Music – Instruments
Patent
1986-07-17
1989-01-03
Witkowski, Stanley J.
Music
Instruments
84 11, 84 124, 84 127, 84478, 84DIG30, 340712, 338 69, 362 86, G09B 1504, G10H 1055, G10H 146
Patent
active
047948388
ABSTRACT:
A real-time polyphonic pitch controller and process for controlling notes or tones emanating from signal synthesizers such as used in the performance of music. The controller comprises a body with key controllers, each of which activates a pre-programmed note; a strumming controller which automatically activates selected key controlled notes in a pre-programmed sequence and rate; and controls and displays used for programming and performance. Extending longitudinally from the body is a guitar-like neck graduated by fret markings and over which slides a hand controller incorporating finger levers. Sliding the hand controller creates portamento, vibrato or glissando effects on the notes activated by the key controllers. Also, each finger lever of the hand controller when depressed raises and/or lowers its own peculiar, pre-programmed combination of individually voiced notes by pre-programmed amounts. Some note pitches may be raised, others lowered, and still others unaffected by the movement of a lever, and the finger levers may be operated separately or in combination. When only partially depressed, a lever alters the pitch of the pre-selected combination of individually voiced notes fractionally, in porportion to the lever's depression. The controllers may further operate in conjunction with a computer program which interprets and processes the controller's pitch altering signals and teaches the musician how to perform on the instrument expressively. In an alternative embodiment, the controller incorporates a sliding fretted hand controller with finger pads rather than levers.
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