JP3738732B2 - Electronic musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a handy-type electronic musical instrument that is suitable for performing with a thumb while holding it with both hands or one hand.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As handy-type instruments with a small main body size, natural instruments have soprano instruments such as ocarina, piccolo, soprano recorder, etc., because the range of sounds that can be produced is limited by their physical size. In this regard, a small electronic musical instrument such as a small electronic keyboard instrument or an electronic wind instrument has no restriction on the sound generation range due to physical size. In order to further reduce the size of such a small electronic musical instrument, for example, a small electronic keyboard musical instrument is provided with a keyboard portion having an arrangement similar to that of a normal keyboard musical instrument. ) There was a limit to the miniaturization of electronic musical instruments without changing the arrangement.
In contrast, in the actual opening Sho 61-60299 discloses, there is shown a small-sized electronic musical instrument arranged annularly in the circumferential direction in a completely different sequence the pitch keys existing keyboard arrangement on instrument board . However, in this case, the pitch key arrangement is completely circular, so there is a great sensual difference from the performance operation of a normal keyboard instrument, and the movement lines of fingering are complicated. Met.
[0003]
[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a handy-type small electronic musical instrument that is suitable for performing with a thumb or the like by holding it with both hands or one hand.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a handy type electronic musical instrument in which a plurality of pitch keys are arranged on a board surface , each of which is divided into different sound ranges, and the sound ranges are partially overlapped. A plurality of pitch keys arranged in a substantially arcuate shape with the thumb base at the center when the electronic musical instrument is gripped by placing the thumb of the person on the board surface. To do. In this way, by arranging a plurality of pitch keys in a substantially arc shape with the thumb base of the performer placed on the board and gripped in a substantially arc shape, the thumb of the hand holding the instrument You can perform smoothly. In addition, the entire electronic musical instrument can be made extremely compact, and a handy-type small electronic musical instrument suitable for performing with a thumb or the like by holding it with both hands or one hand can be provided. In addition, since the sound range is divided so as to partially overlap, it is not necessary to frequently switch the array to be played, so that the performance can be easily performed.
[0005]
As an example, the plurality of pitch keys may be arranged in a plurality of rows . As a result, the substantially arc-shaped arrangement that is easy to operate with the thumb is provided over a plurality of rows, so that the ease of operation with the thumb for any pitch key of the arrangement is ensured, and the electronic musical instrument board is reduced in size. It is possible to widen the range of keys that can be arranged in a limited key arrangement region. In this case , the pitch keys with overlapping scales do not need to be at the same position in the pitch key arrangement direction, but rather may be shifted to different positions, so that a wide pitch range can be secured. it can. Further, in the pitch key arrangement over a plurality of rows, it is preferable to set the pitch key projection height to be lower as the arrangement is located on the outer edge side. As a result, when performing a performance operation on the inner side arrangement on the board surface with the thumb of the hand holding the outer edge of the electronic musical instrument, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the keys arranged on the outer side. Can also be performed easily.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention as viewed from above. The main body 2 of the electronic musical instrument 1 is a (handy) small and thin board-like substantially hexagonal casing that enables portable performance, and each corner is rounded. Further, the front sides of the left and right side surfaces of the main body 2 are inclined sides 2A and 2B that are inwardly directed toward the front of the main body 2. In FIG. 1, the lower side is the front side of the electronic musical instrument 1, and is the side on which the player who holds the electronic musical instrument 1 with both hands or one hand is located. On the board surface of the main body 2, pitch key arrays 3 to 6 made up of a plurality of pitch keys having a circular shape on the upper surface are arranged in a plurality of rows in a substantially arc shape with an arc directed toward the center of the main body 2. ing. This pitch key may have an elliptical shape or a bar shape with the key arrangement direction as the short direction. On the panel surface of the main body 2, various operator groups 10 to 19 and the liquid crystal display unit 9 are arranged at predetermined positions, respectively. Are provided with chord type designation operators (SINGLE FINGER) 7a and 7b and resist data selection operators (REGIST) 8a and 8b, respectively. The liquid crystal display unit 9 is used to display various operation settings.
[0007]
On the back of the main body 2, a volume knob 40 (VR), an audio signal input pin 41 (MIX IN), and an audio signal output pin for setting the tone volume while also turning on / off the power at the fully-turned position 42 (MIX OUT) and a headphone connection pin 43 (HP) are provided. The audio signal input pin 41 (MIX IN) is an input pin for inputting an external audio signal (musical sound signal), and the audio signal output pin 42 (MIX OUT) is an audio signal generated inside the electronic musical instrument 1. Is connected to an external device such as an electronic musical instrument via an audio signal input pin 41 (MIX IN) and an audio signal output pin 42 (MIX OUT). It is possible to perform an ensemble with the equipment that has been used. In addition, the main body 2 may include an input / output pin for a MIDI interface for inputting / outputting MIDI standard music data, and an optical remote control transmitter / receiver for transmitting / receiving a MIDI signal by light. May be built in.
[0008]
The electronic musical instrument 1 is configured so that the main body 2 is grasped with both hands (or one hand) of a performer and an operator such as a pitch key provided on the upper surface of the main body 2 can be easily operated with both thumbs. Yes. First, the grip mode of the electronic musical instrument 1 will be described.
When performing a musical operation of the electronic musical instrument 1, the performer supports the main body 2 with palms, little fingers, middle fingers, ring fingers, etc. of both hands, and positions the base of the thumb at the upper edge of the oblique sides 2A, 2B of the main body 2, A pitch key and other operators 10 to 19 arranged on the upper surface of the main body 2 are operated with the thumb. Left and right index fingers are arranged along the side surface of the main body 2, and chord type designation operators (SINGLE FINGER) controls 7a and 7b and a resist data selection operator (REGIST) 8a provided on the left and right ends of the back of the index finger. Operate 8b. Taking the ease of gripping into consideration, as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, convexly formed grips 30 </ b> L and 30 </ b> R are provided on the back surface of the electronic musical instrument 1. The grips 30L and 30R are provided with fingertip abutting portions 31L and 31R for abutting the little finger, middle finger, and ring finger, respectively. The fingertips of the little finger, middle finger, and ring finger are applied to the fingertip abutting portions 31L and 31R, and both palms are brought into contact with the aforementioned oblique side portions 2A and 2B of the main body 2, so that the main body is positioned at the grips 30L and 30R. 2 is firmly gripped. At this time, since both thumbs are not directly involved in gripping the musical instrument, each thumb on the board surface of the main body 2 can be freely operated with both thumbs. The operators 7a, 7b and 8a, 8b can be easily operated with the fingertip of the index finger located along the side surface of the main body 2. In addition, the arrangement surface (back surface of the main body 2) of the operators 7a, 7b and 8a, 8b forms an angle of about 90 degrees (80 to 100 degrees) with respect to the board surface of the main body 2 in consideration of operability. And
[0009]
Thus, each pitch key in the pitch key arrangements 3 to 6 is operated by the thumb, and when the main body 2 is gripped, the player's thumbs can be smoothly moved within the range in which the player 2 can move smoothly. A plurality of rows are arranged on the board surface.
Returning to FIG. 1, the arrangement form of the pitch key arrangements 3 to 6 will be described. In FIG. 1, each pitch key is shown with symbols A to G for distinguishing each scale name, and each pitch key corresponding to the pitch name C of each pitch key array 3 to 6 is shown. On the other hand, subscript numbers 2 to 4 are added to indicate the octave range. Note that the pitch C3 is the central pitch name C. The pitch key arrangements 3 to 6 are configured such that a plurality of pitch keys are arranged in a substantially circular arc shape with the base of the left and right thumbs as a substantial center. That is, on the left and right sides of the electronic musical instrument main body 2, a plurality of pitch keys are arranged on the operation line of both thumbs of the performer. The pitch key arrays 3 to 6 are arranged in parallel in two rows on the left and right sides of the main body 2 respectively corresponding to the left and right thumbs, each having a different radial length. In the illustrated example, the pitch key array 3 and the pitch key array 4 are doubled on the left side of the main body 2, and the pitch key array 5 and the pitch key key 4 are aligned on the right side of the main body 2. The array 6 is double-arranged. In the double pitch key arrangements 3 and 4 or 5 and 6, the geometric centers of the arcs do not necessarily have to be the same point. In short, the fingertip of the thumb is moved and traced around the base of the thumb. It is only necessary to have a curved shape that can be used, and it is not necessary that the curvature is constant. For example, the shape is not limited to an accurate arc shape, and may be an elliptical arc, a “<” shape, or a shape close thereto.
[0010]
Here, a specific example of one pitch key arrangement will be described taking the pitch key arrangement 4 on the inner side for the left hand as an example. As with a normal keyboard composed of white keys and black keys, a white key Are composed of two rows of pitch keys 4a to 4t corresponding to, and pitch keys 4b to 4s corresponding to black keys, which are arranged in a substantially arc shape. The pitch keys 4a, 4c, 4e,... 4t corresponding to the white keys correspond to the pitch names C, D,... G according to the scale arrangement of the existing white keys on the keyboard from the top to the bottom in the figure. Are arranged sequentially. The pitch keys 4b, 4d,..., 4s corresponding to the black keys are sequentially arranged following the scale arrangement of the black keys of the existing keyboard from the top to the bottom in the figure. The pitch keys 4b, 4d,... 4s corresponding to the black keys are positioned between the pitch keys 4a, 4c, 4e,... Corresponding to the white keys, and the black keys of the normal keyboard are arranged side by side with the white keys. As in the row, it is arranged at a position deeper than the pitch keys 4a, 4c, 4e... Corresponding to the white key in the direction of the fingertip of the thumb. As described above, the pitch key arrangement is the same as the existing keyboard arrangement in the scale arrangement order. Thus, the pitch keys corresponding to the pitch range from pitch C2 to G3 are arranged in the pitch key array 4 on the left inner side.
Similarly, the pitch key arrangement 3 on the outer side for the left hand is composed of two rows of pitch keys 3b, 3d,... Corresponding to white keys and pitch keys 3a, 3c,. In the figure, they are arranged in order of bass from top to bottom. However, in this pitch key array 3, pitch keys corresponding to the pitch range from pitches F # 1 to F2 are arranged.
[0011]
As described above, the pitch key arrays 3 and 4 correspond to different pitch ranges, but some of the pitch ranges (pitch C2 to F2) overlap. That is, the pitch key scales in the multiple pitch key arrangements 3 and 4 are set to overlap in a part of the pitch range (pitch C2 to F2). As a result, it is not necessary to frequently switch the array to be subjected to the performance operation, so that the performance operation is facilitated. For example, if the pitch keys of the overlapping ranges (pitch C2 to F2) are not provided in the array 3, when the pitch C2 is played after the pitch key 3f of the pitch B1 is operated in the array 3, The pitch keys 4a of the array 4 must be operated, which is very troublesome. However, if they are overlapped as in the present embodiment, it is very easy to operate because the adjacent pitch key 3g in the same array 3 may be operated.
[0012]
Further, the pitch keys (3g to 3l and 4a to 4f) for each pitch C2 to F2 whose scales overlap in the pitch key arrangements 3 and 4 are not in the same position in the pitch key arrangement direction. , Are arranged at different positions. For example, the pitch key 3g in the array 3 corresponding to the lowest pitch C2 in the overlapping pitch range (pitch C2 to F2) is arranged approximately in the middle of the sequence 3, but the same pitch C2 is used. The pitch key 4 a in the corresponding array 4 is arranged at the end of the array 4. On the other hand, if the pitch key 4a in the array 4 corresponding to the lowest pitch C2 in the overlapping range (pitch C2 to F2) is changed, the pitch in the array 3 corresponding to the same pitch C2 is assumed. If it is arranged at substantially the same position as the key 3g, a space is created at the upper end of the array 4 and the pitch range of the pitch key array 4 becomes narrow. However, according to the present embodiment, since there is no space at the upper end of the array 4, a wide range of the pitch key array 4 can be secured.
[0013]
Similarly to the above, the pitch key array 5 on the inner side for the right hand and the pitch key array 6 on the outer side are respectively arranged in two rows of pitch keys corresponding to white keys and pitch keys corresponding to black keys. Although it is configured, the pitch order is opposite to that for the left hand and corresponds to the higher pitch range. In other words, the pitch key array 5 on the inner side for the right hand has pitch keys corresponding to the pitch ranges from F2 to F4 in the order of the lower pitches from bottom to top in the figure. In the pitch key array 6 on the outer side for the right hand, pitch keys corresponding to the pitch ranges from the pitches B3 to B4 are arranged in order from the bottom to the top in the figure. Similarly to the above, in the pitch key arrays 5 and 6, the pitch key scales are set so that a part of the pitch ranges (pitch B3 to F4) overlap, and the overlapping pitches. The pitch keys for each of B3 to F4 are arranged at different positions with respect to the pitch key arrangement direction.
Further, in the pitch key array 4 on the inner side for the left hand and the pitch key array 5 on the inner side for the right hand, the pitch keys are arranged so that some of the pitch ranges (pitch F2 to G3) overlap. The scale is set. As a result, the boundary between the right-hand performance and the left-hand performance is set to be ambiguous with an overlap in the range of one octave or more, and the restriction on the range of the right-hand performance and the left-hand performance is reduced. This makes it possible to perform performance operations very easily.
[0014]
The pitch keys arranged on the pitch key array 3 and the pitch key array 6 located on the outer edge side on both the left and right sides of the main body 2 are pitch key arrays 4 and 4 located near the center of the main body 2. The protruding height of the pitch key head is lower than the pitch keys arranged in the key array 5. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pitch key array 3 and the pitch key array 4 as viewed from the cross section along the line AA in FIG. In FIG. 3, pitch keys 3d, 3e, 4e, and 4d are respectively disposed in mounting holes provided on the upper surface of the main body 2, and key switches 51 (corresponding to the pitch keys 3d, 3e, 4e, and 4d) In the figure, branch numbers 3d, 3e, 4e, and 4d indicating the correspondence with the pitch keys are assigned to the key switches 51.) are arranged on the switch board 50. When the corresponding pitch key is depressed, the key switch 51 closes (turns on) the switch and outputs a key code so that the operated pitch key can be specified. When you release (release the pitch key), the switch opens (turns off). The pitch keys 3d, 3e, 4e, and 4d are positioned in the order of the pitch keys 3d, 3e, 4e, and 4d according to the direction in which the fingertip of the left thumb points when the musical instrument 1 is gripped, that is, on the outer edge side of the main body 2. The projecting height increases sequentially from the pitch key (pitch key 3d) to the inside. In this way, the projecting height of the pitch key located near the base of the thumb to be operated is lowered, and the projecting height of the pitch key increases as it goes toward the fingertip, thereby smoothing the fingertip of the thumb. It can be moved, and the performance operation can be facilitated. In addition, the head of each pitch key has a rounded shape, which makes it easier to move the thumb.
[0015]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in each of the pitch key arrays 3 to 6, the plurality of pitch keys are within the range that the thumb can reach when the player holds the instrument with the left hand and / or the right hand. Since each of them is arranged in an arc along the operation line of the thumb, the pitch key operation with the thumb can be performed easily and smoothly without changing the position of the hand holding the main body 2 (re-gripping). Can do. Therefore, the electronic musical instrument 1 of this embodiment is suitable for holding the main body 2 with both hands of the performer and performing a performance operation with the gripped thumb and forefinger, and can be easily performed anywhere. For example, if you use headphones, you can enjoy playing the instrument personally while sitting in a train car. Note that the pitch keys may be arranged only on either the right side or the left side of the main body 2, and may be arranged in a single line without being limited to multiple ones. .
[0016]
Finally, an example of various functions of the electronic musical instrument 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to an internal configuration example of the electronic musical instrument 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. The control means 20 includes operation signals from the pitch keys of the pitch key arrays 3 to 6, chord type designation operators 7a and 7b, registration data selection operators 8a and 8b, and other various operator groups 10 to 19. Is entered. The control means 20 includes an automatic rhythm memory, an automatic accompaniment memory and control circuits thereof, a sound source reading means, and the like. The detailed configuration of such a control means 20 is well known and will not be described. The control means 20 outputs a musical tone signal from the sound source 21 based on performance information (key code, key on / off signal, touch information, etc.) obtained in response to the operation of the pitch key. The sound source 21 may employ any conventionally known sound source method such as a waveform memory, may be configured using dedicated hardware, or may be configured by software processing by a CPU. Good. The musical tone signal generated by the sound source 21 is generated from the speaker 23 via the amplifier 22 after digital / analog conversion. Further, when various operators 10 to 19, chord type designation operators (SINGLE FINGER) 7a and 7b, and registration data selection operators (REGIST) 8a and 8b are operated, the control means 20 performs the operated operation. Predetermined control corresponding to the child is performed, and control is performed so that a tone signal based on the control is output from the sound source 21.
Hereinafter, a brief description will be given for each operation element. The operation element 10 is a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value, and various selection settings can be input. A song selection operator (SONG) 11 is a switch for selecting a song (music piece), and a tone color selection operator (VOICE) 12 is a switch for selecting a tone color to be generated.
[0017]
A style selection operator (STYLE) 13 is a switch for selecting an automatic accompaniment and rhythm style. A plurality of sets of automatic accompaniment and rhythm pattern data corresponding to each style are stored in a memory included in the control means 20. The control means 20 determines the accompaniment pattern to be read based on the input data by the operation of the style selection operator (STYLE) 13 and the resist data selection operator (REGIST) 8a, 8b, and the corresponding pattern is read from the predetermined memory. read out. A start / stop operator (START / STOP) 19 is a switch for instructing start and stop of an automatic rhythm. A tempo setting operator (TEMPO) 18 is a switch for setting the tempo of the automatic rhythm, and is a tap type switch.
[0018]
An accompaniment on / off controller (ACMP) 14 is a switch for instructing on / off of a single finger function of automatic accompaniment. When the single finger function is turned on, for example, a pitch key for one octave provided in the pitch key array 3 functions as a root tone designation key, and is operated by chord type designation operators (SINGLE FINGER) 7a and 7b. , The chord type is specified. For example, when the chord type designation operation element 7a is operated, the seventh code is designated, and when the chord type designation operation element 7b is operated, the minor code is designated, and when neither is operated, the major code is designated. In this chord type designating operator, the arrangement of 7a and 7b may be reversed. The control means 20 determines a chord according to the root and type of the chord specified by the operated root specifying key and the chord type specifying operators 7a and 7b, and the pitch of each component of the determined chord is determined. In accordance with the chord pattern data, the tone generator 21 is controlled so as to be generated from the sound source 21.
[0019]
The synchro start operator (SYNC) 16 is a switch for instructing the synchro start, and when turned on, enters an automatic accompaniment start standby state, and automatic accompaniment starts in response to a pitch key operation. If this is operated during automatic accompaniment, the automatic accompaniment is canceled and a synchro start standby state is entered. An intro / ending operator (intro / ending) 17 is a switch for instructing automatic introduction of an intro pattern or an ending pattern. When the performance of the intro pattern is finished, the main automatic accompaniment is entered. When the ending pattern is finished, the automatic accompaniment stops. A fill-in controller (AUTO FILL) 15 is a switch for automatically performing a fill-in suitable for an automatic accompaniment currently being performed during automatic accompaniment. By this operation, a fill-in is performed from an accompaniment pattern currently being performed. It may be possible to shift to a different accompaniment pattern (for example, from one accompaniment pattern A to another accompaniment pattern B after entering a fill performance), or by simply filling in without changing the accompaniment pattern. Good.
[0020]
The registration data selection operators (REGIST) 8a and 8b select preset combinations (registration data) of various musical tone setting / control data including tone color, volume, effect, tempo, accompaniment style, accompaniment part on / off, etc.・ Switch to switch. The memory included in the control means 20 stores a plurality of registration data for presetting combinations of various tone setting / control data such as tone, volume, effect, tempo, accompaniment style, accompaniment part on / off, etc. Resist data is read according to the operation of the data selection operator 8a or 8b, and the setting is switched based on the read data.
[0021]
A desired automatic performance can be performed by appropriately setting the operation elements 10 to 19 as described above. Operators that are operated in real time during automatic performance, that is, each pitch key, chord type designation operators (SINGLE FINGER) 7a and 7b, and resist data selection operators (REGIST) 8a and 8b hold the main body 2. Easy operation with thumb and index finger. Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform a performance operation and an automatic performance operation anywhere regardless of location.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to make the entire electronic musical instrument extremely compact, and to provide a handy-type small electronic musical instrument that is suitable for performing with a thumb or the like by holding it with both hands or one hand. can do. In addition, by providing multiple substantially arc-shaped arrays that are easy to operate with the thumb, it is easy to operate with the thumb for any pitch key of the array, and the limitation on the miniaturized electronic musical instrument panel surface. This provides an excellent effect that the range of keys that can be arranged in the arranged key arrangement area can be expanded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment as viewed from above.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the back surface of the electronic musical instrument according to the embodiment as viewed from the back side.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating a pitch key arrangement in the electronic musical instrument according to the embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic system configuration diagram of the electronic musical instrument according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Electronic musical instrument 2 Main body 3-6 Pitch key arrangement (pitch key)
7a, 7b Chord type designation operation elements 8a, 8b Registration data selection operation element 9 Liquid crystal display unit 10-19 Operation element 20 Control means 21 Sound source 22 Amplifier 23 Speakers 30L, 30R Grip 31L, 31R Fingertip contact part 40 Volume knob 41 , 42 Audio signal input / output pin 43 Headphone connection pin 50 Switch board 51 Key switch

Claims (2)

In a handy type electronic musical instrument in which a plurality of pitch keys are arranged on the board surface,
A plurality of each is divided into different ranges, and when the electronic musical instrument is gripped with the performer's thumb positioned on the board for each range, the base of the thumb is omitted. An electronic musical instrument, wherein the plurality of pitch keys are arranged in a substantially arcuate arrangement at the center. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pitch keys are arranged in a plurality of rows .

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