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 with embedded 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
Using the GCLS
 Step 1:
Establish all GCLS
device connections.
Connect serial output
to PC.
Using the GCLS
 Step 2:
Open a terminal emulator, such as Hyper
Terminal. Power GCLS Unit.

The Terminal Program Startup Menu will appear

Using the GCLS
 Step 3:
Selections 1 – 3 allow the user to view and edit
each GCLS Channel containing Chord Progression
Sequences. To Edit a Channel, press ‘Y’ or ‘y’
Using the GCLS
 Step 4:
The GCLS allows the user to enter up to 100 chords per
Channel.

 All basic chords, shown in the GCLS Description and

Specifications document, can be entered.
Using the GCLS
 Step 5:
When all chords are entered, the Terminal Program
returns to the View Channel Prompt
Using the GCLS
 Step 6:
Press ‘N’ or ‘n’ to return to the Terminal Program Startup Menu.

You now have the options of editing the other channels, erasing Chord
Sequence Channel Content, or terminating the program.
Using the GCLS
Once you have successfully programmed the GCLS
Unit, Each channel selection can is governed by the
3 Metal Push Button Switches on the GCLS Foot pedal.

The Large Pedal single steps through each Chord

Using the GCLS
.GCLS Unit LCD Chord Sequence Display:
Using the GCLS
.Embedded LED Fretboard Display:
Using the GCLS

ROCK ON!