EP0531782B1 - Keyboard instrument for the natural tone system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a keyboard instrument for the natural tone system with at least one keyboard, the keys of which are assigned to the overtones in a predetermined sequence. The keyboard is according to the invention optimally adapted to the conditions of the natural tone system by sixteen keys being provided per octave, which are arranged and designed in such a manner that the natural tones can be played in succession in three playing planes. A particular feature of the invention is the nested arrangement of the keys in the three playing planes, exclusively the "harmony keys" being arranged in the front playing plane, the "melody keys" and a narrowed section of the "harmony keys" in the central playing region, and a narrowed section of the "melody keys", a further narrowed section of the "harmony keys" and the "chromatic keys" in the rear playing region. In each playing plane, the neighbouring key sections are in each case of the same width. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a keyboard instrument for the natural tone system according to the preamble of claim 1.

While conventional music compositions are primarily based on the tempered tone system, microtonal music compositions are primarily based on the so-called natural tone system. The natural tone system or the natural tone series is the sequence of overtones, which are defined as an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency of a tone:
$\text{f (n) = f (o) xn, where n = 1,2,3 ...}$

In the above formula, n is also called the natural tone number.

In contrast to the overtone series, the fundamental tone is already referred to as the first natural tone. It is characteristic of the natural tone series or the natural tone system that an octave always takes place with a power of 2.

Je kleiner der Modulationsfaktor, desto größer ist die Zahl der Töne, welche die ausgewählte Reihe mit der ursprünglichenBasically, any series of natural tones can be formed on any fundamental frequency. In order to be able to compose and play music in a natural tone system, it is necessary to make a selection. This selection envisages that only the tones of a series of natural tones defined with a certain fundamental frequency, including their octaves, are permitted as fundamental tones. This results in selected natural tone series with reference to a so-called modulation factor m, corresponding to the natural tone number as follows:
$\text{f (n, m) = f (o) xnxm, where n, m = 1,2,3 ...}$

The smaller the modulation factor, the greater the number of tones that the selected row has with the original

Natural tone series has in common. For practical reasons, the present invention is based on the natural tone series selected above. However, the invention is not restricted to these selected natural tone series.

Basically, all types of conventional instruments, including keyboard instruments, are suitable for microtonal music. A problem with the use of keyboard instruments for the execution of microtonally composed music, however, is that conventional keyboard instruments are designed for the temperature-controlled sound system and include, for example, a 12-level black / white keyboard. However, this conventional keyboard is less suitable for the basically high number of natural tones, because the interval gradations in the natural tone series are becoming smaller and smaller.

Another problem with conventional keyboard instruments in the execution of microtonal music is that only a small selection of natural tones can be generated and thus played due to the tempered mood. Only recently has it been possible to use computer technology to display all natural tones in a natural tone series with complete precision. A corresponding computer program was developed by Willibald and Stephan Wegenkettel in Salzburg. The keyboard of a personal computer (PC) or, alternatively, the white keys of a keyboard is used as the keyboard, each by changing the basic tone with a so-called shift key Overtone scale can be called up ready to play.

While the generation of natural tones by computer technology represents a decisive advance in the field of microtonal musical instruments, especially keyboard instruments, the keyboard previously used (PC or the white keys of a keyboard) does not meet the special playing technique in the natural tone system in the required manner, and indeed does not only because the natural tone series are characterized by the fact that the interval gradations are steadily decreasing.

A keyboard with 31 keys per octave is known from US Pat. No. 3,012,460, which enables the playing of non-tempered scales. The keys are arranged in rows and columns in one level, with three rows with seven buttons and two rows with five buttons being provided per octave. This keyboard is designed for the 31-step system by Adriaan D. Fokker and is not suitable for playing the natural tone series. Since the keys are arranged in five separate rows, it is hardly possible to play fluently.

US Pat. No. 4,628,792 describes a keyboard with three key types which are arranged in three playing levels in such a way that there are 24 keys per octave. This keyboard is an extension of the conventional keyboard by 12 additional keys, which are arranged between the keys of the conventional keyboard. The keys of this keyboard can be individually assigned, so that playing in a natural tone system is basically possible, the integration of the 12 new keys in the conventional arrangement of the keys making playing natural tones considerably more difficult.

The object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard instrument for the natural tone system which corresponds to the special requirements of the natural tone system with relatively easy to learn playing technique.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

While the above-mentioned keyboard instruments for the natural tone system consist of conventional keyboards or keyboards developed for the tempered tone system, in particular personal computers, the invention provides for the number of keys per octave to be increased to 16 and their arrangement to be such that in three Game levels that are natural tones 4-7 (24), 8-15 (25.34) and 16-31 (26.35, 40.41) can be played in succession.

The invention therefore provides a special new keyboard for the pure intervals contained in the natural tone scale, which meets the requirements of the natural tone series, but also accommodates the learned playing technique of keyboard instruments, so that the playing style of the keyboard instrument according to the invention can also be easily learned by such persons who are used to conventional keyboard instruments.

The playability of the keyboard instrument according to the invention in three playing levels is achieved according to the invention by three different key shapes, namely by "harmony keys" that taper twice from front to back, by "melody keys" with a unique taper and "chromatic keys" of uniform width. These keys are arranged in such a way that only the front sections of the "harmony keys" with their maximum width come to lie adjacent to one another in a front field or a front playing level. In a middle field or a middle playing level, sections of the "harmony buttons" corresponding to the first taper border on front, equally wide sections of the melody buttons, which are thus alternately represented in the middle field with the harmony buttons. The back field or the back playing level is formed by repeated tapered sections of the "harmony buttons", the tapered sections of the "melody buttons" and the uniform widths of the "chromatic buttons", in regular succession: "harmony button", "melody button" "and" chromatic key ". It is essential that the contiguous key sections within each game level are the same width and the same length or depth.

In other words, the structure of the keyboard of the keyboard instrument according to the invention provides at least three differently designed key types for realizing the different playing levels or key fields, namely a first type of key, in which the keys extend over the entire depth of the keyboard and in a section located at the front each have a predetermined maximum width, which corresponds, for example, to the width of the keys in conventional keyboards. In the area of harmonic tones (n, m = 4,5,6,7) this type of key can consistently have the maximum width mentioned. At least in the range of melodic tones (m, n = 8 to 15), this type of key has a middle section of reduced width, especially half the maximum width. In this range of sounds According to the invention, there is a second type of key with keys set back compared to the first type of key, which have their greatest width in the middle region of the first-mentioned type of key and a rear section which is greatly reduced in the field of chromatic tones (n, m = 16 to 32) following the melodic tones Have width, which is adjacent to a correspondingly narrow section of the first type of key and a third type of key, which is similar, especially the same narrow.

Accordingly, at least in the area of chromatic tones, the first key type comprises keys with a front area of maximum width, a middle area of reduced, especially half maximum width and a back section of reduced width, which corresponds above all to a quarter of the maximum width. The second type of key is implemented at least in the area of the chromatic tones with two different width ranges, namely with a front width dimension, which preferably corresponds to half the maximum width, and a recessed section of reduced width, which corresponds above all to a quarter of the maximum width. In contrast to the two key types mentioned first, the third key type, which is provided exclusively in the area of chromatic tones, is preferably designed with a single width, namely in particular with a quarter of the maximum width.

Finally, keys for the microchromatic tones (n, m = 33 to 64) can follow the range of chromatic tones, which is preferably on the right next to the keys corresponding to the chromatic tones. These keys, which are preferably designed with an eighth of the maximum width, are preferably designed as sensors and, in the case of a preferably repeated arrangement of the above-described keyboard structure, lie in the area of the previous sections of the large keys assigned to the harmonic tones.

The keys of the keyboard according to the invention thus allow the natural tones to be played in succession. Advantageously, the keys all have the same height; So no one protrudes above the other, which also benefits the glissando game.

The wedge shape of the keys in the tapered area, which is provided according to the invention, ensures a uniform distribution of the playing surfaces, which brings about significant advantages in terms of game technology.

While the keyboard of the keyboard instrument according to the invention is preferably a manual, that is to say a keyboard to be played manually, the keyboard can in principle, like an organ, also be keys that can be operated with the feet.

While for the purpose of changing the scale in a manner known per se (see keyboards of electronic keyboard instruments), a push-button button can be used, in the keyboard instrument according to the invention a second manual is advantageously used, which is structured similarly to the first manual and to which the new fundamental is entered . With the help of a special coupling, both manuals can be connected in parallel.

Furthermore, the additional manual not only allows the scales to be changed quickly, but also to play any combination while playing, which means that the game is enriched with natural tones. For example, not only can two overtone series with m = 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 be combined with one another, but by switching a manual to undertone series, overtone and undertone series can be combined with each other; the following combinations are possible:

Couplings between the manuals are also possible. There are a total of 140 possible combinations.

An octave of the tones on a manual of the keyboard instrument according to the invention is preferably possible by pressing a special button. A reversal of the basic tones can also be implemented particularly easily, the basic tone being interchanged, for example, by octaving on one (for example the lower) manual. Furthermore, one setting wheel per manual is preferably provided for quick octaving. In this way, the tone range of the instrument can be enlarged without problems, the distances being increased by octave, for example, in the case of an undesirably dense sound combination of different scales.

Surprising sound effects can be achieved by adding easily preprogrammable mixtures. By entering 3-3-2, for example, the struck tone is supplemented by overtones at the specified intervals; The following sound chains result in the game: struck sound 8th 9 11 10th 11 12th 14 13 14 overall sound 15 17th 16 16 17th 19th 18th

Mixtures of both manuals can also be combined or coupled. 16 8th 22 1. Manual 11 24th 8th 2. Manual m = 2 14 28 10th m = 3 18th 30th 13 36 16 39 48 Overall sound

In previous compositions of microtonal music, undertone scales are still used relatively little, which was due to the lack of suitable keyboard instruments. The keyboard instrument according to the invention allows a practical implementation of undertone scales, the melodic tone sequence of which is understandable, even though they are fictitious in harmony. Since basically the same keys can be used for the undertone scales, it is, for example, only sensible to change the coloring of the keys. While the harmony keys third and seventh are normally blue and green, for example, the lower row of tones can be visually identified, for example, by holding the two keys mentioned in blue, while the seventh of the upper and lower keys. the undertone row with yellow, which can be done, for example, by appropriate lighting of the keys.

Fig. 1

eine zweimanualige Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Tasteninstruments;

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt aus der Klaviatur des Tasteninstruments von Fig. 1 im Bereich der den chromatischen Tönen zugeordneten Tasten und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Manuals von Fig. 1 zur Verdeutlichung der Spielabfolge bei der Wiedergabe einer bestimmten Naturtonreihe.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a two-manual embodiment of the keyboard instrument according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a section of the keyboard of the keyboard instrument of FIG. 1 in the area of the keys and assigned to the chromatic tones

Fig. 3

is a schematic representation of a manual of Fig. 1 to illustrate the game sequence when playing a certain series of natural tones.

The keyboard shown in FIG. 1 comprises a lower manual 1 and an upper manual 2, a setting wheel 3 for the basic frequency f ₀ common to both manuals and an associated display 3a, a toggle switch 4 in the left area of the lower manual 1 and a toggle switch 5 in the left area of the upper manual 2 for converting the respective manual to overtone or undertone series, a coupling switch 6, which is arranged between the upper and the lower manual and enables a coupling of the two manuals. A setting wheel 11 or 12 is provided for manual 1, 2 for octaving. Subsequent to the right end of the respective manual 1 and 2, similarly structured keypads 7 and 8 are provided for specifying certain mixtures, which are displayed in display units 9 and 10 which are arranged above the keypads 7 and 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the keypads are designed as a numeric keypad.

Beneath the keys of the lower and upper manuals 1 and 2 there are modulation keys 13 whose number assignment (see also FIG. 2) corresponds to the modulation factor m. Finally, in a frame area above the upper manual 2 there are four fields A, B, C, D for programs, samplers, for sound synthesis etc. which are not specified here.

2 shows a section from, for example, lower manual 1 in the area of the keys assigned to the chromatic natural tones to clarify the respective key shape.

As is apparent from Fig. 2, three different types of keys are used, namely the keys 20 to 23, which extend over the full depth of the respective manual, reset keys 30 to 33 with smaller dimensions than the first-mentioned keys and in the rear area of the Smaller keys 40 to 43 are located in the manuals.

The large keys 20 to 23 each comprise a front section 24 of a predetermined maximum width, a central section 25 of half the maximum key width and a rear section 26 with a quarter of the maximum key width. Between the three areas 24 to 26 mentioned are tapered areas 27 and 28, each with oblique side edges.

The next smaller buttons 30 to 33 each extend with a section 34 located at the front between two adjacent middle sections 25 of the large buttons 20 to 23 and have a recessed or rear section 35, each of which is connected to two adjacent buttons 40, 40; 41.41; Adjoin 42.42 of the smallest variety. The medium-sized keys 30 to 33 have a front pointed portion 37 that is adjacent to the oblique edges of the key constrictions 27 of the keys 20 to 23 and a rear constricted portion 36 that is adjacent to front tip portions 46 of the rear keys 40 to 43. The medium-sized buttons 30 to 33 have the same width in the front section 34 as the adjacent middle sections of the buttons 20 to 23, with which sections they are arranged alternately. The rear keys 40 to 43 and the rear respective key section 35 have the same width as the rear sections 26 of the large keys.

The sequence in the rear keypad is as follows: Large key (section 26) - small keys at the back 40, (41, 42, 43) - medium-sized keys (rear section 35).

3 shows how an overtone series or series of natural tones is played on the keyboard instrument for the natural tone system, namely in the sequence of the key numbers 1 to 64, corresponding to the natural tone numbers.

From Fig. 3 it can further be seen that in a left field with the key numbers 4 to 7 the harmonic tones, in a middle field with the key numbers 8 to 15 the melody-forming tones and in an upper field with the key numbers 16 to 31 the chromatic tones can be played. Then in the last octave are the key numbers 33 to 64, which are assigned to the microchromatic tones of the same numbering.

16 tones can be played in each octave, which does not contradict natural tone music making, since the natural tone system can be expanded indefinitely downwards. For example, if you play the chromatic tones 16 to 32 in the lowest octave, you have to imagine the root four octaves lower, i.e. offset to the left outside of the instrument in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The above-described keyboard or the above-described manuals are specially adapted to playing with natural tones in that the key widths and arrangements meet the requirements of the natural tone series, and consequently the interval gradations become steadily smaller, the nested key arrangement becoming particularly important in the area of chromatic tones represents a special technical feature that accommodates the playability of the keyboard instrument.

Claims (39)

1. Keyboard instrument for the natural tone system, in which natural tones of the frequency f(n,m) are based on a preset fundamental tone of the frequency f(0) in the following way:
      f(n,m) = f(0) x n x m (n,m = 1, 2, 3 ... 64 ...), where n is the natural tone number and m the modulation factor,
   having at least one keyboard, the keys of which are assigned in a preset sequence to the natural tones, characterised in that at least 16 keys are provided per octave, and in that the keys are arranged and constructed in such a way that they define, from the front to the rear, a plurality of playing levels comprising adjacent key portions, and in that the natural tones 4 to 7, 8 to 15 and 16 to 31 are playable in these plurality of playing levels by means of successively adjacent key portions (24), (25, 34), (26, 35, 40, 41).
2. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 1, characterised in that the key arrangement and construction allow the natural tones to be played in three levels.
3. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the keys have portions of different width.
4. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the keyboard (1,2) is subdivided into a plurality of sections of equal-sized adjacent key portions.
5. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the keyboard is subdivided into a plurality of sections within which at least predetermined, adjacent regions (24, 24; 25, 34; 26, 44, 35, 45) of the keys (20 to 23; 30 to 33; 40 to 43) are of equal width.
6. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 5, characterised in that the keys (20 to 23; 30 to 33; 40 to 43) of the respective section are subdivided transversely to the keyboard (1,2), in the direction of their longitudinal extent, into portions of different width.
7. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 6, characterised in that the keyboard (1,2) is structured as follows:

   The keys assigned to the harmonic tones n = ....., 4,5,6,7 ... have a preset maximum width, at least in a forwardly situated portion (24),

   adjoining the keys assigned to the harmonic tones are the keys assigned to the melodic tones (n = 8 to 15), of which the keys assigned to the even-numbered melodic tones (8,10,12,14) have a forwardly situated portion (24) of full maximum width and a middle portion (25), adjoining this, of reduced width, the areas not filled by these keys in the middle portion being occupied by portions of the keys which are assigned to the odd-numbered melodic tones (9,11 .... 15), and

   adjoining the keys assigned to the melodic tones are the keys assigned to the chromatic tones (16 to 32), of which the keys assigned to the even-numbered chromatic tones (16,20 ....32) have a forwardly situated portion (24) of full base width, a middle portion (25) of reduced width and a rearwardly situated portion (26) of even greater reduced width, the keys assigned to the even-numbered chromatic tones (18,22 30) having forwardly situated portions (34) which occupy the areas not filled by the first-mentioned keys in the middle portion and a narrower rearwardly situated portion (35) which is situated at the same height as the rearwardly situated portions (26) of the first-mentioned keys of this section, and the keys assigned to the odd-numbered chromatic tones (17,19 ....31) occupying the free areas between the rearwardly situated portions (26;35) of the two first-mentioned key types of this section.
8. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 7, characterised in that the key portions (25;34) situated within the middle vertical section regions have the same width.
9. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the key portions (26;44;35;45) situated within the rear vertical section regions have the same width.
10. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the key portions (25;34) situated within the middle vertical section regions have half the maximum key width.
11. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the key portions (26;44;35;45) situated within the rear section regions have a quarter of the maximum key width.
12. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterised in that the key portions situated in the same vertical section region each have the same longitudinal extent.
13. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 7 to 12, characterised in that the key portions (25;34) in the vertical middle section regions have a greater longitudinal extent than the forwardly and/or rearwardly situated key regions (24;26;44;35;45) adjoining them.
14. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 7 to 13, characterised in that the keys in the middle and rear regions taper forwardly to a point or in the shape of a wedge.
15. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 7 to 14, characterised in that keys assigned to the microchromatic tones (33 to 64 ...) adjoin the keys assigned to the chromatic tones.
16. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 15, characterised in that the keys assigned to the microchromatic tones are narrower and/or shorter than the keys and key portions assigned to the chromatic tones.
17. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 15 and 16, characterised in that the keys assigned to the microchromatic tones are designed as sensors.
18. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the structure of the keyboard (1,2) is of repeated design in the horizontal direction.
19. Keyboard instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that all the keys have the same height.
20. Keyboard instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the striking depth of the keys is about 6 mm.
21. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 7 to 20, characterised in that the keyboard (1,2) is a manual.
22. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 21, characterised in that at least two manuals (1,2) arranged in the manner of a cascade are provided.
23. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 22, characterised by a different coloration of selected keys.
24. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 23, characterised in that the melody keys are white, the harmony keys are coloured and the chromatic keys are black.
25. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 24, characterised by at least one adjusting member (3) for selection of the fundamental-tone frequency.
26. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 25, characterised in that the adjusting member (3) is designed for continuous selection of the fundamental-tone frequency.
27. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 25 or 26, characterised in that the adjusting member (3) comprises an adjusting wheel.
28. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 27, characterised by adjusting members (13) for selecting the modulation factor m.
29. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 28, characterised in that the adjusting members (13) comprise switches assigned to the keys, especially push-button switches.
30. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 29, characterised by at least one adjusting member (11,12) for octave transposition.
31. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 30, characterised in that the adjusting member (11,12) is designed for continuous octave transposition.
32. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 30 or 31, characterised in that the adjusting member (11,12) comprises an adjusting wheel, especially a latchable adjusting wheel.
33. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 32, characterised by a switching device (4,5) for switching over between overtone and undertone series.
34. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 33, characterised in that the switching device (4,5) comprises at least one toggle switch.
35. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 22 to 34, characterised by an input device (7,8) for predetermined overtone combinations.
36. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 35, characterised in that the input device (7,8) comprises a keypad, especially one numeric keypad per manual (1,2).
37. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 35 or 36, characterised in that the input device comprises a display (9,10).
38. Keyboard instrument according to one of Claims 22 to 37, characterised by an adjustment coupling device (6) for the different manuals.
39. Keyboard instrument according to Claim 38, characterised in that the adjustment coupling device (6) comprises a toggle switch.

Images