JPH05289657A - Automatic playing piano - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the quality of a performance by preparing plural converting means, which convert keying strength information according to conversion characteristics corresponding to a key range, for each key. CONSTITUTION:Plural conversion tables having conversion characteristics corresponding to the key area are previously prepared for each key as a conversion table which converts the keying strength information. When soft pedal event information is present in given musical performance information, an information showing that the soft pedal 22 of the automatic playing piano is turned on or off is stored in a software pedal flag. In this state, key event information is inputted and when the ON information on the soft pedal 22 is stored in the soft pedal flag at this time, the conversion table corresponding to the key range that the key number in the key event information belongs to is, selected and used to convert the keying strength information, thereby obtaining new keying information. Then, the key 18 is driven according to the obtained keying strength information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic playing piano which automatically performs a piano performance by driving a keyboard or a pedal in accordance with music performance information, and more particularly to a technique for exerting a softening effect by a soft pedal.

In recent years, an acoustic piano is equipped with an automatic performance mechanism, and an automatic performance piano for playing music by operating a drive mechanism based on prestored music performance information and operating a keyboard or a pedal is put to practical use. ing.

Such an automatic performance mechanism is applied to both an upright type piano and a grand type piano. However, the upright type piano and the grand type piano originally have a difference in performance quality, and this difference is the same when the performance is performed by using the automatic performance mechanism. Therefore, in an upright type piano equipped with an automatic performance mechanism, there is a demand for making the performance quality closer to that of a grand type piano.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional automatic performance piano, music performance information including, for example, key number, keystroke strength, time information, etc. is stored in advance in a storage device such as a floppy disk device, and a start of performance is instructed from an operation panel, for example. As a result, the music performance information is read from the storage device, and the keyboard or pedal of the piano is driven according to the read music performance information so that the music is automatically played. ..

More specifically, in the storage device,
Music performance information, which is a collection of event information, is stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, one event information is composed of an identification code, a key number, a keystroke strength, and time information.

When the performance start is instructed, one event information in the music performance information is read from the storage device, and time information included in the event information is checked. Then, when the time information matches the timing (time) at which the event should be executed, the event information is executed, that is, the operation such as key depression or key release is performed.

The timing for executing the event information is detected as follows. That is, a time counter that counts time in synchronization with a clock is provided, and the value of the time counter is compared with the time information in the read event information,
When these match, it is determined that the timing for executing the event has come.

Then, the average power is determined on the basis of information indicating which key (key number) is to be played and how much strength (keystroke strength) is specified in the music performance information.
Drive the solenoid. As a result, the key connected to the solenoid is pressed or released with a strength (speed) corresponding to the average power, and a predetermined musical sound is played.

It should be noted that, in the operation of pressing or releasing the pedal, the keystroke strength information is not used as in the case of the above key,
It is driven according to time information with a constant intensity.

When the execution of one event information is completed, the next event information is newly read from the storage device and the same processing is performed. By repeating this operation, the music is played.

Incidentally, an acoustic piano is generally provided with a soft pedal mechanism regardless of whether it is an upright type or a grand type. This soft pedal mechanism softens the keystrokes by depressing the soft pedal, and a predetermined musical effect (hereinafter,
It is used to exert the "weakening effect").

However, the soft pedal mechanisms of the current upright type piano and the grand type piano are different as follows, and their effects are also different.

That is, in the grand type piano, when the soft pedal is stepped on, the keyboard action system itself moves in a predetermined direction, causing a displacement in the positional relationship between the strings and the hammer. As a result, when three soft strings are struck to produce sound when the soft pedal is not depressed, two soft strings are struck to produce a sound when the soft pedal is depressed, and when the soft pedal is depressed. The weak sound effect of is clearly expressed.

On the other hand, in the upright type piano, when the soft pedal is depressed, the hammer rail which sets the initial position of the hammer moves in a predetermined direction.
This causes the hammer to move, reducing the distance between the hammer and the strings to about two-thirds of what it would be without the soft pedal being depressed. When the hammer hits the strings in this state, a weak sound effect is obtained. However, in this case, it is the current situation that almost no perceived weak sound is felt.

By the way, even in the performance by the automatic performance device, as described above, since the pedal or its structural parts are driven by the solenoid, only the soft-sounding effect of the soft pedal, which is the same as when a person plays, can be obtained. I can't.

That is, the soft sound effect of the soft pedals of the grand type piano and the upright type piano has a large difference due to the structural difference as described above, and the playing quality is particularly superior to the grand type piano. Therefore, when the same performance software is used for automatic performance, the difference in performance quality becomes obvious.

Further, in the upright type piano, if the movement distance of the hammer rail that determines the position of the hammer is increased so as to bring it closer to the strings in order to make the soft sound effect of the soft pedal more effective, when the movement is made closer to the strings, This causes the inconvenience that the hammer hits the strings with force and is pronounced.

Therefore, in the upright type automatic playing piano, the soft sound effect due to the soft pedal is hardly expected, and in an extreme case, there is an automatic playing piano in which the soft pedal driving mechanism is not provided.

[0019]

As described above, in the conventional upright type automatic playing piano, the soft sound effect due to the soft pedal cannot be expected, and the playing quality is significantly inferior to that of the grand type automatic playing piano. Had.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Even in an upright type automatic playing piano, a soft sound effect obtained by a soft pedal comparable to that of a grand type automatic playing piano is obtained, and the playing quality is remarkably improved. The purpose is to provide an automatic playing piano capable of playing.

[0021]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above object, an input means for inputting music performance information including at least soft pedal event information and key event information in an automatic performance piano that drives an operator to play music based on given music performance information. And, when soft pedal event information is input from the input means, soft pedal history holding means for holding a history of on or off of the soft pedal according to the soft pedal event information, and key event information from the input means. When the soft pedal history holding means holds the soft pedal ON when input, the keystroke strength information in the key event information is converted according to the key range to which the key number in the key event information belongs. And a control means for driving the operator based on the keystroke strength information converted by the conversion means. And butterflies.

Further, for the same purpose, the invention according to claim 2 is provided with a storage means for storing the music performance information in addition to the configuration according to claim 1 and the input means is the storage means. It is characterized in that the music performance information is inputted from a means.

[0023]

In the piano, when a key is pressed without depressing the soft pedal, the hammer is operated by the key to strike the three strings (see FIG. 2 (a)), and the two strings are struck. There is a key range where a string is struck (see FIG. 2B) and a key range where a single key is struck (see FIG. 2C).

On the other hand, when the soft pedal is depressed in the grand type piano, the hammer moves by a predetermined distance in the direction orthogonal to the strings, and as shown in FIGS.
Those that touched the strings of the book touched the two strings, those that touched the two strings touched the two strings, but one touched the end of the hammer and touched the one string The one touches one string, but touches the end of the hammer and is modified to strike each string.

In this way, by depressing the soft pedal, the number of strings to be struck is reduced according to the key range or the strings are changed so as to be struck at the ends, so that a weak sound is produced in all keys and the key range is changed. It has a characteristic that the degree of the weak sound effect varies depending on the.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the characteristic that the soft sound effect by the soft pedal depends on the keystroke strength and the key range of the key to be tapped as described above.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of conversion means for converting the keystroke strength information with the conversion characteristic according to the key range is prepared for each key range.

When music performance information is input from the input means and there is soft pedal event information in the input music performance information, it is indicated that the soft pedal of the automatic performance piano is turned on or off. It is held in the soft pedal history holding means.

When the key event information is input in such a state and the soft pedal history holding means holds the soft pedal ON at that time, it corresponds to the key range to which the key number included in the key event information belongs. Select a conversion method.

Then, the keystroke strength information also included in the key event information is converted by the selected converting means to obtain new keystroke information. Then, based on the obtained keystroke strength information, the operator is driven to keystroke.

Thus, the same effect as the soft sound effect by pressing the soft pedal can be exhibited by a simple process of converting the keystroke strength information included in the key event information.

Further, since the keystroke strength information is converted in accordance with the key range to which the key number included in the key event information belongs, the same softening effect as when the soft pedal of the grand type piano is pressed can be obtained, which can be improved. When applied to a light type piano, it is possible to obtain a playing quality comparable to that of a grand type piano.

Further, since the weak sound effect is generated by controlling the keystroke strength without actually driving the soft pedal, the drive mechanism for the soft pedal is not required, and the automatic playing piano can be configured easily and inexpensively. There is an advantage that you can.

The invention according to claim 2 is further provided with a storage means for storing the music performance information in the invention according to claim 1, and the automatic performance is performed while reading the music performance information from the storage means. ..

As a result, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 can be obtained, and various musical compositions can be automatically played by changing the contents stored in the storage means.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although the present invention can be applied to either an automatic playing piano for recording / playback or an automatic playing piano for playback, since the configuration for recording is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, the automatic playback piano An example of a playing piano will be described.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the structure of an embodiment of the automatic playing piano of the present invention with a part of the structure omitted. In the figure, 10 is a piano main body, and various mechanisms for functioning as a piano and various functions for functioning as an automatic performance device are provided in the main body 10.

The mechanism for functioning as a piano is generally roughly classified into a keyboard action system and a pedal action system. These configurations and operations are well known and will be briefly described below.

The keyboard action system includes a shelf board 17, a key 18 arranged on the shelf board 17, a hammer 19 which is rotated by depressing the key 18, a string 20 which is struck by the rotation of the hammer 19, and a detached string. The damper 24 suppresses the vibration (pronunciation) of the strings when the keys are locked.

The shelf 17 is formed integrally with the piano body 10 and serves as a fixed portion. Key 18 is shelf 17
A substantially central portion is placed on a protrusion provided on the and is swingably supported. The other end of the key 18 is connected to the drive mechanism of the hammer 19 and the drive mechanism of the damper 24.

In this structure, when one end of the key 18 is depressed, the other end of the key 18 rotates about the protrusion of the shelf 17 and moves upward in the figure. This makes hammer 1
The drive mechanism of 9 operates to rotate the hammer 19 toward the string 20, and at the same time, the drive mechanism of the damper 24 operates to separate the damper 24 from the string 20. As a result, the hammer 19 collides with the string 20 and sound is produced.

When the depression of the key 18 is released, the other end of the key 18 rotates around the protrusion of the shelf 17 and moves downward in the figure. As a result, the drive mechanism of the hammer 19 operates to rotate the hammer 19 in the direction away from the string 20, and at the same time, the drive mechanism of the damper 24 operates to bring the damper 24 into contact with the string 20. As a result, the vibration of the string 20 is suppressed by the damper 24 and the sound is silenced.

The pedal action system is the loud pedal 22.
And a balance 21 connected to the loud pedal 22 and a hoisting rod 23 connected to the balance 21.

The loud pedal 22 has one end rotatably supported by the piano body 10 (fixed portion), and the substantially central portion thereof and one end of the balance 21 are connected by, for example, a shaft. The balance 21 has a piano main body 10 at a substantially central portion thereof.
The balance 21 is swingably supported by the (fixed portion), and one end of a lifting rod 23 is attached to the other end of the balance 21.

The other end of the push-up rod 23 reaches the drive mechanism of the damper 24 and is connected to the damper rod 25. The damper rod 25 is rotated around the rod hinge as a fulcrum by the up-and-down movement of the lifting rod 23, and controls the contact and separation of the damper 24 with respect to the string 20.

In this structure, when the loud pedal 22 is depressed, one end of the balance 21 connected to the loud pedal 22 is pushed downward in the figure. As a result, the push rod 23 is pushed up together with the other end of the balance 21, the damper rod 25 connected to the other end of the push rod 23 rotates, and the damper lever moves in a direction away from the string 20. ..

As a result, the damper 24 is separated from the string 20, and the function of suppressing the vibration of the string 20 is released. If the keystroke is performed in this state, a loud sound that takes a long time to mute is generated.

On the other hand, the automatic performance device electrically operates the piano keys 18 and the loud pedal 22 of the above-described piano to automatically perform a performance.

The elements constituting the automatic performance device are mainly composed of the circuit board 11, the cable 12, the control device 13, the key solenoid 14 and the loud pedal solenoid 15.

The circuit board 11 is a board on which an electric circuit for operating the automatic playing piano is mounted, and is attached to a predetermined portion of the piano body 10. A control device 13 is connected to the circuit board 11 via a cable 12. A key solenoid 14 and a loud pedal solenoid 15 are connected to the circuit board 11 via a cable so that a predetermined drive signal is supplied. Details of the electric circuit mounted on the circuit board 11 will be described later.

The control device 13 is composed of an independent housing and is mounted on the roof of the piano body 10, for example. The control device 13 is provided with an operation switch section 30, a display device 31, and a storage device 32 (see FIG. 3).

The operation switch section 30 is composed of various operation switches for controlling the automatic playing piano. The operation switches include a "volume operator" for adjusting the volume, a "start switch" for instructing the start of automatic performance, a "tempo instruction switch" for instructing the tempo speed, etc. (none of which are shown). The state of each switch of the operation switch unit 30 is sent to the circuit board 11 via the cable 12.

The display device 31 is composed of, for example, an LCD and is used for displaying various states and messages of the device. For example, when the automatic performance is started, the display device 31 is used to display the performance time. This display device 31
Is controlled by the data sent from the circuit board 11 via the cable 12.

The storage device 32 is composed of, for example, a floppy disk device. A floppy disk 16 in which music performance information (details will be described later) is stored in the storage device 32. The music performance information stored in the floppy disk 16 is read by the storage device 32 and is sent to the circuit board 11 via the cable 12 for sound generation.

The key solenoid 14 is fixed to a storage portion provided at a predetermined portion of the shelf board 17. The movable portion of the key solenoid 14 is connected to one end of the key 18 (the end opposite to the position where a key is pressed by a person). When a key-on control signal is supplied from the circuit board 11, the movable portion of the key solenoid 14 projects and one end of the key 18 is pushed upward in the figure.

The loud pedal solenoid 15 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the piano body 10. The movable part of the loud pedal solenoid 15 is connected to one end of the balance 21 (the end opposite to the part connected to the loud pedal 22). Then, when a control signal for turning on the loud pedal is supplied from the circuit board 11, the movable portion of the loud pedal solenoid 15 is retracted, and the push rod 23 is pushed upward in the figure.

The operation in the case of performing the automatic performance in the above configuration will be described.

First, the floppy disk 16 in which music performance information is stored is inserted into the storage device (floppy disk device) 32 provided in the control device 13. Then, the start switch of the operation switch unit 30 is pressed.

As a result, the music performance information stored in the floppy disk 16 is sequentially read out, and the cable 12
Is supplied to the circuit board 11 via. In the circuit board 11, based on the received music performance information, the key solenoid 1
4 or the drive signal of the loud pedal solenoid 15 is generated, and the key solenoid 14 or the loud pedal solenoid 15 is driven at a predetermined timing.

When the key solenoid 14 is driven,
The movable portion of the key solenoid 14 projects and the key 18 is pushed up from below. As a result, a state similar to that when a person presses the key 18 is created, and as described above, the driving mechanism of the hammer 19 operates to rotate the hammer 19 in the direction of the string 20 and, at the same time, to drive the damper 24. The mechanism operates to move the damper 24 away from the string 20. As a result, the hammer 19 collides with the string 20 and sound is produced.

When the driving of the key solenoid 14 is stopped, the movable portion of the key solenoid 14 returns to its original position and the key 18 is pulled down. This creates a state similar to when a person releases the key 18, and as described above, the drive mechanism of the hammer 19 operates and the hammer 1 operates.
At the same time as turning 9 in the direction away from the string 20, the drive mechanism of the damper 24 operates to bring the damper 24 into contact with the string 20. As a result, the vibration of the string 20 is suppressed by the damper 24 and the sound is silenced.

The sound generation by driving the key 18 and the mute sound by stopping the driving of the key 18 are performed according to the key number, the keystroke strength, and the time information included in the music performance information.
A predetermined piece of music will be played.

When the loud pedal solenoid 15 is driven, the movable portion of the loud pedal solenoid 15 is retracted, and the push rod 23 is pulled up in the figure together with the end of the balance 21. As a result, a state similar to that when a person depresses the loud pedal 22 is created.

That is, as described above, when the push rod 23 is pushed up, the damper rod 25 connected to the other end of the push rod 23 rotates and the damper lever moves in the direction away from the string 20. It This allows the damper 24
Is separated from the string 20, and the function of suppressing the vibration of the string 20 is released. If the keystroke is performed in this state, a loud sound that takes a long time to mute is generated, and a loud pedal effect is obtained.

When the depression of the loud pedal 22 is stopped, the damper 24 causes the string 2 to move in the reverse operation.
It returns to the normal state where it is touched by 0.

Next, an electric circuit of the automatic playing piano mounted on the circuit board 11 will be described. Figure 3
It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of one Example of the said electric circuit.

In the figure, 40 is a central processing unit (CP
U), which controls the entire automatic musical instrument according to a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 41. The ROM 41 stores the above-mentioned control program and various fixed data used by the CPU 40 for predetermined processing. This R
The OM 41 is accessed by the CPU 40 via the system bus 50.

42 is a random access memory (RAM)
The working area of the CPU 40, various registers and flags for controlling the automatic musical instrument are defined. In the RAM 42, a soft pedal flag which is directly related to the features of the present invention is defined, and a history of whether or not the soft pedal 22 is in the depressed state is stored. This RAM
42 is also accessed by the CPU 40 via the system bus 50.

Reference numeral 43 is an input / output interface. One side of the input / output interface 43 is the system bus 50.
The control device 13 is connected to the other side via the cable 12. As described above, the control device 13 is provided with the operation switch unit 30, the display device 31, and the storage device 32.

The operation switch section 30 is provided with the above-mentioned various switches. The ON / OFF state of each of these switches is detected by a scan circuit (not shown), and the CPU 40 is operated via the cable 12 and the input / output interface 43.
Sent to. The on / off information of this switch is
It is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 42 by the processing of 40.

As described above, the display device 31 displays various messages and the like, and the CPU 4
Display control is performed by data sent from 0 through the input / output interface 43 and the cable 12.

As the storage device 32, for example, a floppy disk device is used, and the floppy disk 16 as a storage medium is attached to the floppy disk device. The above-mentioned music performance information is stored in the floppy disk 16.

Here, the music performance information is configured as a set of event information, as shown in FIG. Each event information is composed of an identification code, a key number, a keystroke strength, and time information.

The identification code indicates the type of the event information, and for identifying whether the event information is key event information, pedal event information, or other control information, for example. Used for.

As the identification code, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the event information is a key event, a code of "8 * _H " or "9 * _H " is used. Here, the subscript " _H " indicates that it is a hexadecimal number, and will be used in the same meaning below. Further, "*" is an arbitrary number.

If the identification code is "9 * _H ", it indicates a note-on key event, that is, event information instructing key depression. "8 * _H " indicates a note-off key event, that is, event information instructing key release.

When the event information is pedal event or control information, the code "B0 _H " is used as the identification code. Whether it is a pedal event or control information is identified by a key number.

The identification number of the key number is "8 * _H " or "9".
* _H ", that is, when it indicates that it is key event information, it indicates the number of the key that should execute the event. On the other hand, when the identification code is “B0 _H ”, the key number is “4
If 3 _H "The" 40 _H "indicates that the pedal event information, indicating that the control information if" 7B _H ".

In the case of pedal event information, if the key number is, for example, "43 _H ", it indicates a soft pedal pedal event, and if the key number is "40 _H ", it is a loud pedal pedal event. Indicates that. In the case of control information, the key number "7B _H " is used as information for instructing all note off.

The keystroke strength specifies the strength (speed) of keystroke or key release in the case of key event information. This keystroke strength information is "0 _H " to indicate key off, and "1 _{H to} 7".
F _H ”indicates 127-step keystroke strength. The keystroke strength information is subjected to a predetermined conversion as described later.

In the case of pedal event information, the keystroke strength is "0 _H " to indicate pedal off, and "1 _{H to} 7".
“F _H ” indicates the position of the pedal on or 127 steps of the pedal. When it is the control information, it is always “00 _H ”.

The time information is information indicating the timing (time) at which the event information should be executed. When this time information matches the count value of the time counter 46, the event based on the event information is executed.

The music performance information read from the floppy disk 16 mounted in the storage device 32 is stored in the CPU 4 via the cable 12 and the input / output interface 43.
It is sent to 0 and used for automatic performance of musical instruments.

The storage device for storing the music performance information is not limited to the floppy disk 16. For example, an event memory provided inside the device, a FIFO
It may be an event temporary register such as (first-in first-out memory). Further, the music performance information does not necessarily have to be stored inside the device, and may be input from an external device.

Reference numeral 44 is a solenoid drive device which drives the key solenoids 14 _{1 to} 14 _n provided for all keys and the loud pedal solenoid 15 provided corresponding to the loud pedals. As described above, the key solenoids 14 _{1 to} 14 _n are connected to the key 18, and the loud pedal solenoid 15 is connected to the loud pedal 22.

When the solenoid drive device 44 is driven under the control of the CPU 40, the key solenoids 14 ₁ to 1
The 4 _n movable part is projected to push up the key 18, and
The movable portion of the loud pedal solenoid 15 retracts to pull up the push-up rod 23, thereby realizing a keying function or a pedal pressing function, respectively.

The key release function is realized by stopping the drive of the solenoid drive device 44 and opening the key solenoids 14 _{1 to} 14 _{n under} the control of the CPU 40. Further, the release of the depression of the loud pedal 22 is realized by stopping the driving of the solenoid driving device 44 and opening the loud pedal solenoid 15.

In this embodiment, the soft pedal drive mechanism does not exist. Therefore, no solenoid is provided to drive the soft pedal.

Reference numeral 45 is a conversion table for converting keystroke strength information, which is composed of, for example, a ROM. This conversion table stores data for converting a given keystroke strength in order to exert a weak sound effect by the soft pedal.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the conversion table 45 has one type (indicated by a characteristic line a in the figure) used for converting the keystroke strength when the soft pedal is in the off state and the soft pedal is in the on state. There are three types (indicated by the characteristic lines b to d in the figure) used for converting the keystroke strength in 4 in total. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents the keystroke strength V before conversion, and the vertical axis represents the keystroke strength v after conversion.

The conversion table used for converting the keystroke strength when the soft pedal is on is shown in Table 1 below, for example, according to the number of strings striking by the hammer 19 interlocking with the key 18 (depending on the key range). Are divided into groups.

A characteristic line a in FIG. 6 shows a state in which the conversion rate (the ratio of the increase in the keystroke strength V before conversion to the increase in the keystroke strength V before conversion) is "1". This is virtually no conversion, which is the same as the state during normal performance in which the keystroke strength is not converted.

The characteristic line b shows the conversion rate of 95%, the characteristic line c shows the conversion rate of 90%, and the characteristic line d shows the conversion rate of 85%. Therefore, when the soft pedal is on, the keystroke strength is converted with different characteristics depending on the key range.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 46 is a time counter, which counts up at a predetermined speed by the clock signal from the clock generator 47. The content of the time counter 46 is read by the CPU 40,
Used to detect sounding timing.

The CPU 40, ROM 41, RA
The M42, the input / output interface 43, the solenoid drive device 44, the conversion table 45, and the time counter 46 are mutually connected by the system bus 50.

The operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

When a start switch (not shown) of the operation switch section 30 is pressed, the status of the switch is changed to CP via the cable 12 and the input / output interface 43.
Sent to U40. When the CPU 40 recognizes that the start switch is turned on, it reads one event information (see FIG. 4) of the music performance information from the storage device 32 and extracts time information from the event information.

Next, the count value is read from the time counter 46, the count value is compared with the time information in the event information extracted previously, and when the "count value≥time information" is satisfied, the execution timing has arrived. Recognize
Execute event information.

When the execution of this event information is completed, the next event information is newly read from the storage device 32 and the same processing is repeated to play the music.

The above-mentioned operation is a method for automatically performing the music performance based on the music performance information stored in the storage device in advance. However, the operation is configured to be executed in real time according to the music performance information inputted from the outside. Can also In this case, the time information is not included in the event information, and therefore it is not necessary to determine the arrival of time.

The execution of the above event information is realized by the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, it is checked whether or not the event information read from the storage device 32 is information indicating a key event (step S10). This is performed by checking whether the identification code in the event information is "8 * _H " or "9 * _H ".

When it is determined that the event is the key event, it is checked whether or not the event information is the information indicating the on event (step S11). That is, it is checked whether the identification code is "9 * _H " indicating note-on or "8 * _H " indicating note-off.

If it is determined that the event is an on event, it is checked whether the soft pedal flag is on (step S12). Here, if it is determined that the soft pedal flag is on, from the conversion tables separately provided corresponding to the groups A to C,
The conversion table of the group to which the key number in the event information belongs is selected (step S13). For example, if the key number belongs to the group B, the conversion table having the characteristic line c will be selected.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the soft pedal flag is not on, the conversion table having the characteristic line a indicating substantially no conversion is selected (step S16).

Next, the keystroke strength is converted using the selected conversion table (step S14). That is, by giving the keystroke strength V in the event information to the conversion table 45, a new keystroke strength v is obtained from the conversion table 45.

Then, based on the converted keystroke strength information, the driving of the key solenoids 14 _{1 to} 14 _n of the key 18 corresponding to the key number in the event information is started (step S15). That is, the converted keystroke strength v is given to the solenoid drive device 44, and the key solenoids 14 _{1 to} 14 _n
Are driven with an average power according to the keystroke strength v. As a result, the key 18 is pressed with a keying strength corresponding to the characteristic line of the selected conversion table 45, and sound is produced.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the above step S11 that the event is not the on event, the driving of the key solenoids 14 _{1 to} 14 _n corresponding to the key number in the event information is stopped (step S17). This allows key 1
The pressed state of 8 is released, and the original state is restored. This causes the pronunciation to be stopped.

If it is determined in step S10 that the event is not a key event, it is checked whether or not it is soft pedal event information (step S20). This refers to the identification code and the key number in the event information, an identification code is "B0 _H", and the key number is carried out by checking whether or not it is "43 _H".

When it is determined that the event information is the soft pedal event information, it is checked whether or not the event information is information indicating an on event (step S2).
1). This is performed by checking whether or not the keystroke strength information in the event information is “0 _H ”. In other words, if it is "0 _H" off event, "1 _H ~7F _H"
If so, it is determined to be an on event.

If it is determined that the event is an on event, the soft pedal flag is set (step S
22). As a result, in the following sound generation, the conversion table corresponding to the key number is selected from the conversion tables having the characteristic lines b to d, and the keystroke strength is converted. This completes the processing for the soft pedal event.

In the automatic performance device having the soft pedal mechanism, the solenoid of the soft pedal is continuously driven (step S23). However, in the processing of this step S23, the keystroke strength is converted and used. Since a sufficient weak sound effect can be obtained by this, it may be omitted.
Further, in the automatic performance device of the present embodiment having no soft pedal mechanism, this step S23 is omitted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the event is not the on event, the soft pedal flag is cleared (step S24). As a result, in the following sound generation, the conversion table having the characteristic line a is selected, and the keystroke strength is converted. This completes the processing for the soft pedal event.

In the automatic performance device having the soft pedal mechanism, the solenoid of the soft pedal is continuously stopped (step S25), and the soft pedal is returned to the normal state. The process of step S25 is omitted if the driving of the soft pedal is omitted in step S23. This is also omitted in the case of the automatic musical instrument of this embodiment which does not have a soft pedal mechanism.

If it is determined in step S20 that the event is not a soft pedal event, another event or control is executed (step S30). For example, an identification code "B0 _H", the key number is "40 _H", and if the key depression force is "1 _H ~ 127 _H", it is determined that the on-event of the loud pedal, loud pedal solenoid Drive 15 This allows the loud pedal 2
Keep 2 pressed down.

[0116] In addition, in the identification code "B0 _H", is the key number is "40 _H", if and a keying strength is "0 _H",
It is determined that the loud pedal is off, and the driving of the loud pedal solenoid 15 is stopped. As a result, the pressed state of the loud pedal 22 is released, and the original normal state is restored.

[0117] Furthermore, an identification code is "B0 _H", and when the key number is "7B _H", all-note-off processing is performed. In addition, various processes are performed according to the key number of the control information.

As described above, in this embodiment, as the conversion table for converting the keystroke strength information, a plurality of conversion tables having conversion characteristics according to the key range are prepared in advance for each key range. Then, if there is soft pedal event information in the given music performance information, the fact that the soft pedal of the automatically playing piano is turned on or off is stored in the soft pedal flag.

If the key event information is input in such a state and the soft pedal ON is stored in the soft pedal flag at that time, the conversion table corresponding to the key range to which the key number included in the key event information belongs. Select, and convert the keystroke strength information using this conversion table,
Get new keystroke information. Then, the key 18 is driven based on the obtained keystroke strength information to cause a keystroke.

Thus, the same effect as the weak sound effect by pressing the soft pedal can be exhibited by a simple process of converting the keystroke strength information included in the key event information.

Further, since the keystroke strength information is converted according to the key range to which the key number included in the key event information belongs, the same softening effect as when the soft pedal of the grand type piano is pressed can be obtained and improved. When applied to a light type piano, it is possible to obtain a playing quality comparable to that of a grand type piano.

Further, since the weak sound effect is generated by controlling the keystroke strength without actually driving the soft pedal, the soft pedal driving mechanism is not required, and the automatic playing piano can be configured easily and inexpensively. There is an advantage that you can.

In the above embodiment, the conversion table 45
Is provided in an independent ROM, but it goes without saying that it may be provided in the ROM 41 in which programs and the like are stored.

In the above embodiment, the conversion table is used to convert the keystroke strength information. However, it is also possible to use these to calculate the conversion characteristics by an approximation function, and in this case as well. The same action and effect as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are obtained.

Further, in the above embodiment, the conversion rate "1" is converted using the conversion table of the characteristic line a even when the soft pedal is off, but when the soft pedal is off, conversion is performed. You may comprise so that it may not exist. In this case, step S16 of FIG. 5 is omitted.

[0126]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Even in the upright type automatic playing piano, it is possible to provide the automatic playing piano which can obtain the soft sound effect by the soft pedal which is comparable to the grand type automatic playing piano and can significantly improve the playing quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a partially omitted structure of an automatic playing piano of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the automatically playing piano of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of an electric circuit of the automatic playing piano of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of event information used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining conversion characteristics of a conversion table used in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 40 CPU (conversion means, control means) 42 RAM (soft pedal history holding means) 45 Conversion table (conversion means) 32 Storage device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An automatic performance piano that drives a manipulator to play music based on given music performance information, and input means for inputting music performance information including at least soft pedal event information and key event information. When the soft pedal event information is input from the input means, the soft pedal history holding means for holding the on / off history of the soft pedal according to the soft pedal event information, and the key event information is input from the input means. At this time, if the soft pedal history holding means holds the soft pedal ON, a converting means for converting the keystroke strength information in the key event information according to the key range to which the key number in the key event information belongs. And a control means for driving the operator based on the keystroke strength information converted by the conversion means. Dynamic player piano. 2. The automatic performance piano according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the music performance information, wherein the input means inputs the music performance information from the storage means.