Research->Music Instrument->Interesting Instruments->Celestial Harp (Celestual Harp)
Celestial harp is a musical instrument with strings on a disk. The strings arranged radially increase in semitone steps toward the right. The player rotates the disk to play strings. By placing a sheet on the disk that shows the order of the melody, it is possible for people who cannot read the musical score to play a tune.  People can play a song by following the arrows and playing the notes in numerical order. Small black circles indicate eighth notes, large black circles indicate quarter notes, and white circles indicate half notes. The figure showing the order of performance is called a constellation score because it looks like a constellation. Because the constellation score is used, this instrument is called "celestial harp” in English. It is spelled Celestual Harp which combines celestial and spiritual on exhibitions.
Promotion Video

 

 

On top of the disk, a sheet that shows the playing order of the notes is placed.
Player rotates instruments instead of moving his hand to the target string.
Exhibition

 

This is the exhibition at hostel. Even though the first girl played haphazardly,  the next girl was able to play the "The Other Day, I Met a Bear" without explanation.
Summary

 

The instrument disposed radially strings on the disc.
Position of the finger playing the string is not moved as much as possible, instead, disc is rotated.
On top of the disk, a sheet that shows the playing order of the notes is placed like Hermann harp, so that people who are not able to read musical score can play music.

   

The strings are arranged so as to semitone increments with a clockwise direction.
Constellation score

 

Since drawn shapes in circles and lines looks like a constellation, it is named the constellation score. By following constellation score, you flick the strings, then you are able to play a tune.
While turning the disk in accordance with guide of the arrow, play the specified note with black circle or open circle.
Large black circles represent quarter notes. Small black circles represent eighth notes. Large white circles represent whole notes. Small white circles represent half notes. Double circle shows a dotted note.
Video projection

 

A sensor that takes a rotation is attached so that to move the image that matches to the rotation of the instrument.
Winning at the 9th Japanese nationwide handmade instrument Idea Contest

 

Since the two winners were chosen, prize ¥500,000 was divided into two.
It has been registered as Patent Office Utility model 3188244.
Exhibition and demonstration records
Prototype Model
2012/12/02 Kyoto city ZEST Oike Demonstration performance
2013/01/13 Ohsaka〔FINNEGANS WAKE〕video Demonstration performance
2013/01/19 Ohsaka〔FINNEGANS WAKE video  Demonstration performance
2013/08/10 YCAM Maker Fare Demonstration performance
2013/08/11 YCAM Maker Fare Demonstration performance  video
2013/08/15 Nara Ohuda summer festival Music performance
2013/08/24 Kyoto summer festa at Nishi-Honganjivideo  Demonstration performance video video
The First Model
2013/10/05 Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel Exhibition and Demonstration with video projection video video video
2013/11/03 Kyoto Great Luck Festival Demonstration performance video
2013/11/24 Kyoto Nishikyogoku Stadium Soccer Sanga day l Demonstration performance video video
2014/01/18 the 9th Japanese nationwide handmade instrument Idea Contest Chairman's Award (Top prize)

(Reported by Kanagawa Shinbun (newspaper), local FM, Kanagawa TV, music magazine, yahoo news)

2014/3/2 Kyoto Sakyo Expo Exhibition and Demonstration video
2014/3/8 Kyoto Umekouji park opening ceremony Exhibition and Demonstration video video
2014/6/12 Kyoto Orange Cafe Kamigyo Demonstration performance
2014/6/19 Kyoto Nishijin central elementary school Demonstration performance video
2014/8/24 Yomiuri TV "Ohsaka honwaka TV" Demonstration performance
Application text
Brief description of the instrument (100 words max).
Celestial harp is a musical instrument with strings on a disk. The strings arranged radially increase in semitone steps. The player rotates the disk to play strings. By placing a sheet on the disk that shows the order of the melody, it is possible for people who cannot read the musical score to play a tune. People play a song by following the arrows and playing the notes in numerical order.

The figure showing the order of performance is called a constellation score because it looks like a constellation and, this instrument is called "Celestual (Celestial) harp”.
 
the judges the most unique musical features

By placing a diagram sheet on top of the disk that shows the playing order of the notes, even people who may not be able to read musical scores can play tunes easily. It can be used as part of music therapy in recreational facilities for the elderly.
By following the diagram, the player flicks the strings, then the player can play a tune.
By attaching the sensor to determine the rotation angle, a mechanism that can change the image of the projector can be installed. It is possible to project images that are relevant to the music.
 
 the most unique engineering features.(100 words max)

A sensor is used to detect the rotation angle. I made an original software that changes the video according to the rotation by computer processing. With the newest version, the short-focus projector allows me to project from underneath the disc. (The projector in the promotion video was put outside the instrument and projected from above.) Even the score can be projected.
The PC, projector, and battery are located under the disc and placed on a rotating table connected to the disc. It is possible to include all the mechanisms in the instrument.
 

the most unique design features (100 words max)

A rare circular instrument with strings arranged in a radial pattern.
The feature is to rotate the instrument and play it.
When used for recreation of the elderly, the instructor sits in front of the experiencer.
If it is difficult for the experiencer to follow the notes, the instructor will rotate the disc so that the strings to be hit are in front.
Even elderly people can easily play.
The length of the notes is also shown in the figure, but if the person knows the song, the person can play it without referring to it.



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