Month: October 2026

Model Updates:
Models both have results on songs, best for predictive is 59% and best for generation is 77.8%.

Risks are that 80% isnt reachable, so we either decide on changing target, or accept a lower threshold as more reasonable given typically playing habits.

Generation quality hasnt been tested either, just the next note prediction, so this has to be done manually by testers

Jai: Part B:
Culturally, there is an argument about not having generative AI inside of the arts. Just because generative tools like Suno already exist doesn’t mean making more is acceptable. However this is meant to be a tool which has human input which leads the song, rather than creating something purely for commercial gain, taking the human out of the music. The goal is for someone to play the guitar and be able to get a fuller experience as if they were in a band. It does not replace the band, and it doesn’t lead the experience. Rather is accentuates a guitar player’s own capabilities via the accompaniments.

MIDI Guitar Hardware Update

Donor guitar

• Fender Squier Telecaster (25.5″ scale, 21 frets)
• Chosen for its bolt-on neck, roomy control cavity, and low cost
• An initial check showed 18″ from the nut to fret 21, which matches the theoretical 25.5″ scale layout

Fret sensing plan

• A custom flex PCB overlay sits on the frets, with 126 pads (6 strings × 21 frets)
• Each pad has its own trace, and the grounded string pulls a pad low when pressed
• This lets us detect chords with several strings on the same fret

Measurements we’re collecting for the PCB layout

• Nut-to-fret-crown distances, checked against the calculated fret positions
• Fret crown width, height, and length
• Fretboard width at the nut, fret 12, and fret 21, plus the fretboard radius
• Each string’s lateral position at frets 1, 12, and 21, plus at the nut and saddle
• String gauges and nut-to-saddle distance
• Baseline string action, to plan for the overlay thickness

Pluck and velocity sensing: Roland GK-3

• We selected the Roland GK-3 divided (hexaphonic) pickup, which gives a separate signal for each string
• It mounts without drilling, so the stock bridge stays in place and each string’s ground path is preserved
• It also makes the setup reversible, which suits prototyping
• Our own ADC and firmware will read the six signals for pluck timing and velocity
• Still to confirm: breakout box and cable, mounting position on the Tele, and ADC front end

Next steps

• Finish the measurements and generate the pad layout
• Order a test flex PCB, and prototype the scanning firmware on a bench board first

Trained and tested prediction model
Model Risks:
Next-chord prediction is way under the 80% top-1 target (best: 50.7%). Root-only accuracy is 58%, so the gap is probably mostly label noise, not model weakness.

Robustness to live timing jitter misses our target with a 29% relative accuracy drop vs. a 10% goal. We are considering ordering simultaneous notes deterministically before tokenizing, and training with more jitter variety.

Piezo Pickups:

Looking for a cheaper alternative to make an affordable product.
Piezo circuitry schematic close to completion.