JP2003308007A - Apparatus and method for performance training - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a performance training apparatus having amusing elements enabling even a novice who cannot read a musical score to play the electronic musical instrument with ease and with pleasure. <P>SOLUTION: A personal computer 22 displays a characters corresponding to each musical note of performance data on a display (not shown) and scrolls the character in accordance with the progress of a tune. When a performer inputs an MIDI signal from an external electronic instrument 21 with precise timing of a character being scrolled approaching a prescribed position, the personal computer 22 calculates the score by comparing the performance data corresponding to the character being scrolled with the inputted MIDI signal. Also, in accordance with the comparison result, MIDI signals to direct sound generation/sound muting are outputted to a sound source 23, and actual sound generation/sound muting is carried out by the sound source 23 and a sound system 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a performance training system that can be used as a training machine for electronic musical instruments or as a game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system in which a musical score is displayed on a display and a performer plays an electronic musical instrument while watching the musical score.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, since it is premised that the performer can read the score, a beginner who cannot read the score cannot play the electronic musical instrument.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an amusement-type performance training system in which even a beginner who cannot read a musical score can easily and enjoyably play an electronic musical instrument. .

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an input means for inputting a MIDI signal from an external electronic musical instrument (21), a performance data storage means for storing performance data, and the storage means. A character corresponding to each note of the played performance data is displayed, and a display means for scrolling the character as the music progresses is compared with the input MIDI signal and the stored performance data to calculate a score. The performance training device (22) is provided with a processing means for performing the same and an output means for outputting a MIDI signal for instructing sound generation / silence to the sound source (23) according to the comparison result. In addition, the parentheses represent the reference numbers of the examples added for the sake of understanding.

Further, according to the present invention, a step of inputting a MIDI signal from an external electronic musical instrument (21), a step of reading performance data from performance data storage means storing performance data, and a step of reading the performance data read out. Displaying a character corresponding to each note and scrolling the character as the music progresses; comparing the input MIDI signal with the read performance data and calculating a score; The present invention provides a performance learning method comprising a step of outputting a MIDI signal for instructing sound generation / silence to a sound source (23) according to a comparison result.

[0007] Preferably, a difficulty level setting means for setting the difficulty level is provided, the tempo is changed according to the set difficulty level, and the changed tempo is scrolled. Further, it is preferable that a predetermined range in which the pronunciation is permitted is given to each displayed character, and a MIDI signal corresponding to the character is input from the external electronic musical instrument within the pronunciation permitted range given to the scrolled character. When it is detected that the MIDI signal corresponding to the character is input within the sounding permission range, a predetermined control process is performed.

Further, preferably, the predetermined control process is
The performance data storage means stores performance data other than the performance data displayed on the display means, and the processing means arbitrarily or sets the difficulty level set by the difficulty level setting means. Depending on the degree, the sounding process according to the character and the sounding process according to the performance data other than the performance data displayed on the display means are selected and performed.

Further, a predetermined range in which the muffling is permitted is given to each displayed character, and the MI corresponding to the character from the external electronic musical instrument is given within the given muffling permitted range.
When it is detected that the input of the DI signal is stopped and the input of the MIDI signal corresponding to the character is stopped within the mute permission range, a predetermined control process is performed.

Preferably, at least one of the sound production permission range and the mute permission range is changed and given according to the difficulty level setting means, and the predetermined control process is a sound production or mute process according to the character.

Further, preferably, the predetermined control process is
It is the addition of points according to the character or tempo.

[Operation of the Invention] The performance training device (22) according to the configuration of the present invention displays a character corresponding to each note of the performance data stored in the performance data storage means, and displays the character according to the progression of the music. The score is calculated by scrolling and comparing the MIDI signal input from the external electronic musical instrument (21) with the performance data, and the MIDI signal for instructing sounding / silence is sent to the sound source (23) according to the comparison result. Is output.

Therefore, the user can input MIDI information by using the electronic musical instrument (21) connected to the outside of the device body (22) and can learn the performance with the scrolled character. The sound generation / silence according to the comparison result of the information and the performance data can be actually performed by the sound source (23) or the sound system (24) connected to the outside.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a musical amusement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the musical amusement system of this embodiment has a keyboard 1 for inputting pitch information.
A panel operator 2 for inputting various information, a CPU 3 that controls the entire system, a ROM 4 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 3, image information, and the like.
A RAM 5 for temporarily storing performance data during performance and a calculation result executed by the CPU 3, an external storage device 6 such as a memory card or a ROM cartridge for storing a plurality of performance data, performance information and various information. Display 7 to display and external MIDI (Musical Instrument)
Digital Interface) MIDI interface (I / F) 8 for inputting or outputting a MIDI signal to the outside, and a sound source for converting various musical sounds such as pitch information input from the keyboard 1 into musical sound signals. 9 and the sound source 9
It is composed of a sound system 10 such as a speaker, which converts the tone signal from the sound into sound. The constituent elements 2 to 9 are the address / data bus 11
A sound system 10 is connected to the sound source 9.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation performed by the musical amusement system of this embodiment. In the figure, (a) shows a normal score, and (b) shows
The score of (a) is shown by rotating the score 90 degrees clockwise,
(C) shows a score obtained by folding back the score of (b) around the straight line L1. Then, the musical amusement system of the present embodiment operates based on the score of (c). That is, the score (c) (i.e., each note) is scrolled in the scroll direction in the figure in accordance with the progression (tempo) of the music, and the performer responds to the note at the time when each note in the score reaches a predetermined position. Press keyboard 1 to play the song.

Although the musical amusement system of this embodiment can be operated based on the score shown in (b), since the scroll direction is vertically upward, the timing at which the performer presses the keyboard 1 Therefore, in this embodiment, the operation is performed based on the score of (c).

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a display screen actually displayed on the display 7 of the musical amusement system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG.
Each note in FIG. 2C is displayed in the shape of an apple, and the keyboard is also displayed so that the player can know which key to play. That is, each note in FIG. 2C is characterized and expanded in the lateral direction, and each note is arranged at a position vertically above the key to be played by the player.

The appletized note is displayed on the screen as
Animation scrolls from top to bottom and moves. When the performer presses the keyboard 1 to be played at the timing when the apple approaches the straight line at the "current playing position" indicated by the straight line L2, the arrow is fired and the apple is stuck, and the apple stuck by the arrow is It disappears from the screen. While the score is added when the apple disappears, when the player misses the timing to play, the arrow does not stick to the apple, the apple does not disappear, and the apple is scrolled to the end of the display screen. Similarly, when the key being pressed is released in consideration of the timing, the score is added.

Since this processing is performed by the CPU 3 as will be described later, an arrow is stuck on the apple only when the keyboard 1 is played at the original timing of the music, that is, when the keyboard 3 is accurately played within the minimum time that the CPU 3 can process. By doing so, even advanced users will not be pierced by an arrow. Therefore, the key depression timing range is set to the sound production permission range a1,
The range of the key release timing is set to the silencing permission range a2 so that the timing of playing the keyboard 1 has some margin. Therefore, when the ranges a1 and a2 approach the straight line L2, the player may press the corresponding keyboard 1.

When an arrow is stabbed in an apple, the note may or may not be sounded. Further, whether or not to emit the sound may be switched according to the level of the performer. In the case where no sound is produced, a song unrelated to the song to be played may be played as BGM. For example, when the animation scroll is performed based on the musical score of a classical piano song, the BGM may be rock music. However, it is better to match the tempo with the song being animated. This is because it is preferable to change the BGM according to the tempo because the scrolling speed changes depending on the tempo and the difficulty of playing as a shooting game changes.

Further, in this embodiment, since the note length is unknown because the note is transformed into an apple,
For example, the color of the apple may be different depending on the note length so that the performer can recognize the note length.

Further, in the present embodiment, the character is an apple, but the character is not limited to this. For example, an airplane or a bird may be used. In this case, if the character is shot down by a machine gun or a rifle. Good.

The control processing executed by the musical amusement system configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the main routine executed by the CPU 3 of the musical amusement system of this embodiment.

In the figure, first, initial settings such as clearing the RAM 5 and clearing various ports are performed (step S).
1).

Next, the note information for the screen display is read out from the performance data storage area secured in the RAM 5, and when the read note information includes notes, a sounding permission range and mute are made for each note. Determine the permission range, RAM5
Stored in a predetermined area (step S2), and the note is displayed on the display 7 in the shape of the apple (step S2)
3). Here, note information stored in the performance data storage area is composed of, for example, event data indicating a pitch and a type of the note, and duration data indicating a time interval between the event data, The end data indicating the end of the performance data is stored in.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 7, where (a) shows the screen before the performance of the music is started, and (b) shows the music being played. The screen at the time is shown. In the figures, the numbers indicate the positions of the data in the performance data storage area. In each figure, the upper numbers (“1000” and “1395”) indicate the upper limit position of the note information for the screen display, and the lower numbers. ("0", "39
5 ") indicates the lower limit position of the straight line L2.
Is the "current playing position" described in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the processes of steps S2 and S3 will be specifically described.

When the range "30" is taken as the margin range (this range is preferably changed according to the type of note), for example, the sound generation permission range is determined from the event data and duration data read in step S2. a
1 is determined as the range of 390 to 420, the muffling permission range a2 is determined as the range of 590 to 620, and the pitch is "C.
6 ", each of these pieces of information is stored in a predetermined area secured in the RAM 5. Then, the screen (a) is displayed on the display 7 based on these pieces of information.

Returning to FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not an instruction to start playing the music is given (step S4). Here, the instruction to start the performance of the music may be given by, for example, pressing a start switch (not shown) of the panel operator 2.

If it is determined in step S4 that the start instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the start instruction has not been issued, the process waits until the start instruction is given.

In step S5, the timer interrupt is permitted so that the timer interrupt process of FIG. 5 described later is executed, and in step S6, whether or not there is a key-depressing event generated by the player depressing the keyboard 1. Determine whether.

If it is determined in step S6 that there is a key depression event, it is determined whether the timing of occurrence of the key depression event falls within the sounding permission range determined in step S2 and the pitches match. Yes (Step S
7). This determination is made based on the sound production permission range and pitch stored in the RAM 5 in step S2.

The answer in step S7 is "YE".
When S ", the sounding process of the key depression event is performed (step S8), the arrow is stabbed in the corresponding apple as described above, and the score of the apple stabbed by the arrow is calculated.
The points up to that point are added and displayed (step S9).

On the other hand, if there is no key depression event in the determination in step S6, steps S7 to S9 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S10. If the answer in step S7 is "NO", steps S8 to S9 are skipped. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not there is a key release event generated by the player releasing the keyboard 1. If there is a key release event, the key release event is performed in the same manner as in step S7. The timing of occurrence of the event is determined in step S2, and it is determined whether or not it falls within the stored silencing permission range and the pitches match (step S11).

The answer in step S11 is "Y".
When it is "ES", the mute processing of the key release event is performed (step S12), and similarly to step S9,
The score is calculated, added to the score up to that point, and displayed (step S13).

On the other hand, if there is no key release event in the determination in step S10, steps S11 to S13 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S14. If the answer in step S11 is "NO", steps S12 and S13 are performed.
And skip to step S14.

In step S14, the sound being sounded beyond the mute range is muted, and in step S15, it is determined whether or not an instruction to stop the performance of the music is given. Here, the stop instruction may be given by the player pressing a stop switch (not shown) of the panel setting operator 2.

When it is determined in step S15 that the stop instruction is not issued, the process returns to step S6 to repeat the above-described processing, while when the stop instruction is issued, the end processing is performed (step S16), and then the step is performed. Returning to S2, the above-mentioned processing is repeated.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the timer interrupt process. This interrupt process is performed once every time according to the length of a predetermined note, for example. That is, the interrupt timing is changed according to the tempo. The interrupt is not limited to this, and may be generated at a timing of every predetermined time (for example, 10 msec).

In the figure, first, the current position is incremented (step S21). Here, the current position means the position indicated by the straight line L2 in FIG. 6, and the step S
At 21, the position is incremented by "1".

Next, the read position is incremented (step S22). Here, the read position means the upper limit position of the note information for the screen display described with reference to FIG. 6, and in step S22, this position is incremented by "1".

Based on the position incremented in steps S21 and S22, the screen display of the display 7 is rewritten to perform the scroll process for performing the animation scroll described above (step S23), and the data is secured in a predetermined area of the RAM 5 and read out. The soft counter TIME that stores the duration data (hereinafter referred to as duration time TIME) is decremented by "1" (step S24).

Next, this duration time TIME
Is "0" (step S25). When the duration time TIME ≠ 0, this interrupt processing is terminated, while the duration time TIME =
When it is 0, note information is read (step S26).

Then, the read note information is
It is determined whether or not it is a "note (that is, the above-mentioned event data)" (step S27), and if it is a "note", it is displayed as an apple on the display 7 (step S28). Similarly, the sounding permission range and the mute permission range are determined based on the read position and the note type and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 5 (step S2).
9) After advancing the read address by "1" (step S30), the process returns to step S26 to repeat the reading of the note information.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S27 that the read note information is not "note", it is determined whether the information is "duration data" (step S31), and if it is duration data, its value is determined. Is stored in the duration time TIME (step S32), the timer interrupt process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the read note information is not duration data, it is determined whether the data is "end data" (step S33).

If it is determined in step S33 that the read data is not the end data, this interrupt process is immediately ended, while if the read data is performance data, the end process is performed (step S34), then the main process is executed. Terminate interrupt processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the note information is read out, the animation is scrolled, and when the character corresponding to the note comes within the sounding permission range, when the keyboard 1 is depressed, the character is shot down. The score is added and the tone is sounded, and when the key is released when the tone is within the mute permission range, the score is added and the tone is muted. Therefore, even a beginner who cannot read the score can easily and enjoy playing the electronic musical instrument. Also,
Since the keyboard is displayed on the display 7 and the character is scrolled at the position of the key to be depressed, the player can intuitively know which keyboard to play. Further, when the music to be played is difficult, it becomes difficult as a shooting game, so that the range of users can be expanded not only to users who are interested in electronic musical instruments but also to game enthusiasts.

In this embodiment, the electronic keyboard instrument is used as the electronic instrument, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, in the present embodiment, the musical amusement system is constructed as an integrated type including all the components for carrying out the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the components are separately provided. You may comprise. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an electronic musical instrument 21 that outputs a MIDI signal in accordance with a musical piece to be played, and the MIDI signal that is output are input, and according to the processing described in FIGS. 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. MI that is displayed on the screen and instruct to pronounce / mute
A personal computer 22 that outputs a DI signal
And a sound source 23 and a sound system 24 which actually input / output the output MIDI signal to actually produce / silence a musical tone.
You may make it comprise a musical amusement system by.

Further, in the present embodiment, the screen is scrolled from the top to the bottom as shown in FIG. 2C, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. It may be so arranged that notes (characters) gradually come closer to each other.

In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, since the interrupt processing is performed at the interrupt cycle according to the tempo, if the music to be played is too difficult for the performer, the tempo is changed. It is recommended that you set a slower. If the tempo is slowed down, the game naturally becomes simpler, so it is necessary to change the weight when adding points according to the tempo. By doing this, the performer
Any difficult piece can be played by slowing down the tempo. However, in a performance much slower than the regular tempo, even if you can play to the end, you can't feel the "popping feeling". Good. Then, as you gradually begin to play, the tempo is raised, and when the tempo reaches the normal tempo, the pronunciation and
When the muffling process is performed, the player should be able to play to some extent at that level, so that it is possible to obtain the actual feeling of “playing”. Further, in the case where the musical composition has a performance of another musical instrument, for example, a piano concerto, the presence of an orchestra is added together with the sounding / silence processing to further enhance the sense of presence.

It is also possible to set levels in the sounding permission range and the mute permission range, respectively, and to add more points when the event is closer to the regular timing.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a procedure of control processing executed by the musical amusement system of this embodiment when a function for changing the score or the like according to the tempo is added.

In the figure, first, the difficulty level or tempo is selected according to an instruction from the operator or automatically (step S41). Here, the term "difficulty level or tempo" means that the difficulty level and the tempo usually have the same relationship, that is,
There is a relation that the tempo becomes faster when the difficulty level increases and the tempo becomes slower when the difficulty level decreases.Therefore, the tempo of the song may be changed by specifying the difficulty level, or the tempo of the song may be set directly. This is to show that it may be changed. Further, the “difficulty level” corresponds to a “face” or a “stage” of a game, etc., and the tempo and the sounding permission range and the mute permission range change depending on the difficulty level.

Next, the performance of the musical composition is started (step S
42), any one of pronunciation control, BGM reproduction or accompaniment reproduction is selected and performed according to the difficulty level (tempo) (step S43), and points are added according to the difficulty level (tempo) (step S44). ) After that, the performance of the performance piece is finished (step S45). Here, steps S42 to S4
The process of 5 is specifically realized by the same process as the process of FIG. The player may manually select the step S43.

Next, a score judgment is made by comparing the acquired score with the passing line and the failing line at that difficulty level (step S46), and the difficulty level (tempo) at the next stage is determined according to this judgment result. Is changed (step S47),
It is determined whether or not the score is equal to or higher than a predetermined score (step S48).

If it is determined in step S48 that the score obtained is equal to or higher than the predetermined score, that is, if the music piece can be played, this control processing is terminated, while if the score obtained is less than the predetermined score, the process returns to step S42. The process of is repeated. Therefore, when the control process can be completed, the tempo should be the regular tempo. Conversely, while you can not play at the regular tempo,
It is sufficient to decide the number of points to be acquired so that the score does not exceed the predetermined score.

By adding this function in this way, it is possible to practice (or play) an optimum song according to the degree of difficulty, and keep the player from getting tired when practicing continuously. can do.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Characters corresponding to each note in the performance data stored in the performance data storage means are displayed, and the displayed characters are scrolled as the song progresses, so even beginners who cannot read music scores can easily and enjoyably play electronic musical instruments. There is an effect that can be done.

Further, since the score is calculated by comparing the MIDI signal from the external electronic musical instrument with the performance data corresponding to the scrolled character, it can be enjoyed as a game. In addition, the user can input MIDI information using an externally connected electronic musical instrument, and can perform performance training with a scrolled character.
Sound generation / silence according to the comparison result of information and performance data can be actually performed by an external sound source or sound system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a musical amusement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an operation performed by the musical amusement system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen actually displayed on the display of FIG.

4 is a CP of the musical amusement system of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the main routine which U performs.

5 is a CP of the musical amusement system of FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of timer interrupt processing executed by U.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of another music amusement system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another animation scrolling method.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of control processing executed by the CPU of FIG. 1 when a function of changing a score or the like according to tempo is added to the musical amusement system of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 keyboard (performance information input means) 2 panel operator (difficulty level setting means) 5 RAM (performance data storage means) 7 display (display means) 3 CPU (display means, scroll means, difficulty level setting means, permission range giving means) , Detection means, control processing means) 9 sound source (control processing means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting a MIDI signal from an external electronic musical instrument, performance data storage means for storing performance data, a character corresponding to each note of the stored performance data, and the character. Means for scrolling as the music progresses, processing means for calculating a score by comparing the input MIDI signal with the stored performance data, and MIDI for instructing sounding / silence according to the comparison result. A performance training device, comprising: an output unit that outputs a signal to a sound source. 2. A step of inputting a MIDI signal from an external electronic musical instrument, a step of reading performance data from performance data storage means storing performance data, and a character corresponding to each note of the read performance data. Displaying and scrolling the character as the song progresses; comparing the input MIDI signal with the read performance data to calculate a score; and sounding according to the comparison result. And a step of outputting a MIDI signal for instructing mute to a sound source.