JP3855986B2 - Stringed electronic musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument of a stringed instrument type that is configured to simulate a natural musical instrument and electronically generates musical sounds in response to an operation of a predetermined performance operator provided corresponding to the natural musical instrument. In particular, the present invention relates to a stringed instrument-type electronic musical instrument that can determine a predetermined operation mode for a performance operator by a user as a mute instruction operation with a simple structure.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic musical instrument that is configured to simulate a natural musical instrument and electronically generates musical sounds in response to an operation of a predetermined performance operator provided corresponding to the natural musical instrument is known. In other words, this kind of electronic musical instrument has many performance operators that are operated by the performer in the same way as natural musical instruments, and according to the pitch and generation timing of the musical sound determined according to the operation of these performance operators. Generate music. For example, in an electronic musical instrument configured to simulate a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar or ukulele, a plurality of fret switches are provided as a pitch designating operator at a predetermined position corresponding to each fret position formed on the neck portion of the natural musical instrument. A plurality of pseudo strings made of linear members are provided as sound generation instruction operators at predetermined positions corresponding to the plucked string positions. In such an electronic musical instrument, the pitch of the guitar is set with the fret switch as if holding the gap between the guitar frets with the left hand, and the pseudo string is repelled with the right hand. Performance operations and pronunciation can be realized in a pseudo manner.
JP 2002-251182 A JP 2002-258839 A

  By the way, there is a mute instruction operation for forcibly muting a musical tone being generated as a sound generation instruction operation different from a normal sound generation instruction operation by a player such as repelling a pseudo string (pronunciation instruction operation element). In the conventional stringed electronic musical instrument as described above, by operating the back sensor made of a conductive metal plate provided on the back of the neck part so as to be touched simultaneously with the pseudo string to be muted, A mute instruction operation by the performer was detected. However, in this case, when performing the mute instruction operation, the performer needs to touch two points of the metal plate and the pseudo string that are arranged at a distance, which is very different from the mute instruction operation in a natural instrument. There was a problem that it was troublesome and inconvenient. Further, conventionally, a contact member that contacts the conductive pseudo string is provided, and the pseudo string and the contact member come into contact with the pseudo string when the pseudo string is operated, and the current flowing through the pseudo string is the contact member. In order to detect whether or not the performer is touching the pseudo string at the time of detecting the mute instruction operation described above, it is configured to conduct to a predetermined circuit via the. However, the structure of such a conventional electronic musical instrument has a number of parts and is very difficult to assemble. Therefore, there are problems such as high manufacturing cost and failure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to realize, with a simple structure, that a simultaneous touch operation of a plurality of performance operators by a user is determined as a mute instruction operation for muting a musical tone being sounded. An object is to provide a stringed electronic musical instrument.

A stringed instrument type electronic musical instrument according to the present invention is a plurality of performance operators for performing sound generation instructions corresponding to string operations in a natural musical instrument, and extends along a predetermined direction of the musical instrument main body and is orthogonal to the predetermined direction. Ri Do from an electrically conductive member mounted on the movably instrument body relative to the direction, and that there is a operating element grounded operator and potential is applied in the performance operator of the plurality of the plurality a detecting means that detect that said grounded operator in the performance operator and the other operator is between simultaneously touched will be the performance operators by the performer becomes a conductive state of said detecting means when said inter-play operators is detected to the conductive state, it is determined that the mute instruction operation has been performed, to and a tone characteristic control means for performing tone characteristic control according to the mute instruction operation by .

According to the present invention, a plurality of performance operators made of conductive members include a grounded operator and an operator to which a potential is applied, and the grounded operator and the other operators perform. When it is detected by the detecting means that the performance operators have been touched simultaneously by the user, it is determined that the mute instruction operation has been performed, and the tone characteristic control is performed in accordance with the mute instruction operation. In this way, from the fact that it is possible to perform a mute instruction operation only perform a direct operation for the performance operator that touches the plurality of performance operators, the player is only by a simple one-handed in the same manner as in the chord type of musical instrument The mute instruction operation can be performed. The structure for realizing determining whether mute instruction operation has been performed, requires a simple structure as compared with the conventional.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine that the mute instruction operation has been performed according to the conductive state of the performance operator when the user touches the performance operator with a simple structure having a small number of parts. As a result, it is possible to provide an effect that the user can easily perform the mute instruction operation and can provide a stringed electronic musical instrument that is easy to assemble and low in manufacturing cost.

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

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the overall configuration of an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention. In this embodiment, various processes are executed under the control of a microcomputer comprising a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, and a random access memory (RAM) 3. Yes. The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire electronic musical instrument. A read-only memory (ROM) 2, a random access memory (RAM) 3, a storage device 4, a setting operator 5, a display device 6, and the like are connected to the CPU 1 via a communication bus 1D (for example, data and address bus). A sound generation instruction sensor 7, a fret sensor 8, a sound source 9, a DSP (abbreviation of Digital Signal Processor) 10, and an external interface 12 are connected to each other. Further, the CPU 1 is connected to a timer 1A for measuring the interrupt time and various times in the timer interrupt process (interrupt process). That is, the timer 1A generates tempo clock pulses for counting time intervals and setting a performance tempo of automatic accompaniment that is automatically played based on predetermined automatic performance data. The frequency of the tempo clock pulse is adjusted by, for example, a tempo setting switch in the setting operator 5. Such a tempo clock pulse from the timer 1A is given to the CPU 1 as a processing timing command or to the CPU 1 as an interrupt command. The CPU 1 executes various processes such as a main process (see FIG. 5) described later according to these instructions.

  The ROM 2 stores various programs executed by or referred to by the CPU 1, various data, and the like. The RAM 3 is a working memory for temporarily storing various performance conditions such as timbre and performance tempo to be generated, various data generated when the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or a program currently being executed and related to it. Used as a memory for storing data. A predetermined address area of the RAM 3 is assigned to each function and used as a register, flag, table, memory, or the like. The storage device 4 stores various parameters such as performance conditions used during performance, various control programs executed by the CPU 1, and the like. When no control program is stored in the ROM 2, the control program is stored in the storage device 4 (for example, a hard disk), and the control program is stored in the ROM 2 by reading it into the RAM 3. The CPU 1 can be operated as described above. In this way, control programs can be easily added and upgraded. The storage device 4 is not limited to a hard disk (HD), but can be freely attached and detached such as a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MO), or a DVD (abbreviation of Digital Versatile Disk). It may be a storage device using an external recording medium of any form. Alternatively, a semiconductor memory or the like may be used.

  The setting operation element 5 is an operation element for performing various settings such as designation of the presence / absence of automatic accompaniment and input of various performance conditions such as a tone color to be used and a performance tempo. Of course, a numeric keypad for inputting numeric data and a keyboard for inputting character data used for selecting, setting, and controlling pitches, tones, effects, etc., a pitch bend wheel that can set a pitch bend value according to the operation amount, Various operators such as a slider may be included. When the operation state of each operation member of the setting operation member 5 is detected, switch information corresponding to the operation state is output to the CPU 1 via the communication bus 1D. The display device 6 is a display composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), a CRT, or the like, and displays various performance condition setting states, CPU 1 control states, and the like.

  The sound generation instruction sensor 7 is, for example, a piezoelectric sensor (piezoelectric element) disposed corresponding to a plurality of pseudo strings (sound generation instruction operation elements 7A) made of a linear member disposed at a position corresponding to a string position in a stringed instrument. ) Etc., and by detecting the vibration of the pseudo string (the movement of the pseudo string accompanying the performance operation) according to the performance operation by the performer, the tone generation timing of the musical sound and the strength of the musical sound are detected. This is for determination (details will be described later). The mute control circuit 7 ′ detects a predetermined touch state on the sound generation instruction operator 7A by the performer, and detects a mute instruction operation which is one of the performance operations by the performer according to the touch state. (Details will be described later). The fret sensor 8 is a sensor for detecting the operation of a plurality of fret switches (pitch specifying operation element 8A) for selecting the pitch of a musical tone, and each fret configured in a neck portion of a stringed instrument such as a ukulele, for example. It is arranged so as to correspond to each fret switch arranged every time. Note that the pitch designation operator 8A can be used not only for pitch designation at the time of musical performance, but also as input means for inputting pitch, rhythm, etc. used when performing the performance. . The pitch designating operator 8A for selecting the pitch of the musical tone is not limited to the form of a neck-shaped fret switch in a stringed instrument such as a ukulele.

  The sound source 9 can simultaneously generate musical tone signals on a plurality of channels, and is generated in response to the operation of the pitch designation operator 8A and the sound generation instruction operator 7A by the performer given via the communication bus 1D. Performance information such as pitch designation information and pronunciation instruction information is input, and a musical tone signal is generated based on the performance information. The musical tone signal generated from the sound source 9 is subjected to predetermined digital signal processing by the DSP 10, and the musical tone signal subjected to the signal processing is given to a sound system 11 including an amplifier, a speaker and the like to be sounded. The speaker is provided in the same shape as the sound hole at the position corresponding to the sound hole of the ukulele in the natural musical instrument, and by generating a musical sound from the same sound generation position as the natural musical instrument, I try to relieve the sense of incongruity that occurs in the meantime.

  Note that any conventional configuration may be used for the configuration of the sound source 9, the DSP 10, and the sound system 11. For example, the sound source 9 may adopt any of various musical tone synthesis methods such as FM, PCM, physical model, formant synthesis, etc., or may be constituted by dedicated hardware or by software processing by the CPU 1. Also good. Further, an effect circuit (not shown) may be arranged between the sound source 9 and the sound system 11 so as to give various effects to the musical sound signal generated from the sound source 9.

  The external interface 12 is, for example, a MIDI interface or a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various kinds of information such as automatic performance data between the electronic musical instrument and an external device (not shown). The MIDI interface inputs MIDI standard control information (MIDI data) from an external device (in this case, MIDI device, etc.) to the electronic musical instrument, or sends MIDI standard control information from the electronic musical instrument to another MIDI device. It is an interface for outputting to the etc. Other MIDI devices may be any devices that generate MIDI format data in response to user operations, and include any type of controls such as keyboard type, guitar type, wind instrument type, percussion instrument type, and gesture type ( Alternatively, it may be a device). The communication interface is connected to a wired or wireless communication network such as a LAN, the Internet, or a telephone line, and is connected to an external device (in this case, a personal computer or a server computer) via the communication network. This is a communication interface for taking in automatic performance data generated by the external device to the electronic musical instrument side. The communication interface is also used for downloading various programs, various data, and the like from a server computer connected via a communication network to the electronic musical instrument main body. Note that the communication interface may be both wired or wireless and may include both.

  When the external interface 12 is composed of a MIDI interface, the MIDI interface is not limited to a dedicated MIDI interface, but is RS232-C, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 (I Triple E 1394), etc. The MIDI interface may be configured using a general-purpose interface. In this case, data other than MIDI event data may be transmitted and received simultaneously. When a general-purpose interface as described above is used as the MIDI interface, other MIDI devices may be able to transmit and receive data other than MIDI event data. Of course, the data format is not limited to the data in the MIDI format, but may be in other data formats. In that case, the MIDI interface and other MIDI devices are configured accordingly.

  The electronic musical instrument according to the present invention is not limited to one in which the setting operator 5, the display 6 or the sound source 9 is built in one electronic musical instrument body, but each is configured separately, and communication such as an external interface or various networks is performed. Needless to say, the present invention can be similarly applied to devices configured to connect each device using a means.

  Next, a specific external configuration of the electronic musical instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing an embodiment of the external configuration of the electronic musical instrument according to the present invention. However, in this embodiment, a ukulele-type electronic musical instrument (electronic ukulele) that is configured as a whole in a shape simulating a 4-string 12-fret ukulele that is a natural musical instrument will be described as an example. Although illustration is omitted here, it is needless to say that the external interface 12 shown in FIG.

  The ukulele-type electronic musical instrument shown in the present embodiment is composed of a body part X, a neck part N, and a head part H. The body part X is provided with pseudo strings (sound generation instruction operation elements 7A) played by the ukulele playing method so that both ends thereof are supported by the string support parts C1 and C2, and the neck part N has a fret member. A large number of F and fret switches (pitch specifying operation elements 8A) are arranged. In this electronic musical instrument, a fret switch 8A provided corresponding to the number of pseudo strings 7A for each fret of the neck portion N is depressed as in the case of pressing a string between the ukulele frets with the left hand in a natural musical instrument. The tone pitch of the musical sound generated by repelling the pseudo string 7A disposed in the body portion X so as to pluck the string of the ukulele with the right hand in a natural musical instrument is set. Can be specified. That is, the electronic musical instrument is an electronic ukulele that simulates a performance operation and a sound generation of a ukulele that is a natural musical instrument.

  As can be understood from the external view shown in FIG. 2, the setting operation element 5, the display device 6, and the like are disposed in the head portion H. Of course, the setting operation element 5 and the display device 6 are not limited to the upper surface of the head portion H, but are disposed on the upper surface of the main body portion X or the side surface of the head portion H or the neck portion N. May be. The detailed configuration of the neck portion N will be described. The neck portion N is provided with a large number of fret members F and fret switches (pitch designating controls 8A), and pitches are input according to the operation of each fret switch 8A. Is done. In the ukulele-type electronic musical instrument shown in the present embodiment, the fret member F does not function as a ukulele fret in a natural musical instrument that defines the length of a vibrating string, but a fret switch 8A for designating different pitches. The position of As the pseudo string 7A disposed on the main body X, a metal wire or the like imitating the feeling of the string by varying the thickness according to the thickness of the string disposed on the ukulele of the natural musical instrument. A plurality (four in this case) of linear members having conductivity are provided.

  A speaker S for generating a musical sound is accommodated in the main body X toward the outside of the musical instrument. This speaker S is provided in the main body X in a shape simulating a sound hole similar to that of a natural instrument at a position corresponding to the sound hole of the ukulele in the natural instrument. Inside the main unit X, a control circuit and a mute control circuit for controlling the operation of the entire musical instrument, a storage device 4, a sound source 9, a DSP 10, and the like are accommodated. The control circuit is composed of a computer including the CPU 1, the ROM 2, the RAM 3 and the like shown in FIG. 1, in which various processing such as processing for controlling the musical tone according to the performance operation by the performer is performed by the computer. This is implemented by executing software including a predetermined control program for realizing the above. Of course, these various types of processing are not limited to computer software, but can also be implemented in the form of microprograms processed by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and are not limited to this type of program. You may implement with the form of the dedicated hardware apparatus comprised including the integrated circuit or the large-scale integrated circuit. Since the mute control circuit will be described later (see FIG. 4 described later), description thereof is omitted here.

  In the electronic musical instrument described above, in order to perform a performance guide for instructing in advance the fret switch (pitch designation operator 8A) to be operated next by the performer in accordance with predetermined automatic performance data, A light emitter such as an LED that lights up at the same time as the performance timing may be arranged in the vicinity of the plurality of fret switches 8A or at a position where the individual fret switches 8A themselves are turned on. Further, in order to provide a performance guide for instructing the operation timing of the pseudo string (the sound generation instruction operator 7A) to be operated by the performer according to the automatic performance data, a light-emitting body such as an LED flashing in accordance with the automatic performance tempo. May be installed near the pseudo string 7A. This is convenient because the user can easily understand the position of the fret switch 8A to be operated or the operation timing of the pseudo string 7A by watching the lighting of these light emitters.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the internal structure of the main body X in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIG. 3, a pseudo string (sound generation instruction operator 7A) made of a linear member such as a conductive metal has rubber bushes 21 and 22 and a pedestal at one end of the pseudo string (sound indicating instruction operator 7A) on the string support portion C2 side. 23. The rubber bush 21 disposed on the upper side holds one end of the pseudo string 7A. Even when the pseudo string 7A vibrates using its elasticity, the rubber bush 21 has a predetermined value as the vibration ends. The pseudo string 7A is set back to the initial position. That is, a force is applied in a direction in which the player returns to the operation of repelling the pseudo string 7A. The rubber bush 22 disposed on the lower side regulates the position with respect to the pushing direction of the pseudo string 7A, so that even if the pseudo string 7A is pushed and deformed, the original state is restored. It has become. The bush holding plate 23 is for holding the rubber bushes 21 and 22 between the main body X and is fixed to the main body X with screws 24.

  The other end of the pseudo string 7A is attached to the pedestal 32 after passing through the opening of the rubber bush 31 attached to the main body part X on the string support part C1 side. The opening portion of the rubber bush 31 is formed with a hole having a sufficient size so that the pseudo string 7A can freely operate within a predetermined range, that is, does not hinder the vibration of the pseudo string 7A. When FIG. 3A shown in FIG. 3B is viewed from the direction of the arrow Y, the pedestal 32 is formed of a thin metal plate having conductivity (such as a copper plate) and having a shape as illustrated. The pseudo string 7A can be caulked and fixed to one upper end thereof. The pedestal 32 is fixed at a lower portion thereof so as to stand upright in the vertical direction with respect to the main body portion X by a screw 34. Therefore, when the pseudo string 7A vibrates according to the player's operation, the pedestal 32 is also deformed as needed in accordance with the vibration. A piezo sensor (piezoelectric element) 33 is fixed on the surface of the pedestal 32, and the piezo sensor 33 generates a signal when the pedestal 32 is deformed due to vibration of the pseudo string 7A. That is, an acceleration corresponding to the amount of displacement of the pedestal 32 occurs when the pseudo string 7A is repelled, and an output corresponding to the strength of the plucked string can be obtained by the piezo sensor 33 detecting this acceleration. The generated signal is output to the control circuit via the first wiring 35. In a control circuit (not shown), the pseudo string 7A operated by the signal is specified, and control is performed so as to generate a musical sound according to the specified pseudo string 7A.

  In the internal structure of the main body portion X shown in this embodiment, since the pedestal 32 is fixed in an upright state with respect to the main body portion X, the vibration of the pseudo string 7A is further improved as compared with the conventional cantilever structure. The strength can be accurately grasped, and an output corresponding to the strength of vibration of the pseudo string 7A can be obtained more accurately. In addition, even when the number of pseudo strings 7A is large, there is an advantage that the pseudo strings 7A can be stored in a small space compared to the conventional case. Of course, assembly is also easy. It should be noted that, by appropriately changing the setting of the dimensions, shape, thickness, etc. of the pedestal 32, or the arrangement position of the piezo sensor 33 with respect to the pedestal 32, it can be adjusted so as to obtain an output suitable for the player's sense. It goes without saying that it may be.

  A second wiring 36 different from the first wiring 35 is electrically connected to the pedestal 32 and the pedestal 32 main body. The second wiring is a pseudo string connected to the main pedestal 32. This is for outputting the current flowing through 7A to the mute control circuit (see FIG. 4 described later). As will be described in detail later, one pseudo string 7A among the plurality of pseudo strings 7A is grounded, and a current is passed to the other pseudo strings 7A. The mute control circuit detects a mute instruction operation according to the current state (ie, the conductive state) input from each pseudo string 7A, and when a mute instruction operation by the performer is detected, mute is performed on the tone being played. Control, that is, control to forcibly silence the musical tone is performed. The portion including the pedestal 32 as described above is entirely covered with the cover Z, and is protected from external impact and dust.

  Next, the mute control circuit 7 'for detecting the mute instruction operation by the performer will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the mute control circuit. As shown in FIG. 4, one pseudo string 7A among the plurality of pseudo strings 7A is grounded (here, the thickest first string shown at the top is grounded), and the other pseudo strings 7A are grounded. A current I is always applied to the string 7A by a current source (not shown). The pseudo strings 7A other than the grounded pseudo string 7A are electrically connected to the logic circuit K. The logic circuit K is a circuit for detecting the conductive state of each pseudo string 7A. In the NOR circuit shown in this embodiment, for example, when there is a current input from each pseudo string 7A, "1", and when there is no current, A signal for mute control (mute control signal) is given to the control circuit as “0” according to the conductive state according to the combination of the presence / absence of current input from the three pseudo strings 7A other than the grounded pseudo string 7A. Output. Here, “1 (mute instruction operation)” when there is no input from all the three pseudo strings 7A, and “0 (operations other than mute instruction operation) when there is an input from at least one pseudo string 7A. Is) ”is output.

  FIG. 4 shows a diagram in which a switching element SW is arranged in each pseudo string 7A, but this switching element SW is shown for convenience of switching by a player's hand or the like. That is, when performing the mute instruction operation, the performer touches all the pseudo strings 7A at the same time with the palm of the performer himself or the belly of his hand. When such an operation is performed, each switching element SW is switched on in a pseudo state, and the current flowing through each pseudo string 7A flows to the grounded pseudo string 7A side. All inputs to the circuit K are “0”. Therefore, the logic circuit K outputs a mute control signal “1” to the control circuit. On the other hand, when each pseudo string 7A is touched not by the mute instruction operation but by a normal performance operation, each switching element SW does not enter the switching on state but remains in the switching off state. Only the input relating to the touched pseudo string 7A is “0”. Therefore, the logic circuit K outputs a mute control signal “0” to the control circuit. In the control circuit, a case where the mute control signal acquired from the logic circuit K is “1” is determined as “mute instruction operation”, and a case where the mute control signal is “0” is determined as “operation other than mute instruction operation”. . In this way, when all the pseudo strings 7A are touched at the same time, a switching operation is performed through the performer's hand, thereby detecting that the performer has performed a mute instruction operation. Yes. In this embodiment, a case where the player performs an operation of touching all four strings simultaneously is determined as a mute instruction operation.

  As described above, in the stringed musical instrument according to the present invention, each pseudo string 7A is electrically connected to the mute control circuit via the pedestal 32 made of a conductive member, and each pseudo string 7A is connected by the mute control circuit. The mute instruction operation as one performance operation mode among the performance operations performed by the performer is detected according to the conductive state of the player, and the musical sound is controlled according to the mute instruction operation performed by the performer based on the detected result. ing. According to this, the performer can perform the mute instruction operation only by touching the pseudo string 7A, and the mute instruction operation can be performed in the same manner as the natural musical instrument, so that the operability is improved.

  In the electronic musical instrument shown in FIG. 1, according to the performance operation by the performer, that is, the operation state of the fret switch (pitch instruction operation element 8A) and the pseudo string (sound generation instruction operation element 7A) is detected, and according to the operation state. Control the sound. The “main process” for executing such a process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of “main processing”. The detailed operation of the process will be described below according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This “main process” is a process that is started at the same time as the power source of the electronic musical instrument body is turned on, and is repeatedly processed until the power source of the electronic musical instrument body is turned off.

  First, in step S1, initialization is executed. The initialization includes, for example, a process of deleting various data stored in the RAM 3 or clearing device settings such as performance conditions set for the electronic musical instrument. In step S2, “setting processing” is executed. In the “setting process”, the operation status of the setting operator 5 is acquired, and various setting processes such as device settings for the electronic musical instrument are executed according to the acquired operation status. This includes setting of performance conditions such as designation of presence / absence of automatic accompaniment, input of various performance conditions such as timbre to be used and performance tempo. In step S3, "musical signal generation processing" is executed. Although details will be described later (see FIG. 6 described later), in the “musical tone signal generation process”, a musical tone signal is sequentially generated according to the operation of the pseudo string 7A and the fret switch 8A by the performer. At this time, detection of the operation of the pseudo string 7A and the fret switch 8A by the performer is performed according to an output signal from the piezo sensor (piezoelectric element) 33 or the mute control circuit. In step S4, a tone generation process is performed according to the generated tone signal, and a tone is generated from the sound system 11 such as a speaker.

  The “musical tone signal generation process” (see step S3 in FIG. 5) executed in the “main process” described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the “musical signal generation process”. This “musical sound signal generation process” is a process of detecting a performance operator operated by the performer and controlling a musical sound signal generated in accordance with the detected performance operator.

  In step S11, it is determined whether there is an output from the piezo sensor 33 (piezoelectric element). That is, it is determined whether or not the pseudo string 7A among the performance operators is operated by the performer and an output signal is acquired from each piezo sensor 33 arranged corresponding to each pseudo string 7A. If there is no operation of the pseudo string 7A by the performer and the output signal from the piezo sensor 33 is not acquired (NO in step S11), the process jumps to step S15. On the other hand, when the player operates the pseudo string 7A and obtains an output signal from the piezo sensor 33 (YES in step S11), the column is specified from the note-on instruction fret switch 8A ( Step S12), a pitch is determined (Step S13), and a musical tone signal is generated (Step S14). That is, a column corresponding to the operated pseudo string 7A is identified from a plurality of columns of fret switches 8A arranged so as to correspond to the pseudo string 7A, and the operated fret switch 8A among the identified columns. A musical tone signal having a pitch determined in accordance with is generated.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the sound is currently being generated. If it is determined that no sound is currently being produced (NO in step S15), the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sound is currently being generated (YES in step S15), it is determined whether or not the operation change of the fret switch 8A has been performed (step S16). If it is determined that the operation of the fret switch 8A has not been changed (NO in step S16), the process jumps to step S20. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation of the fret switch 8A has been changed (YES in step S16), a column is identified from the fret switch 8A that is sounding (step S17), and the pitch is determined (step S18). Then, the tone signal is regenerated and output so as to change the pitch (step S19). That is, the column corresponding to the newly operated pseudo string 7A is specified from the columns of the plurality of fret switches 8A, and the newly operated fret switch 8A is selected from the pitches of the currently sounding musical tone. A musical tone signal is generated by changing the pitch to a pitch determined accordingly.

In step S <b> 20, it is determined whether or not the current conducting each pseudo string 7 </ b> A is conducted via the pedestal 32. If it is determined that the sound is not conductive (NO in step S20), control is performed so as to mute, that is, forcibly mute, all the musical tones that are sounding. As described above, when the mute instruction is operated, the current that conducts each pseudo string 7A is not conducted, so the mute control circuit (see FIG. 4) outputs “1” as the mute control signal. Therefore, it is determined whether the mute control signal acquired from the mute control circuit is “1 (not conducting)” or “0 (conducting)”, and the acquired mute control signal is “1”. Generate a musical tone signal according to each performance operation as “mute instruction operation” when the acquired mute control signal is “0” and “other than mute instruction operation”, that is, normal sound generation instruction operation. Control to do.
Note that the processing relating to the mute control in step S20 and step S21 may be configured by processing different from the “musical signal generation processing”, and may be executed by performing timer interrupt processing. .

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the performer performs an operation in which all four pseudo strings 7A arranged in the main body X are simultaneously touched is determined as the mute instruction operation. When a plurality of pseudo strings 7A including at least one reference pseudo string 7A (that is, the grounded pseudo string 7A) is touched at the same time, the pseudo string 7A is generated according to the operation of the touched pseudo string 7A. All the musical sounds generated in response to the operation of the pseudo string 7A including the touched pseudo string 7A, that is, the tone generated based on the operation of the pseudo string 7A at that time regardless of the touched pseudo string 7A You may make it mute-control with respect to all the musical sounds in it.
Note that a case where any one of the plurality of pseudo strings 7A is touched at the same time, for example, a case where three or more pseudo strings 7A are touched at the same time may be determined as a mute instruction operation.

1 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration showing an example of the overall configuration of an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic top view showing an embodiment of an external configuration of an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional enlarged view which shows the internal structure of the sensor part vicinity arrange | positioned inside a main-body part. It is a circuit diagram which shows one Example of a mute control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of a main process. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of the production | generation process of a musical tone signal.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 1A ... Timer, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Storage device, 5 ... Setting operator, 6 ... Display device, 7 ... Sound generation instruction sensor, 7A ... Sound generation instruction operator (pseudo string), 8 ... Fret sensor, 8A ... Pitch designation operator (fret switch), 9 ... Sound source, 10 ... DSP, 11 ... Sound system, 12 ... External interface, 21 (22, 31) ... Rubber bush, 23 ... Bush presser plate, 24 (34) ... screw, 32 ... pedestal, 33 ... piezoelectric element, 35 ... first wiring, 36 ... second wiring, 1D ... communication bus, S ... speaker, F ... fret member, X ... main body, N ... Neck part, H ... Head part, C1 (C2) ... String support part

Claims (1)

A plurality of performance operators for instructing pronunciation corresponding to a string operation in a natural musical instrument, extending along a predetermined direction of the musical instrument main body, and attached to the musical instrument main body so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Ri Do a conductive member having to be, and that there is a operating element grounded operator and potential is applied in the performance operator of the plurality of,
A detecting means that detect said plurality of said grounded operator in the performance operator and the other operator is touched simultaneously by the performer is between the performance operators becomes conductive,
When it is detected by the detection means that the performance operators are in a conductive state, it is determined that a mute instruction operation has been performed , and a musical sound characteristic control means for performing a musical sound characteristic control in accordance with the mute instruction operation ; A stringed electronic musical instrument.

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