Abstract: A musical tone control system for a grand-type piano, which not only enables a shutter to be mounted on a hammer without any inconvenience even when a space above the hammer is small, but also is capable of properly controlling musical tones to be sounded. In this system, first to third optical sensors are disposed along the length of a hammer shank. Depression or non-depress of a key and a pivoting direction of an associated hammer are determined based on signals from the first and second optical sensors, respectively. Further, the pivoting speed of the hammer is calculated based on a signal from the third optical sensor. A musical tone to be sounded is controlled based on the determined depression or non-depression of the key and pivoting direction and the calculated speed of the hammer.

Abstract: A musical tone control system for a grand-type piano, which not only enables a shutter to be mounted on a hammer without any inconvenience even when a space above the hammer is small, but also is capable of properly controlling musical tones to be sounded. In this system, first to third optical sensors are disposed along the length of a hammer shank. Depression or non-depress of a key and a pivoting direction of an associated hammer are determined based on signals from the first and second optical sensors, respectively. Further, the pivoting speed of the hammer is calculated based on a signal from the third optical sensor. A musical tone to be sounded is controlled based on the determined depression or non-depression of the key and pivoting direction and the calculated speed of the hammer.

Abstract: When the performance by a piano part is automatically provided based on musical performance information so as to provide an ensemble performance with an automatic performance part by an electronic tone generator, a processing path for the automatic performance part on the side of the electronic tone generator includes a DSP to provided delayed output in the musical tone data so as to conform to a sound production timing of the piano part side.

Abstract: When the performance by a piano part is automatically provided based on musical performance information so as to provide an ensemble performance with an automatic performance part by an electronic tone generator, a processing path for the automatic performance part on the side of the electronic tone generator includes a DSP to provided delayed output in the musical tone data so as to conform to a sound production timing of the piano part side.

Abstract: In a grand piano having an electronic sound source performance mode, a damper unit for stopping the movement of the hammer shanks in response to depression of the keys is provided. The damper unit has a relatively wide stop rail for halting the motion of the hammer shanks. Both ends of a support plate connected to the stop rail are pivotally supported by a pair of support mechanisms for pivotal motion in the longitudinal direction of the stop rail. In one of the pair of support mechanisms, a coil spring for urging the stop rail toward the support mechanism is provided. The stop rail is pulled toward the other support mechanism by an externally operated wire. Without changing the direction of the contact face of the stop rail for abutting on the hammer shank, the stop rail can be moved vertically between a stop position and a retracted position. In grand pianos, which have only a limited amount of available space above the hammer shank, the stop rail can be broadened.

Abstract: In a piano mechanism, the sound volume can be effectively controlled without changing the feel of the key or tone quality. A hammer regulating button projecting from a hammer rail contacts the upper face of a catcher just before a hammer strikes a string. By restricting the string striking movement, the volume of string striking sound is controlled, irrespective of the mechanical operation of a jack or other associated transmitting components responsive to the key depressing. No cushioning material is required between hammer and string. In a piano having an electronic sound source built therein, even when the keys are depressed, the hammer can be stopped from striking strings by the provision of a hammer shank stop rail and a catcher regulating button. Therefore, without generating a string striking sound, sounds are generated from the electronic sound source. By manually turning an adjusting screw of the catcher regulating button, the position of the hammer when stopped can be adjusted.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for an automatic piano player apparatus is provided. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of switches which are operatively associated with a rotatable shutter in the hammer system of the automatic piano player. When the hammer system is operated to strike a string of the piano, the cooperation between the rotatable shutter and the switches produces output information which includes the string-striking intensity information and the state of condition information of the damper that is normally in contact with the piano string. With this information, the various play techniques such as staccato, legato, continuous key-striking and the like may be reproduced with great fidelity by the automatic piano player apparatus.