Abstract: In order to allow a player to perform a music without an acoustic sound, a stopper blocks hammer shanks before impacts of hammer heads to strings, and recesses substantially conformal to the hammer shanks are formed in cushion members of the stopper for improving durability of the cushion members.

Abstract: An acoustic piano, an electronic sound producing system and a controlling system form a keyboard instrument for selectively producing acoustic sounds and electronically synthesized sounds, and the controlling system has a catcher stopper for restricting rotations of catchers before hammer heads strike sets of strings in the electronic sound producing mode, thereby giving the unique piano key-touch to a player without mixing noise with the synthesized sounds.

Abstract: A system for expeditiously rejuvenating conventional old keyboard musical instruments to MIDI standards at low cost is disclosed. One or more linear arrays of key actuation sensors and a printed circuit board carry the key actuation sensors for sensing key actuation and expression effects by a musician are mounted above the keyboard of the musical instrument by a rigid mounting bar to convert each key actuation and expression effect of the musician to first coded electrical signals, respectively. Each key actuation sensor incudes a device for individually vertically adjusting the sensor relative to the mounting bar.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument selectively enters into an acoustic sound mode for performing a music with acoustic piano sounds and an electronic sound mode for performing a music with synthetic sounds, and a rotary stopper is provided between hammer shanks and strings for interrupting a rotation of the hammer toward the strings in the electronic sound mode; wherein a cushion is provided on the rotary stopper for damping an impact of a damper leaving from the strings in both acoustic and electronic sound modes so that a player can perform a music without a noise.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument selectively enters into an acoustic sound mode for producing piano tones and into an electronic sound mode for producing synthetic tones, and comprises an acoustic piano, an electronic sound generating system and a mode controlling system, wherein the mode controlling system has a stopper slidable along strings of the acoustic piano so that the strings are struck by or blocked from hammers of the acoustic depending upon the position of the stopper.

Abstract: An acoustic piano is equipped with an electronic sound generating system, and a key bed structure is angularly movable between an acoustic sound mode and an electronic sound mode for changing gaps between hammer heads and sets of strings, thereby allowing a player to perform a music with acoustic sounds or synthesized sounds.

Abstract: A hammer stopper is moved into and outof an orbit of an extension of a hammer shank depending upon an operation mode, and the extension rebounds on the hammer stopper in an electronic sound producing mode between an escape of a jack from a butt and a strike of a hammer head at a set of strings so that a player performs a music through synthesized sounds without sacrifice of the piano key-touch.

Abstract: In order to give piano-like key touch to a player in an electronically sound producing mode, a keyboard incorporated in a musical instrument is linked with key action mechanisms associated with hammer mechanisms, and a stopper blocks the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings so that noises are not mixed with synthesized tones.

Abstract: A candle device comprises a wax body which is urged upwardly by a spring against a thermally-insulating cover. A wick projects through an aperture in the cover, and wires conduct heat from the candle flame to melt wax beneath the cover. A music generator in the form of an integrated circuit and a speaker is triggerable by a sensor to play music while the candle is burning. The sensor may take the form of a temperature-sensitive resistor, a photocell or a bimetallic switch. Other forms utilize a thermally-conducting wire to conduct heat from the candle flame to expand air in a container to operate a mechanical switch. Also disclosed is a time delay switch in the form of a tube of porous material. Water is absorbed along the tube and changes the capacitance between pairs of plates, each pair activating the integrated circuit to play a respective tune.

Abstract: An acoustic keyboard musical instrument such as a piano includes a keyboard, a mechanical musical tone generating mechanism, a fallboard, and an operation panel for an external electronic musical tone generating unit. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys aligned on a musical instrument body. The fallboard is pivotally supported by the musical instrument body and to be closed/opened so as to cover/uncover the keyboard. The musical tone generating unit electrically generates a musical tone signal in response to a key depression on the keyboard under the control of control information which is provided by switches on the operation panel. The operation panel is located at a position opposite to a performer in the inner surface of the fallboard when the fallboard is open so that the performer can operate the operation panel during his performance at the keyboard.

Abstract: An automatic music player system having an ensemble playback mode of operation using a memory disk having recorded thereon a piece of music composed of at least two combined parts to be reproduced separately of each other, the parts being recorded in the form of at least two data subblocks, comprising a first sound generator to mechanically generate sounds when mechanically or electrically actuated, at least one second sound generator to electronically generate sounds when electronically actuated and a control unit connected to the first and second sound generators, wherein (1) one of the two or more data subblocks of the data read from the disk is discriminated from another, whereupon the discriminated one of the data subblocks is transmitted to the first sound generator and another data subblock transmitted to the second sound generator, and wherein (2) the transmission of data to the second sound generator is continuously delayed by a predetermined period of time from the transmission of data to first soun

Abstract: An improved electric stringed instrument which can produce "banjo" sounds. The instrument has a banjo head including a taut flexible membrane mounted on a ring which is mounted on a solid material (preferably wood) body. The ring and body are connected in a conventional manner to a fretted neck extending away from the head. A plurality of strings extend from adjustable securing means at the end of the neck over the flexible membrane to a tailpiece secured to the body. A bridge is positioned between the strings and membrane. One or more recesses in the body below the membrane contain electric pickups. The spaces between the sides and bottoms of the pickups and the adjacent surfaces of the recesses are at least partially filled with resilient foam. The foam beneath the pickups is compressed slightly to keep the upper pickup surface in resilient contact with the membrane.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes: a keyboard; an acoustic musical tone production mechanism for generating an acoustic musical tone; a tone generator for generating an electronic musical tone; a solenoid driver for inhibiting generation of the acoustic musical tone from the acoustic musical tone production mechanism; and an operation panel for designating a musical tone to be inhibited. When a player designates a musical tone to be inhibited via the operation panel in advance and then depresses a key on the keyboard, the generation of the acoustic musical tone is inhibited by means of the solenoid driver.

Abstract: A musical baby bottle comprising a nipple, a liquid container connected to the nipple, a base section fastened to an opening at the bottom of the liquid container, a microchip having musical information fastened to the interior of the base section, a speaker electrically connected to the microchip and fastened to the interior of the base section, a battery electrically connected to the microchip and fastened to the interior of the base section, and a switch electrically connected to the microchip for selectively activating the microchip. The switch comprises a mercury switch fixedly positioned within the base section. The mercury switch is tilted such that the off-position of the switch is closer to the bottom of the base section than is the on-position of the mercury switch. A second mercury switch is positioned within the base section and is angularly offset from the first mercury switch.

Abstract: A musical candle, having a candle provided with a pair of electric conductors along the candle, and a musical device to which the pair of electric conductors is connected. When the candle is lit, the pair of electric conductors is burned to melt and fuse together to form a closed electric connection thus activating the musical device to produce a musical sound.

Abstract: A musical apparatus including a novel combination by which a musician may control the output of a musical synthesizer, while playing his own musical instrument in a normal manner. The musical synthesizer may be pre-programmed for many unusual and exciting tonal effects--such as harmonics, dissonances, parallel tracking, electronic sounds, etc. Broadly speaking, the present invention associates individual tone switches with respective tone control elements of the musical instrument. When the instrument is played, its tone-control elements function to "set" the associated tone switches to an active setting that completes associated tone circuits, so that corresponding electric tone signals are produced for application to the musical synthesizer.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprising a keyboard and related controls (i.e., foot pedals, stops or equivalent controls), which through electronic circuitry remotely direct the mechanical manipulation of taut strings of guitar gauge, enabling the keyboard musician to create the many sounds characteristic of the electric guitar. Apart from the mechanical apparatus engaged with the strings, this invention relates, to a large extent, to the employment and design of the controlling electronic circuitry.