Abstract: An accompaniment data generating apparatus has a storing portion 15 for storing sets of phrase waveform data each related to a chord identified on the basis of a combination of chord type and chord root, and a CPU 9. The CPU 9 carries out a chord information obtaining process for obtaining chord information by which a chord type and a chord root are identified, and a chord note waveform data generating process for generating phrase waveform data indicative of chord notes of the chord root and the chord type identified by the obtained chord information in accordance with the obtained chord information by use of the sets of phrase waveform data stored in the storing portion 15, and outputting the generated data as accompaniment data.

Abstract: In a computer system having at least one output device, a set of media programs is accessed. A playlist first portion including a first plurality of the media programs of the set is created. The programs of the first portion are arranged with respect to one another according to a respective first characteristic value of each of the programs of the first portion.

Abstract: Game systems according to various embodiments are adapted to allow users to assemble an instrument performance for a particular song by: (1) displaying a music loop pallet that includes a plurality of different music loops that each contain music played by a particular musical instrument (e.g., guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc.); and (2) allowing a user to assemble the instrument performance by indicating (a) which of the plurality of music loops will be included in the instrument performance, and (b) in which order the music loops will be played during the instrument performance. In certain embodiments, the system is configured to allow a user to create songs that comprise a plurality of instruments and genres of music into one complete song.

Abstract: An accompaniment data generating apparatus has a phrase waveform data storing portion for storing sets of phrase waveform data each indicative of a phrase of accompaniment tones preformed at a reference tempo and each corresponding to a different reference note. The accompaniment data generating apparatus obtains a reproduction tempo, obtains the first reference note, selects a set of phrase waveform data corresponding to the second reference note whose tone pitch is different from a tone pitch of the first reference note, and reads out the selected phrase waveform data set at a speed by which the tone pitch of the second reference note of the selected phrase waveform data set agrees with the tone pitch of the first reference note of a case where a set of phrase waveform data corresponding to the first reference note is reproduced at the reference note.

Abstract: A music composition automation system includes logic to assign metadata to an audio recording to divide a melody in the recording into sections, and to identify song form section types for the sections. In addition, logic to associate audio accompaniment with the sections based on the identified section types can be based on a style library, that is arranged to provide data executable by a data processing system to generate musical phrases associated with respective styles. Musical phrases in the style library include metadata specifying characteristics of the phrase according to song form section type.

Abstract: A method for providing multi-region instrument support in an audio player is described. A set of user defined instruments and a set of MIDI data is received. At least one multi-region instrument in the set of user defined instruments is identified. Each region in the multi-region instruments is mapped to a single region instrument with the same parameters as the region. A new instrument number is assigned to each single region instrument. The MIDI data is modified based on the mapping and assigning.

Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.

Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a user selection of a musical piece; providing performance cues to a user to perform musical events on a musical instrument, wherein the performance cues are synchronized to expert performance data of the musical piece; receiving audio data corresponding to musical events performed by the user on the musical instrument; detecting fundamental frequencies associated with the user-performed musical events; determining an extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; providing real-time or near real-time audio feedback and/or visual feedback indicating the extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; and using the expert performance data as real-time or near real-time audio and/or video feedback by controlling an output level of the expert performance data output to the user during a session.

Abstract: Melody and accompaniment audio signals are received and processed to identify one or more harmony notes and a harmony signal is produced based on the one or more harmony notes. Typically the melody note is identified and a spectrum of the accompaniment audio signal and is obtained, and one or more harmony notes are identified based on the melody note and the accompaniment spectrum. The melody, and accompaniment signals can be processed in real-time for combination with the harmony signal in an audio performance. In some examples, audio signals are processed and harmonies generated for subsequent performance based on, for example, MIDI files generated from the audio signals.

Abstract: A system is disclosed and includes a network interface to receive a first Internet Protocol (IP) message within a first Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call over a network, where the first IP message carries a first Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signal. The system also includes a processor to receive the first IP message from the network interface and to extract the first MIDI signal from the first IP message.

Abstract: A music sound generation apparatus generates music-sound data based on sound source data, and outputs the music-sound data in synchronization with audio data obtained separately from the music-sound data. A channel assigner assigns a predetermined number of channels to the audio data and the music-sound data. A read control unit reads the audio data and the music-sound data in accordance with their assigned channels. A signal processing unit generates predetermined music by controlling the sound level of the read audio data and the read music-sound data on each assigned channel and mixing the audio data and the music-sound data. When detecting no unoccupied channel, the channel assigner determines, as an unoccupied channel, a channel selected from channels excluding the channel to which the audio data has been assigned. The signal processing unit performs sound elimination on the unoccupied channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a musical composition comprising an audio interface, and audio converter module, and a multi-track compositor module is disclosed. The audio interface operably receives audio from an audio input device and outputting audio to an audio output device. The audio converter module is operably connected to the audio interface to convert audio received via the audio interface into an audio track having one or more partitions. The multi-track compositor module is configured to receive a first audio track and a second audio track and automatically score each partition of the first and second audio tracks based on one or more criteria. The multi-track compositor module is then configured to construct a third audio track from the partitions of the first and second audio tracks based on the scores for each partition. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-media entertainment device enabling a user to control sound/audio elements of a music or sound program while video is displayed and which is correlated to the played sound elements. The user interacts with triggers such as laser beams that can be interrupted by a player's fingers to play music. The video track is displayed, and the user controls the audio play of the sound track by interrupting the beams, each beam associated with a different instrument. This allows the user to play the multimedia device along with a displayed video performance, in synchronization with one or more musicians displayed on a display. The user's play may be scored as a function of the user's accuracy of engaging the triggers. For instance, a user can strum a trigger associated with a guitar program in unison with a guitarist on the display. The music created by the user interacting with multiple triggers is sympathetic and always synchronized to the video performance.

Abstract: The teachings described herein are generally directed to a system, method, and apparatus for learning music through an educational audio track embodied on a computer readable medium. The system can comprise components including a processor, an input device, a database, a transformation module, an emulation recording module, an integration engine, an output module, and an output device, wherein each component is operable in itself to perform it's function in the system and operable with other system components to provide a system to a user for learning music.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing audio comprising a first interface and a harmonizing module is disclosed. The first interface receive a first audio segment from a first source. The harmonizing module is coupled to the first interface. The harmonizing module is configured to identify at least one musical property of the first audio segment; calculate a subset of notes that are harmonious with the first audio segment based on the at least one musical property; and select from the subset of notes to generate an audio track to be played substantially synchronously with the first audio segment. A second interface may also be provided to receive a second audio segment from a second source. In this case, the harmonizing module may be configured to generate the audio track by transforming one or more notes of the second audio segment. A method is also provided.

Abstract: CPU 21 decides a current melody tone CM relating to a key depressed at a the leading position of a current beat and a previous melody tone PM relating to a key depressed at the leading position of a beat coming directly before the current beat, based on time information, in particular, beat information, controlling progress of automatic accompanying data in operation in a melody sequence progressing in response to manipulation of a keyboard 11. Further, CPU 21 performs a chord name deciding process to decide a current chord name, based on the decided current melody tone, previous melody tone, and a previous chord name PreCH, or a chord name at the previous beat. When deciding a melody tone, CPU 21 decides the current melody tone CM and the previous melody tone PM based on what number the current beat is in a measure.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing terminal that specifies emotions from a voice and audio outputs music suitable for the specified emotions to enable the emotions of a loudspeaker who uttered the voice to be recognized readily. In an information processing terminal according to the present invention, an emotion inferring unit 23 detects, from sound information, at least two emotions of an utterer who uttered a voice included in the sound information, and a music data generating unit 24 synthesizes music data, stored in a music parts database 242 and corresponding to the emotions detected by the emotion inferring unit 23, and a controller 22 reproduces the music data generated by the music data generating unit 24.

Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying audio data are provided. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes receiving audio data and displaying a composite image representing the audio data. The composite image combines a first representation and a distinct second representation of the audio data. Each representation is visible in the composite image and the representations appear in the composite image as if laid one over the other.

Abstract: A digital piano having a dock for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The digital piano includes a keyboard having a number of keys and at least one speaker. A sound engine is operative to make audio signal in response to key presses on the plurality of keys of the keyboard. The sound engine includes an audio output to transmit the audio signal. A dock is configured and arranged to connect to a handheld computing device. The handheld computing device has an audio port and a music program running thereon operative to play musical accompaniment to the pianist. A summing circuit is provided that has an input electrically connected to the audio port of the handheld computing device and audio output of the sound engine and an output electrically connected to the at least one speaker.

Abstract: A personal music mixing system with an embodiment providing beats and vocals configured using a web browser and musical compositions generated from said beats and vocals. Said embodiment provides a plurality of beats and vocals that a user may suitably mix to create a new musical composition and make such composition available for future playback by the user or by others. In some embodiments, the user advantageously may hear a sample musical composition having beats and vocals with particular user-configured parameter settings and may adjust said settings until the user deems the musical composition complete.

Abstract: There is provided a music accompaniment apparatus that is connected to at least one external device to reproduce an audio or video signal, the music accompaniment apparatus including: an audio input section for inputting an external audio signal; an audio signal processing section for processing an audio signal including an accompaniment signal internally provided and an external audio signal input through the audio input section, and externally outputting the processed audio signal; a video signal processing section for processing a video signal including a caption signal, and externally outputting the processed video signal; a time delay calculating section for calculating the difference between a transmission time of a check signal to the at least one external device and a reception time of the check signal from the at least one external device to compute a time delay representing a delay of the audio or video signal for the at least one external device; and a control section for controlling the whole oper

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for selection of visually displayed audio data are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided. Original audio data is displayed in a plurality of visual forms. A first input is received selecting a region within a first visual representation of the original audio data. A second input is received selecting a region within a second visual representation of the original audio data. Audio components from the selected regions are isolated to provide isolated audio data. The isolated audio data corresponds to audio data common to both user selected regions. The isolated audio data is edited and then missed into the original audio data.

Abstract: A music reproducing system includes a musical instrument for reproducing a music tune on the basis of the MIDI music data, a sound reproducer for reproducing a music tune and/or narration from audio data codes and a server computer for distributing programs, MIDI files and audio files to the musical instrument and sound reproducer, and a program contains plural music tunes and narration; while a program is being reproduced in collaboration between the musical instrument and the sound reproducer, the audio data codes are converted to an audio signal expressing the narration through the sound reproducer, and the music tunes are reproduced on the basis of the MIDI files through the musical instrument; and the duration data codes of audio file are supplied to the musical instrument so as to make the musical instrument and the sound reproducer synchronized with each other.

Abstract: A playback apparatus is provided that includes an operation plane, a detection unit to detect which of contact relationship including first contact relationship, second contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the first contact relationship and third contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the second contact relationship the operation plane and an operation object have, a creation unit to create a list screen of content data for selecting content data based on movement of the operation object with respect to the operation plane in the first contact relationship, a playback unit to play back content data, and a playback control unit to cause the playback unit to play back content data selected on the list screen when becoming the second contact relationship from the first contact relationship if contact relationship becomes the third contact relationship from the second contact relationship.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a percussion assembly comprising a multitude of percussion instruments, means for playing said percussion instruments and input means for inputting a tone pitch selection for the purpose of producing a tone pitch selection signal. The percussion assembly further comprises sensor means for producing a synchronization signal when at least one of said percussion instruments is being played. The percussion assembly furthermore comprises control means for receiving the tone pitch selection signal and the synchronization signal and for producing an audio signal dependent on the tone pitch selection signal synchronously with the synchronization signal. The invention further relates to drumsticks and to input means for use with a percussion assembly as described in the foregoing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating the sound of a specific percussion instrument. A first stored waveform representative of the impulse response of the specific percussion instrument is convolved with a second waveform representing of the vibrations produced when a playing surface is struck, scraped or rubbed by a hand-held implement manipulated by a human player. A control interface produces a control signal indicative of a desired audio effect, and a signal processor modifies the spectral components of the output waveform produced by the convolution in response to the control signal to produce a modified output waveform that manifests the desired audio effect.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing terminal that specifies emotions from a voice and audio outputs music suitable for the specified emotions to enable the emotions of a loudspeaker who uttered the voice to be recognized readily. In an information processing terminal according to the present invention, an emotion inferring unit 23 detects, from sound information, at least two emotions of an utterer who uttered a voice included in the sound information, and a music data generating unit 24 synthesizes music data, stored in a music parts database 242 and corresponding to the emotions detected by the emotion inferring unit 23, and a controller 22 reproduces the music data generated by the music data generating unit 24.

Abstract: An ensemble system enabling even performer unskilled in playing a musical instrument to easily grasp the difference in tempo from the performance of the facilitator. The circle corresponding to the performance terminal “Facilitator” is indicated fixedly on the center line of the vertical lines. The circle corresponding to the performance terminal (for example, piano (1)) of each user moves horizontally correspondingly to the difference from the performance terminal “Facilitator”. If the press of a key of performance terminal lags behind that of the performance terminal “Facilitator” by one bar, the circle moves left onto the vertical line next to the vertical center line. If the press of a key of the performance terminal lags behind that of the performance terminal “Facilitator” by half the bar (two beats), the circle moves left by half the interval between the vertical lines from the vertical center line.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a personalized entertainment experience that is customized for each user. The history of user control actions (such as “forward” and “back”) associated with each played composition are captured as positive or negative user feedback about each composition. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user by utilizing the prior history of user control actions. The personalized sequence automatically adapts to changing user feedback over time. The user's collection of compositions is automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence. Additional compositions and samples, that are new to a user, may be automatically chosen based on the prior user feedback history and may be added to the user's collection when positive user feedback occurs during playback.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating a composed audio output sequence of a prescribed, utilizing a unique marker syntax that provides compatibility with MIDI standards and permits musical integrity preservation during automatic audio output sequence generation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and presenting sensory stimulating content. One aspect of the invention allows a composer to associate content with one or more triggers, and to define behavior characteristics which control the functioning of each trigger. Another aspect of the invention provides a variety of user interfaces through which a performer can cause content to be presented to an audience.

Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.

Abstract: A musical keyboard includes a plurality of white keys and black keys. As a number of keys are depressed simultaneously, a pattern of the depressed keys is judged as categorized in a number of predetermined patterns of depressed keys in view of the white keys and the black keys based on the input note data acquired from the depressed keys. A plurality of types of harmonization are predetermined, from among which a type of harmonization is determined. According to the determined type of harmonization, the input note data representing the notes of the depressed keys are adjusted so that inadequate notes included in the input notes are changed to adequate notes to constitute a chord as permitted by the type of harmonization in view of musical grammar. An unskilled player can play music incorporating improvisation which would need higher musical skill, as the inadvertently erroneous depression of the keys is rectified in the note data processing.

Abstract: The present invention is method and apparatus for assistive music performance. More specifically, the present invention is an interactive wireless music apparatus comprising actuating an event originating on a remote wireless device. The transmitted event received by a processing host computer implements the proper handling of the event.

Abstract: A programmable system for integrating signals in a musical instrument including a programmable device that is configured to create re-callable scenes, where the scenes are representations of audio signals generated by signal devices. The programmable system also includes a plurality of input/output modules to couple the signal devices and the musical instrument to the programmable device. Also included in the programmable system is a memory to store the scenes and a switch to change the combination of audio signals that go in and out of the signal path of the musical instrument by switching scenes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating audio data automatically and a personal terminal and a recorded medium using the same. Disclosed method comprises the steps of: (a) detecting pitch of inputted sound source; (b) generating a unit tone data using detected pith variation information; (c) generating an interval code using ratio information of unit tones included in the unit tone data; (d) generating a harmony code based on the generated interval code; (e) generating an accompaniment template using the harmony code and pre-stored accompaniment related template; and (f) generating an audio data where main melody of the inputted sound source and the accompaniment data are merged. Users can generate polyphonic ringtone sound automatically through a personal terminal itself without downloading.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for providing very high quality audio playback using all-digital wireless paths from a source to speaker transducers and/or headphones located anywhere within a distance allowed by the FCC. Each speaker has a separate digital amplifier dedicated to each transducer within it (e.g. woofer, tweeter). The present invention also discloses a system that provides a data link capable of sending an all-digital, full-bandwidth, signal from the original digital source material to each separate transducer in the system without using sound degrading lossy data compression. This system is designed to read, broadcast, and reproduce with accurate audio loudspeaker time-alignment (<100 uS) and low overall latency (less than 7 milliseconds) all popular audio formats in full-bandwidth and without data compression in the effort to maintain the integrity of the entire audio signal, wherein the audio signal may include an accompaniment to a player piano.

Abstract: A central processing unit (CPU) for an MP3 player and a karaoke system makes it possible to reduce the size of the MP3 and the karaoke system by integrally building various kinds of storage units in a DSP and an RISC processor for executing control commands and generating control signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music and/or sound; such that each time a composition is played back, a different sound sequence may be generated. In one embodiment, during composition creation, artist(s) may define how the composition may vary from playback to playback using visually interactive display(s). The artist's definition may be embedded into a composition dataset. During playback, a composition data set may be processed by a playback device and/or a playback program, so that each time the composition is played-back a unique version may be generated. Variability during playback may include: the variable selection of alternative sound segment(s); variable editing of sound segment(s) during playback processing; variable placement of sound segment(s) during playback processing; the spawning of group(s) of alternative sound segments from initiating sound segment(s); and the combining and/or mixing of alternative sound segments in one or more sound channels.

Abstract: The present invention is method and apparatus for music performance and composition. More specifically, the present invention is an interactive music apparatus comprising actuating a signal that is transmitted to a processing computer that transmits output signals to a speaker that emits sound and an output component that performs an action. Further, the present invention is also a method of music performance and composition. Additionally, the present invention is an interactive wireless music apparatus comprising actuating an event originating on a remote wireless device. The transmitted event received by a processing host computer implements the proper handling of the event.

Abstract: A system for seamless integration of a handheld device, as a secondary display and input device, to remotely interact with a host device. The host device receives data from a remote location. One or more handheld devices, receive data provided by the host device. Each of the handheld devices includes one or more controllers. Each of the controllers provides control input data to the associated handheld device. The handheld devices each have one or more input modules, such as a microphone, or Wi-Fi port, to receive the control input data as well as one or more output modules, such as a display screen and/or speaker that outputs processed data, such as video and/or audio data. The output data is specific to a particular one of the handheld devices.

Abstract: The reproduction device comprises a decoding section, a threshold calculating section, and a musical data output section. The threshold calculating section calculates an average amplitude level in a predetermined section of an end portion of first musical data generated by the decoding section, and calculates a threshold for detecting a silent portion of the end portion of the first musical data on the basis of the calculated average amplitude level. The musical data output section removes a silent portion between the first musical data and the second musical data and reproduces them so that a position nearest to the end position of the first musical data at an amplitude level which is the threshold or more is a reproduction ending position and so that a position near the leading position of the second musical data at an amplitude level which is the threshold or more is a reproduction starting position.

Abstract: A method for generating an accompaniment for a recorded audio melody includes providing a recorded audio melody that includes segments; performing a frequency analysis of the recorded audio melody; summing the total duration of each fundamental frequency within a segment of the melody; based on the summing, computing a probability for each possible chord for each segment; based on the computed probabilities, selecting a set of chords for the segments; and outputting the set of chords as an accompaniment for the recorded audio melody. Various other methods, devices, systems, etc. are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface are provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.

Abstract: An automatic accompaniment apparatus that enables an external electronic musical instrument connected thereto to exhibit its accompaniment information generating capability to the maximum. Control information for causing an accompaniment information generator of the external electronic musical instrument to generate accompaniment information is generated and transmitted to the accompaniment information generator of the external electronic musical instrument via a control interface that connects to the external electronic musical instrument and performs transmission and reception of information to and from the external electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch.

Abstract: A desktop application and supporting web site for recording voice-over or music sessions is introduced, wherein the production staff and talent may be in separate remote locations. The application includes providing a high quality data format for transferring audiovisual data, recordings and the like, and a lower-quality data format for intercommunicating verbal instructions that relate to, but are not part of, the recording session. The desktop application also provides mechanisms for playing back sound and video for talent's reference during a recording, timing the recording session or individual takes thereof, and calculating payments due based on such timing.

Abstract: An operational information obtaining section of a music reproduction device obtains operational information which corresponds to a user's operation and represents an instruction on an action of a reproduction section for reproducing data of a musical composition. A selection condition calculation section changes, during the musical composition being reproduced by the reproduction section, relative merits of attribute information relating to the data of the musical composition in accordance with details of the operational information obtained by the operational information obtaining section, and then calculates, based on the relative merits of the attribute information, a condition for selecting the data of the musical composition to be reproduced by the reproduction section.