Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided and includes: a musical tone processing circuit processing a musical tone signal; an output jack for connecting the musical tone signal to an amplifier; a phone jack for connecting the musical tone signal to a phone; a switch for turning power supply ON or OFF; and a control circuit that determines whether power supply is necessary and selects power supply from among first, second and third power based on information indicating each power receiving state of the first to third power (respectively from AC adapter, USB cable, and battery), information indicating whether an output plug is inserted into the output jack, a phone plug is inserted into the phone jack, the USB cable is connected to USB jack, and an ON or OFF operation of the switch is performed, and information indicating a power supply ON or OFF state of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A keyboard with strum string apparatus for creating accurate guitar sounds with an electronic keyboard includes a microcontroller is coupled within a keyboard body. A power source, a pair of speakers, a plurality of control buttons, and a plurality of piano keys are coupled to the keyboard body and are in operational communication with the microcontroller. A plurality of piano keys is coupled to the keyboard body. A strum board is coupled to the keyboard body. The strum board has a strum base coupled to the keyboard body, a pair of bridges coupled to the strum base, a plurality of strings extending between the pair of bridges, and a pickup coupled to the strum base. The pickup is in operational communication with the microcontroller.

Abstract: A system for remotely generating sound from a musical instrument includes a linear exciter which may be configured as a brace for a sound board of the musical instrument. In one embodiment, the system includes an input configured to receive a signal representative of the sound of a first musical instrument, a linear exciter for converting the signal to mechanical vibrations, and a calibration system for altering the signal sent to the exciter.

Abstract: A portable speaker system for an electric string instrument such as a guitar. The portable speaker system has a housing including an audio jack for receiving a raw audio signal from a guitar, an amplifier, a speaker, and a power supply. The portable speaker system attaches to the guitar by a button connector which releasably attaches to a strap button of the guitar, and a stabilizer for inhibiting rotation of the portable speaker system when attached to the guitar. The portable speaker system portably generates output sound from the raw audio signal. The portable speaker system can couple with a portable computing device, which can process the raw audio signal and provide a supplementary audio signal, from which the portable speaker system can portably generate output sound.

Abstract: A optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a string of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to string vibrations. A number of dissimilar filter approaches are included to control undesired effects of spurious light, the filter approaches may be structure-based, signal processing-based, and/or optics-based.

Abstract: A CPU detects an operation state on a fingerboard at a prescribed period, stores the detected operation state in a memory every time an operation state is detected, detects whether or not any of a plurality of extended strings has been struck, determines a pitch of a note to be played based on the operation state stored in the memory in response to a string being struck, and controls a note to be played in a sound source based on the detected operation state and the operation state stored in the memory every time the operation state is detected after a command to play a note of a determined pitch is issued to the sound source.

Abstract: A music based video game provides a user directed sound generation feature. In some embodiments, the user is provided a video game controller simulating a musical instrument, which the user may operate similarly to its real musical instrument counterpart. A free play feature is provided for users to operate the video game controller, where a processor of a video game console receives input signals from the video game controller and outputs audio samples based on the received input signals. During the free play feature, multiple suggestions as to how to operate the video game controller are simultaneously provided to give users some guidance as to what to play using the video game controller.

Abstract: A string instrument is provided having: a body with a sound hole; a neck extending from the body; a plurality of strings strung over the neck and sound hole; a plurality of frets positioned under the strings along the neck, a plurality of sensors positioned on the neck; and electronic circuitry associated with the sensors; characterized, in that each of the frets comprises separate individual fret sections each mounted over a corresponding sensor, thereby forming separate individual dynamic fret-activated sensors, each individual dynamic fret-activated sensor being positioned correspondingly under one of the plurality of strings. When a chord is played by applying finger pressure on the strings, pressure is applied on the corresponding individual frets activating the individual dynamic fret-activated sensors, which transmit the pressure data representing the played chord, via the electronic circuitry to a processor to produce an audio output comprising the played chord.

Abstract: A CPU 41 detects an operation performed with respect to a plurality of frets 23 provided on a fingerboard 21, decides pitch of a musical sound to be generated based on the detected operation, decides sound generation timing for the musical sound to be generated, instructs a sound source to generate a musical sound of the decided pitch at the decided sound generation timing, and controls the musical sound generated in the sound source 45 based on a state of the detected operation.

Abstract: A musical instrument location transmitting device and system includes a musical instrument having a location transmitting device and an electric power source permanently secured in the musical instrument in a position that requires removal of a musical component of the musical instrument in order to remove the location transmitting device. The location transmitting device includes a location sensing unit and a wireless transmitter that outputs a location of the musical instrument. A system wirelessly monitors a location of the musical instruments. A method of making a musical instrument includes coupling a location transmitting device inside a musical instrument and closing the musical instrument to permanently install the location transmitting device.

Abstract: A string instrument is provided having: a body with a sound hole; a neck extending from the body; a plurality of strings strung over the neck and sound hole; a plurality of frets positioned under the strings along the neck, a plurality of sensors positioned on the neck; and electronic circuitry associated with the sensors; characterized, in that each of the frets comprises separate individual fret sections each mounted over a corresponding sensor, thereby forming separate individual dynamic fret-activated sensors, each individual dynamic fret-activated sensor being positioned correspondingly under one of the plurality of strings. When a chord is played by applying finger pressure on the strings, pressure is applied on the corresponding individual frets activating the individual dynamic fret-activated sensors, which transmit the pressure data representing the played chord, via the electronic circuitry to a processor to produce an audio output comprising the played chord.

Abstract: A CPU 41 detects an operation performed with respect to a plurality of frets 23 provided on a fingerboard 21, decides pitch of a musical sound to be generated based on the detected operation, decides sound generation timing for the musical sound to be generated, instructs a sound source to generate a musical sound of the decided pitch at the decided sound generation timing, and controls the musical sound generated in the sound source 45 based on a state of the detected operation.

Abstract: A handheld video game system provides a music video game including a guitar simulation. Operation of the handheld video game system is designed to simulate, to a certain extent, the playing of a real guitar. The handheld video game system typically includes a touch sensitive screen, whereby certain actuation and stroke motions made along the surface of the touch sensitive screen are processed by the handheld video game system as simulated guitar strums. Sets of criteria are implemented by the handheld video game system to determine whether a particular stroke motion is processed and registered as a valid strum.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a silicon rubber membrane, a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for electronic sensing of string instrument input. The method includes receiving a first signal from a peak detection circuit. The peak detection circuit is operable to sense string activation. A second signal is received from one or more capacitive sensors. The second signal may include finger placement information. The method further includes processing the first and the second signals to generate an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

Abstract: A system and method that enables a user to generate and manipulate string-instrument chord grids in a digital audio workstation. The system and method for generating a string-instrument chord grid includes receiving first data input and second data input. The first data input can include a chord root note and/or a position for one or more fingering dots. The second data input can include an instrument type and our tuning for one or more strings. Using the received data input, a processor generates an entered string-instrument chord based and displays the entered string-instrument chord on a grid. The processor can also generate and display the musical name of the entered string-instrument chord.

Abstract: An electronic fingerboard for use on a musical instrument comprises a printed circuit board layer with contact electrodes and electronic sensing components. A first double sided adhesive tape is formed over the printed circuit board layer, and a polyester film membrane having carbon printing on the lower surface thereof is formed above the first double sided adhesive tape. A second double sided adhesive tape is formed above the polyester film membrane, and a silicon rubber overlay is mounted over the second double sided adhesive layer. A polyurethane overspray comprising a non-stick coating is then formed on the silicon rubber overlay.

Abstract: A musical device is disclosed that performs a variety of user defined or user controlled activities. These activities include but are not limited to producing musical notes, determining, influencing or changing the sound, quality, voice, volume or other characteristics of a note, activating and coordinating the replay of stored loops, recording, editing and playing user created pieces previously produced and controlling peripheral devices such as lighting. The musical device uses a combination of strings and frets to locate notes on a fingerboard that a user may activate. As a result, the invention includes a system to generate a sound corresponding to a note selected and activated according to preselected parameters such as the voice (e.g., trumpet, violin). A user's intent to play a particular note can be confirmed by a system of sensors corresponding to each note position.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes includes an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

Abstract: Pressure-controlled transitions are provided for single-note lines in electronic musical instruments. By addressing the relative pressure for two or more pressure points on a playing surface, the method and system provides the performer with the ability to control transitions, such as retrigger, legato, and portamento, with greater precision and flexibility. In particular, the performer's fingers (or another source of pressure) are able to control the manner in which a note transitions from one pitch to another.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a silicon rubber membrane, a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

Abstract: Described herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.

Abstract: An aiding device, “E-Z Master Chord”, for playing fretted string instruments, such as an acoustic guitar played by a beginner, is provided. The aiding device according to the current application is engaged over frets of an acoustic guitar to generate a chord with only two fingers of a player.

Abstract: A video game controller includes: a string instrument-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion, said body portion including a opening; a console interface for coupling with a game console; and a strum interface coupled to the console interface. The strum interface includes: a pin having a central portion and distal end portions; a pin support structure for supporting the distal end portions of the pin; a strum bar comprising a body portion rotatably coupled to the central portion of the pin and a flange portion protruding from the opening in the housing; a compressible liner provided between at least a portion of the strum bar and the pin; an upper button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a first direction; and a lower button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: A musical device is disclosed that performs a variety of user defined or user controlled activities. These activities include but are not limited to producing musical notes, determining, influencing or changing the sound, quality, voice, volume or other characteristics of a note, activating and coordinating the replay of stored loops, recording, editing and playing user created pieces previously produced and controlling peripheral devices such as lighting. The musical device uses a combination of strings and frets to locate notes on a fingerboard that a user may activate. As a result, the invention includes a system to generate a sound corresponding to a note selected and activated according to preselected parameters such as the voice (e.g., trumpet, violin). A user's intent to play a particular note can be confirmed by a system of sensors corresponding to each note position.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

Abstract: A musical device is disclosed that generates note tones, influences the sound of notes that are generated independently and performs a variety of user defined or user controlled activities. These activities include but are not limited to producing musical notes, determining, influencing or changing the sound, quality, voice, volume or other characteristics of a note, activating and coordinating the replay of stored loops, recording, editing and playing user created pieces previously produced and controlling peripheral devices such as lighting. The musical device uses a combination of strings and frets to locate notes on a fingerboard that a user may activate. The notes correspond to locations on the fingerboard. As a result, the invention includes a system to generate a sound corresponding to a note selected and activated according to preselected parameters such as the voice (e.g., trumpet, violin).

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes an array of electrical switches (transducers) aligned on the body of the instrument and configured to provide a desired instrument layout, and to provide tactile feedback for playing, while having different playing functions. A suitable material overlying the switch array can provide the physical appearance and configuration for the desired instrument layout. For example, a subset of the array switches can be used for a fretting area, in which the overlay material provides multiple “strings” for fretting, and a different subset of the array switches can be used for a strumming area, in which the overlay material supports a strumming action. If desired, an additional subset of the array switches can be designated for additional effects, such as a sensor area.

Abstract: A training apparatus for guiding and independently teaching a user to quickly play a guitar by interpreting stored encoded MIDI music data to guide the user's hands by illuminating sequences of desired finger positions on the frets of a guitar to play the music.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for storing, editing, deleting and visually displaying personal information within a stringed musical instrument. A hand-held type computer (34) located in and forming a portion of the envelope or housing of the stringed musical instrument displays personal information to a user from a display screen (44). For example, a user can store, retrieve, edit and delete information such as complete song tablature, contact names, phone numbers, play lists for performance, schedules of shows etc. from within the instrument.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument which can realize a choking effect by a simple operation. The electronic musical instrument is constructed such that a neck provided with a fingerboard is fixed to a body. A plurality of (twelve) fret operating elements are provided for each of six sounding channels. The body is provided with a string input section and an arm, and six stringed operating elements are provided for the respective sounding channels. For each sounding channel, a tone generator generates a musical tone at a pitch determined by the corresponding fret operating element and in sounding timing determined by the corresponding stringed operating element. When the arm is operated, a CPU provides control to apply a choking effect to a musical tone for a sounding channel, in which the musical tone is being sounded, by raising the pitch of the musical tone by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An electronic battery operated and self contained acoustic guitar allowing playing back high quality prerecorded notes through its own soundboard electromechanically activated by a piezoelectric vibrating means. The guitar allows to play chords or melody with simplified fingering and provides trigger events (note ON, Off, velocity of the note played) with less than 15 ms delay. When the guitar is not powered it can be played as a normal high quality musical instrument.

Abstract: A guitar is disclosed which is adapted for use with a battery power source and having a CPU and a memory including preprogrammed chord tables and melody tables. The guitar provides electro conductive strings and frets and a system for recognizing finger positioning by a user. The vibration of the strings is picked up by piezo elements and amplified. By making use of the piezo elements the intensity of the vibration by its velocity can be preserved and the envelope of sound for a note/chord remain commensurate with the intensity intended by the user.

Abstract: An automated stringed musical instrument including a device for plucking the strings of the instrument, a device for fretting the strings, and a tension-maintaining linkage for maintaining the tension in the strings, such that the instrument can be remotely operated for extended periods of time without the need for operator control or re-tuning the strings.

Abstract: An electronic guitar music simulation system which includes a guitar shaped keyboard having multiple key switches corresponding to various musical notes. A control processor within the guitar shaped keyboard is utilized to detect each change in a key switch state and infrared transmitter then transmits a unique code corresponding to the change in state for each key switch. A battery powered infrared receiver unit receives each unique code and couples binary codes to the processor of a personal computer system, via an electrical connection to a parallel port of the computer system. A software module within the computer system then converts the binary code into a corresponding audio output signal which may be output via the computer system speaker. A power control circuit within the infrared receiver unit activates the infrared receiver unit only in response to a selected control signal from the computer system, preventing false activation of the infrared receiver unit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is designed in a generally guitar-shaped configuration with a fingerboard containing rows of keys replacing each string, one key for each string/fret position. Pressing on a key causes a signal to be provided to a central processing unit which continually scans the fingerboard at a high rate and converts the signals to a plurality of outputs to a synthesizer. Unlike a guitar, a plurality of keys, including a plurality along a single row, may be operated simultaneously to produce a plurality of notes simultaneously. A number of pressure switches and other switches located on the body enable a player to modify the output with vibrato, pitchbend, stereo pan, percussion effects, etc. Additional pressure responsive circuits provide inputs to the central processing unit varying with pressure on the keys. A second embodiment includes a fingerboard with many more rows or columns of keys and more keys per column.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is designed in a generally guitar-shaped configuration with a fingerboard containing rows of keys replacing each string, one key for each string/fret position. Pressing on a key causes a signal to be provided to a central processing unit which continually scans the fingerboard at a high rate and converts the signals to a plurality of outputs to a synthesizer. Unlike a guitar, a plurality of keys, including a plurality along a single row, may be operated simultaneously to produce a plurality of notes simultaneously. A number of pressure switches and other switches located on the body enable a player to modify the output with vibrato, pitchbend, stereo pan, percussion effects, etc. Additional pressure responsive circuits provide inputs to the central processing unit varying with pressure on the keys. A second embodiment includes a fingerboard with many more rows or columns of keys and more keys per column.

Abstract: An electronic music system for computer-controlled interactive practicing and learning to play a guitar includes a transducer which is detachably securable to the guitar and generates analog signals representing the playing of the guitar, an interface for converting the analog signals to computer-processable digital signals, and a computer for receiving and processing the digital signals. The system uses a communication protocol which employs time stamping of data to permit use with ordinary guitars but without high speed frequency determination. The computer provides audio and video outputs including staff and guitar fingering representations of notes, chords, scales, compositions, and like musical structures, both to teach the user and suggest music to be played by the user and to illustrate what the user has played. The system is operable in several modes which may be controlled by the user by signals produced at the transducer.

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: In order to accurately simulate the sounding system of the stringed instrument such as the violin and cello, an electronic musical instrument provides a performance unit such as a keyboard and a multi-channel sound source unit. As the sound source unit, there is provided a plurality of string sound generating circuits, each corresponding to each of plural strings provided in the stringed instrument, each of which forms a musical tone waveform signal having a different tone color. When performance information is created by operating the performance unit, one of the string sound generating circuits and its fingering position is selected on the basis of the preceding tone-generation assignment state, and then tone-generation corresponding to the created performance information is assigned to the selected circuit. Normally, plural musical tones can be sounded simultaneously in the stringed instrument.

Abstract: Strings and frets are simulated in a resilient fingerboard controller for synthesizer-type musical instruments. Raised string-faces and fret-faces simulate the feel of conventional strings and frets. Embedded sensor strips connect to an external customized encoder. In operation, notes are selected in the manner of conventional guitar fret-stopping but with either hand or both hands simultaneously. The pitch of each note is under real time control of the player's finger tips via pressure exerted in either lateral direction against the simulated strings, bending the pitch upward in proportion to the amount of such pressure in either direction as is usual in stringed instruments, or, alternatively, bending the pitch up or down depending on the direction of the pressure. Optional fret-bend sensors enable proportional control over additional effects.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic guitar generates a music signal for driving an integral speaker. The electronic guitar includes a housing defining a neck and a body, a plurality of manually actuatable strings secured to the body, and a plurality of pushbuttons distributed along the neck, the strings and pushbuttons being operable by the player for controlling the composition of the music signal generated by the microprocessor. The electronic guitar is playable in a chord mode wherein the microprocessor, upon striking the strings, generates a music signal corresponding to chord sounds, a lead mode wherein the microprocessor, upon striking the strings, generates a music signal corresponding to individual notes, and an automatic mode wherein the microprocessor, upon striking the strings, generates a predetermined chord progression defining a stored melody.

Abstract: When picking of a string is performed, the vibration of the string is detected accurately and quickly. When a fret operation position is changed during generation of a musical tone caused by the string picking, the pitch of the musical tone is changed to the one corresponding to the new fret operation position without generating a new musical tone. When the same string is stroked successively, the succeeding musical tone is generated while keeping the reverberation of the previous musical tone. The musical tone once generated will be stopped from being generated upon elapse of a predetermined time from the beginning of the tone generation, irrespective of the type of its timbre. When a fret operation state is changed to an open-string operation state after the string picking, the generation of the musical tone being generated stops at that timing.

Abstract: A fingerboard and a neck for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention are used for an electronic musical instrument, such as an electronic guitar, an electronic violin, and a guitar synthesizer. A flexible sheet made of a slippery material is formed on the upper surface of a fingerboard incorporating a plurality of pitch designating means so as to allow smooth and quick fingering. A plurality of frets are formed on the upper surface of the flexible sheet so as to partition the pitch designating means.

Abstract: An electronic muscial instrument for use in a stringed instrument such as a guitar, a guitar synthesizer or a violin. Two modes can be selectively set by a mode setting operation conducted on a mode setting section. Even if the same fingering operation is performed, a pitch designated by the fingering operation differs depending on which one of the two modes is currently set.

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: The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument with a fret-split function, which is used in electronic stringed instruments such as an electronic guitar, electronic violin, guitar synthesizer. Fingering areas provided on a finger-board are divided on the basis of a particular fret among a plurality of frets provided on the fingering areas. Specific tone colors are assigned to these fingering areas thus divided, respectively. Fingering operation on fingering areas to which specific tone colors are assigned allows to generate a musical tone having a tone color previously assigned.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument copying a so-called stringed instrument and capable of detecting a depression state of a fingerboard on the basis of an ON/OFF state of a plurality of contacts formed in the fingerboard and determining the pitch of a musical tone to be generated, the plurality of contacts are arranged in a single pitch unit of a pitch designation area corresponding to each string so as to detect a depression position in the pitch unit more precisely, thereby reflecting the detected depression position on an attribute of a musical tone.