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 detecting device for detecting the positions where strings are operated, and an electronic musical instrument using the detecting device, such as an electronic stringed instrument of an electronic keyboard instrument. Wherein each of frets, with which conductive strings are brought into contact, is formed of a two-layer structure of a conductive member and a resistance member provided on the conductive member. Voltage pulses are sequentially applied to either the conductive strings or the conductive members of the frets and a voltage pulse is detected from a conductive member or a string, thus detecting a position in which a string is stopped against the fret.

Abstract: A percussion instrument employs a horizontal surface whose dimensions are about 1 foot.times.2 feet.times.3/8 inch made of oak. This piece of oak has transducers on its under side and is spaced one or two inches above the floor. The percussionist sits on a stool where he can tap this piece of oak with the heels and toes of his shoe. Mounted at an elevation and position within easy reach of the percussionist are a number of tubular drums which the percussionist may strike with a drumstick. These tubular drums are about two inches in diameter and each of them has a central cavity in which a transducer is located.

Abstract: The acoustic apparatus for generating a musical tone preferably adopts a speaker system utilizing a resonator constituted by a cavity and an acoustic mass for causing the cavity to acoustically communicate with an external region or a speaker system utilizing a back-loaded horn so that frequency characteristic is improved. In a musical instrument, including a resonator, like a guitar, all or part of a body is partitioned as the cavity, and acoustic mass such as a resonance port is disposed in the cavity as needed to set a desired resonance frequency. In a musical instrument having side plates or leg portions, the resonance port or the back-loaded horn is housed in the side plates or the leg portions.

Abstract: According to this invention, an electronic drum has a head portion. An annular frame is arranged to generally surround the head portion. A vibration plate is arranged to be in tight contact with a lower surface of the head portion, and vibrates in response to the performer's strike of the head portion. A pickup device is mounted on the vibration plate so as to detect the vibration of the vibration plate. A vibration preventing portion is inserted between the head portion and the annular frame so as to prevent the vibration from being transmitted to the annular frame. The head portion and the vibration preventing portion are integrally formed of a flexible material. A sound device is connected to the pickup device so as to produce a drum sound in response to the detected vibration.

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: In a guitar or the like where fretting is detected by ultrasonic signals emitted by a transducer bridge and reflected at a point of each string held against a fret, and the same transducer bridge is responsive to audible frequency string vibration induced by a player, a damper bridge selectively dampens propagation of lower frequency vibrations from a note triggering string section adjacent to the bridge to a note selecting string section extending over the fretted neck, thereby minimizing intereference between fret detection and note triggering functions using a single set of string and a single acoustic transducer for each string.

Abstract: A simple method of attaching an audio transducer to a sounding board of a string musical instrument without altering or disturbing the function of the component parts of the instrument, so the instrument can be electrically activated to produce sound without being played by a musician or together with a musician playing the instrument.

Abstract: A guitar pickup module for insertion in an electric guitar having a well for accommodating a pickup. The module includes a base plate which is mounted in the well and which includes a plurality of electrical contacts for attachment to the plurality of output wires of the guitar. The pickup includes a plurality of electrical contacts which are placed in electrical communication with the base plate contacts upon insertion of the pickup in the well on the base plate.

Abstract: An electronic device which, when connected to an electric guitar, or other similar stringed instrument, will effect wireless transmission over a selectable frequency of the FM broadcast band. The unit is compact as it uses the metal strings of the guitar as a partial antenna. The unit remains stationary after being plugged into the guitar's input receptacle, and no transmitting portion of the device has to be attached to the musician's belt or guitar strap, or to the musician's person in any fashion. Furthermore, no large unsightly, cumbersome antenna extends from the device intself. The device is automatically turned on when plugged in.

Abstract: A mount for positioning miniature (lavaliere) type microphones, transducers, or similar devices in musical instruments. Such microphones are attached to a flexible shaft which connects directly to an output jack in a manner that requires little or no modification of the instrument. Once installed, no parts of the mechanism are in a position which will interfere with playing the instrument. The flexible shaft permits the player to experiment with positioning the microphone in a variety of locations until the optimum location for sound reproduction is determined.

Abstract: A stringed instrument is provided which incorporates a resonator assembly mounted within its body which enhances the quality of the sound produced by the instrument. The resonator assembly includes either one or more resonator rods or one or more resonator springs tuned to desired frequencies, which are generally below about 200 cycles per second.

Abstract: A percussion instrument transducer for converting a striking impact into a representative electrical impulse triggering signal. The transducer is formed of a piezoelectric member of disc shape secured to an electrically conductive disc. The piezoelectric member and disc are supported in a housing on a support platform of smaller diameter than the diameter of the disc so that the periphery of the disc is cantilevered beyond the support platform to provide enhanced piezoelectric impulse action.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a parameter adjustment mode and playing mode of operation includes a plurality of fret members located at predetermined spacings, a string stretched over the fret members so that a player's depression of the string causes contact between the string and at least one of the first members, and a vibration generating and receiving means for producing supersonic vibrations having a variable waveform in the string and receiving the supersonic vibrations reflected from any of the fret members through the string. The supersonic vibrations transmitted from the vibration generating and receiving means are reflected from a fret member contacted by the string, so that the vibration generating and receiving means detects transmitting characteristics of the string when a parameter adjustment mode is selected.

Abstract: Root and type of a chord are discriminated at discriminators in accordance with the operation status on a fingerboard. The chord is designated according to a simplified fingering rule predetermined on the fingerboard so as to designate the chord. An automatic accompaniment or a manual play is performed according to the discriminated chord obtained at chord discriminating device.

Abstract: For elimination of an error made in a sound production, an electronic fretted and stringed musical instrument operates in a parameter adjusting mode of operation prior to a playing mode of operation, and the fret positions are adjusted for actual fret members in the parameter adjusting mode of operation for precisely deciding the fret position where a string is engaged, thereby allowing a sound with a note assigned to the decided fret position to be produced.

Abstract: A sound pickup device for acoustic stringed instruments. A foam body mounts microphones and electronic circuitry associated therewith. The foam body has annular ridges projecting from opposite ends which will abut with the interior of the soundbox to mount the pickup device in the instrument. Recesses in the ends aid in collapsing the device for insertion into the soundbox and improve acoustic properties. In an alternative arrangement, the foam body is formed with a tubular shape. The electronic circuitry includes a battery pack for operation without a phantom power supply.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having (a) a body portion, (b) a plurality of fret members located at predetermined spacings on the body portion, (c) a string stretched over the body portion, (d) an anchoring device installed on the body portion for anchoring one end of the string, (e) a probe located under the string and between the anchoring device and the plural fret members for making a lateral movement responsive to a deviation of the string in a lateral direction, and (f) a string deviation detector connected to the probe for detecting the deviation of the string based on the lateral movement of the probe and producing a detection signal responsive to the deviation of the string.

Abstract: A vibration plate and cushioning plate are arranged, as a layered structure, within a drum shell in that order as viewed from the inner bottom of the drum shell toward a batter head with a vibration sensing/electric signal producing sensor attached to the vibration plate. A cushioning member is located within the drum shell to elastically support the cushioning plate between the inner bottom surface of the drum shell and the vibration plate. The cushioning member includes an externally urging section for externally urging the vibration plate toward the drum shell and an elastic support section which, when receiving an external strike force exceeding a predetermined value, is elastically deformed toward the inner bottom surface of the drum shell.

Abstract: An electrical pickup includes a coil with windings terminating at winding ends. A coil mounting assembly includes telescopically innerconnected inner and outer tubes, the outer tube being adapted for mounting in the interior of a musical instrument body and the inner tube mounting the coil. A magnet assembly includes a magnet with opposite poles and a lens with a concavity for receiving the magnet. The lens is adapted for mounting on an interior of a panel of the instrument body in a position where a pole of the magnet is aligned with the coil. Electrical leads extend from the coil winding ends and may be connected to an amplifier.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a performance operating member, a performance operation detection unit, a self vibration detection data forming unit, a tone generation control unit, and a tone signal generator. The performance operation detection unit forms performance operation detection data corresponding to an operation amount of the performance operating member. When the performance operation detection data of the performance operating member is obtained, the self vibration detection data forming unit forms self vibration detection data determined by a performance operation mounted based on previous performance operation detection data obtained by a previous performance operation of the performance operating member and by a first lapse time interval from when previous performance operation detection data were obtained until a present time.

Abstract: A body for an electronic stringed instrument is disclosed in which an inner chassis is provided with a removable and replaceable outer body shell. The chassis is manufactured of metal or a particularly hard plastic. The chassis has a first end adapted to receive and secure a neck of a guitar or similar instrument and an opposite end adapted to receive and secure a bridge. The chassis has at least one opening in its upper surface adapted to receive and secure an electric pickup. The body of the outer shell includes a lower portion which is removably secured to the metal chassis and an upper portion which is removably secured to the lower portion. The outer shell creates a cavity into which various electronic components may be secured. Because the outer shell is removable, various outer shell shapes may be secured to a single chassis. Additionally, the chassis of the present invention provides superior resonance qualities over conventional solid wooden body guitars.

Abstract: A body for an electronic stringed instrument is disclosed in which an inner metal chassis is provided with a removable and replaceable outer body shell. The chassis has a first end adapted to receive and secure a neck of a guitar or similar instrument and an opposite end adapted to receive and secure a bridge. The chassis has at least one opening in its upper surface adapted to receive and secure an electric pickup. The body of the outer shell includes a lower portion which is removably secured to the metal chassis and an upper portion which is removably secured to the lower portion. The outer shell creates a cavity into which various electronic components may be secured. Because the outer shell is removable, various outer shell shapes may be secured to a single chassis. Additionally, the metal chassis of the present invention provides superior resonance qualities over conventional solid wooden body guitars.

Abstract: An audio signal conditioning system comprising a power supply for providing a direct current having a predetermined voltage; input gain control device for receiving the audio sound output signals and for controlling gain; a first transistor amplifier connected to the input gain control, the first transistor providing a first amplified output signal from the collector thereof; a second transistor amplifier connected to the first transistor amplifier for receiving amplified signals from the first transistor amplifier and providing a second amplified output signal from the collector thereof; a negative feedback circuit between the first transistor amplifier and the second transistor amplifier for transmitting negative feedback signals from the emitter of the second transistor amplifier to the base of the first transistor amplifier and a regenerative feedback circuit and an associated tone control circuit between the first transistor amplifier and the second transistor amplifier for transmitting regenerative feed

Abstract: For detecting a difference in rendition, a bar incorporated in an electronic percussion system includes a supporting block having a surface portion, a top member having a first surface portion and a second surface portion located at the reverse side of the first surface portion, and a force sensitive unit intervening between the surface portion of the supporting block and the second surface portion of the top member and converting a force acting on the first surface portion into an electric signal, wherein the first surface portion is formed with a rugged surface which causes a striker to intermittently strike the first surface portion when the striker moves along the first surface portion.

Abstract: In the construction of a sound bar musical instrument such as a marimba, at least some of the sound bars have sensors attached thereto. The sensors are electrically connected to an electronic sound generator unit for generation of musical tones as a function of the vibration of battered sound bars, thereby allowing free use of a mallet and enabling visual contact of the performer with the audience.

Abstract: A sound effector for changing original sound signals generated from an electric musical instrument and picked up by a pickup element. The effector having an inductance circuit into aurally improved distinctive sounds by suitably distorting the waveform in a frequency band or original sound signals to be enhanced during amplification of the original sound signals. The sound effector includes a resonance circuit having a capacitor connected with the inductance circuit of the pickup element, an amplifier circuit composed of semiconductor elements for amplifying an output signal from the resonance circuit, a filter circuit for receiving the output signal from the amplifier circuit and for passing therethrough a signal having a predetermined frequency range, and a positive feedback circuit for positively feeding back a part of the signal passed through the filter circuit to the resonance circuit.