GB2198874A - Display device concerning music - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device 20, for use in determining chords, scales, key signatures and transposing music, comprises relatively rotatable inner and outer discs 22, 21 each divided into 12 equal sectors 32, 31 marked in similar sequence to the keys on a piano. The sectors 32, 31 may carry indicia, and the device may be flat, conical or cylindrical. A third ring of indicia-bearing sectors (82, Fig. 6 not shown) may surround discs 22, 21 with these discs being independently rotatable relative to the third ring; this is of particular use in transposing music. <IMAGE>

Description

Display Device concerning Music The present invention relates to a display device concerning music and more particularly to a device use in determining and illustrating chords, scales, the key signatures for all keys and in transposing music.

Activities such as determining chords, scales, key signatures and transposing music require knowledge and retention of musical theory which can be complex; study of a book, examination of a chart and/or mental calculation is/are frequently necessary.

The present invention seeks to provide a device use o-f which overcomes or at least substantially reduces the above problem.

According to the present invention, there is provided a display device comprising a first member with a display surface and a second relatively rotatable member with a display surface located adjacent to the display surface of the first member and the display surface of the inner member being divided into twelve 300 sector portions which are of two types X and Y, the sector portions being in the orbital sequence X,Y,X,Y,X,X,Y,X, Y,X,Y,X, and the display surface of the outer outer member adjacent to the inner member being divided into twelve 300 portions which are of two types P and Q, the portions being in the orbital sequence P,O,P, Q,P,P,Q,P,Q,P,Q,P.

Portions X and P may be of a first colour, preferably white or another light colour, with portions Y and Q being a second colour, preferably black or another colour. Preferably portions X and P are of the same colour. Portions Y and 0 may also be of the same colour; alternatively they may be of different colours, e.g. black and red respectively.

The portions X and P preferably bear a series of indicia. One set of portions, P say, bears the sequence of numbers 1 to 7, while the other set, X say, bears the sequence of letters C,D,E,F,G,A,B corresponding to musical notes.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig.l shows a display device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention: Fig.2 shows the device of Fig.l on a smaller scale and with a different rotary position of the inner member; Fig.3 shows a display device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig.4 shows a conical display device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and Fig.5 shows a cylindrical display device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig.6 shows a substantially planar display device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The display device 20 of Figs 1 and 2 comprises a circular outer disc 21 and an inner circular disc 22 freely rotatably attached at its centre to the centre of disc 21. Each of the discs 21,22 is divided into twelve sector portions 31,32 respectively, which subtend equal angles, i.e. 300, at the centre of the discs. The sector portions 31 of the outer disc are truncated by the inner disc 22.

The sector portions are coloured white or black as shown. The sector portions 31 which are white are marked with the sequence of letters A to G. The sector portions 32 which are white are marked with the sequence of numerals 1 to 7. The portions 32 carrying the numerals 2,4 and 6 also carry the smaller numerals 9,11 and 13. The sector portions 32 which are black may also carry numerals so that the complete sequence reads: 1, -9, 2, -3, 3, 4, -5, 5, -6, 6, b7, 7.

The display device 20^may be used in a number of ways which will now be described: Chords To determine a chord associated with a letter, the portion 32 (1) bearing the number 1 is rotated to be aligned with the appropriate letter on the outer ring (Cin Fig 1, or B in Fig 2). The following table, which, as shown in the embodiment of Fig 3, may be integrated with the display device as table 41, is then consulted.

Chord Table Name of Triad Notes in Triad Add 6 Add 7 Add b7 Add b7, 9 Add b7, 9, 11 Major Triad 1, 3, 5 6th maj 7 7th 9th 11th Minor Triad 1, -3, 5 m 6th m#7 m7 m9 m11th Diminished Triad 1, -3, -5 dim 7 - m 7-5 - m11th-5th Augmented Triad 1, 3, +5 - maj 7+5 7th+5 - Key: Triad = 3 note chord - = flattened + = sharpened m = minor maj = major dim = diminished # = natural, i.e. no sharp or flat.

The Chord Table shows the names of the triads from which all chords originate. The second column indicates the notes constituting the triads. The next five columns show the names of extensions. At the top of each of these columns, the notes that have been used to extend the triads have been marked.

For example a maj. 7 is made up of a major triad with the addition of a 7, whereas a dominant seventh chord (G7th for example) is made up of a major triad with the addition of a b7.

The numbers on the inner circle represent the outlay of a major scale whilst the outer circle represents a keyboard. The 9th, 11th and 13th are marked in to help locate chords with these numbers in them.

The black sector portions 32 between the portions marked 2 and 3 and between the portions marked 6 and 7 may be respectively marked to indicate the minor third and seventh. Even though they are not part of a major scale they are particularly common in chord formations.

Keeping the portion 32 (1) aligned with C, it can be seen that: C6th is C, E, G, A (1 3 5 6) C7th is C, E, G, Bb (1 3 5 b7) Cmaj7 is C, E, G, B (1 3 5 7) C9th is C, E, G, Bb D (1 3 5 b7 9) Scales The display device 10 shows 84 scales at a glance. If desired this can be achieved in conjunction with the following table, which may be integrated with the display device as table 42 as shown in Fig.3.

Scale Table number the Scale Begins on Name of Scale 1 Ionian 2 Dour ivan 3 Phrygian 4 Lydian 5 Mixolydian 6 Aeolian 7 Loc r ian The number 84 is derived from the seven numbers of the major scale multiplied by the twelve notes in an octave, i.e. the outer circle. Other scales can also be found on the device. This can be done by placing around the outer disc 21 a non-rotating ring having teeth protruding radially inwardly over selected sector portions 31.

A major scale (Ionian) is obtained by reading off the white segments of the inner circle starting from number 1. To find a Dorian scale, read off the white segments in the inner circle starting from number 2. A Phrygian starts on 3 and so on as indicated in the table.

As an example let us find the F mixolydian scale first we match up the number 5 to F, then we read off the consecutive notes; in other words 5671 234 5 F G A Bb C D Eb F.

When 5 is on F, 1 is on Bb therefore we straightaway know that the F mixolydian mode originates from the Bb major scale. Thus for all the 84 seven note scales the position of the number 1 portion 32(1) indicates whence the other modes originate.

Key Signatures The display device also indicates key signatures at a glance. Portion 32(1) is simply aligned with the key signature it is wished to find. It is then noted where the inner black portions 32 do not line up with the outer black portions 31. For example, by putting 1 on F we can see that there is one flat in this key. The name of this flat can be located by seeing which white note is in line with an inner black portion.

transposing The display device facilitates the transposing of notes and chords. If it is desired to transpose to a fifth up, numeral 1 i.e. portion 32(1) is aligned with the original note; the transposed note, which is aligned with numeral 5, is then read off.

The above-described devices have the advantage of avoiding the need for a musician or music student to be constantly studying works of reference or to committing complicated formulae to memory. The display device is flat and compact and may incorporate all the auxiliary information that is required (i.e tables 41 and 42).

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments. For example the letters may be on the inner disc and the numerals on the outer disc.

The areas may be distinguished by pattern instead of or in addition to colour. The outer disc 21 may be of square, rectangular, hexagonal, duodecagonal or other shape. The inner disc 22 may also be of duodecagonal shape. If desired information tables 41,42 may be provided on the rear surface of disc 21.

Furthermore the device need not be flat. Fig 4 shows a display device 50 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention which is generally conical comprising a base part 51 corresponding to outer disc 21 and a top part 52 rotatably mounted on base part 51 and corresponding to inner disc 22. Alternatively, as shown in Fig 5, a display device 60 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, comprises a cylindrical "top hat" portion 62 on a cylindrical base portion 61.

In a fifth embodiment of the invention, Fig.6, a display device 80 is similar to the embodiment of Fig.3 but has an additional static display ring 81, i.e. ring 81 is printed on the same surface as tables 41 and 42.

The inner rotatable discs 21, 22 carry the same indicia as in the previous embodiments. Ring 81 is not shaded but has twelve portions 82 each bearing a letter indicating a note, and with the portions 82 corresponding to natural notes also bearing one of the numerals 1 to 7. In addition all the portions bearing an indication of a sharp note also bear an indication of the corresponding flat, e.g. D sharp is the equivalent of E flat.

The inner two discs 21, 22 can be used as in the previously described embodiments. However, the outer static ring 81 assists in transposing. When transposing with device 80 the inner numbered ring 22 is ignored. The outer movable disc 21 is rotated so that the letters indicating the new and old keys are aligned. The notes on ring 81 then correspond to the new notes in the new key on disc 21. Fig.6 illustrates as an example transposing from the key of E to the key of C.

The device of Fig.6 may be modified in that some of the portions in the outer static ring may be shaded. The numerals and/or the alternative indication of the sharp and flat notes may be omitted if desired.

Alternatively the outer static ring may be replaced by a central static disc bearing the same markings. Also, the device of Fig.6 may be modified to be cylindrical or conical, as with the embodiments of Figs.4 and 5.

In any of the embodiments described one or more of the rotatable discs may be replaced by a respective rotatable ring. Also, the black sector portions may be constituted by movable members which rotate over a white base. Certain features of the devices may be highlighted to emphasise a particular function. A plurality of different devices in accordance with the present invention may be mounted on opposite sides of a planar member or on respective faces of a threedimensional member such as a pyramid.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. A display device comprising a first member with a display surface and a second relatively rotatable member with a display surface located adjacent to the display surface of the first member with one of the members surrounding the other and the display surface of the inner member being divided into twelve 300 sector portions which are of two types X and Y, the sector portions being in the orbital sequence X,Y,X,Y,X,X,Y,X,Y,X,Y,X, and the display surface of the outer member adjacent to the inner member being divided into twelve 300 portions which are of two types P and Q, the portions being in the orbital sequence P,Q,P,Q, P, P,0,P,,P,Q,P.

2. A display device according to Claim 1, where the types of portions are distinguished by colour.

3. A display device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the portions X and P each carry a respective series of indicia.

4. A display device according to Claim 3, wherein the series of indicia are letters in one case and numbers in the other.

5. A display device according to any preceding Claim which is substantially flat.

6. A display device according to claims 4 and 5 and comprising a further surface carrying further indicia, the outer member being stationary relative to the further surface.

7. A display device according to any of Claims 1 to 4 which is substantially conical.

8. A display device according to any of Claims 1 to 4 which is substantially cylindrical.

9. A display device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, 7 or 8, wherein a third member is provided even further radially outwardly of said outer member, the first and second members being independently relatively rotatable to the third member.

10. A display device according to Claim 9 and comprising a further surface carrying further indicia, the third member being stationary relative to the further surface.

11. A display device substantially as herein described with reference to Figs 1 and 2, Fig.3, Fig.4, Fig.5 or Fig.6 of the accompanying drawing.

12. A method of transposing chords employing a display device as claimed in any preceding claim.