JP2010085692A - Stringed instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology for assisting performance by a stringed instrument, when a player performs the same operation as normal performance operation. <P>SOLUTION: The stringed instrument includes: a fingerboard on which a string is pressed by fingers of the player; a plurality of frets provided in positions corresponding to the scale of the fingerboard, so that a projection amount from the finger board is variable; a sensor for detecting the distance of the fingerboard from the finger of the player at a position corresponding to the frets; and an actuator in which the projection amount of the corresponding scale is made larger, when the distance becomes a predetermined threshold or less, on the basis of the detection result of the sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for assisting performance of a stringed musical instrument.

  It is difficult for beginners to play musical instruments correctly. For example, in a stringed instrument having a fret such as a guitar, if a technique for pressing a player's string is immature, a desired sound may not sound. In particular, if you are not able to produce a sound when you are just starting to learn an instrument, you may lose your willingness to continue learning the instrument.

  As a technique for assisting the performance of a stringed instrument, for example, a technique described in Patent Documents 1-6 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically pressing a string by specifying a chord name. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for producing a chord by rotating a connected cylindrical device and pressing a fingerboard. Patent Document 3 discloses a stringed instrument that can be played in any mode with or without fret. Patent Document 4 discloses a fret shape in which a projection is provided on a fingerboard of a stringed musical instrument without frets so that an accurate pitch can be obtained. Patent Document 5 discloses a technique for recognizing a chord when a plurality of strings are suppressed at a certain speed or more and generating a chord with an electronic sound. Patent Document 6 discloses a technique for assisting operation of a musical instrument with an actuator.

JP-A-6-19457 JP-T-2001-522069 Japanese Patent No. 3591838 Japanese Patent No. 3850455 JP 2000-75861 A JP 2008-96709 A

  All the techniques described in Patent Documents 1-4 require an operation different from a normal performance operation. The technique described in Patent Document 5 is to generate an electronic sound and not to generate a sound caused by vibration of a string. The technique described in Patent Document 6 does not disclose a specific configuration of the stringed musical instrument.

  On the other hand, the present invention provides a technique for assisting the performance of a stringed instrument when the performer performs an operation similar to a normal performance operation.

The present invention includes a fingerboard on which a string is pressed by a player's finger, a plurality of frets provided at positions corresponding to a scale of the fingerboard, and a protrusion amount from the fingerboard is variable, and the frets And a sensor for detecting a distance between the fingerboard and the performer's finger at a position corresponding to the position of the musical scale when the distance falls below a predetermined threshold based on a detection result of the sensor. Provided is a stringed instrument having an actuator for increasing the protruding amount of the fret.
According to this stringed musical instrument, when the distance between the fingerboard and the performer's finger is equal to or less than the threshold value, the amount of protrusion of the fret increases and the performance is assisted.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the actuators are provided corresponding to different frets, and a plurality of the sensors are provided at different positions on the fingerboard, and a combination of a plurality of positions on the fingerboard and an actuator to be driven A storage unit that stores information to be associated is selected. Based on the detection result of the sensor, an actuator to be driven is selected from the plurality of actuators based on the information when the distance is less than or equal to the threshold value. And when the distance is less than or equal to the threshold value based on the detection result of the sensor, the actuator selected by the selection means among the plurality of actuators has a corresponding fret projection amount. You may increase.
According to this stringed instrument, a fret with a large protrusion amount is selected according to the string pressing pattern.

1. Configuration and Operation FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stringed musical instrument 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the stringed instrument 1 is a guitar. The stringed instrument 1 has a neck 10 and a body 20. The neck 10 is joined to the body 20 at one end. A head 11 is provided at the other end of the neck 10. The head 11 is formed integrally with the neck 10. The head 11 is provided with a peg 12. The body 20 is provided with a bridge 21 and a tail piece 22. The six strings 30 have one end fixed to the tailpiece 22 and the other end fixed to the peg 12. Further, the string 30 is supported from below (the back side in FIG. 1) by the bridge 21, and the string height is determined.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of the neck 10. A fingerboard 13 is provided on the surface of the neck 10. In this example, the fingerboard 13 is formed integrally with the neck 10. The fingerboard 13 is provided with a plurality of frets 14 at positions corresponding to the scale. When it is necessary to distinguish a plurality of frets, they are distinguished using subscripts such as frets 14-1, 14-2, 14-3. The same applies to other elements. The fret 14 has a protruding portion that protrudes from the fingerboard 13. The height of the projecting portion (hereinafter referred to as “projection amount”) is variably configured as will be described later. The amount of protrusion can be controlled independently for each string 30.

  A sensor 15 is provided at a position corresponding to the fret 14 of the fingerboard 13. The sensor 15 is a sensor that detects the distance between the fingerboard 13 and the performer's finger, and is a pressure sensor in this example. The sensor 15 is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the fret 14 and the string 30. Since the stringed instrument 1 has six strings 30, for example, six sensors 15 corresponding to the first to sixth strings are provided near the fret 14-1. The same applies to the other frets. The sensor 15 is disposed on the head 11 side when viewed from the corresponding fret 14.

  A driver 16 and an actuator 17 are provided inside the neck 10. The driver 16 is a drive circuit that controls (drives) the actuator 17 in accordance with the output of the sensor 15. When the distance between the fingerboard 13 and the player's finger indicated by the output signal from the sensor 15 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold based on the detection result (output signal) of the sensor 15 (this signal) In the example, when the finger touches the fingerboard 13), the actuator 17 is controlled so as to increase the protruding amount of the fret 14.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the drive mechanism of the fret 14 in more detail. In this example, the actuator 17 is a piezo actuator. The lever 141 is used to expand the displacement of the piezoelectric actuator to a level sufficient as the displacement of the fret 14. The driver 16 applies a voltage to the actuator 17 when a signal indicating that the finger touches the fingerboard 13 is output from the sensor 15. When a voltage is applied, the actuator 17 is displaced (expanded), and the lever 141 moves the fret 14 in the direction in which the protruding amount increases. The direction in which the fret 14 moves is perpendicular to the fingerboard 13.

  In this example, when the performer is not pushing the string, the protruding amount of the fret 14 is set so as not to touch the string 30 even when the fret 14 is moved to the maximum. This is based on the idea that the mechanism according to the present embodiment is only to “assist” the performance.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state after the fret 14 has moved. Here, the frets 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 and the sensors 15-1, 15-2, and 15-3 corresponding thereto are illustrated. A state where the finger touches the sensor 15-2 and the fret 14-2 is lifted (the amount of protrusion increases) is shown. Since a human finger is formed of a curved surface, just because the finger touches the sensor 15, that is, the fingerboard 13, the string 30 is not necessarily pressed against the fingerboard 13. In the stringed instrument 1, the vibration length of the string 30 is determined by the fret 14 and the bridge 21, so that the sound of the correct scale is generated. However, if the string 30 is not correctly pressed against the fingerboard 13, the vibration length of the string 30 may not be determined, and the sound of the correct scale may not be generated. Alternatively, the string 30 may be muted by a finger and no sound may be produced. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, since the fret 14-2 is lifted and supports the string 30 from below, the vibration length of the string 30 is correctly determined. In this way, the performer is automatically assisted only by performing the same operation as a normal performance operation.

2. Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. Hereinafter, some modifications will be described. In the following, common reference numerals are used for elements common to the embodiments. Two or more of the modifications described below may be used in combination.

2-1. Modification 1
The relationship between the sensor 15 touched by the finger and the actuator 17 driven correspondingly is not limited to that described in the embodiment. That is, in the embodiment, the sensor 15 and the actuator 17 correspond one-to-one, but this correspondence may not be one-to-one.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the stringed instrument 2 according to the first modification. The memory 51 (an example of a storage unit) stores information that associates the combination of the plurality of sensors 15 with the actuator 17 to be driven. That is, the memory 51 stores information indicating the string-pressing pattern and the actuator 17 that is driven correspondingly. The memory 51 stores, for example, a pattern composed of the sixth string 0th fret (release), the 5th string 2nd fret, the 4th string 2nd fret, and the 3rd string 1st fret as a combination of the sensors 15. . The “sixth string 0th fret” indicates that no pressed string is detected in any of the 6th string fret. Further, the memory 51 has fifth string second fret, fourth string second fret, third string first fret, second string twelfth fret and first string twelfth as actuators to be driven corresponding to this pattern. Information indicating the actuator corresponding to the fret is stored.

  Based on the detection result of the sensor 15, the processor 52 (an example of a selection unit) stores information stored in the memory 51 when the distance between the finger and the sensor 15 is less than or equal to the threshold value in any of the plurality of sensors 15. Based on the above, an actuator to be driven is selected from the plurality of actuators 17. For example, if the sensor 15 detects that the sixth string 0th fret (release), the 5th string 2nd fret, the 4th string 2nd fret, and the 3rd string 1st fret are pressed, the processor 52 As a driving actuator, the string pressing pattern stored in the memory 51 is compared with the string pressing pattern detected by the sensor 15, and the fifth string second fret, the fourth string second fret, the third string first fret, The actuator 17 corresponding to the second string 12th fret and the first string 12th fret is selected. The processor 52 instructs the driver 16 corresponding to the actuator 17 to drive the actuator 17.

  In the first modification, the driver 16 drives the actuator 17 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 52. Unlike the embodiment described above, the actuator 17 has a protruding amount of the fret 14 so that the string 30 is lifted when the fret 14 is moved to the maximum when the player is not pushing the string. . With such a configuration, the player does not press the string by pressing the 6th string 0th fret (released), the 5th string 2nd fret, the 4th string 2nd fret and the 3rd string 1st fret, for example. Sounds corresponding to the 2nd string 12th fret and the 1st string 12th fret can also be sounded. In the case of a guitar, since the fingers that can be used to perform a string are usually the four fingers of the left index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, the patterns that can be pressed are physically limited, and the fifth string, second fret, second finger It is impossible to simultaneously press the 4th string 2nd fret, the 3rd string 1st fret, the 2nd string 12th fret and the 1st string 12th fret. However, according to the configuration of the first modification, it is possible to sound a pattern that is virtually impossible to press. In FIG. 5, the connection relationship among the memory 51, the processor 52, the sensor 15, and the fret 14 (actuator 17) is schematically shown. The wiring between the processor 52 and the sensor 15 or the fret 14 is provided inside the neck 10 and the body 20. In FIG. 5, the memory 51 and the processor 52 are installed inside the body 20, but they may be installed inside the neck 10.

  Alternatively, in the first modification, a corresponding actuator only when a string is pressed in a specific pattern (a pattern in which a player is likely to make a stringing error) such as Sach (pressing a plurality of strings with the same fret). 17 may be configured to be driven. In this case, the memory 51 stores a string pressing pattern composed of the third frets of the first to sixth strings as the string pressing pattern. Further, the memory 51 stores information indicating the actuators 17 corresponding to the third frets of the first string to the sixth string as actuators to be driven corresponding to the string pressing pattern.

  In this case, the processor 52 drives the corresponding actuator 17 only when the string pattern stored in the memory 51 matches the string pattern detected by the sensor 15. For example, when only the third fret of the first string is pressed alone, the actuator 17 is not driven, but when the third fret is saved, the actuator 17 is driven. According to this configuration, the actuator 17 is driven only in the case of a string pattern that is presumed that the player is likely to make a string mistake.

2-2. Modification 2
The drive mechanism of the fret 14 is not limited to that shown in FIG. Any driving mechanism may be used as long as the amount of protrusion can be controlled.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a drive mechanism of the fret 14 according to the second modification. In this example, the actuator 17 is a conductive polymer actuator (artificial muscle). The actuator 17 is fixed inside the neck 10 (position in the figure) by a stopper 142. A spring 143 is connected to the actuator 17. In a state where no voltage is applied, the actuator 17 is at the position of the solid line in the figure by the downward force in the figure. When a voltage is applied by the driver 16, the actuator 17 is deformed so as to warp upward in the figure, and is in a state indicated by a chain line in the figure. As a result, the fret 14 is lifted upward and the amount of protrusion increases (the position of the chain line in the figure).

2-3. Modification 3
FIG. 7 is a view showing a drive mechanism of the fret 14 according to the third modification. In this example, the actuator 17 is a conductive polymer actuator. The actuator 17 has a cylindrical shape, and is fixed to the inside of the neck 10 (position in the figure) by a rotating shaft 144. A spring 143 is connected to the actuator 17. In a state where no voltage is applied, the actuator 17 is fixed at a predetermined position by a downward force in the figure. When a voltage is applied by the driver 16, the actuator 17 expands and rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure. The shaft 144 connected to the actuator 17 lifts the fret 14 upward, and the amount of protrusion increases (the position of the chain line in the figure).

  In addition, the drive mechanism of the fret 14 shown in the embodiment, the second modification, and the third modification is merely an example. In addition to these configurations, any configuration may be used as long as the fret 14 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the fingerboard 13.

2-4. Modification 4
The sensor 15 is not limited to a pressure sensor. Any device may be used as long as it detects a state related to the distance between the fingerboard 13 and the player's finger. For example, an electrical sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, or the like may be used. When an acoustic sensor is used, an ultrasonic signal is passed through the string from the bridge 21 side, and finger contact is detected from the reflected wave. When an optical sensor is used, an optically transparent string is used as the string 30, and the position of the finger is detected by optically detecting the vibration of the string.

  FIG. 8 shows an example using an electric sensor. In this example, the finger plate 13 is provided with an electrode 151 as the sensor 15. In this example, the string 30 is a metal string. Each electrode 151 and the tail piece 22 are connected via a processor 61. The processor 61 drives the corresponding actuator 17 when the player presses the string, the string 30 touches the electrode 151, and the electrode 151 and the tail piece 22 are short-circuited.

2-5. Modification 5
The detection by the sensor 15 is not limited to pressing one string 30 with one finger. The sensor 15 may detect that a plurality of strings 30 are pressed with one finger.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of the sensor 15 and the actuator 17 according to the fifth modification. In this example, one sensor 15 is provided at a position corresponding to the first to third strings (treble string side) with respect to a single fret, and a position corresponding to the fourth to sixth strings (bass string side). Another one is provided. The processor 71 drives the corresponding actuator 17 when it is detected that a finger touches the sensor 15 on both the high-pitched string side and the constant-string side (that is, when it is sachered) for a single fret. May be. In this case, the actuator 17 is common to all strings 30 in a certain fret 14.

2-6. Modification 6
The sensor 15 may not be provided for all the strings 30 and the frets 14. The sensor 15 may be provided only for some of the strings 30 or the frets 14 among the plurality of strings 30 and the plurality of frets 14. The drive mechanism of the fret 14 is the same. For example, the sensor 15 may be provided only at a position corresponding to a specific fret (for example, a low position such as the first to fifth frets) where the player is likely to make a stringing mistake or a specific string. Good. Alternatively, the sensor 15 may be arranged to detect Sacher at the low position as in the modified example 5 and to detect the string-pressed string at the high position.

2-7. Modification 7
The electrical connection relationship between the sensor 15, the driver 16, and the actuator 17 is not limited to that described in the embodiment. A single driver 16 may drive all the actuators 17, or one driver 16 per fret may drive six strings of actuators 17. Further alternatively, the actuator 17 may incorporate a driver 16.

2-8. Modification 8
The stringed instruments 1 and 2 are not limited to guitars. Any stringed instrument having a fingerboard and a fret, such as mandolin, ukulele, lute, spear, sitar, etc., may be used as the stringed instrument 1. Further, when the stringed instrument 1 is a guitar, the shapes of the neck and the main body are not limited to those described in the embodiment. For example, the fingerboard may be formed of a material different from that of the neck and may be attached to the neck.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the stringed musical instrument 1 which concerns on one Embodiment. 2 is a view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of a neck 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of the fret 14 in detail. It is a figure which shows the mode after the fret 14 moved. It is a figure which shows the structure of the stringed instrument 2 which concerns on the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of the fret 14 which concerns on the modification 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of the fret 14 which concerns on the modification 3. FIG. This is an example using an electric sensor. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the sensor 15 which concerns on the modification 5, and the actuator 17. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... 2 Stringed instrument, 10 ... Neck, 11 ... Head, 12 ... Peg, 13 ... Fingerboard, 14 ... Fret, 15 ... Sensor, 16 ... Driver, 17 ... Actuator, 20 ... Body, 21 ... Bridge, 22 ... Tail Piece, 30 ... string, 51 ... memory, 52.61.71 ... processor, 141 ... lever, 142 ... stopper, 143 ... spring, 144 ... shaft, 151 ... electrode

Claims (2)

A fingerboard on which strings are pressed by the performer's fingers;
A plurality of frets provided at a position corresponding to the scale of the fingerboard, and the amount of protrusion from the fingerboard is variably configured;
A sensor for detecting a distance between the fingerboard and the performer's finger at a position corresponding to the fret;
A stringed instrument comprising: an actuator that increases a protruding amount of the fret of a corresponding musical scale when the distance is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold based on a detection result of the sensor. A plurality of the actuators are provided corresponding to different frets, respectively.
A plurality of the sensors are provided at different positions on the fingerboard,
Storage means for storing information that associates a combination of a plurality of positions on the fingerboard with an actuator to be driven;
Based on the detection result of the sensor, when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, there is a selection unit that selects an actuator to be driven among the plurality of actuators based on the information.
Based on the detection result of the sensor, the actuator selected by the selection means among the plurality of actuators increases the protrusion amount of the corresponding fret when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value. The stringed instrument according to claim 1.

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