ELJA -
Electric-stringed Jazz Pedagogy
Jazz improvisation can be a very complicated or a very simple concept depending
on your method to learning and interacting. Some people are auditory
learners; some visual or otherwise. This orientation directly affects the
method of learning jazz improvisation. This project allows the user to
bridge the gap between improvisation conceptualization and the physical stringed
instrument. By allowing the instrument to physically show the
improvisational concepts, the difficulty in connecting the mental to the
physical interface is reduced. This project allows the immediate utility
of beginner and intermediate improvisation concepts such as chord/scale relation
and common tones; however, future expansion also lends itself to the generation
and analysis of more advanced concepts such as motifs and "what you didn't play
instead of what you did play."
An electric bass outfitted with LEDs in the neck that are controlled by your
computer. The user enters into a computer program the tempo, form, and
chords of a jazz tune (or selects a predefined one). The program then
calculates the appropriate chord/scales for the tune and allows the user to make
any desired corrections. When the user agrees on what I call the
"improvisation map" the program counts off the tempo and starts the song.
One color LED shows the scale for each chord, while another is user-programmable
to functions such as highlighting certain notes such as 3rds and 7ths or to show
common tones with the next chord.
The music that the user plays is sent back to the computer to be recorded for
playback and analyzed . Using typical jazz improvisation techniques, the
computer analyzes the music and display information to the user such as "right"
and "wrong" notes, notes that the user plays too much or little, approximate
calculation of the user's 'style' (i.e. bebop blues vs. straightforward 12 bar
blues) , or suggestions of artists to listen to based on the user's 'style.'
The possible uses of the feedback element to the computer are unbounded.
Under Construction!!!!!!
Current Progress
Ordering LEDs and ICs. Researching the usage of the parallel
port. I'm way behind on my summer progress. I'll be
busting my butt at the end to get this phase done.
There is a lot more to say, but I'll update it later. For now,
take a look at a few pictures.
A prototype using a basic stamp. That totally didn't work.
I wish that radioshack didn't have a local monopoly on electronic
parts. They are expensive.
Before
During
After
I'll be tapping into the jack to get the audio to digitize and
analyze.
Ahh... the planning stages. Fun.
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