Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bass mallet percussion instrument which is physically compact as compared to previous instruments, where percussion bars are removeably fixed above a resonance box that is divided into a plurality of resonance spaces, and the resonance s spaces are delineated from each other by separating walls.

Abstract: A wind chime constructed according to the invention includes a rotating wind bell apparatus having a downwardly opening bell that is adapted to be suspended from a separate support structure. A bell-striking mechanism in the form of a striker is suspended movably from the bell in a position to strike the bell. A striker-moving mechanism in the form of an impeller connected to the striker causes the striker to move in response to a wind moving past the striker-moving mechanism and to strike the bell so that the bell produces a tone. A bell-rotating mechanism in the form of another impeller connected to the bell causes the bell to rotate in response to the wind moving past the bell-rotating mechanism in order to thereby vary the tone and produce tremolo or Doppler-like effects. In one embodiment, the bell-rotating mechanism includes a Savonius type impeller attached to the upwardly facing surface of a circularly shaped impeller base.

Abstract: A method of generating music using a plurality of bells (312, 314) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mounting said plurality of bells (312, 314), in playable dispositions, on a mobile platform (302), transporting the mobile platform (302) to a venue, and striking, dependent upon electronic control, corresponding ones of the plurality of bells (312, 314).

Abstract: An electronic tone generation system comprises a plurality of portable handheld wireless transmitters, with each transmitter representing at least one music note and being operative to transmit a signal indicative of that at least one note. A receiver receives the signals from the transmitters, and control logic connected to the receiver is operative to determine the at least one note corresponding to a received signal and to determine at least one tone assigned to that at least one note. A tone generator produces tones in accordance with the determinations of the control logic.

Abstract: A display, such as a Christmas display, comprises a plurality of ornaments (14), each including a striker (18), a pair of bells (26, 27) disposed in spaced relation from the striker (18) and a means (46) responsive to an electrical signal from a control unit (12) for moving the striker into contact with one or the other of the bells (26, 27), at least some of the bells on the ornaments having different frequencies such that sequentially striking the bells (26, 27) plays a tune, such as a Christmas carol. The ornaments are preferably distributed about a Christmas tree, though alternatively they may be placed on a flat surface.

Abstract: An automatic performance device includes a sound signal generation section for generating a sound signal, a loudspeaker for sounding the sound signal generated by the sound signal generation section, percussion instruments constituting a scale, a percussion instrument drive section for sounding the percussion instruments, a percussion instrument performance information output section for outputting percussion instrument performance information in synchronism with the sound signal, and a converter for converting the percussion instrument performance information to a corresponding drive signal of the percussion instrument drive section. An atmosphere of a live performance is produced and a rich and powerful musical performance as an orchestral performance can be simultaneously made as an accompanying music in a simple manner.