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.