The Guitar Chord Learning System Western Washington University Microcomputer-Based Design Project Calvin A. Sessions

Introduction What is the Guitar Chord Learning System? A solution for teaching basic chord positioning techniques utilizing a guitar fretboard embedded with LEDs.

Chord Progression sequence of a song is transferred to GCLC from a Computer terminal Program Once sequence is loaded, User controls LED Fretboard display with a Foot Pedal Input

Function Example CHANNEL 1: Am C G The LED fretboard lights with respect to stored chord progression The LCD displays PRESENT CHORD PRESENT CHANNEL NEXT CHORDS IN PROGRESSION

Hardware Overview GCLS Hardware involved includes: GCLS Unit: Microcontroller - MC9S12DP256B LCD module RS232 Serial Interface Foot Pedal – Chord Progression Controller Embedded LED Fretboard

GCLS UNIT Portable unit that controls and interfaces all Peripheral Devices Houses LCD Module and RS232 Serial Connector

Foot Pedal Simple Active-High Switch Circuitry w/ pull up resistors on Input Lines LEDs connected Active Low

Embedded LED Fretboard 6 x 4 – 24 LED Array Driven by MAX7221 LED Driver utilizing the SPI

Hardware Functionality Demonstration & Complete Schematic