Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument and a hitting detection method are provided. The electronic percussion instrument includes: a head of which an upper surface is formed as a hitting surface; a body part, which is cylindrical and has an opening at an upper end side, the opening is covered by the head; and a plurality of head sensors provided on an inner peripheral side of the body part and detects a hitting on the hitting surface. The plurality of head sensors are in contact with a lower surface of the head in an area in which a distance from a center of the hitting surface is 50% or more and 75% or less of a radius of the hitting surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer apparatus (30) for mixing audio signals from a musical instrument (10). The mixer apparatus (30) comprises plural input circuits (34) and an audio signal mixer (36). Each of the plural input circuits (34) has an audio signal input which, in use, is coupled electrically with and thereby receives an audio signal from a different one of plural musical instrument pickups (32) comprised in the musical instrument. The audio signal mixer (36) receives audio signals from the plural input circuits (34) and mixes the received audio signals with one another. Each of the plural input circuits (34) comprises a linear active circuit in an audio signal path between the audio signal input and the audio signal mixer (36).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and correlating percussive sounds with previously identified spectral signatures of a plurality of events so as to notify a user of an occurrence of a particular event. The system may include a sensor component which includes a piezoelectric transducer at a periphery of the sensor component for coupling with a surface and converting percussive sounds from the surface into an electrical signal. The sensor component may also include a local processor configured to produce a data signal based on the electrical signal, and a communication device for sending the data signal to a remote processor. The system may also include a remote processor configured to receive the data signal and compare the data signal to at least one reference signal, and send a notification to a user based at least in part on the data signal correlating to at least one reference signal.

Abstract: A sound pickup device includes: a housing; a mount portion via which the housing on an object constituting a portion of a musical instrument; a sound pickup including a plurality of the microphones respectively oriented in different directions; a first output configured to output a sound signal indicating a sound input to the sound pickup; and an installer configured to install the sound pickup on the housing such that each of the plurality of microphones is oriented away from the object when the housing is mounted on the object via the mount portion.

Abstract: A sound pickup device includes: a housing; a mount portion via which the housing is mounted on an object; a sound pickup including a microphone; a first output configured to output a sound signal indicating a sound input to the sound pickup; an installer configured to install the sound pickup on the housing; a sensor configured to detect a vibration transmitted to the housing; and a second output configured to output a vibration signal indicating the vibration detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A reversing configuration control for string instruments connects to a pair of pickup coils located on a string instrument for selectively electrically configuring and blending the outputs of the pickup coils. The reversing configuration control includes a pair of potentiometers mechanically coupled for concurrent mechanical travel of the respective displaceable contacts thereof. The pair of potentiometers are operatively coupled to the pair of pickup coils and a pair of output terminals to vary the electrical configuration of the pair of pickup coils between (a) the pair of pickup coils being coupled with like polarity in one of series or parallel with respect to the output terminals, or (b) effectively coupling only one of the pair of pickup coils to the output terminals, or (c) the pair of pickup coils being coupled with opposing polarity in one of series or parallel with respect to the output terminals.

Abstract: A micro-practicing device emulates a portion of a full size instrument. The micro-practicing device includes a fingerboard with fret wires dividing the fingerboard into frets. In order to emulate the portion of the full size instrument, a length of each fret substantially matches lengths of frets of full size instruments. At the same time, the fingerboard is sized to enable increased portability. The device includes capacitive sensors adapted to detect the longitudinal and transverse positions of the user's fingers on the frets, and to communicate that positional information to a body portion. The body portion transmits the positional information to an external musical module, which converts the positional information into musical tones.

Abstract: Tone input device having a tone signal input, a tone signal output and a sound classifier connected to the tone signal input for receiving a tone signal incoming at the tone signal input and for analyzing the tone signal for identifying, within the tone signal, one or several tone signal passages corresponding to at least one condition. Further, the tone input device has a command signal generator connected to the sound classifier for generating a command signal allocated to the at least one condition, and a command output for outputting the command signal to a command processing unit. The sound classifier is configured to interrupt an output of the tone signal via the tone signal output for a duration of the one or several tone signal passages, when the at least one condition exists.

Abstract: A percussion controller comprises an instrumented striker including devices for obtaining inertial measurements and a wireless transmitter, a sensor-enabled striking surface that receives an impact from the instrumented striker, and a data processing system that receives the inertial measurements and predicts at least one of the force or location of impact of the instrumented striker on the sensor-enabled striking surface before impact actually occurs.

Abstract: At a timing at which a music playing operation is made by way of a music playing member, it is determined whether the position coordinates of the music playing member belong to any of a plurality of regions arranged on a virtual plane based on layout information store in memory, and in a case of having determined as belonging to the region, it is determined whether the pitch angle of the music playing member detected by way of a pitch angle sensor belongs to the pitch angle range corresponding to the region, and in the case of having determined as belonging to the pitch angle range corresponding to the region, the generation of a sound of a musical note corresponding to the region is instructed.

Abstract: An electric stringed musical instrument includes a body, a neck extending from the body, a plurality of tensioned strings extending between the body and the neck and an electric pick-up mounted to the body at a location for cooperation with the tensioned strings. The electric stringed musical instrument also includes an amplifier electrically connected to the electric pick-up and a speaker connected to the amplifier for the generation of sound waves. An elongated acoustic chamber extends from the speaker to an output port. The amplifier, speaker and elongated acoustic chamber are housed within the body.

Abstract: A human interface device may include at least one analog control pressure surface that may operate in conjunction with at least one optical tube assembly (OTA) to allow precision human control of signal modulation, such as an audio signal being generated by a musical instrument. Each OTA may be incorporated within a body and may include a tube and an emitter-sensor pair wherein when pressure is applied to at least one of the pressure surfaces, the amount of light transferred within a sensor-emitter pair of an OTA is altered to selectively effect the signal modulation. Any type of control range may be expressed that depends on dynamic range and “touch” control. Accordingly, the human interface device may allow more “feeling” or expressiveness through application of pressure rather than positioning.

Abstract: An acoustic/electronic drum assembly comprising a mesh batter drumhead comprising a mesh membrane and an annular ring, a resonant drumhead comprising an acoustic membrane and an annular ring, the acoustic membrane capable of creating acoustic sound in response to a force applied to the mesh batter drumhead, an annular shell member for maintaining the mesh batter drumhead in fixed relation to the resonant drumhead, and a pick-up acoustically coupled to at least the resonant drumhead for picking up the acoustic sound and creating an electrical signal.

Abstract: A timbre processing adapter socket for electric guitar is provided, including a socket body and a fixing unit. The socket body includes a groove seat and an assembling seat connected with each other. The groove seat has an accommodation groove, and a signal transmitter is arranged on an inner end portion of the accommodation groove. A timbre processor is accommodated in the accommodation groove and further electrically connected to the signal transmitter. The assembling seat is provided with an audio input hole, a timbre processing signal output hole, at least one speaker and at least one battery connected with each other electrically. The fixing unit fixes the socket body detachably on an external end portion of the electric guitar.

Abstract: A CPU 41 determines whether or not the detected level of string picking strength exceeds a predetermined first level, and in a case of determining that the predetermined first level is exceeded, determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the number of the frets 23 in contact with the string 22 detected as a picked string is a predetermined number or more (10 or more) while the frets in contact therewith as above are located within a predetermined area from the bridge 16 (the fret number 18 or higher). In a case where it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the CPU 41 instructs the connected sound source 45 to generate a predefined slap sound.

Abstract: This method of converting a displacement of a magnetic object into a signal directly perceptible by a human being, comprises: —the acquisition (32) of a temporal succession of measurements of a magnetic field modified by the displacements of the object during a sliding time window of predetermined duration, —the construction (34) on the basis of this acquired temporal succession of measurements of several signals each representing a characteristic of the measured magnetic field dependent on a corresponding characteristic of the displacement of the object, and —the adjustment (50) of several parameters of the directly perceptible signal as a function of the signals so as to render these characteristics directly perceptible.

Abstract: Systems and method for performing adaptive audio signal processing using music as a measurement stimulus signal. A musical stimuli generator may be used to generate musical stimulus signals composed to provide a stimulus with a spectrum that is substantially dense, and ideally white or pink, over a selected frequency range, so that all frequencies of interest are stimulated. The musical stimuli generator may generate melodically pleasing musical stimulus signals using music clips that include any of: a chromatic sequence, a chromatic sequence including chromatic tones over a plurality of octaves, a chromatic sequence including chromatic tones over a selected plurality of octaves, or an algorithmically composed chromatic sequence, to cover a selected frequency range. The musical stimulus signal may be generated as sound into the environment of use. An audio input picks up the sound from the environment, and a sound processor uses the received musical stimulus signal to determine a transfer function.

Abstract: A controller having proximity sensors associated with a trigger, such as beam sensors, configured to generate proximity data as a function of where each beam is broken along its span. A variety of control signals are be generated, whereby each beam can be configured to be spatially controlled and mapped to mimic other controllers, such as those of a DJ controller or other entertainment device. MIDI messages may be generated in response to positioning a member in a beam as detected by the proximity sensors. Each beam may be configured into a plurality of proximity zones, where a different MIDI message is generated when the member is positioned in the respective proximity zone.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument may include a percussion member that generates vibrations when percussed, a vibration resonance member, a vibration damping member, and an electronic sound generation unit. The vibration resonance member may include a hub portion, a plurality of radial portions extending radially from the hub portion, and a plurality of spiral portions. Each of the spiral portions may be disposed between and connects respective two of the radial portions. Each of the radial portions may be connected to a respective adjacent one of the radial portions by one or more of the spiral portions. The vibration damping member, disposed between the percussion member and the vibration resonance member, may propagate the vibrations generated by the percussion member to the vibration resonance member. The electronic sound generation unit, connected to the vibration resonance member, may sense the vibrations through the vibration resonance member and generate an electronic percussion sound.

Abstract: A controller configured to interactively control images, such as visual images including video images in interactive-multi-media including video games and the like. In one preferred embodiment, a controller is configured to generate a plurality of electromagnetic beams, whereby the user may selectively interrupt one or more of the electromagnetic beams to generate, control, or manipulate a visual image, rendered on a display. Advantageously, the user may control the visual image without having to physically depress buttons, to control one or more visual subjects.

Abstract: A mobile replacement-dialogue recording system enables the creation of replacement-dialogue items by mobile users not at a media recording studio. Studio-users prepare guide media video, audio and text data which are made available to mobile users through a media server. A mobile user's mobile replacement-dialogue recording device obtains guide media and allows the user to view the guide media in rehearsal mode. The mobile replacement-dialogue recording device then records the mobile user's dialogue performance while presenting the mobile user with synchronized guide media. The mobile user can review, delete, and rerecord the resulting potential replacement dialogue, as well as create feedback media characterizing the replacement dialogue. Selected replacement dialogue items can be transmitted to the media server. A studio-module can then obtain the selected replacement dialogue items and feedback media from the media server so that they may be used in media-replacement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling an electronic system are provided. An embodiment of a device comprises a spring having a first end with a first handle and a second end with a second handle. A first sensor detects movement of the first end and a second sensor detects movement of the second end. Each sensor provides a control signal to the electronic system such that the electronic system can act according to the varying control signals. A method comprises providing a spring-based musical instrument and providing a computer having a speaker. The spring is altered by the musician in order to generate control signals to the computer. Sound is generated by the speaker and varied by the computer according to the received control signals.

Abstract: A programmable pickup director switching system for a musical instrument having a plurality of pickup coils and a pickup director control board communicatively interconnected to the plurality of pickup coils. The system also includes a push/pull potentiometer structured and arranged to activate different combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils, a main multi-position switch having m positions, and a bank select switch having n positions. Additionally, the system includes a switching matrix configured to switch one or more of the plurality of pickup coils into a signal path based on a position of at least one of the main multi-position switch, the bank select switch and the push/pull potentiometer.

Abstract: The musical instrument has a acoustic transducer, which transforms an excitation signal generated by at least one resonator into an acoustic signal. The acoustic transducer is provided with an adjustable oscillation profile, in which at least one profile parameter is defined by a reference profile of a reference instrument.

Abstract: In the present invention, a click sound corresponding to key depression speed is generated, and the production timings of fundamental and harmonic components respectively corresponding to each footage are changed to vary from one another in accordance with a wait time, whereby the fundamental and the harmonic components to be synthesized by additive synthesis are changed to differ from one another. Next, a click sound corresponding to key release speed is generated, and the stop timings of the fundamental and harmonic components are changed to vary from one another in accordance with a wait time, whereby the fundamental and the harmonic components to be muted are changed to differ from one another. Accordingly, by the click sound being mixed with the drawbar sound having these slight tone changes, a unique drawbar sound such as that generated by the sound producing mechanism of an actual drawbar organ is generated.

Abstract: An electronic signal processor for processing signals includes a complex first filter, one or more gain stages and a second filter. The first filter is characterized by a frequency response curve that includes multiple corner frequencies, with some corner frequencies being user selectable. The first filter also has at least two user-preset gain levels which may be alternately selected by a switch. Lower frequency signals are processed by the first filter with at least 12 db/octave slope, and preferably with 18 db/octave slope to minimize intermodulation distortion products by subsequent amplification in the gain stages. A second filter provides further filtering and amplitude control. The signal processor is particularly suited for processing audio frequency signals.

Abstract: A CPU 41 determines whether or not the detected level of string picking strength exceeds a predetermined first level, and in a case of determining that the predetermined first level is exceeded, determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the number of the frets 23 in contact with the string 22 detected as a picked string is a predetermined number or more (10 or more) while the frets in contact therewith as above are located within a predetermined area from the bridge 16 (the fret number 18 or higher). In a case where it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the CPU 41 instructs the connected sound source 45 to generate a predefined slap sound.

Abstract: An electronic stringed instrument 1 includes a string-pressing sensor 44 that detects a state of contact between each of a plurality of frets 23 and each of a plurality of strings 22. A CPU 41 detects that picking of any of the plurality of strings 22, provides a sound generation instruction to a connected sound source 45 to produce musical sound of a pitch determined based on the detected state of contact, detects a vibration pitch of the string 22 of which picking was detected, and corrects the pitch of the musical sound generated by the connected sound source 45 based on the detected vibration pitch.

Abstract: Synthetic multi-string musical instruments have been developed for capturing and rendering musical performances on handheld or other portable devices in which a multi-touch sensitive display provides one of the input vectors for an expressive performance by a user or musician. Visual cues may be provided on the multi-touch sensitive display to guide the user in a performance based on a musical score. Alternatively, or in addition, uncued freestyle modes of operation may be provided. In either case, it is not the musical score that drives digital synthesis and audible rendering of the synthetic multi-string musical instrument. Rather, it is the stream of user gestures captured at least in part using the multi-touch sensitive display that drives the digital synthesis and audible rendering.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a signal of an electric guitar are provided. An input guitar signal is received by a portable handheld computing device. The input guitar signal is processed using the digital signal. The combined guitar output is transmitted.

Abstract: An amplifier for electric guitar including a Cut control for attenuating high frequencies whose operation is expanded via a switch to alternately function as a Master Volume control.

Abstract: Process for synthesis of a synthesized audio signal, in which at least one audio signal of contact is produced for each excitation contact of a sequence of contacts carried out on a vibrating body (2). A partial attenuation signal of remanence is generated from at least one vibration signal representative of the vibration of the vibrating body (2) generated by at least one excitation contact, named partial contact, the partial attenuation signal of remanence being representative, of a partial attenuation of at least one remanent audio signal of contact, resulting from an excitation contact that is previous to said partial contact. The synthesized audio signal after said partial contact is produced by mixing the audio signal of contact of said partial contact and each remanent audio signal of contact affected by the partial attenuation signal of remanence. The invention extends to a device (3) for synthesizing said synthesized audio signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument that includes a plurality of strings and a pickup to which each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled that is connectable to a computer to implement DSP modeling. A serial interface circuit is coupled to the pickup and to a digital connector that formats each digital string vibration signal received from the pickup into a digital serial protocol. A computer is coupled by a serial link to the digital connector such that the computer receives each serially formatted digital string signal (SFDSS). The computer operates at least one audio DSP-based software module to process each received SFDSS wherein each SFDSS is processed in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of stringed instruments to create an emulated digital string tone signal (EDSTS). Each EDSTS is then transmitted back over the serial link to the stringed instrument for playback.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument including: a detecting section which is provided in a stick and detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the stick; a first timing generating section which generates beat timing based on a predetermined tempo and beat width; a first pre-sound-production movement detecting section which detects a pre-sound-production movement that is performed prior to sound production, based on the acceleration and the angular speed detected by the detecting section; and a sound production instructing section which instructs to produce a sound at the beat timing generated by the first timing generating section, when the first pre-sound-production movement detecting section detects the pre-sound-production movement.

Abstract: A method of making musical sounds from a musical instrument may include amplifying musical sounds from vibrations of a vibrating element when a musical instrument is played, sensing forces between the musical instrument and the vibrating element and altering the forces applied to the vibrating element in response to the sensed forces to emulate musical sounds produced by a musical instrument having different musical characteristics, for example, to emulate an acoustic guitar. Piezoelectric material or magnetic material may be used to apply forces along one or more than one axis of vibration and may be controlled by a replaceable element and/or in response to user adjustments. The applied forces may be adjusted to control relative phase between the sensed and applied forces to avoid unwanted musical effects, such as unwanted sustained oscillation, in response to a fundamental period of the vibrations or random number generation to change the vibration waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting combinations of pickups on a guitar or other stringed instrument allows a performer to control the pickup selections without interrupting instrument play. Combinations of pickups are selected by a processor according to measurements of orientation, position, and/or rate of movement made by an accelerometer. The accelerometer measurements can be filtered. Any or all elements of the system can be contained in a hollow space within the instrument. A manual control can be included to override the processor. Pickup combinations and/or accelerometer measurement ranges can be specified by manual controls while in a training mode. In a sequential mode, pickup combinations are selected in a preset order and for preset time periods. The accelerometer sampling rate can be between 1000 and 100 samples per second, and the sampled data can be stored in an 11 by 11 array.

Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 is provided with a first acceleration sensor 22 at its head portion and a second acceleration sensor 23 at its base portion. CPU 21 determines operation of the performance apparatus 11 during a period from the first timing to the second timing, based on a first acceleration-sensor value and a second acceleration-sensor value, and determines operation mode corresponding to the operation of the performance apparatus. Referring to a tone-color table stored in RAM 26, CPU 21 determines a tone color of musical tones to be generated, based on the determined operation mode.

Abstract: Detection is made of a physical amount caused by operation performed on a mouthpiece with a human player's mouth, and a tone pitch corresponding to the detected physical amount is identified by referencing a memory storing information defining relationship between various ranges of the physical amount and tone pitches. Expected tone generating style is notified to the player based on the identified tone pitch. The memory contains a pitch table defining relationship between various ranges of the physical amount and tone pitches, and a gain table defining gain information corresponding to deviations of the physical amount from a predetermined reference point for each tone pitch and within the range of the physical amount corresponding to the tone pitch. For the detected physical amount, a tone pitch and gain information are identified by referencing the pitch gain tables, so that the identified tone pitch and gain information is notified.

Abstract: Methods and a system for providing electronic musical instruments are disclosed. Through novel combinations of sensor inputs and processing, they allow simulation of acoustic instruments including but not limited to a Trombone, Trumpet, and Saxophone. Sensor inputs are configured to trigger playback and transitioning of sound and control its various attributes alone, or in combination.

Abstract: During reproduction of drum-part performance tones with a predetermined performance pattern, comprising a combination of a plurality of drum tone colors, based on automatic performance style data including at least performance pattern data associated with a drum kit defining a combination of the plurality of drum tone colors, a drum kit editing section replaces any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit, with one or more other drum tone colors. Thus, even during an automatic accompaniment, a user can readily replace any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit allocated to the drum part, with one or more other drum tone colors while promptly checking an automatic accompaniment having the other drum tone colors reflected therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the real-time wireless transmission of a digital audio signal and control data. A transmitter may be coupled to an audio source. The transmitter includes a processor to combine control data with a digital audio signal from the audio source and the processor wirelessly transmits the combined control data and digital audio signal to a receiver. The receiver includes a processor that is used to receive the combined control data and digital audio signal and to process the control data to perform a user pre-defined function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive sound-and-light art device with wireless transmission and sensing functions, which is primarily composed of a plurality of acoustic sensor nodes in artistic shapes, whereas each of the plural acoustic sensor nodes is designed to interact with people through the detection of multi-track music playing or voice-based exhibition of twitter conversations. Substantially, each acoustic sensor node is an artistically-shaped frame having a plurality of sensors embedded therein, which includes sensors for detecting environmental information, and sensors for detection human motion. Moreover, each artistically-shaped frame can further be embedded with interactive components, using which each acoustic sensor node is able to interact with people through multi-track music playing or exhibition of LED light variations, according to the detection of its environment sensors and human motion sensors.

Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 extends in its longitudinal direction to be held by a player with his or her hand, and is provided with an acceleration sensor 23 for detecting an acceleration sensor value and an angular rate sensor 22 for detecting an angular rate of rotation of the apparatus 11 about its longitudinal axis. CPU 21 detects a sound-generation timing based on the acceleration sensor value. Using the angular rate, CPU 21 calculates a rotation angle of the performance apparatus 11 made about its longitudinal axis in a period from a first and a second timing, wherein the first and second timing correspond to starting and finishing of swinging motion of the performance apparatus, respectively. CPU 21 determines to increase or decrease a sound volume level, in accordance with the direction and amount of the calculated rotation angle, thereby adjusting a sound volume level of musical tone.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a programmable switch for configuring circuit topologies. The switch can be any type of mechanical or electronic switch. Every setting of the switch can be programmed by a user, selecting topologies such as circuit elements in series, in parallel, in phase or out of phase. In a dual switch embodiment, the first switch selects the circuit elements to be used, and the second switch configures those selected elements in a wide variety of topologies. This division in switch circuit design between element selection and then topology provides an extremely wide range of circuit topologies available, unlike prior art designs.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field pickup (10) for a musical instrument including an electromagnetic signal generator (12), an electromagnetic field transducer (18), a mixer (28), the electromagnetic signal generator (12), the electromagnetic field transducer (18) and the mixer (28) are respectively connected in series, the electromagnetic signal generator (12) is also connected directly to the mixer (28), so constructed and arranged that when power is supplied to the electromagnetic field pickup (10) an audio electrical signal of substantially same pitch, intonation and sustain as a vibrating element (22) of the instrument is generated.

Abstract: An instrument-playing portable communication device is provided. The device includes an instrument-playing key unit having one or more keys, provided on a body of the instrument-playing portable communication device. When a user selects a chord of a selected instrument by pressing at least one of the one or more keys, the instrument-playing key unit converts the at least one key press into a first signal. The device also includes a sensor unit mounted in the body, for sensing a motion of a user. When the user presses the at least one of the one or more keys and moves in a location near the sensor unit, the sensor unit senses a motion of the user and converts the motion into a second signal. The device further includes a controller for receiving the first signal from the instrument-playing key unit and the second signal from the sensor unit, generating a tone frequency of the selected instrument based on the received signals, and converting the tone frequency into a tone.

Abstract: A piano with an electronic tone generator capable of outputting musical sound signals of a reverberation and/or a resonance, in accordance with whether an external output is performed or not.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic musical instrument comprising: an input device for inputting sound generation instructions of tones at predetermined pitches; a tone generation device that generates tones with predetermined pitches based on sound generation instructions inputted by the input device; a specifying device that specifies a plurality of sound generation instructions inputted by the input device in a predetermined period as a sound generation instruction group; a sorting device that sorts the plurality of sound generation instructions composing the sound generation instruction group specified by the specifying device in a predetermined pitch order; and a control device that controls generation of tones by the tone generation device such that tones corresponding to the sound generation instruction group are generated in the order sorted by the sorting device.

Abstract: Provided are an electronic musical instrument, computer storage device, and method generating tones for held notes. Indication is made of held notes having pitches as held in response to receiving note-on information for the held notes from an input device of an electronic musical instrument while receiving hold information from a hold device of the electronic musical instrument. Note-on information is received for a received note having a pitch while generating the pitches for the held notes. Selection is made of one of the held notes to release according to a first selection criteria in response to determining that the pitch difference of the received note and at least one of the held notes does not exceed the predetermined number of tones or selection is made according to a second selection criteria if the pitch difference exceeds the predetermined number of tones.

Abstract: Provided are an electronic musical instrument, computer storage device, and method for generating tone. A sound source in an electronic musical instrument generates a first tone at a first pitch in response to a first tone generation instruction received by an input device of the electronic musical instrument. A second tone generation instruction is received to generate a second tone at a second pitch while generating the first tone at the sound source. A determination is made of a pitch difference of the first and the second pitches. The sound source is controlled to generate the second tone and to not generate the first tone in response to determining that the pitch difference does not exceed a predetermined number of tones. The sound source is controlled to generate the second tone in response to determining that the pitch difference exceeds the predetermined number of tones.