JPH05289658A - Automatic playing device for piano - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the quality of a musical performance by converting keying strength information that key event information contains as specified and driving a key. CONSTITUTION:In a random access memory(RAM) 12, the work area for a CPU 10, and various registers, flags, etc., for controlling this automatic playing device are defined. This RAM 12 stores information showing whether or not the soft pedal is pressed. In addition to the key event information, event information on the soft pedal is previously stored as musical performance information and when the soft pedal event information is read out during an automatic musical performance, whether or not the soft pedal of the automatic playing device is turned on or off is stored in a specific area of the RAM 12. When the key event information is read out in this state, keying strength included in this event information is converted according to a characteristic line if the ON information on the soft pedal is stored, and a key is driven according to the keying strength information obtained by the conversion.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic piano playing apparatus for automatically playing a piano by driving a keyboard or a pedal in response to given musical performance information when a performance start instruction is given. ..

In recent years, an automatic performance device for a piano has been put into practical use, in which an automatic performance device is mounted on an acoustic piano, a drive mechanism is operated based on previously stored music performance information, and a keyboard or pedal is operated to play music. Have been served.

Such an automatic performance device is applied to both an upright type piano and a grand type piano. However, the upright type piano and the grand type piano are inherently different in performance quality, and this difference is also the same when an automatic performance device is mounted and played. Therefore, there is a demand to bring the performance quality of an upright piano closer to that of a grand piano when playing with an automatic performance device.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional automatic performance device for a piano, music performance information including, for example, a key number, a keystroke strength, and time information is stored in advance in a storage device such as a floppy disk device, and the performance is started from an operation panel, for example. The musical performance information is read from the storage device by the instruction of, and the keyboard or pedal of the piano is driven in accordance with the read musical performance information to automatically play the music. ing.

More specifically, in the storage device,
Music performance information, which is a collection of event information, is stored. As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, 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, the value of the time counter that counts the time in synchronization with the clock is compared with the time information in the read event information, and when they match, it is determined that the timing to execute the event has arrived.

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, and the key is driven at a constant strength according to the time information.

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 from each other 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, since the pedal or its structural parts are driven by the solenoid as described above, only the soft sound effect of the soft pedal similar to that when a person plays is 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 of the grand type piano is remarkably superior. 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 for deciding the position of the hammer is increased so as to bring it closer to the strings, in order to exert the soft sound effect by the soft pedal to a greater extent, 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 piano automatic performance device, the soft sound effect due to the soft pedal can hardly be expected, and in an extreme case, there is an automatic piano performance device in which the soft pedal drive mechanism is not provided. ..

[0018]

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

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Even in an upright type piano, a soft pedal effect similar to that of a grand type piano can be obtained, and the performance of the piano can be remarkably improved. An object is to provide an automatic performance device.

[0020]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above object, in an automatic performance device for a piano that drives an operator based on given music performance information to play music, a soft pedal that indicates at least on or off of the soft pedal as the music performance information. Input means for inputting event information and key event information for instructing key on / off and keystroke strength, and when soft pedal event information is input from the input means, the soft pedal is turned on according to the soft pedal event information. Alternatively, if the soft pedal history holding means holds a history of OFF, and the soft pedal history holding means holds ON of the soft pedal when the key event information is inputted from the input means, the key event information is held. Converting means for performing a predetermined conversion on the keystroke strength information included in, and the keystroke strength converted by the converting means. Characterized by comprising a control means allowed to drive said operator based on the broadcast.

Further, for the same purpose, the invention according to claim 2 is an automatic performance device of a piano for driving music by driving an operator based on given music performance information, and at least software as the music performance information. Storage means for storing soft pedal event information for instructing on / off of the pedal and key event information for instructing on / off of the key and keystroke strength; and when the soft pedal event information is read from the storage means, Soft pedal history holding means for holding a history of soft pedal on or off according to the soft pedal event information, and when the key event information is read from the storage means, the soft pedal history holding means If ON is held, conversion means for performing a predetermined conversion on the keystroke strength information included in the key event information, and the conversion means. Stage by characterized by comprising a control means allowed to drive said operator based on the key depression force information conversion is performed.

[0022]

The present invention was made by paying attention to the characteristic that the soft tone effect of the soft pedal depends on the keystroke strength.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, for example, when music performance information is input from an external device, a storage device or the like by the input means, and there is soft pedal event information in the input music performance information, The fact that the soft pedal of the automatic performance device is turned on or off is held in the soft pedal history holding means.

When the key event information is input while the soft pedal is held in the soft pedal history holding means, the keystroke strength information included in the key event information is subjected to a predetermined conversion. It is designed to be typed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the soft pedal event information as well as the key event information is stored in the storage means in advance as the music performance information. Then, when the soft pedal event information is read while the music performance information is read from the storage means and the automatic performance is being performed, the soft pedal history holding means indicating that the soft pedal of the automatic performance device is turned on or off. Keep it in.

When the key event information is input while the soft pedal is held in the soft pedal history holding means, a predetermined conversion is applied to the keying strength information contained in the key event information. It is designed to be typed.

As described above, 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. Also, by adjusting the parameter for converting the keystroke strength, it is possible to exert a remarkable weakening effect,
By applying this to an upright 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 adjusting the keystroke intensity without actually driving the soft pedal, the soft pedal driving mechanism is not required, and the automatic piano playing apparatus is simply and inexpensively constructed. There is an advantage that you can.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of an automatic piano playing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, 10 is a central processing unit (CP).
U), which controls the entire automatic performance device in accordance with a control program stored in the read-only memory (ROM) 11. The ROM 11 stores the above-described control program and various fixed data used by the CPU 10 for predetermined processing. This R
The OM 11 is accessed by the CPU 10 via the system bus 30.

12 is a random access memory (RAM)
The working area of the CPU 10 and various registers and flags for controlling the automatic musical instrument are defined. The RAM 12 stores information as to whether or not the soft pedal, which is a feature of the present invention, is pressed. This R
The AM 12 is also accessed by the CPU 10 via the system bus 30.

Reference numeral 13 is an input / output interface, and one side of this input / output interface 13 is a system bus 30.
The operation switch unit 20, the display device 21, and the storage device 22 are connected to the other side.

The operation switch section 20 includes a "volume controller" for adjusting the volume, a "start switch" for instructing the start of automatic performance, a "tempo instruction switch" for instructing the tempo speed, etc. (neither is shown). Various switches are provided.

The on / off state of each switch of the operation switch section 20 is detected by a scan circuit (not shown) and sent to the CPU 10 via the input / output interface 13. The on / off information of this switch is stored in the CPU 10
Is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 12 by the processing of.

The display device 21 is composed of, for example, an LCD, and is used to display various states and messages of the device. For example, when the automatic performance is started, this display device 21 is used to display the performance time. This display device 21
Is controlled by the information sent from the CPU 10 via the input / output interface 13.

As the storage device 22, for example, a floppy disk device is used, and a floppy disk 23 as a storage medium is attached to the floppy disk device. The above-mentioned music performance information is stored in the floppy disk 23.

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 example, identifies whether the event information is key event information, pedal event information, or other control information. Is the code for.

The identification code of the pedal event, which is a feature of the present invention, is "B" as shown in FIG. 2B, for example.
0 _H "(" _H subscript "denotes hexadecimal. Hereinafter, the same) code is used.

The key number indicates the number of the key to execute the event when the identification code indicates that it is the key event information. On the other hand, when the identification code indicates that it is pedal event information, it has a special meaning. That is, when the key number is “43 _H ”, for example, the soft pedal, which is a feature of the present invention, is shown, and when the key number is “40 _H ”, it is for the loud pedal.

The keystroke strength specifies the strength (speed) of keystroke or key release at the time of an on event or an off event. This keystroke strength information is "0 _H " to indicate that the key is off, and "1".
“ _{H to} 7F _H ” indicates 127 steps of keystroke strength. The keystroke strength information is subjected to a predetermined conversion as described later.

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 16, the event based on the event information is executed.

The music performance information read from the floppy disk 23 mounted on the storage device 22 is sent to the CPU 10 through the input / output interface 13 and used for automatic performance of the musical instrument.

The storage device for storing the music performance information is not limited to the floppy disk 23. 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 14 is a solenoid drive device, which is a solenoid 25 ₁ provided for all keys and loud pedals.
˜25 _n are driven. Each solenoid 25 ₁ ~
25 _n is connected to a key or pedal. When the solenoid drive device 14 is activated under the control of the CPU 10, the solenoids 25 _{1 to} 25 _n are driven, and the corresponding keys or pedals are pushed down (or pulled down) to realize the keystroke function or the pedal depression function. ..

In this embodiment, the soft pedal drive mechanism does not exist. Therefore, the solenoid 25
_{1 to} 25 _n does not include a solenoid for driving the soft pedal.

The key release function is realized by stopping the drive of the solenoid drive device 14 and opening the solenoids 25 _{1 to} 25 _{n under} the control of the CPU 10.

Reference numeral 15 is a conversion table for converting keystroke strength information, which is composed of, for example, a ROM. The conversion table includes a soft pedal table for converting the keystroke strength in order to exert the soft sound effect of the soft pedal and a characteristic conversion table for correcting the electromechanical conversion characteristics of the solenoids 25 _{1 to} 25 _n. included.

As the soft pedal table, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a table used for converting the keystroke strength when the soft pedal is in the off state (shown by a characteristic line a in the figure),
What is used to convert the keystroke strength when the soft pedal is on (shown by the characteristic line b in the figure) are prepared. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis is the keystroke strength V before conversion, and the vertical axis is the keystroke strength v after conversion.

Characteristic line a is the conversion rate (keystroke strength V before conversion V
The ratio of the increase in the keystroke strength v after the conversion with respect to the increase (1) 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.

Characteristic line b shows a state in which the conversion rate is smaller than "1". The soft pedal table has a keying strength V
Is given, when the soft pedal is in the on state, a relatively small value of the keystroke strength v is obtained as compared with the case where the soft pedal is in the off state.

In FIG. 1, 16 is a time counter, which counts up at a predetermined speed by a clock signal from a clock generator 17. The contents of the time counter 16 are read by the CPU 10,
Used to detect sounding timing.

The CPU 10, ROM 11, RA
The M12, the input / output interface 13, the solenoid drive device 14, the conversion table 15, and the time counter 16 are mutually connected by the system bus 30.

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

When a start switch (not shown) of the operation switch section 20 is pressed, the state of the switch is sent to the CPU 10 via the input / output interface 13. When the CPU 10 determines that the start switch is turned on, it reads one event information (see FIG. 2) of the music performance information from the storage device 22 and extracts time information from the event information.

Next, the count value is read from the time counter 16, 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 22 and the same processing is repeated to play the music.

The above-mentioned operation is a method of 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. You 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 flowcharts of FIGS.

That is, first, the event information read from the storage device 22 via the input / output interface 13 is
It is checked whether or not the event information is the soft pedal event information (step S10). This refers to the identification code and the key number in the event information, an identification code is "B0 _H",
In addition, it is performed by checking whether or not the key number is “43 _H ”.

When it is determined that the event is a soft pedal event, it is checked whether or not the event information is an information indicating an on event (step S11).
This is performed by checking whether or not the keystroke strength information in the event information is “0 _H ”. That is, "0 _H "
If so, it is determined to be an off event, and if “1 _{H to} 7 F _H ”, it is determined to be an on event.

If it is determined that the event is an on event, the soft pedal table is switched to the characteristic line b (step S12). At this time, the fact that the characteristic line b is used for the following keystroke strength conversion is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 12. As a result, the keystroke strength is converted using the characteristic line b of the conversion table 15 in the following sound generation. This completes the processing for the soft pedal event.

Incidentally, in the automatic performance device having the soft pedal mechanism, the solenoid of the soft pedal is driven (step S13), but the processing of this step S13 is sufficiently performed by converting and using the keystroke strength. Since a weak sound effect is obtained, it may be omitted. Further, in the automatic performance device of this embodiment having no soft pedal mechanism, this step S13 is omitted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the above step S11 that it is not the on event, the soft pedal table is switched to the characteristic line a (step S14). At this time, it is indicated that the characteristic line a is used for the following conversion of keystroke strength.
It is stored in a predetermined area of the AM 12. As a result, the keystroke strength is converted according to the characteristic line a of the conversion table 15 in the following sound generation. 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 stopped (step S15), and the soft pedal is returned to the normal state. The process of S15 is omitted when the driving of the soft pedal is omitted in step S13. This is also omitted in the case of the automatic musical instrument of this embodiment which does not have a soft pedal mechanism.

When it is determined in step S10 that the event is not a soft pedal event, it is checked whether or not the event information is a loud event (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 "40 _H".

When it is determined that the event is a soft pedal event, it is checked whether or not the event information is information indicating an on event (step S21).
This is performed by the same method as in step S11 above.

When it is determined that the event is an on event, the loud pedal solenoid is driven (step S22). As a result, the solenoid connected to the loud pedal is driven, and the loud pedal is maintained in the depressed state.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21 that the event is not the on event, the driving of the solenoid of the loud pedal is stopped (step S23). As a result, the driving of the solenoid connected to the loud pedal is stopped, the pressed state of the loud pedal is released, and the original normal state is restored.

If it is determined in step S20 that the event is not a loud pedal event, it is checked whether or not the event information is a key event (step S30). This is done by referring to the identification code in the event information.

When it is determined that the event is a key event, it is checked whether or not the event information is information indicating an on event (step S31). This is performed by the same method as in step S11 above.

If it is determined that the event is an on event, the keystroke strength information is converted by the conversion table (step S32). That is, by giving the keystroke strength V in the event information to the conversion table 15, the conversion table 1
A new keystroke strength v is obtained from 5. At this time, either the conversion table of the characteristic line a or b stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 12 is used.

Then, the drive of the key solenoid is started based on the converted keystroke strength information (step S33). That is, the converted keystroke strength v is given to the solenoid drive device 14, and the key solenoids 25 _{1 to} 25 _n are driven with an average power corresponding to the keystroke strength v. As a result, when the conversion table having the characteristic line a is used, a normal keystroke strength is used, and when the conversion table having the characteristic line b is used, a weak keystroke strength is used, and the keys are sounded.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the event is not the on event, the drive of the key solenoid is stopped (step S34). As a result, the driving of the key solenoid is stopped, the pressed state of the key is released, and the key returns to its original state. This causes the pronunciation to be stopped.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the event is not a key event, other processing is performed (step S35). Other processing includes, for example, predetermined processing when the identification code of the event information is control information.

As described above, in this embodiment, the soft pedal event information in addition to the key event information is stored in advance as the music performance information, and when the soft pedal event information is read during the automatic performance, The fact that the soft pedal of the automatic performance device is turned on or off is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 12.

When the key event information is read out in such a state, if the soft pedal ON is stored, the keystroke strength included in the event information is converted according to the characteristic line b, and after conversion. Keystroke strength information is used for keystrokes.

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. In addition, it is possible to produce a remarkable weak sound effect by appropriately adjusting the parameter for converting the keystroke strength, so by applying this to an upright type piano, a playing quality comparable to that of a grand type piano can be obtained. It has become possible.

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

In the above embodiment, the soft pedal table and the characteristic conversion table are separately provided, but the table content is determined by taking these two characteristics into consideration, so that a single conversion table can be used. You can also As shown in FIG. 5, the conversion table in this case is configured to have a characteristic line c when the soft pedal is off and a characteristic line d when the soft pedal is on, respectively.

Further, in the above embodiment, the conversion table 15
Is provided in an independent ROM, but it goes without saying that it may be provided in the ROM 11 in which programs and the like are stored.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the conversion table is used for conversion of the keystroke strength information, but it is also possible to calculate them by calculation by a function approximating the conversion characteristic, and in this case as well. The same action and effect as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are obtained.

[0083]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Even with an upright type piano, it is possible to provide an automatic performance device for a piano which can obtain a weak sound effect by a soft pedal comparable to a grand type piano and can remarkably improve the performance quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of an automatic performance device for a piano of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of event information used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining conversion characteristics of a conversion table used in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU (Conversion Means and Control Means) 12 RAM (Soft Pedal History Holding Means) 15 Conversion Table (Conversion Means) 22 Storage Device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An automatic performance device for a piano that drives an operator to play music based on given music performance information, wherein soft pedal event information for instructing at least on or off of a soft pedal as the music performance information, and Input means for inputting key event information for instructing key on / off and keystroke strength; and, when soft pedal event information is input from the input means, turning on or off the soft pedal according to the soft pedal event information. Soft pedal history holding means for holding a history, and if the soft pedal history holding means holds the soft pedal ON when the key event information is input from the input means, it is included in the key event information. Based on the conversion means for performing a predetermined conversion on the keystroke strength information, and the keystroke strength information converted by the conversion means. Automatic musical instrument piano, characterized in that and a control unit that allowed to drive said operator. 2. An automatic performance device for a piano that drives an operator to play music based on given music performance information, wherein soft pedal event information for instructing at least on or off of a soft pedal as the music performance information, and Storage means for storing key event information for instructing key on / off and keystroke strength, and soft pedal on / off according to the soft pedal event information when the soft pedal event information is read from the storage means Soft pedal history holding means for holding the history of, when the key event information is read from the storage means,
If the soft pedal history holding means holds the soft pedal on, a converting means for performing a predetermined conversion on the keystroke strength information included in the key event information, and a keystroke strength information converted by the converting means. An automatic performance device for a piano, comprising: a control means for driving the operation element based on the above.