This electronic musical instrument has an extremely simple user-interface
that can be played with only three fingers, one at a time. A user selects
from among a small set of chords, and chooses a music-ending. This
enables novices to extemporaneously produce good, simple rhythm-guitar
and rhythm-banjo music to accompany singing. Strummed-guitar,
finger-picked guitar, and finger-picked banjo music is composed by
replaying pre-recorded elemental chording-phrases and music-ending
phrases. The chording selectors also provide limited notes between
strummed chords for embellishment. Optional music-endings automatically
match the selected voice, key, beat, tempo and volume, nearly precluding
musical errors. Common musical keys and chord types are provided to
accommodate all voice ranges, and the majority of songs common to the
western world. Persons capable of singing on tune can play this
instrument after a brief familiarization without any practice, playing
guide, or prior musical education.