Abstract: An electronic synthesizer instrument incorporating four bass pedals which can be played either with the heel or the toe of the foot, so as to allow the playing of all twelve notes in a chromatic octave with just the four pedals. The apparatus is an improvement upon existing bass pedal devices which enables easier playing of the bass parts for musicians simultaneously playing other instruments. The assignment of the pitch to the pedals is selectable, but two of the easiest-to-play embodiments are described in detail. The four pedals rock on a central pivot, each giving two distinct notes. Half pitches between notes addressed by adjacent pedals can be accessed by holding both adjacent pedals down.

Abstract: A pedal board assembly for receiving a plurality of musical sound effect generators generally comprises a box-like receptacle with a removable lid. The receptacle contains a top tier of flat, fixed pitch panels including a power supply and an audio circuit interface. A middle tier is of a fixed, tilted pitch and a lower tier is of selectively flat or tilted pitch mode, the tilted pitch mode matching the pitch of the middle tier so that large sound effect generators may be placed across to span both the middle tier and the lower tier.

Abstract: A pneumatic foot pedal assembly for percussion instruments such as bass drums and hi-hat stands. The assembly permits adjustable mounting of a drum beater bar, foot pedal and drive chain while providing automatic return of the pedal to a neutral position by means of gas compressed upon depression of the pedal. Gas pressure within the pneumatic return mechanism is also adjustable. There is further optionally provided a substantially identical pneumatic unit for damping the return movement of both the drum pedal and hi-hat stand.

Abstract: A pedal keyboard operated musical instrument includes a keyboard housing formed as a shallow, upwardly opening coffer. A spacer bar extends laterally in the housing, with a plurality of spring bars arrayed in parallel fashion and secured atop the spacer bar in generally orthogonal relationship thereto. The spacer bar bisects the longitudinal extent of the spring bars, which are unsupported at their opposed ends. A first and second plurality of pedal keys are secured to the spring bars, in alternating fashion, with each key of one plurality disposed between a pair of the keys of the other plurality. In addition, each key of one plurality is secured to one end of each spring bar, with a key of the other plurality secured to the other end of the respective spring bar. The keys of the one plurality are provided with blocks extending upwardly therefrom to extend above the nominal height of the second plurality, the blocks being adjustable in the longitudinal distance from the medial spacer bar.

Abstract: A pedal keyboard for an electronic musical instrument, includes a pedal key vertically pivotal about a pivot mechanism mounted on a frame of a housing for the electronic musical instrument, a spring for biasing the pedal key so as to cause the pedal key to return to an initial position, and a stopper for limiting pivotal movement of the pedal key. The spring is arranged behind the pivot mechanism of the pedal key, and the stopper is arranged behind the spring, thereby improving key depression feeling and forming a gap in the pivot mechanism to achieve smooth pivotal movement of the key.

Abstract: Each key of the pedalboard is supported and guided for pivotal movement in a vertical plane by a steel strip secured to the underside of each key adjacent the midportion thereof. The rear end of each key is operatively connected to a transversely extending rear frame for horizontal reciprocating movement perpendicular to the rear frame and the forward end of each key is disposed between transversely extending upper and lower and front frame members for limited vertical movement therebetween. The forward end of each steel strip is secured to the lower front frame member to normally bias the forward end of each key into engagement with the upper front frame member.

Abstract: Both finger and foot operated, electrical keyboards supply current through connectors to fret selecting devices which are mounted on fretted, stringed, musical instruments, said devices being guided in an array of note and chord formations so that notes and chords are formed when the devices are activated.

Abstract: A musical instrument including an electronic organ provided with sound generators of an upper manual, a lower manual, a bass and a rhythm section. The sound generators are connected electrically to control switches in a console, these control switches being actuated by spaced horizontal, arcuately disposed, rows of main, switch actuating, pedals selectively operable by a person's left foot. The main pedals are disposed also in vertical rows corresponding to a basic note of a chord while the horizontal rows correspond to the key of each basic chord. A diode logic, in cooperation with the sound generators and control switches, dictates a prescribed chord of the lower manual sound generator to be sounded when a main pedal is depressed.