Speed of Execution

The LCD is connected to the PIC32 in a serial configuration. This causes the screen to update at a noticeably slow rate. The screen takes 18.50 seconds to write 10 times (1.850 seconds per write). For “Hot Cross Buns” this is acceptable but for other songs this might not be the case. The notes are played from the speakers at a rate that appears instantaneous to humans.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the finger position was one of the biggest drawbacks of our design. We found it difficult to get a good threshold for “pressed” vs “non-pressed”. Some fingers would register a press at the slightest movement others needed to be bent much more. We resized resistors which eliminated the problem to some extent. After testing we estimate that the right note was played about 80% of the time. If the right note was not played it was normally fixed by slightly bending the correct fingers more.

Safety

There were no dangerous components to this project. All parts were supplied with 3.3V.

Interference

No part of this system interferes with other projects. It does produce sound which might be irritating but that should not impact other designs unless they are sensitive to sound.

Usability

This system can be used by anyone who can play a standard alto saxophone.