Abstract:
A visual aid for music performers provides a mat-like structure having printed portions including a keyboard section, a tempo section, a music mode section, and a timing section. In use, a musician positions illuminated pucks using his/her foot upon the visual aid to communicate musical key changes, tempo changes, music mode changes, and/or timing changes. The visual aid enables musicians to improvise a musical number without interruption.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/267,471 filed on Dec. 15, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a visual aid suited for communicating key and tempo changes to a plurality musicians during a performance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During performances of music, there is a group of musicians each playing different instruments together to provide a song. Often, the songs that are performed are done so many times throughout the life of the group of musicians playing together. It is common or desirable to alter or change the structure of the song, sometimes morphing into a different song altogether during the performance. Many jazz compositions leave room during the performance to allow an individual performer to perform solo. 
     Occasionally, multiple performers can go “off-script” as well. Although these types of performances lack a specific structure and enable individualism to shine through, some sort of conformity or indication is preferable during the performance. If one (1) individual is playing off tempo or in another key to provide a dissonant and unattractive sound, it could distract from the performance. Thus, there is a need to provide a way to indicate tempo and upcoming key changes, amongst other musical styles, during a musical performance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a visual aid configured for use during an improvised musical performance, comprising a first base board, a second base board, a third base board and at least one (1) puck. The first base board has a first base board first edge, a first base board face, a first base board second edge and a first base board ramp. The first base board further comprises a first keyboard section which is located on the first base board face, a first tempo section which is located on the first base board face subjacent the keyboard section, a first mode section which is located on the first base board face subjacent the tempo section and a first film layer affixed upon and coextensive with the first base board face. 
     The second base board has a second base board first edge, a second base board face, a second base board second edge and a second base board ramp. The second base board further comprises a second keyboard section which is located on the second base board face, a first tempo section which is located on the second base board face subjacent the keyboard section, a second mode section which is located on the second base board face subjacent the tempo section and a second film layer affixed upon and coextensive with the second base board face. 
     The third base board has a third base board first edge, a third base board face, a third base board second edge and a third base board ramp. The third base board further comprises a third keyboard section which is located on the third base board face, a first tempo section which is located on the third base board face subjacent the keyboard section, a third mode section which is located on the third base board face subjacent the tempo section and a third film layer affixed upon and coextensive with the third base board face. 
     The first keyboard section, second keyboard section and the third keyboard section are contiguously disposed across the first base board, the second base board and the third base board. The first tempo section, second tempo section and the third tempo section are contiguously disposed across the first base board, the second base board and the third base board. The first mode section, second mode section and the third mode section are contiguously disposed across the first base board, the second base board and the third base board. 
     The puck is capable of being slidingly positioned upon the visual aid by use of the first base board ramp, the second base board ramp or the third base board ramp. Each puck is freely moveable about a surface of the first film layer, the second film layer or the third film layer with a resting place of each the puck being communicative of a musical element. The first base board is hingedly secured to the second base board along the first base board second edge and second base board first edge while the second base board is hingedly secured to the third base board along the second base board second edge and third base board first edge. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the first film layer, second film layer and third film layer comprise a respective first fastening exterior, second fastening exterior and third fastening exterior. Furthermore, each puck has fastener on a bottom surface. With this embodiment, each puck is capable of being removably fastened to a resting place on either the first film layer, second film layer or third film layer. As with the preferred embodiment, the resting place of each puck communicates a musical element. 
     The keyboard section may comprise a plurality of white piano key indicia and a plurality of black piano key indicia. The plurality of white piano key indicia may comprise respective notes of a piano keyboard indicated by either A, B, C, D, E, F or G and/or a major and minor key indicium. The plurality of black piano key indicia may also comprise respective notes of a piano keyboard indicated by either D-Flat/C-Sharp, E-Flat/D-Sharp, G-Flat/F-Sharp, A-Flat/G-Sharp or B-Flat/A-Sharp. 
     At least one (1) tempo section may comprise a plurality of lines parallel to the white piano key indicia indicative of half time, a center line or double time, a letter H indicative of a half tempo, a letter S indicative of a slow tempo, a letter F indicative of a fast tempo or a letter D indicative of a double tempo. At least one (1) mode section may comprise a timing segment having a plurality of timing indicia and a plurality of mode indicia. The timing indicia may comprise symbols indicative of simple, compound, complex, mixed, additive, or irrational meters. The plurality of mode indicia may comprise a rectangular box containing a word being either Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian or Locrian. 
     Each puck may also comprise a puck housing having a translucent face, a power source removably secured within the puck housing, a circuit board secured within the puck housing and in electrical communication with the power source, a plurality of lights disposed within the puck housing subjacent the translucent face and in electrical communication with the circuit board and a power switch disposed upon a side surface of the puck housing in electrical communication with the circuit board. Activation of the power switch illuminates the plurality of lights while deactivation of the power switch ceases illumination of the plurality of lights. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a visual aid for improvised music  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the visual aid  10  depicting a partially folded state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the visual aid  10  depicting a completely folded state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a perspective view of a puck portion  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  of the visual aid music  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4 b    is a sectional view of a puck  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 4 a   ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  visual aid 
                 20  keyboard section 
                 22  first film layer 
                 24  second film layer 
                 26  third film layer 
                 27  hinge 
                 28  white key 
                 30  white key indicia 
                 35  major/minor indicia 
                 40  black key 
                 42  black key indicia 
                 50  tempo section 
                 54  tempo indicia 
                 55  tempo numerical value 
                 56   a  half-time line 
                 56   b  double-time line 
                 56   c  center line 
                 60   a  first puck 
                 60   b  second puck 
                 60   c  third puck 
                 60   d  fourth puck 
                 61  puck housing 
                 62  power switch 
                 63   a  lamp 
                 63   b  illumination 
                 64  circuit board 
                 65  battery 
                 66  battery holder 
                 67  battery compartment opening 
                 68  battery compartment lid 
                 69  wiring 
                 70  mode section 
                 72  mode segment 
                 74  mode indicia 
                 76  timing segment 
                 78  timing indicia 
                 80   a  first base board 
                 80   b  second base board 
                 80   c  third base board 
                 90  first base board first edge 
                 95  first base board face 
                 100  first base board second edge 
                 105  second base board first edge 
                 110  second base board face 
                 115  second base board second edge 
                 120  third base board first edge 
                 125  third base board face 
                 130  third base board second edge 
                 135  first ramp 
                 136  second ramp 
                 137  third ramp 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4   b . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a visual aid for improvised music (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a three-section base board  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  each having an integrally molded, etched, or carved, keyboard section  20 , tempo section  50 , and music mode section  70 . Each section  20 ,  50  and mode section  70  likewise display a plurality of integrally molded, etched, or carved, musical indicia which will be discussed in detail below. Each section  20 ,  50  and mode section  70  together with their corresponding plurality of indicia act to visually communicate to a plurality of musicians, occurrences of musical key changes, tempo changes, timing changes, and/or a music mode changes as indicated by a repositioning of corresponding movable pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  which lay upon and are particularly positioned upon the sections  20 ,  50 ,  70 . While playing a musical instrument, a musician may manipulate the pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  using his/her foot while improvising or performing a musical number in an uninterrupted manner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of the device  10  depicting flat and partially folded states, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. An embodiment of the device  10  is illustrated here being configured in three (3) hingedly connected boards  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  each having sections  20 ,  50 ,  70 . Section  20  displays, but is not limited to: a plurality of white and black piano keys  28 ,  40  with a corresponding plurality of note indicators  30 ,  42  and a corresponding plurality of major/minor indicia  35 . Section  50  displays but is not limited: to a plurality of tempo indicia  54 . Section  70  displays, but is not limited to: a plurality of mode segment indicia  72  each having a music mode change indicia  74 . Base board  80   a  further displays a half-time line indicia  56   a  perpendicularly disposed across the tempo section  50  and music mode section  70 . Base board  80   b  further displays a center line indicia  56   c  perpendicularly disposed across the tempo section  50 . Base board section  80   c  further displays a double-time line indicia  56   b , perpendicularly disposed across the tempo section  50 . At least one (1) section  20 ,  50 ,  70  also has a timing segment  76  having a plurality of timing indicia  78 . 
     Each base board  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  also comprise a corresponding first film layer  22 , a second film layer  24 , and a third film layer  26 . The film layers  22 ,  24 ,  26  are adhesively, or otherwise affixed to respective first base board  80   a , second base board  80   b , and third base board  80   c  portions (also see  FIG. 3 ) thereby covering the plurality of indicia discussed above. The film layers  22 ,  24 ,  26  are envisioned to be made using extruded semi-rigid plastic sheet material such as SINTRA®, polyethylene, or an equivalent durable washable material, and be approximately three millimeters (3 mm) in thickness. The film layers  22 ,  24 ,  26  are envisioned to be adhesively affixed to the subjacent base boards  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  which are in turn envisioned to be made using a structurally rigid and planar polymer material such as polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or equivalent material, and being approximately one-quarter of an inch (¼ in.) in thickness. 
     The device  10  provides a means for compact storage via a plurality of hinges  27  which connect adjacent vertical edge portions of the film layers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and base board  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  portions (see  FIG. 3 ) through each film layer  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The dimensions of the device  10  when in a deployed flat state is approximately forty-two inches (42 in.) in width by eleven inches (11 in.) in height. Each base board  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  has a ramp  135 ,  136 ,  137  each respectively located at a bottom edge of each base board  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c . Each ramp  135 ,  136 ,  137  facilitates the sliding of a puck  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c  or  60   d  from a position exterior to the device  10  to a position upon the surface of the device  10 . 
     When unfolded, the device  10  provides a lateral keyboard section  20  across a top edge, being a flat surface which includes a combination of integrally molded, etched, or carved white keys  28  and black keys  40  so as to emulate a conventional piano keyboard. The keys  28 ,  40  are indicated by white key indicia  30  and black key indicia  42  being integrally molded, etched, or carved upon the base boards  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c . The white key indicia  30  and black key indicia  42  portions of the key portions  28 ,  40  indicate individual musical notes starting with a “C” and progressing from left to right to indicate three (3) octaves, covering the entire surface of the keyboard section  20 . Each white key  28  includes integrally molded, etched, or carved white key indicia  30  being located on a lower portion of the white key  28 . Each black key  40  includes integrally molded, etched, or carved black key indicia  42  within a white rectangle portion of each black key  40 , also including sharp note and flat note characters. A musician may make a key change by repositioning a first puck  60   a  upon a desired key  30 ,  42 . Major/minor key indicia  35  is also located on the white keys  28 , preferably on the “C” white key  28 . The major key  35  is indicated as “ma” and is located near the middle adjacent the black key  40  and the minor key  35  is indicated as “mi” and is located adjacent the bottom of the white key  28 . These keys  35  are there to indicate the chord at which the particular passage is to be played. 
     The tempo section  50  is parallel to, and below the keyboard section  20  and is envisioned to be approximately four inches (4 in.) in height. The tempo section  50  provides integrally molded, etched, or carved tempo indicia  54 , envisioned to include symbols and characters such as, but limited to: a half-time line  56   a , a double-time line  56   b , a center line  56   c , as well as letters such as an “S” indicating slow tempo, an “H” indicating half time tempo (cut time), an “F” indicating a fast tempo, and a “D” indicating double time. The lines  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c  act to divide the tempo section  50  into four (4) sections which in turn contain the aforementioned letter indicia  54 . A musician may make a tempo change by repositioning a second puck  60   b  upon desired tempo indicia  54 . It is envisioned that other indicia pertaining to tempo such as numerical values  55  such as “40”, “60”, “80”, “100”, “120”, “140”, “160” and “180”, and the like, may also be utilized with equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . 
     In a similar manner the mode section  70  includes a plurality of integrally molded, etched, or carved rectangular mode segments  72 , each displaying different mode indicia  74  representing various musical mode types such as, but not limited to: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, and the like (please see  FIG. 1  Expanded Region  74 ). To initiate a mode change, a musician repositions a third puck  60   c  upon a desired mode segment  72 . Additionally, the mode section  70  includes a timing segment  76  having respective timing indicia  78  such as, but not limited to: simple time (such as 2/4 or 3/4), compound time (e.g., 6/8, 12/8, and 9/4), complex time (e.g., 5/4 or 7/8), mixed time (e.g., 5/8|3/2|6/8|2/4|), additive time (e.g., 2+3, 2+3+2), and irrational time (e.g., 3/10 or 5/24). In a similar manner, a musician may make a musical timing change by repositioning a fourth puck  60   d  upon a desired timing indicia  78 . 
     The pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  may be positioned upon respective keyboard section  20 , tempo section  50 , music mode section  70 , and timing segment  76  portions. The position of the pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  communicate a key, a tempo, a mode and a timing, and may be changed “on-the-fly” by the musicians. The pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  are envisioned to be made of a similar material as the base boards  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  and have a circular disc-shape. The pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  are to be positioned by at least one (1) musician, preferably using their foot, thereby allowing continuous playing of an instrument to initiate improvising during a musical session or performance (see  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   ). 
     The preferred method of utilizing the device  10  would be placed upon a floor surface; however, the device  10  may also be affixed to a wall surface for improved visibility using tape, adhesives, or various hardware, if desired. When mounted to a wall surface, the film layer  22 ,  24 ,  26  have a hook and loop fastener surface while the puck portions  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  likewise are envisioned to include hook-and-loop fasteners, or similar means, to a rear surface, allowing manipulation of the pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  by hand upon the film layer  22 ,  24 ,  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the device  10  depicting a completely folded state having a first base board first edge  90 , first base board first face  95 , a first base board second edge  100 , a second base board first edge  105 , second base board first face  110 , a second base board second edge  115 , a third base board first edge  120 , a third base board first face  125  and a third base board second edge  130 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  provides a means for compact storage via a plurality of hinges  27  which connect the adjacent film layer  22 ,  24 ,  26  and base board  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  portions. The portions of the device  10  are joined along adjacent vertical edges via the axial hinges  27 . The hinges are rigidly affixed to the sections of the device  10  using methods such as industrial adhesives, plastic welding, rivets, or the like. The hinges  27  enable the portions of the device  10  to fold upon each other to provide a compact form for easy storage. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , perspective and sectional views of a puck portion  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Each puck  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  is to provide bright colored illumination  63   b  for ease of viewing. Each puck  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  includes a translucent circular disc-shape puck housing  61  containing a plurality of colored lamps  63   a  positioned subjacent to a top surface of the puck housing  61 . The lamps  63   a  are preferably colored light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s), or an equivalent illuminating technology. Each puck  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  further includes internal electronic and electrical portions including a circuit board  64 , the aforementioned lamps  63   a , a miniature battery  65 , and an externally accessible power switch  62 . The circuit board  64  is in electrical communication with the aforementioned internal components via circuitry and/or wiring  69 , and is powered by the battery  65 . The battery  65  is envisioned to be a replaceable low-profile miniature direct current (DC) unit, being similar to those used in small electronic devices, watches, and the like. The position of the battery  65  is retained via a battery holder  66 , envisioned to be integral to the circuit board  64 . The battery  65  may be accessed by a user for installation or replacement via a battery compartment opening  67  and a removable battery compartment lid  68  located along a bottom surface of the puck housing  61 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the device  10 ; placing the device  10  upon a floor surface or affixing the device  10  to a wall surface; being careful to position the device  10  so as to provide visual access to participating musicians; installing a fresh battery  65  into each puck  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d ; activating the illumination  63   b  of each puck using the power switches  62 ; placing the pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  upon the respective sections  20 ,  50 ,  70 ; beginning an improvised music session or normal performance; manipulating the first puck  60   a  along the keyboard section  20  using a foot portion of a user until the first puck  60   a  is positioned upon a respective white key  28  or black key  40  to indicate to the musicians an occurrence of a musical key change, or on the major or minor key  35  to indicate the chord; utilizing the tempo section  50  in like manner to indicate a tempo change by positioning the second puck  60   b  upon a selected tempo indicia  54 ; utilizing the mode section  70  in like manner to indicate a change in music mode by positioning the third  60   c  upon a selected mode segment  72 ; indicating a change in music timing by positioning the fourth puck  60   d  upon a desired timing indicia  78 ; continuing to indicate key, tempo, mode, and timing changes by repositioning the pucks  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  as needed during a music session; and, benefiting from improved communication of a key changes, tempo changes, mode changes, and timing changes without musical interruption, while improvising or performing a musical number, afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.