Abstract: The invention relates to a technique whereby karaoke music and lyrics, which have been digitalized with the help of MIDI data, are transmitted by public telephone line for reproduction on a terminal unit. Associated dynamic images are, on account of the volume of data required, stored independently of the music and lyric data within the terminal unit itself and retrieved and extracted with the help of codes which are written into the data in advance. The dynamic images and the lyrics are finally mixed and output to a visual display medium.

Abstract: A display apparatus for an electronic musical instrument according to the first invention has a display section including multiple indicators provided in association with multiple tone parts, each indicator having multiple LEDs, a register section for reading out lighting time information from a memory which has lighting time information of the LEDs stored, and a counter section for performing a countdown operation in a predetermined time interval with the lighting time information in the register section as an initial value. When generation of a musical tone is instructed, the LEDs of the indicators which are associated with tone parts of the musical tone and whose quantity corresponds to volume information of the musical tone, are lit. When a count value of the counter section reaches zero, one of the LEDs is turned off or on, and the lighting time information in the register section is reset in the counter section to re-start a countdown operation.

Abstract: In an image reproducing apparatus, a music information reproducing unit reproduces musical information, lyrics information or still picture information from a music information recording medium on which the musical information, the lyrics information or the still picture information relating to a plurality of music pieces are recorded, and an image information reproducing unit retrieves moving picture information in a predetermined order in correspondence with respective music pieces in the music information recording medium from an image information recording medium on which moving picture information divided into a plurality of moving picture information segments is recorded, and reproducing said picture information segments.

Abstract: The invention is designed to provide a clear indication, for karaoke purposes, of the point at which a piece of music starts to build to a climax. To this end, the invention first relates warning period data, which is inserted in advance of the climax start position, to the music data and stores it in memory. This warning period data is subsequently read out and matched with the music data for input to a counter, which initiates a count immediately on receipt. At the same time, the warning period is divided into equal warning time intervals, the countdown of which provides a basis for the output of a message advising the user of how long remains before the climax start position.

Abstract: A controller for a musical effects unit enables control of an effects unit through the use of two touch buttons mounted on a guitar, or other instrument. The two touch switches form an input to a microprocessor utilizing control software to interpret the sequential contacting of the buttons. The software converts the sequential manipulation of the buttons into a selection criteria which is then transmitted to the effects unit to effect the selection of a pre-programmed or pre-selected effect. The timing of the sequencing of the two touch, or momentary switches may be adjusted in the software to suit the needs of the individual preforming artist.

Abstract: An automatic playing device including a memory which stores sequence data consisting of musical sound data and sequence data to control read-out of the musical sound data. A processing unit repeatedly reads out musical sound data specified by the control data included in the sequence data stored in this memory. A movement instruction switch gives instructions for movement of an accompaniment part to be played. A control device which, when an instruction for movement of a part to be played is issued by the movement instruction switch, terminates the operation to repeatedly read out musical sound data if musical sound data stored in the memory is being repeatedly read out by the processing unit. In which case, the control device moves system operation to an operation to read out the next sequence data.

Abstract: A waveform of a desired sound is displayed on a CRT, and is observed for the analysis of the waveform. Waveform information including a shape, a repetition number, an amplitude, and a frequency of a segmental waveform which is a part of the displayed waveform is supplied to a repetitive PCM data generating unit, by which the repetitive PCM data are generated. The repetitive PCM data are developed to be a PCM sound signal which is converted to an analog output sound signal. A sound generated by the analog output sound signal is appreciated.

Abstract: When a switch for selecting tone control information has been operated once, presence of a first mode for selecting the tone control information is judged and when the switch has been continuously operated for predetermined plural times, presence of a second mode for adjusting contents of the tone control information is judged. When presence of the first mode has been judged, processing of the first mode for selecting the tone control information corresponding to the switch is executed. In this case, the switch functions as a switch for selecting desired tone control information in accordance with the proper purpose of the switch. When presence of the second mode has been judged, processing of the second mode for adjusting contents of the selected tone control information is executed. In this case, the switch functions as a switch for changing the mode from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a unit for displaying on a screen a musical score, keyboard and tone time information to be inputted; a unit for designating the position of the keyboard, and tone time information, respectively displayed on the display unit; a unit for storing musical information produced through designation by the designating unit of the position of the keyboard and tone time information displayed on the display unit; a unit for controlling the display of the musical score, keyboard and tone time information on the screen of the display unit, and for controlling the display of a pattern of musical tone or rest on the musical score on the display unit in accordance with the position of the keyboard and tone time information respectively designated by the designating unit; and a unit for generating a musical tone by reading the musical information stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A computerized musical instrument system has a processing system for converting multiple modes of music data input into relative rhythm coded data in the format of pitch codes and relative rhythm codes for designating respective types of rhythm elements, including the pitches, as they occur in the beats or other basic music intervals of a music piece. The relative rhythm codes represent the relative proportions by which the designated rhythm elements divide each beat. In a relative rhythm coding mode, pitch and rhythm data are entered via a keyboard and relative rhythm code and control code keys. The music data may also be input in the form of MIDI formatted data, audio or digital sound input, real-time performance (keypress) data, or optically scanned data from printed music notation. The instrument system can provide various forms of outputs including synthesized sound, a display or music notation, stored music data, printed output, and related audio and/or image effects.

Abstract: Transducer device (12) for drums including a head structure (18) mountable to a drum by means of a mounting structure (20). The head structure includes a piezo electric transducer (24) clamped between metal plates (26, 28), plate (26) forces against the drum skin (16) by application of force through the mounting structure (20). The force is applied to a plate (34) forming part of the head structure (18) which is acoustically isolated from the transducer (24) by an isolating element (36) positioned between the plates (34) and (28). Electrical output is taken via a cable (36) to a preamplifier (74).

Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus for recording performance data in a memory for controlling generation of musical tones, wherein the change or changes of pitch, key-on timing, key-off timing, note interval and/or note length data of a note can easily be effected. The note to be change is designated by positioning a cursor and operating a designation switch. The change of data of the note is achieved in accordance with the moving direction and amount of the cursor, for example, after the designation of the note.

Abstract: An ornamental pressure operated musical display assembly is illustrated wherein a pressure actuated electrical music box and the like is provided with a depressible indicia carrying member C extending thereacross on one side for actuating the music box and for displaying the indicia E with a magnet G extending across a portion of a bottom of the music box for mounting the assembly on a magnetic surface.

Abstract: An automatic key-depression indication apparatus has an examination device which examines whether at least one of the musical note information corresponds to the key-depression information output from the key-depression control device, or not. When the decision is affirmative, it decides that at least one of the keys is correctly depressed which corresponds to a plurality of musical notes, the number of which is less than total number of the musical notes. A key-depression indication is then advanced, thereby enabling practice of a performance.

Abstract: In an electronic stringed instrument, when a fingered string is plucked, the initiation of vibration of the plucked string is detected by a string vibration sensor to generate timing data representing the vibration initiation timing and number data representing the number of the string which is vibrated. Every time the timing data is obtained, pitch data, timing data and number data are respectively stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for teaching and learning the production of good tone in bowing a stringed instrument uses electrical signals corresponding to position and velocity of a bow, bow pressure on the strings and sounding point. The signals are converted from analog electrical signals to digital electrical signals and taken to a computer which processes them for display and storage. Use of the computer and a monitor permits real-time display for instant evaluation of bowing technique by a student or teacher, and the possibility of storing the digital information and replaying it at any time allows the comparison of different performances by the student and also the study of results obtained by a teacher or a master performer and the comparison of these results with those obtained by the student.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the tempo of an instrument generating tempo beats involves the sensing of each tempo beat, measuring the time interval between successive beats, dividing the time interval into a minute, and visually indicating the measured beats/min. between each two successive beats. The device includes a piezo transducer for sensing the beats, an electronic timer for measuring the time interval between each two successive beats, and a display associated with the timer for visually displaying the measured beats/min. time interval. The device thus provides visual feedback to a musician or user of the tempo of the instrument being played.

Abstract: A portable musical instrument and associated therewith a radio frequency transmitter for broadcasting to a remote receiver and audio amplifier the sounds generated by the instrument. The user-operated controls vary the sound level sent by the transmitter, vary the mixing of sound levels from pickup groups such as neck and bridge groups of an electrical guitar, and provide control signals for controlling a sound processing unit such as a reverberator associated with the audio power amplifier system. The immediate status of the gain and fader settings is relayed as an ultrasonic modulation on the portable transmitter to actuate unique display conditions in a delay element actuated from the fixed receiver to provide to the user an indication of the status of his settings. Low battery conditions in the transmitter battery unit cause unique signal conditions to be sent to the receiver, resulting in a readily visible warning display configuration. The currently selected mode, e.g.

Abstract: An instrument which automatically generates plucking sounds responsive a player's manual fingering operation performed on an electronic stringed instrument, and also to a memory instrument which stores plucking data for generating the plucking sounds. When fingering operation is performed on a fingerboard, an output section thereof outputs pitch data. Plucking data are sequentially read out from a memory section thereof. On the basis of the pitch data and the plucking data, a musical tone generating section automatically and sequentially generates plucking sounds each having a tone pitch corresponding to the pitch data, without a manual plucking operation of the player.

Abstract: A variable control device accessory for a music synthesizer having a horizontally disposed keyboard. The device is positioned in front of the keyboard. It has a plurality of movable bars, at least of one of which is capable of being pivotally and slidably moved by the wrist of a player while all the others are only slidable. The bars modulate selected light beams focussed on light responsive mechanisms to produce variably dependent analog signals as inputs to the music synthesizer.

Abstract: A method for electronically processing and storing musical information involves separating the musical information into a plurality of segments, each representing some portion of a measure, and assigning a sequential time dimension value to each segment. The musical information is also separated into plurality of channels, with each channel representing a sound source and having a sound dimension value assigned to it. The musical information for a given channel and segment is stored in a memory array by associating the musical information corresponding to a given channel and segment with the memory array node specified by the time dimension value and sound dimension value assigned to the given channel and segment.

Abstract: A computerized music notation system includes a first keyboard having pitch keys, a second keyboard for entering relative rhythm codes representing the relative proportions by which the entered pitches and other rhythm types divide a beat and a terminator code to mark the end of each beat, and a computer executing a processing program for generating output music notation in beat units based upon the pitch data and the rhythm data. The pitch and rhythm data sets are independent of each other. The computer processes the pitch data assigning pitch names in the selected key of music, and the rhythm data in beat units by assigning computed fixed duration values to the rhythm types in accordance with the selected time signature. The pitch and rhythm data are combined and processed for output with other notation features, such as staff lines, stems, flags, beams, articulation marks, etc.

Abstract: An envelope extracting circuit extracts an envelope from the waveform sampled by a musical tone sampling circuit, and stores the envelope data into a memory. An envelope approximating circuit approximates the envelope data as stored in the memory by the function data such as linear or exponential function data. The original envelope is approximated by a limited number of function waveforms whose characteristics change at switching points.

Abstract: The present electronic musical instrument can apply to various electronic musical instruments, such as an electronic wind instrument, electronic keyboard instrument and electronic string instrument. Pitch alteration width data with a predetermined pitch difference with respect to a tone being presently generated is stored in advance in a memory section, and by alternately performing the following two operations thereby to ensure a trill performance with a pitch having an arbitrary pitch alteration width by a simple pitch alteration operation. (1) A predetermined musical tone is generated at the presently-designated pitch by the pitch designation operation executed with respect to a pitch designating section. (2) A predetermined musical tone is generated at a pitch higher or lower than the presently-designated pitch, in accordance with the pitch alteration width data, by the pitch alteration designating operation executed with respect to a pitch alteration designating section.

Abstract: Combinations of operation data such as timbre data, effect data, and the like, which are designated for a musical performance, are stored in a memory. The operation data is read out from the memory, and a musical tone signal corresponding to the readout operation data is generated and a musical tone is produced. Operation data is an operation mode can be transferred to, e.g., a normal mode, and a musical tone signal corresponding to the readout operation data can be generated and a musical tone can be produced in the normal mode. Operation data set in the normal mode can also be transferred to the operation mode. Part of the combined operation data can be easily updated.

Abstract: A visual indicator of temporal accuracy of compared percussive transient signals having a receiver for a reference input signal, a receiver for a performance or test input signal. An electronic circuit determines whether the first signal received is received by the reference input signal receiver or the performance input signal receiver. Further, the circuit determines the time difference between when the reference signal and the performance signals are received. A visual display indicates to the user whether the test signal is ahead or behind the reference signal and by how much it is ahead or behind. The indicator further displays an indication of when the two signals are received at substantially the same time.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a parameter setting system for setting a parameter necessary for controlling a musical characteristic which is a tone color or a musical effect such as a vibrato in a musical tone generating section. The parameter setting system comprises a memory (RAM) for storing a plurality of sets of parameters each set including, for example, a vibrato delay parameter and a vibrato speed parameter. When one of tone-color selection switches on a control panel is depressed, the set of parameters corresponding to the depressed tone-color selection switch are read and supplied to the musical tone generating section to thereby control the vibrato of the musical tone. The selected set of parameters in the RAM can be changed by the player through menu selection switches and data-up and data-down switches to desired values. The system may include a quit switch for restoring the set of parameters precedingly selected.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the sound volume of an electronic musical instrument has a row of volume select depress switches. In response to depression of any one switch, a corresponding sound volume is produced. The sould volume increases for each successive switch along the row. If two successive switches are depressed simultaneously, a sound volume is produced which is intermediate the sound volume produced by depression of one switch only and the sound volume produced by depression of the adjacent switch only. A corresponding row of volume indicators is provided. In response to depression of one of the switches, the volume indicator corresponding to the sound volume of the depressed switch and all of the volume indicators corresponding to the not depressed switches having a sound volume less than that of the depressed switch are activated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic music playing apparatus for automatically playing music, the music being composed of consecutive segments. The apparatus is essentially composed of (a) a memory device for storing musical data corresponding to the segments; (b) a control unit to read the musical data of the segments in a predetermined order and start reading data of a preselected segment consecutive to the segment being read according to an instruction therefor; and (c) a musical tone generator for generating musical tone according to the musical data read by the control means.

Abstract: An integral music system for use in association with all chromatically scaled musical instruments comprising an improved graphic keyboard design utilized in various mechanical, electric and over-keyboard embodiments, and a cooperative improved hexaline scoring method utilizing octave-designating noteforms, and a cooperative improved graphic referencing method utilizing color, symbol and tactual coding means. The improved graphic keyboard design has essentially coextensive alternately arranged, uniformly narrowed and widened keys. The improved hexaline scoring method has one or more six-line staffs which respectively utilize eight distinct noteforms to provide an eight-octave compass for each staff. The improved graphic referencing method has code formats which correlate the lines and spaces of the improved scoring method with the keying means of the various instruments. The invention additionally comprehends manual and computer assisted methods for converting existing music into the improved scoring format.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a signal indicative of the direction of bowing of a musical instrument by analyzing the signal from a transducer monitoring the displacements of a bowed vibrating element in the plane of bowing. The indicative signal is stored for the entire duration of a played note or musical passage.

Abstract: A rhythm tone source assigning apparatus for use in an electronic musical instrument comprises a memory having a plurality of storing regions corresponding to a plurality of input operating manipulators each being comprised of a keyboard key or a switch. Arrangement is provided so that by writing a tone source identifying datum corresponding to desired one of a plurality of rhythm tone sources in one of the storing regions corresponding to an input operating manipulator one after another, rhythm tone sources can be assigned to the plurality of input operating manipulators. Thus, this electronic musical instrument greatly facilitates its user of his performing or inputting operations in a hand percussion or a rhythm sequence programming by using these manipulators. This is, for each rhythm, the user is able to obtain his favorite convenient arrangement of operating manipulators.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is disclosed which comprises a plurality of keys connected to a sound generating mechanism arranged to play the notes of the musical scale, wherein (a) the instrument is housed in a casing having an upper surface on which a musical stave is depicted; (b) the keys are arranged to operate a display device which in conjunction with said stave provides a visual display indicative of a given note when the key corresponding to that note is played; and (c) the display device includes a plurality of rod carrying indicia which are movable independently from the keys and which generate the sound corresponding with the indicia scale by push-down motion therein also.

Abstract: There is provided a selection switch for selecting musical information determining characteristics of a tone such as a tone color. This selection switch is pre-assigned with first musical information. Switches and circuits are provided for assigning second musical information to the selection switch. This second musical information is one selected as desired from among plural musical information. Thus, at least two musical information of the pre-assigned first musical information and the selectively assigned second musical information are assigned to the selection switch. There is also provided a mode selection switch. When a first mode has been selected by this mode selection switch, a characteristic of a tone to be produced is determined by the first musical information. When the second mode has been selected, a characteristic of a tone to be produced is determined by the second musical information.

Abstract: A plurality of pad operating means for manual operation are provided on a keyboard panel of an electronic keyboard musical instrument. When an operator operates the pad operating means using the keyboard during melody play, an operation signal is supplied to a CPU, and a rhythm sound corresponding to the operated pad is generated under control of the CPU.

Abstract: A tone generation control unit has four waveform read/write channels for selectively reading or writing data in a waveform memory. A plurality of waveform signals stored in the waveform memory are converted into analog signals to be subjected to timbre and tone volume control through voltage-controlled filters and voltage-controlled amplifiers before being fed to a mixing adder. An output signal of the mixing adder is converted into a digital signal which is stored in the waveform memory again through processing of the tone generation control unit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a musical tone signal forming circuit, an automatic rhythm generator rhythm selection switches, and a registration memory. The switches are used to select one of a plurality of rhythms. The automatic rhythm generator automatically generates a percussion instrument sound corresponding to a selected rhythm. In the registration memory, musical tone data respectively suitable for selectable rhythms are stored in advance. The musical tone signal forming circuit generates a musical tone signal representing a musical tone and further modifies the musical tone signal in accordance with the musical tone data corresponding to the selected rhythm, whereby a musical tone suitable for the selected rhythm can be generated.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises devices for inputting rhythm and melody play patterns. The rhythm and melody play patterns are stored in a pattern memory such that the rhythm and melody play patterns are in a timed relation to each other. The rhythm and melody play patterns are simultaneously read out from said pattern memory so that rhythm tones and melody tones are sounded according to the rhythm and melody play patterns.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument having a plurality of keys which upon actuation each generate a tone correlated to the respective key, and having a plurality of optical display means on each of said keys, said display means indicating the sequence of the keys to be actuated.

Abstract: A finger positioning guide includes a flat surface positionable between the neck and strings of a stringed instrument to present sets of uniformly colored spots beneath certain of the strings at predetermined distances along the neck. The flat surface is positioned in relation to the neck and the strings by a slot or a plurality of slots adopted for engaging frets and the nut. An edge limiting device, appended to the surface to comprise the guide and further position it in relation to the neck, may include a clamp shape clamping the guide to the neck.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment relates to a musician operated electric guitar having a plurality of metal strings and at least two pickups for transforming mechanical vibrations of the metal strings into electrical signals proportional to such mechanical vibrations, where the electrical signals from the at least two pickups are added together into a single guitar output circuit.

Abstract: A rhythm tone source assigning apparatus for use in an electronic musical instrument comprises a memory having a plurality of storing regions corresponding to a plurality of input operating manipulators each being comprised of a keyboard key or a switch. Arrangement is provided so that by writing a tone source identifying datum corresponding to desired one of a plurality of rhythm tone sources in one of the storing regions corresponding to an input operating manipulator one after another, rhythm tone sources can be assigned to the plurality of input operating manipulators. Thus, this electronic musical instrument greatly facilitates its user of his performing or inputting operations in a hand percussion or a rhythm sequence programming by using these manipulators. That is, for each rhythm, the user is able to obtain his favorite convenient arrangement of operating manipulators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating acoustic or visual effects by human body actions, including transducer for generating electrical signals upon influence of human body actions attached to various portions of the human body and, upon a dancing movement and/or rhythmic touching of at least one of the transducers, signal generating means are selectively activated via a logic means for driving predetermined means for creating acoustic and/or visual effects.

Abstract: A dynamic display for automatic sound signal analyzing equipment that displays the closest recognized musical note to that being played or sung by a musician, whether the note is sharp or flat or on tune and if sharp or flat, the extent to which it is sharp or flat by means of a strobe-like moving bar pattern.

Abstract: A dynamically illuminated guitar (10) for producing visual and sequential lighting effects on the guitar body (20) caused by spontaneous or deliberate hand and body movements of the guitarist and by external light sources. A plurality of light-emitting diodes (30) through (93) embedded into the guitar face and arranged in aesthetically pleasing designs serve as the display medium. A variety of different light display modes is selected by changing the orientation of the guitar (20) to cause a group of mercury tilt switches (120), (130), (140) to control the digital pulse format of an electronic pulse-forming circuit. Light-dependent resistors (160), (170) embedded on the guitar face further cause the guitar visual lighting display to be controlled by external variable lighting.

Abstract: A musical teaching device, which substantially shortens the amount of time which a student requires in order to understand various aspects of playing a stringed instrument, is described. This device is comprised of a grid of intersecting lines which represent strings and frets of a fingerboard of a stringed instrument, an indicator situated in the vicinity of each intersection and representing a corresponding musical note, and a plurality of moveable markers, each of which can be positioned anywhere on the grid and is identified by both a particular color and one or more symbols in order to visually depict a particular aspect of the instrument. These aspects illustratively include fingering of notes, chords and scales; harmony; melody; contrary motion, and rhythm.

Abstract: A musical performance or accompaniment unit which is so arranged that, with employment of a so-called sound multiplex system recording medium in which a vocal signal of a singer or the like is recorded on its first track and a musical signal of a musical instrument for accompaniment is recorded on its second track, when a user sings, with the recording medium being subjected to reproduction, singing abilities of the user such as rhythmical feelings, degrees of bass or soprano, etc. are automatically marked for display through comparison and calculation of the above reproduced vocal signal and signal of the song sung by the user.

Abstract: An input audio signal is analog-to-digital (AD) converted into digital data which is processed by a central processing unit (CPU) for determining pitch of each sound by effecting Fast Fourier Transform (FET) operation and power spectrum calculation. The determination of the sound pitch is effected twice in sequence, and by using frequency and level data resulted from two consecutive determinations, the time length of the sound is detected. After the pitch and the time length are determined, data indicative of a given musical note pattern is produced so that a musical note indicative of time value is indicated at an appropriate position on a staff displayed on a screen of a display unit. Such data from the CPU is fed via a video display processor to a video RAM to be stored therein where the video display processor produces a video signal fed to the display unit in turn.

Abstract: Musical tone color setting apparatus is arranged so that when a program/preset switch, a feet switch envelope switch and modulation switch are actuated together with a selected key of a ten-key input unit, program tone color data obtained by combining data selected from three groups of tone color data is stored in a tone color data memory. A tone color data corresponding to the program tone color data stored in the memory is later read out from a ROM, and a music sound having a tone color corresponding to the tone color data is generated from a loudspeaker in response to operation of a keyboard.

Abstract: An electronic, tempered scale tuning aid employs a transducer and signal processing means to detect and amplify a signal to the level required by digital logic circuits, which circuits are used to gate a precisely determined oscillator, which is arithmetically related to the operating range of the instrument through a counting and analyzing apparatus. By scaling the measured count, a display in musical notation of both absolute pitch and intonation error is obtained.