5. In the preferred form of the invention a musical theory slide rule for a guitar is constructed as follows, although it will be appreciated that the nature of the slide rule may be readily modified for other stringed musical instruments, such as banjo, bass, etc. The slide rule comprises a base member 1 shown in plan view in Fig. 1 and in cross-section in Fig. 2. The base member may be made from any suitable material and is preferably built up in layers as shown in Fig. 2 from materials such as sheet plastics or cardboard, etc. The base member is laid out in plan view to represent the musical instrument to which it relates and for a guitar the base member incorporates representations of the guitar body 2. the neck 3, the strings 4, the head 5 and the nut 6. The neck 3 is provided with transverse lines representing the frets on the guitar neck as will be described further later. The base member is provided with two longitudinal channels in intermediate layers of the base member, there being a first channel 7 and a second lower channel 8. These channels are adapted to receive sliding masks which comprise sheet-like members of the same width and thickness as the channels 7 and 8 and which are adapted to slide longitudinally in the channels. The neck section 3 of the guitar is represented by a transparent portion 9 in the upper layer 10 which is provided with six longitudinal lines representing the strings of the guitar and a number of transverse lines representing the frets on the guitar neck. The neck area is also divided into a plurality of colour coded patches such as those shown as 11, 12 and 13. there being one patch corresponding to each fingering position on the guitar, i.e. to each string and fret combination. The matrix of colour coded patches is marked on the base member on the bottom layer 14 over the area 15 corresponding to the representation of the neck on the top layer and which can be viewed through the transparent window 9 in the top layer. There are twelve different colours in the colour coding corresponding to the twelve notes in the chromatic scale and these colour coded patches are repeated wherever that particular note may be played by fingering on the guitar neck as has been shown for the colour patch 12 which represents the note E and which is shown repeated on the guitar neck in Fig. 1 wherever the note E may be fingered on the guitar. Similarly the patch 11 represents the note F and the patch 13 represents the note B. Representations of the remaining notes in the musical scale have been omitted for clarity. The slide rule is adapted for use with one or more scale type masks, one of which is typically shown in Fig. 3. This mask relates to the major scales, but it will be appreciated that other similar masks may be used for the other scale types such as minor scales, etc. The mask 16 is sized to slide within the scales channel 8 in the intermediate layer 17 of the base member. To this end the width of the mask is the same as the width of the longitudinal channel 8 and the edges of the channel form guide means to guide the mask accurately within the channel. The mask 16 is provided with indexing means in the form of a longitudinal array 18 of the scale names which are positioned on the mask so as to be visible through a window 19 in the top two layers 10 and 20. As the scales mask slides longitudinally in the channel 8, successive ones of the scale names become visible through the window 19. The scales mask 16 is provided with masking means in the form of a predetermined pattern of holes 21 positioned to overlay the neck colour coding 15 so as to highlight predetermined ones of the fingering positions to be played on the neck of the guitar. The pattern of holes is arranged so that when, for example, the note E from the longitudinal array 18 is aligned beneath the window 19, only those fingering positions which can be used in the E major scale are visible through the holes 21. Similarly when the mask is moved so that the letter B is visible through the window 19, only those fingering positions which are used in the B major scale are visible through the holes 21. In this manner the user of the slide rule can readily and quickly determine those fingering positions which may be used for any specific major scale. It is an additional feature of the slide rule that there is provided a longitudinal calibration of notes 22 which are printed onto the bottom layer 14 over the area 23 and which are viewed through apertures or windows 24 in the layers 10 and 20. The calibration of notes is arrayed as shown in Fig. 1 and labelled "notes contained within the scale" and is read in conjunction with an indicator means in the form of a series of aligned apertures 25 in the mask 16. These cutout apertures are sized and positioned so as to reveal only those notes on the calibration 22 which are contained within the scale presently showing through the window 19. For example, when the mask is set with the letter C under the window 19 then the indicator apertures 25 will reveal only those notes on the calibration 22 which are contained within the scale C major. The representation of notes in the calibration 22 is also colour coded in the same manner as the neck 3 so that it is easy for the user to determine the names of the notes shown on the neck and also to correlate those names with the fingering positions suitable for use with that scale. The slide rule is provided with a further set of masks or sliders which relate to the musical chords and which may be used in conjunction with the scales masks or independently. To this end a typical chords mask 26, relating to the major chords, is shown in Fig. 4 and is - LxT x Em OMH designed to be inserted and slid longitudinally in the channel 7 in the second layer 20. The chords mask is similar to the scales mask described with reference to Fig. 3 and incorporates a predetermined pattern of holes 27, indexing means in the form of a longitudinal array of chord names 28 and indicator apertures 29 used in combination with a calibration of notes 30 (which correspond to the scales calibration of notes 22) through the apertures 29. Other chord type masks may be provided, e.g. relating to other chord types such as minor chords, diminished chords, seventh chords, etc. It will be appreciated that when a scales mask and a chords mask are used at the same time, the only fingering positions which are revealed on the colour coded array 15 are those which correspond to both the scale and the chord set by that particular mask and determined by the scale name visible through the window 19 and the chord symbol visible through the chord window 31. The chord mask 26 is provided with an elongate aperture 30A enabling the index 18 on the scales mask to be read through the aperture 30A and the window 19. In this manner the user is quickly and simply able to determine complex patterns of fingering which relate to particular chord and scale combinations. Alternatively, the chord slider may be used on its own. As a further feature the slide rule may be provided with a cursor shown in Figs. 5 and 6 relating to the pentatonic scale. The cursor 35 is formed from a transparent material and is provided with wrap-around flanges 36 adapted to engage the edges of the base member so that the cursor may slide longitudinally over the base member. The pentatonic cursor is provided with a longitudinal calibration of notes 37 arranged to align successively with an index mark 38 on the base member in a similar manner to the alignment of the chord or scales - uRl OMPI to WIFO masks. The cursor is further provided with a plurality of highlight markings in a predetermined array 39 which may, for example, comprise circles marked on the transparent material which align with the neck portion of the base member. - The array of markings is such that when, for example, the letter E in the calibration of notes 37 is aligned with the pentatonic scale name marker 38, then the markings 39 are positioned over those fingering positions which relate to the pentatonic E scale on the neck of the guitar. The cursor is also provided with further highlight markings 40 arranged to be used in conjunction with the calibration of notes 22 so as to highlight those notes which can be fingered in the pentatonic scale for the particular setting of the cursor relative to the index mark 38. The pentatonic scale cursor may be used in conjunction with a scales mask to highlight the pattern of fingering positions relative to any particular scale. Although the pentatonic cursor has been described as a wrap around overlay it may also be provided as a slide adapted to be inserted into the channel 7 in place of a chord mask. In this manner a musical theory slide rule is provided which simply and conveniently assists the user in learning the fingering positions for various chords and/or scales on the neck of his stringed instrument which also enables the user to readily determine those notes which are available in any particular chord or scale or combination thereof. It also facilitates the determination of any feasible theoretical chord/scale combination. O P

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A musical theory slide rule for a stringed musical instrument, comprising a base member incorporating a representation of the neck of the instrument, one or more masks each relating to a particular chord type or scale type, guide means arranged to guide and restrain each said mask to slide in the base member in the longitudinal direction of the neck, indexing means arranged to indicate the longitudinal position of the mask relative to the base member for any specific chord or scale, and wherein each said mask incorporates masking means arranged to highlight those parts of the neck to be used for fingering the specific chord or scale indicated by the indexing means and of the type determined by that mask. 2. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in claim 1, wherein said neck is provided with a coded pattern of the notes which may be played upon the instrument. 3. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coded pattern comprises a colour code, there being a different colour for each note and a coloured patch for each fingering position on the neck producing a note corresponding to that colour. 4. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base member is provided with at least one longitudinal calibration of notes, and wherein each said mask incorporates indicator means operable in conjunction with said calibration of notes to indicate those notes which can be fingered on the neck of the instrument in the specific chord or scale indicated by said indexing means. 5. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in claim 4 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein said calibration of notes incorporates the same colour coding as the colour coded pattern on said neck. 6. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base member incorporates a plurality of layers including a lower layer on which said neck and said calibration of notes are displayed, the layers above said lower layer incorporating a plurality of windows allowing said neck and calibration of notes to be viewed from the top of said base member, and wherein the intermediate layers define one or more longitudinal channels incorporating said guide means and adapted to receive said masks, and wherein said indicator means comprise a set of apertures at predetermined locations in each mask aligned for the viewing of selected ones of said calibration of notes therethrough, and wherein said masking means comprise a predetermined pattern of holes in said mask arranged to overlay said neck. 7. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in claim 6, wherein said indexing means comprise a longitudinal array of chord or scale names or symbols on each said mask, arranged to be aligned in turn as said mask slides in said base member, with a window in the layers above said mask. 8. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein two said channels are provided, one said channel being adapted to receive said masks relating to scale types and the other said channel being adapted to receive masks relating to chord types, there being two said calibrations of notes, one adapted for use with masks relating to scale types and the other for use with masks relating to chord types, so that one scale mask and one chord mask may be used and set to the desired chord and scale independently and simultaneously, highlighting through the aligned holes in the two masks only those fingering positions usable for that particular chord and scale combination. 9. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in any one of claims 6, 7 or 8. wherein the window over said neck incorporates a transparent section above said OλOT channels, on which is marked the location of the strings of the instrument relative to the neck, and, where the slide rule is adapted for use with an instrument having frets on the neck, the transparent section also incorporates transverse markings indicating the location of those frets. 10. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pentatonic scale cursor is provided arranged to slide longitudinally relative to the base member, there being a calibration of notes arrayed longitudinally on said cursor arranged so that each note may be successively aligned with an index mark on said base member as said cursor slides thereover, and wherein said cursor incorporates highlight markings in predetermined locations over the neck area arranged to highlight those fingering positions relating to the pentatonic scale for the particular pentatonic scale name in said calibration of notes which is aligned with said index mark. 11. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in claim 10 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein said cursor is provided with highlight markings aligned with the calibration of notes on said lower layer, arranged so as to highlight those notes which can be fingered in the pentatonic scale. 12. A musical theory slide rule as claimed in either claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said cursor comprises a transparent overlay adapted to slide over the base member. 13. A musical theory slide rule for a stringed musical instrument when constructed, arranged and operable substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. . O PI

Inventors: DUFFY ANTHONY MICHAEL, DUFFY, ANTHONY, MICHAEL
Applicants: DUFFY ANTHONY MICHAEL, DUFFY, ANTHONY, MICHAEL
Application year: 1983
Main classification: G09B15
IPC codes: G09B15