Abstract: To present a holonic rhythm generator capable of generating rhythm following free changes by transmitting the intent of tempo change from the action of man to rhythm generator in real time, or, to the contrary, guiding the action rhythm of man gradually by the rhythm generator. To achieve the object, the device has a rhythm generator having such constitution described by a nonlinear vibration equation which is a van der Pol's formula a constant portion of which is replaced by a cubic expression, and a fixed rhythm generator and action rhythm detector for generating an input signal of the rhythm generator, in which a specific relation is given between the fixed rhythm generator and action rhythm detector.

Abstract: A system for interpreting the requests and performance of a vocal soloist, stated in the parlance of the musician and within the context of a specific published edition of music the soloist is using, to control the performance of a digitized musical accompaniment. Sound events and their associated attributes are extracted from the soloist vocal performance and are numerically encoded. The pitch, duration and event type of the encoded sound events are then compared to a desired sequence of the performance score to determine if a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score. Variations in pitch due to vibrato are distinguished from changes in pitch due to the soloist moving from one note to another in the performance score. If a match exists between the soloist vocal performance and the performance score, the system instructs a music synthesizer module to provide an audible accompaniment for the vocal soloist.

Abstract: A specific type of a human operator's gesture (such as a downward, upward or lateral swinging movement) and its movement amount (such as a speed or acceleration of the movement) is detected by a movement detector. The detected movement amount is compensated in accordance with the detected movement type, and various factors to control dynamics of a music performance (such as tone volume, color, pitch, effect etc.) are variably controlled on the basis of the compensated movement amount. At least one of minimal and maximal values indicative of the operator's repetitive gesture is selectively extracted from the output of the movement detector so that the performance tempo is controlled on the basis of a particular time point at which the selected minimal or maximal value has been extracted.

Abstract: An automatic performance control apparatus provides a hand controller which contains gyro sensors in X, Y directions. The gyro sensors are employed to accurately detect hand-swing motion applied to the hand controller without being affected by gravity. When the hand controller is swung by a human operator like a conductor's baton, angular velocity applied to the hand controller is detected based on detection values of the gyro sensors. The angular velocity becomes bottom at a change point of direction in a locus of the hand-swing motion of the hand controller; and a peak of the angular velocity appears between bottoms. So, peak detection process is performed on the angular velocity to determine a beat timing designated by the human operator. If the peak is detected, beat-timing detection data are automatically created and are transmitted to an electronic musical instrument having an automatic performance function.

Abstract: An interruption control apparatus for controlling interruptions of a performance information processor for processing performance information of a piece of music. The interruption control apparatus includes a first time control unit for regulating the length of a time interval between successive interruptions of the performance information processor according to a pre-set tempo in such a manner that the regulated time interval is limited within a predetermined constant range, and for outputting an interruption signal at the regulated time interval.

Abstract: When a tap switch is operated at desired beats during automatic music play, the tempo of the automatic play is variably controlled in correspondence with the interval between the tap operations. On the other hand, detection is made of a difference between the current score time at a tap switch operation time and the score time of a beat point corresponding to the tap switch operation time. Then, control is made for progressively changing the current score time in order to eliminate the detected score time difference. Thus, the score time difference is progressively eliminated in smooth manner, so that necessary notes can be sequentially sounded without being left out. The control for progressively changing the current score time may be performed in accordance with a predetermined function. Further, the control for progressively changing the current score time may be performed with a characteristic such that it is automatically changed in view of the number of notes in the automatic play.

Abstract: An automatic accompaniment playing device comprising a memory for storing various normal rhythm patterns, switching devices for selecting any one of said normal rhythm patterns from said memory to play the same at a predetermined tempo, a settable control unit for generating a first information regarding the magnitude of tempo variation of said predetermined tempo and for generating a second variation; the device furthermore comprises control registers for gradually changing the tempo of said rhythm patterns based upon said first and second informations provided by said control unit.

Abstract: An automatic play device generates a tempo signal at a frequency corresponding to a tempo setting value. When a tempo setting value is changed, the device changes the frequency of the tempo signal gradually from one frequency corresponding to the tempo setting value prior to the change to another frequency corresponding to a target tempo setting value posterior to the change, so that a smooth tempo change can be realized. It is also possible to automatically adjust the tempo in correspondence to a time interval between on-events of a tap switch, in which case the automatic play is controlled so as to stop when on-state of the tap switch continues for more than a predetermined time.

Abstract: An electronic metronome includes an adjustable oscillator driving a first frequency divider, a crystal time base driving a second frequency divider for generating a pair of audible frequencies, a standard pitch frequency and reference (time base) frequencies, a frequency counter coupled to the output of the adjustable oscillator for counting the output of the adjustable oscillator, a digital display and display stabilizer circuitry for displaying the count of the frequency counter, a gate driven by the first frequency divider for programmably serially selecting one of the pair of audible frequencies at a rate determined by the output of the frequency divider, a selector switch, three visual indicators, and a programmable counter coupled to the selector switch and visual indicators for providing various sequential time signature displays and an audio amplifier and speaker for providing an audible beat patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice music apparatus which is independent of a played musical instrument. The apparatus includes devices for digital sound production, tempo setting, accompaniment, operation and input of digital note data, which are connected by means of a control unit, which is connected with an electro-acoustical device for acoustical reproduction of the note sequences corresponding to the input piece of music via a digital-analog converter. There is an optical display device which is connected with a piano keyboard or a guitar fingerboard or represents these, for optical display of the note sequences played.

Abstract: An interruption control apparatus for controlling interruptions of a performance information processor for processing performance information of a piece of music.

Abstract: The invention relates to a programmable electronic metronome, capable of registering all meter and speed characteristics of any musical work and of producing, when the musical work is to be performed, substantially sharp, perceivable, e.g. acoustic, signals representing said characteristics in the appropriate succession. The metronome comprises a keyboard for producing signals associated with at least three variables, which are bar number, speed and meter, and defining digital values for said variables, which values are stored in at least one volatile electronic memory, comprising segments severally correlated to each of said variables, to define digital data sequences. The metronome further comprises a reader for the data sequences, whereby to associate to each bar number digital values of speed and meter, and a transducer for transforming said values into electric impulses, which produce a corresponding succession of perceivable signals.

Abstract: A pitch of a musical tone to be generated based on a breath sense signal detected by a breath sensor is set by a pitch setting operation of a pitch setting section. When the pitch setting operation is changed during generation of the musical tone based on the breath sense signal, pitch data corresponding to a pitch newly set by the change in the pitch setting operation is output upon elapse of a predetermined time from the timing of the change. The pitch of a musical tone being generated is altered to the pitch according to the new pitch data upon elapse of the predetermined time.