Patent ID: 8878042

Claim:
An electronic device used to practice a stringed musical instrument, the device comprising: an elongate handle representing a neck portion of the stringed musical instrument, the elongate handle including a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a top portion, the top portion including a plurality of frets representing a portion of a fret board, the elongate handle sized and configured to fit in the hand of a user of the device, the first end representing the end of the stringed musical instrument where string tension is adjusted; at least four strings; for each of the at least four strings: a first string holder at the first end for holding the string in place; and a second string holder at the second end for holding the string in place; wherein the at least four strings are secured by corresponding first and second string holders and run along the top portion between the first end of the elongate handle and the second end of the elongate handle; wherein the first side includes a first side recessed portion that runs along the first side; a slidable cover component, the slidable cover component slidable over the top portion to cover or expose the at least four strings, the slidable cover component including a first cover side, the first cover side having first one or more guide members configured in size and shape to slidably engage within the first side recessed portion; sensors for detecting one or more of: finger positions on the fret board and string to fret contact on the fret board; a comparison module for determining if the detected one or more of finger positions and string to fret contact form an appropriate musical note or musical chord; and a visual indicator that indicates if the detected one or more of finger positions and string to fret contact form an appropriate musical note or musical chord based on the determination.