For people who have ever tried to play a stringed instrument, learning proper finger placement techniques can be a frustrating chore. Now, thanks to help received from the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), a Louisiana entrepreneur has finalized a prototype of a computerized violin that will help students overcome this challenge and speed up the learning process.

Jesse Newcomer, a music teacher and founder/president of Visual Strings Co. in Alexandria, La., used the Texas branch of the SATOP, managed by the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation (CLAEDF), to finalize components of the “Eyecon Stringed Instrument.” This computerized device consists of a regular violin equipped with a special fingerboard that is connected to a personal computer. When the student depresses a string on the violin, the computer monitor displays the student’s position, as well as the proper finger placement, bow speed and pressure. As a result, the monitor helps guide the student to proper technique and position. Furthermore, the violin’s sound is linked to the computer’s speakers, thereby eliminating the need to tune the instrument prior to the lesson.

But, Newcomer, who had been working on the prototype and accompanying software for five years, needed help fine-tuning three components of the “Eyecon Stringed Instrument.” First, he needed to replace the exposed nichrome wiring on the fingerboard with sealed-touch sensors capable of retrieving multiple bits of information from the violin and the student. Second, he needed to miniaturize the circuit board to fit inside the body cavity of the specialty shaped violin. Third, he needed to devise a string/bow pressure sensor, as well as obtain professional-looking connectors and fittings for all of the various wiring hook-ups and mechanical joints.
Two partner companies within the SATOP came to Newcomer’s rescue – Lockheed Martin Space Operations and United Space Alliance (USA).

Lockheed Martin researched several options for the needed sealed-touch sensors and ultimately recommended the use of resistive rubber. The company uses resistive rubber on the gloves that operators wear in the robotics laboratory. Newcomer ended up using a similar resistive rubber on the bow, rather than for the sensors on the actual fingerboard.

For the two remaining needs, an engineer with USA conducted a thorough brainstorming process with Newcomer to outline all of the requirements needed to make the violin operate to his satisfaction. With these narrowly defined requirements, USA researched the needed products and provided the information to Newcomer to finalize the prototype.

“We attacked Mr. Newcomer’s challenge using NASA’s developed approach to problem-solving,” said Tom Smithgall, chief engineer, space shuttle cockpit avionics upgrades for USA. “This intense and thorough brainstorming approach allowed us to clearly identify, group and prioritize the challenges in order to better search for solutions. Without this approach, Mr. Newcomer would have incurred additional time and labor costs by trying to solve one challenge at a time.”

The expertise provided by SATOP helped Newcomer speed up development of the Eyecon Stringed Instrument prototype by two years. The prototype was officially unveiled in January 2002 at the National Association of Musical Manufacturers convention in California. Newcomer is now looking for partners to help in manufacturing the device. He has also received patents for similar devices on other stringed instruments, such as violas, cellos, guitars and bases.

While it is still in its infancy stage, Newcomer believes this computerized violin will one day transform the teaching process. He envisions students taking violin lessons over the Internet. As the system develops, it could be adapted for distance-learning, making stringed-instrument lessons available via computer to remotely located schools with only one or two music students. Other future possibilities include master teachers conducting lessons via computer, as well as students playing a selection, e-mailing the information to a computer bank and receiving helpful suggestions on how to improve technique.

“The Eyecon violin is designed as a unique educational tool to help students all over the world learn to play stringed instruments more quickly and accurately,” said Cathy Kramer, executive director for the SATOP in Texas. “Thanks to Mr. Newcomer’s innovative idea and help received from the SATOP, we are one step closer to making this dream come true.”