JPH10171449A - Electronic stringed instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make play operation natural and clear and to enable the effect control of vibrato, tremolo and reverb or the like by reflecting the effect control with the fine movement of string abutting frames of spread strings. SOLUTION: A musical sound tone change control part is composed of four movable frames 6 for locking the intermediate parts of strings and four sets of photosensors 32 for detecting rotational displacement from a basic position perpendicular to the respective frames. A detecting signal by this musical sound modulation control part is respectively converted to digital signals by A/D converters 33E, 33A, 33D and 33G, made into the modulation signal, inputted to any correspondent one of multipliers 31E, 31A, 31D and 31G and multiplied with a digital signal inputted from any correspondent one of AND circuits 22E, 22A, 22D and 22G by the multiplier and modulation control is performed to a musical sound signal generated by a sound source means 40. Thus, the pitch change of musical scale corresponding to the turning displacement amount and displacement cycle of movable frames 6 is applied and the vibrato is loaded to played sounds, or the tremolo or reverb effect based on a sound volume change is applied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument simulating various stringed musical instruments such as a guitar, a violin, a cello, a kokyu, and a one-stringed harp. The present invention relates to an electronic stringed musical instrument that generates a musical tone having a pitch corresponding to a position at which a string is pressed by a finger when a string operation equivalent to a bowed string or a string plucked by a finger, a nail, a pluck or the like is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electric stringed musical instruments such as electric guitars and electric violins vibrate a string with another finger or bow while holding down the string with a finger, detect the vibration with a pickup, and amplify the detection signal. Generates a musical tone. When an effect such as vibrato is applied, it can be performed by shaking the string held down by a finger to generate a change in string length and tension. In such a stringed vibrating musical instrument, the performance operation is close to that of a natural musical instrument, but there is a limit to the processing of performance data such as timbre and recording control.

[0003] Therefore, without using strings that actually vibrate,
For example, using a conductor (or a strip conductor) and a strip resistor,
An electronic musical instrument that generates a pitch signal of a voltage corresponding to a pressed position, or generates a pitch signal by digitally detecting a pressed position like a touch panel and generates an electronic sound based on the signal is considered. Although various tone processing can be performed, it is difficult for these electronic musical instruments to directly give a vibrato-like effect to generated musical tones. In other words, deep vibrato was not applied unless the contact position of the finger on the rod was moved significantly. Therefore, it has been considered to provide a switch, a volume, or a lever for giving an effect in a portion different from the string and control the effect by using the switch, the volume, or the lever.

[0004]

Generally, in the vibrato operation, in a natural stringed instrument, a predetermined position of a string portion is pressed with a finger from above the string, and basically, the position of the finger with respect to the string is not moved. This is done by changing the tension on the strings by moving the fingers. Then, the playing method of actively moving the pressing finger position with respect to the supporting rod is called glide playing method,
This is a transition to a note having another pitch on the staff. However, in the above-mentioned conventional electronic stringed musical instrument, it is necessary to perform an operation close to the glide playing method in order to perform the vibrato operation, the operation becomes unnatural, and it is not possible to apply a natural and beautiful vibrato or the like. .

[0005] In addition, in the manner in which vibrato is applied by operating an operator (for example, a wheel) different from a string, an operation in place of fast finger movement of a natural stringed musical instrument cannot be performed. It is too natural to give a natural feeling, and the performance expressiveness drops. Accordingly, there has been a demand for an electronic stringed musical instrument that can easily perform tone processing and that has a natural playing operation and that can control beautiful vibrato and other effects.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and in an electronic stringed instrument simulating the above-described natural stringed instrument, the playing operation is natural, and beautiful effects such as vibrato, tremolo, and reverb can be controlled. The purpose is to be.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention has a musical instrument main body and both ends fixed to the musical instrument main body and movable so as to be able to displace an intermediate portion. A string-corresponding portion operation detecting means for detecting a string operation by detecting a member to be detected on a string locked to a piece and a detecting portion provided on the musical instrument main body; Pitch setting means for setting a pitch in accordance with a longitudinally depressed position of the string when the string is pressed, an output of the pitch setting means and an output of the string corresponding portion operation detecting means And sound source means for generating a tone signal corresponding to the pitch set by the pitch setting means, and detecting the displacement of the movable piece from a basic position due to the small movement of the string, and detecting the displacement amount. The above-mentioned sound source means by a modulation signal according to It is provided with a musical tone modulation control means for modulating control tone signals et generated.

The "string" used herein is not a sound source that actually vibrates but serves as a measure for pressing with a finger, and is also used to impart an effect such as vibrato to a generated musical sound. It is not limited to a thread or a line, but also includes a plate such as a leaf spring, a ribbon, and a short rod connected in a chain shape.

The invention according to claim 1 includes the following two types of electronic stringed musical instruments. For example, at least one string and pitch setting means for setting a pitch in accordance with a position where the string is pressed are provided on a support of the instrument main body, and the string is provided on one hand of a player. Determines the pitch when pressed with a finger,
By playing the corresponding string with the other hand using a bow member or the like, which is a detected part, or by mandolin claws,
An electronic stringed musical instrument of a type in which at least a trigger signal is emitted by playing with a shamisen or loquat repellent, and at which the determined pitch is generated by the sound source means (type I).

[0010] The string and the pitch setting means are provided on the instrument body, and a member to be detected such as a finger is provided on the string (instrument body) from above the string or on the surface by itself. A string corresponding to a string operation detecting means configured to also serve as a pitch setting means, a string corresponding to the sound generated by the sound source means when the string is substantially pressed from above and the pitch setting means is activated. Electronic stringed instruments (Type II).

These electronic stringed instruments include those that modulate a musical tone emitted from a sound source means based on displacement data from a basic position of a movable piece due to a small movement of a string. That is, in the present invention, since the small movement of the string contact piece of the stretched string is reflected in the effect control (modulation control), the input operation by the player is faithfully input as an input to the machine as the electronic string instrument. An extremely efficient electronic stringed instrument can be formed on a man-machine interface. And, by the displacement of the movable piece from the basic position, an effect such as vibrato is given to the performance musical tone. Therefore, effects such as vibrato, tremolo, reverb, etc. can be easily and reliably provided by the finger whose pitch is set during the performance.

As the tone modulation control means, means for optically detecting the displacement of the movable piece (6) from the basic position by the photo sensor (32) and forming a modulation signal based on the detected signal can be used. . Further, it is preferable that the movable piece (6) has a displacement enlarging means for enlarging the displacement caused by the small movement of the string (3). The movable piece (6)
Has a rotating shaft (9) at an intermediate portion, and has an extended portion (6a) on the opposite side to an end portion that locks the chord (3) with respect to the rotating shaft. ) Detects the amount of displacement of the movable piece (6) from the basic position of the extending portion (6a), and can form the modulation signal by the detection signal. Further, the pitch setting means (20E to 20G) may be one in which a band-shaped resistor (7) is arranged below each conductive string (3).

In the electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention, the string is deformed in accordance with the force by applying a force to a string which is fixed to both ends of the musical instrument body instead of the tone modulation control means. Modified output generating means for detecting and outputting a signal, and tone modulation control means for modulating a tone signal generated from the sound source means with a modulation signal corresponding to the output signal may be provided. Furthermore, in these electronic stringed musical instruments, it is preferable that the string and the pitch setting means are electrically independent.

Further, a plurality of strings are provided, and an intermediate portion of any of the strings is depressed, or a plurality of string corresponding section operation detecting means are provided, and any one of them is selected and operated. It is preferable to provide string type selecting means for selecting a string type by performing one or both of the above and controlling the tone range of the tone signal generated by the sound source means.

When a plurality of string corresponding section operation detecting means are provided and a string type is selected when any one of them is selected and operated, only one string is actually provided. Also, assuming a plurality of virtual strings for setting pitches of different ranges, for example, a plurality of string corresponding portion operation detecting means are selectively operated with, for example, a bow member which is a detected portion ( Either one can be selected by playing.

Further, in these electronic stringed musical instruments, a pressure-sensitive sensor (132) is provided at a position corresponding to the string (3) on the musical instrument body (1), and the string-corresponding string is provided on the pressure-sensitive sensor (132). A roller (130) slidably in contact with a manual member (23) simulating a bow of a stringed instrument, which is a member to be detected by the unit operation detecting means (10), and a pressure-sensitive sensor ( 132), the pressing force of the manual member (23) is detected, and according to the detection signal, the sound source means (4) is detected.
It is also possible to control parameters such as volume or tone of the musical tone signal generated by 0).

With this arrangement, the performer sets the pitch with the finger of one hand, and operates the manual member with the other hand while giving the performance sound an effect such as vibrato. A string operation is detected by the operation detecting means, and the start and stop of sound generation are controlled, and the volume or tone can be changed by the pressing force of the manual member.

The pitch determining means may be constituted by a plurality of switches or contacts. The detecting section of the string corresponding section operation detecting means or the string type selecting means is connected to a plurality of switches (56
a, 56b). The string corresponding portion operation detecting means is such that the detected member is a manual member (23) having a shape imitating a bow of a stringed musical instrument, and the string operation detecting unit is provided by the manual member (2).
3) means for detecting the movement amount or movement speed at different positions corresponding to the plurality of strings (3), and also outputs a string type selection signal when the means detects the movement amount or movement speed. According to the means, the detection signal of the movement amount or the movement speed can be used for controlling the tone signal generated by the sound source means (40).

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance thereof, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. This electronic stringed instrument simulates a bowed bowed instrument such as a violin, but its configuration is completely different from a normal bowed bowed instrument.

First, an example of an electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A musical instrument main body 1 has an elongated rod-like portion 1a, and a fingerboard 2 is fixed on the upper surface of the musical instrument main body 1 with its upper surface inclined toward the front end along the longitudinal direction. Four strings 3 made of a conductive wire are stretched with both ends fixed by pins 4 and 5, respectively, and the movable piece 6 is displaced so that an intermediate portion 3a between the pins 4 and 5 can be displaced. It is locked. Reference numeral 16 denotes a fixed piece provided at a position close to the pin 5, and the distance between each string 3 and the upper surface of the fingerboard 2 is substantially constant over the entire length, but is narrowed slightly toward the tip ( (See FIG. 3). On the upper surface of the fingerboard 2,
Elongated strip-shaped resistors 7 are provided corresponding to the respective strings 3.

A movable piece 6 for locking the intermediate portion 3a of each string 3
Is a shaft 9 whose both ends are supported by a pair of support pieces 8, 8.
Each has an extended portion 6a that is rotatably supported in the direction of arrow E in FIG. Then, the rotational displacement in the direction indicated by the arrow E at the upper end is enlarged at the lower end and largely displaced as indicated by the dashed arrow F.

The strings of the four strings 3 correspond to, for example, each string of the violin.
Strings, 2 strings (A strings), 3 strings (D strings), and 4 strings (G strings) are set in different ranges, but it is not necessary to actually change the material and thickness of each string. However, they may be different for emphasizing the feel.

Numeral 10 designates a structural part of a string type selecting means which also serves as a string corresponding part operation detecting means. A pair of flange portions 12a, 12b, and spherical covers 13a, 13b covering the outside thereof, and four thin semi-cylindrical columns on the peripheral surface of the drum portion 11 corresponding to four strings. Are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction along the axial direction.

The string type selecting means is arranged such that the axis of the drum portion 11 is parallel to the direction in which the strings 3 are stretched, so that a beginner can easily operate a later-described manual member (corresponding to a bow). Next, as shown in FIG.
May be arranged non-parallel to the direction in which the strings 3 are stretched. The musical instrument shown in FIG. 4 is for right-handed use, and for left-handed use, the drum section 11 of the string type selecting means 10 is arranged with the axis inclined to the opposite side to that of FIG.

The string type selecting means 10 has a light projecting window 17 (FIG. 3) at a position slightly higher than each bow pad 14 of one flange portion 12a and each light projecting window of the other flange portion 12b. A light receiving window 18 is provided at a position facing the window 17. Light from a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) (not shown) is condensed and guided by an optical fiber to each of the light projecting windows 17, and the light is irradiated toward the opposing light receiving window 18. One end of an optical fiber (not shown) is also inserted into each light receiving window 18, and guides the received light to a light receiving element such as a photodiode.

At the end of the light emitting optical fiber and the end of the light receiving optical fiber, a lens for forming a parallel light beam and a condenser lens are provided, respectively. These constitute a detection unit on the instrument body side. If there is space, a light source may be directly provided in each of the light projecting windows 17 and a light receiving element may be directly provided in each of the light receiving windows 18.

Next, the configuration of the electronic stringed musical instrument will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numerals 20E, 20A, 20D, and 20G denote pitch setting means provided for each of the first to fourth strings (E to G strings). And an A / D converter 21 for converting the voltage signal output thereby into a digital signal. The range that can be set by each of these pitch setting means differs depending on the type of string.

Now, let us consider a case where the string 3 made of a conductive wire shown in FIG. 3 is pressed down with a finger as shown by an arrow P and comes into contact with the strip-shaped resistor 7 at a point B. When a voltage of + V is applied between both ends of the band-shaped resistor 7, the longitudinal chord 3
The voltage Vb corresponding to the pressed position of the string, that is, the position of the point B is the string 3
Is output from the point A locked by the pin 4. The voltage Vb is a signal for setting the pitch of each string 3, and is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 21 and output.

The pitch setting means 20E, 20 for each string 3
A, 20D, and 20G output digital signals (pitch setting signals) respectively from AND circuits 22E, 22A, and 2G.
By 2D and 22G, the string type selection signals Se, Sa, Sd, and Sg from the string type selection unit 10 are ANDed, and only the pitch setting signal from the pitch determination unit of the selected string is a musical tone described later. The signal is sent to the sound source means 40 via the modulation control means 30. It should be noted that even if the strings are formed as the filaments of the resistor, and a band-shaped conductive pattern is formed on the fingerboard facing each of the strings,
Similarly, it is possible to generate a pitch setting signal corresponding to the position where the string is pressed by the finger.

The string type selecting means 10 also serves as a string corresponding part operation detecting means, and performs a detecting operation such that a detected part which will be described later approaches or comes into contact with the above-mentioned detecting part provided in the musical instrument main body 1. A string operation is detected and a signal is output. In this embodiment, at the same time, the bow rest 1 corresponding to any one of a plurality of (three in this example) strings 3
It is also determined whether or not 4 has been operated, and a string type selection signal for selecting a string type is output to any of the AND circuits 22E, 22A, 22D, and 22G.

Therefore, even if a digital signal for setting the pitch is output from the pitch setting means 20E or the like, until the string type selecting means 10 also serving as the string corresponding section operation detecting means detects the string operation, it will not be possible to change the pitch. Is not output ("0"), so that all the AND circuits 22
Since E, 22A, 22D, and 22G are closed and their digital signals are not input to the tone generator 40, no tone signal is generated. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an example of this string type selecting means. The string type selecting means 10 shown in FIGS.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a state in which a manual member 23 simulating a bow of a bowed bowed instrument is used as a detected member.

The manual member 23 has an elongated shape, and a plurality of slit-shaped through holes 24 are formed at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, when the manual member 23 is brought into contact with one of the four bow pads 14 on the drum unit 11 provided on the musical instrument main body 1 and slid in the direction indicated by the arrow K, the manual member 23 comes into contact with the flange 12b. Four light receiving windows 1 provided
8, the bow rest 14 (FIG. 5)
In this case, only the light receiving window 18 above the bow rest corresponding to the D string is opposed to the through hole 24 and the space therebetween.

Then, the light emitted from the light projecting window 17 shown in FIG. 3 is intermittently received by the light receiving window 18 by the movement of the manual member 23 in the direction indicated by the arrow K. It detects and outputs a pulse-like signal.
A string type selection signal Se, Sa, Sd, which determines which string is selected based on which pulse-like signal is output by a light receiving element that detects light from which light receiving window 18.
Sg (FIG. 1) is output.

The displacement of the manual member 23 can be detected by counting the number of pulses of the pulse signal detected by the light receiving element, and the number of pulses detected within the period of the pulse or within a unit time can be detected. Thus, the displacement speed can be detected.

The sound source means 40 shown in FIG. 1 outputs a digital signal which is a pitch setting signal from any of the pitch setting means 20E, 20A, 20D and 20G, and the string type selecting means 10 corresponds thereto. When the string type selection signal is output, that is, when the string operation is detected by the string corresponding portion operation detecting means, the AND circuits 22E, 22A, 22D, and 2
Any one of the outputs of 2G is input through one of the multipliers 31E, 31A, 31D and 31G of the musical tone modulation control means 30 to give a sounding instruction, and is set in a range corresponding to the selected string type. Generates a tone signal of the pitch.

The tone generator 40 is a digital tone generator, reads out waveform data stored in a memory based on an input digital signal, generates tone data having a determined pitch, and converts the tone data into an analog tone. Convert to a signal and output. Alternatively, Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-55558,
A physical model sound source such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-111638 may be used, and is the same as a sound source device used in a conventional electronic organ or the like, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The tone signal output from the sound source means 40 is amplified by an amplifier 41, subjected to electro-acoustic conversion by a speaker 42, and emitted as a performance sound. The amplifier 41 and the speaker 42 may be small ones built in the instrument body 1, but may be provided outside as a sound system and connected to the instrument body 1 by signal lines.

Next, the tone modulation control means 30, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. Four movable pieces 6 for locking the intermediate portion 3a of each string 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and each of the movable pieces 6 in the directions indicated by arrows E and F from the vertical basic position shown in FIG. Four sets of photo sensors 3 for detecting rotational displacement
2 constitute a tone modulation controller.

Then, each detection signal from the tone modulation control section is converted to an A / D converter 33E, 33A, 33A, respectively.
D and 33G convert the digital signal into a modulated signal, which is input to the corresponding one of the multipliers 31E, 31A, 31D and 31G.
The digital signal is multiplied by a digital signal (pitch setting signal) input from either 2D or 22G, and the tone signal generated by the tone generator 40 is modulated. Thereby, a pitch change corresponding to the amount of rotation displacement and the displacement cycle of the movable piece 6 can be given, and vibrato can be applied to the performance sound. Alternatively, a tremolo or reverb (reverberation) effect due to a change in volume can be added.

As shown in FIG. 6, when each of the movable pieces 6 is slightly moved as indicated by an arrow M while the string 3 is pressed against the fingerboard 2 by the player's finger 45, the string 3 in FIG.
The part indicated by -bc will be slightly pulled or pushed.

Since the movable piece 6 can rotate about the point d supported by the shaft 9, it is rotationally displaced, and the displacement amount at the point b is the distance between the points b and d at the point e of the extension 6a. Sato d, e
Photosensors 32a and 32b provided on both front and rear sides near the lower end of the movable piece 6 (both of the photosensors 3a and 3b in FIG. 1) are enlarged by the ratio of the length between them (de) / (bd).
2). That is, the movable piece 6 also serves as a displacement enlarging means. Only one of the photosensors 32a and 32b may be used to detect the displacement of the movable piece 6, but if two are provided, the displacement of the movable piece 6 can be differentially detected, so that the detection accuracy and accuracy are improved. Can be done.

The photo sensors 32a and 32b shown in FIG.
As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7, in the musical instrument main body 1, when the movable piece 6 is at the basic position in the vertical state, the fixed portions 1 provided at the front and rear sides of the movable piece 6 at equal intervals are parallel.
b, 1c, a photo reflector 321 is disposed, and the base 32 of the dome-shaped elastic body 322 is covered so as to cover the photo reflector 321.
2b, and the pressing portions 322c thereof are respectively
And pre-compression by slightly elastic deformation.

The inner surface of each dome-shaped elastic body 322 facing the photoreflector 321 has a reflecting surface 32
2a is formed to reflect and return the light emitted from the photo reflector 321. Movable piece 6
When the lower end of the photo sensor 32a is rotated and displaced as shown by an arrow F, one of the dome-shaped elastic members 322 of the photo sensors 32a and 32b is pressed in accordance with the direction, and the reflection surface 322a approaches the photo reflector 321. The amount of reflected light increases.

As shown in the drive circuit of FIG. 8, the photoreflector 321 includes an LED 321a as a light emitting element and a phototransistor 321b as a light receiving element. A constant current is supplied to a series circuit of the LED 321a and the protection resistor R1. By flowing Ic, the LED 321a emits light with a constant light emission amount. On the other hand, a constant voltage Vc is applied to a series circuit of a phototransistor 321b and a resistor R2 that receive the light reflected by the reflection surface 322a of the dome-shaped elastic body 322.
Is applied.

Therefore, the phototransistor 321b
A current corresponding to the amount of received light flows through the resistor R2, and the voltage Vs generated between the two terminals changes in accordance with the position of the reflecting surface 322a, that is, the amount of rotational displacement of the movable piece 6. Photo sensor 32
The output voltage of the photo sensor 32 is set to Vsa.
Assuming that this output voltage due to b is Vsb, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the output voltage Vsa increases in accordance with the displacement + x when the movable piece 6 turns right in FIG. 3, and the output voltage Vsb increases when the movable piece 6 turns left in FIG. Displacement-
It increases according to x.

By subtracting the output voltage V ₀ when the movable piece 6 is in the vertical basic position from each of the output voltages Vsa and Vsb and adding the result, the movable piece 6 becomes as shown in FIG. 9B. Regardless of the direction of rotation, the amount of rotation displacement +
A voltage signal ΔVs that increases according to x or −x is output.

However, as shown in FIG. 9A, the amount of change in the output with respect to the amount of displacement in the direction in which the photoreflector 321 and the reflecting surface 322a move away is smaller than that in the direction in which the photoreflector 321 and the reflecting surface 322a approach each other. As described above, if the differential detection is performed by the two photosensors 32a and 32b, the output variation due to the above-described direction is eliminated.

The voltage signal ΔVs changes with an amplitude and a cycle corresponding to the displacement amount and the displacement cycle of the player's finger 45 shown in FIG. This is called the A / D converter 33 in FIG.
E, 33A, 33D, and 33G are converted into digital signals by the corresponding ones to be modulated signals.

Therefore, according to this electronic stringed musical instrument, a modulation signal is generated by the player performing a reciprocating fine movement of the finger on which the pitch of the performance sound is set in the direction in which the string 3 is stretched. Modulation control of the tone signal generated by the sound source means 40 can provide effects such as vibrato.

The example in which a pair of photo sensors is provided symmetrically for one movable piece has been described. However, only one photo sensor is provided for one movable piece, and a spring is provided from the opposite side. A large pre-compression may be applied by the urging means, and the balance may be maintained such that the movable piece is at a vertical basic position in a steady state. Alternatively, various sensors other than a photo sensor that can detect the amount of rotational displacement can be used.

In this embodiment, the musical tone modulation control unit including the four movable pieces 6 and the photo sensor 32 for detecting the respective rotational displacements of the movable pieces 6 applies a force to each of the strings 3 so that the strings corresponding to the forces are applied. It is also a deformation output generating means for detecting a deformation of the above and outputting a signal.

In this case, in addition to the normal vibrato operation on a violin or the like performed by swinging the finger holding the string 3 slightly in the direction in which the string is stretched, the held string is also used as in the choking playing method on a rock guitar. Even if the pitch is changed by shifting the pitch at right angles to the direction of the tension axis, the string 3 is deformed in accordance with the force and the movable piece 6 is rotated, so that the modulation signal is changed in accordance with the detection signal. The tone signal generated from the tone generator 40 can be modulated and controlled.

Next, another example of the string type selecting means also serving as the string corresponding part operation detecting section in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The string type selecting means 50 has a drum portion 51 similar to the string type selecting means 10 shown in FIGS. The drum portion 51 has four slit holes 51a at regular intervals in the circumferential direction along the axial direction.
A movable bow rest plate 54 is inserted therein, and each movable bow rest plate 54 is inserted into a pair of flange portions 5 by shafts 55 projecting from both end surfaces as shown in FIGS.
2a and 52b are rotatably supported.

The four movable bow plates 54 correspond to the four strings 3 shown in FIG. 2, respectively, and are used by a player to select any one of the strings 3 and operate the strings. The upper portion protrudes radially from the drum portion 51, and the lower portion extends into the drum portion 51 as shown in FIG. A pair of microswitches (hereinafter, simply referred to as "switches") 56a and 56b abut the respective actuator portions at a central portion in the longitudinal direction near the lower end so as to sandwich each movable bow contact plate 54 from both sides. (See FIGS. 11 and 12).

The length from the shaft 55 to the upper end of each movable bow rest plate 54 is longer than the length from the lower end to the upper end. Then, the player manually simulates the bow of a bowed bowed string instrument (detected member)
Is pressed against any of the movable bow abutment plates 54 to push and pull.
When the bow is moved, the movable bow contact plate 54 is rotationally displaced about the shaft 55, and the amount of the displacement is enlarged at the lower end, pushing the actuator of the microswitch 56a or 56b to turn on the switch.

As a result, it is detected that the string corresponding to the movable bow plate 54 has been selected and the string has been operated, and a string type selection signal serving also as a string operation detection signal is output. In this case, the operation direction (pushing direction or pulling direction) of the manual member can be determined based on which of the switches 56a and 56b is turned on.

When the manual member is simultaneously applied to the two movable bow contact plates 54 and pushed and pulled (bowing), a plurality of switches 56a or 56b are simultaneously turned on, and a plurality of corresponding strings are simultaneously selected. The string operation is detected. The same can be achieved by using a switching element that senses pressure to perform switching instead of the microswitches 56a and 56b described here.

Next, another example of the pitch setting means in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of the fingerboard along the longitudinal direction, and FIG.
It is a cross-sectional view which follows the F line. This pitch setting means constitutes one pitch setting unit 60 for four strings 3.

This pitch setting unit 60 is shown in FIGS.
On the upper surface of a fingerboard 2 'provided on the rod-like portion 1a of the musical instrument main body 1 as shown in FIG. 1, an elongated concave portion 61 having a slightly convex bottom surface in the width direction is formed on almost the entire surface as shown in FIG. ,
A flexible substrate 62 made of an insulating material having substantially the same length as the concave portion 61 and having a width about twice that of the concave portion 61 is folded in two in the width direction, and is inserted and held at a fixed interval with a spacer 63 interposed therebetween. I have.

The upper portion 62U of the flexible substrate 62
On the lower surface of are formed four strip-shaped conductive patterns (electrodes) 64 corresponding to the stretched positions of the four strings 3 shown in FIG. Further, on the upper surface of the lower portion 62D of the flexible substrate 62, a plurality of strip-shaped conductive patterns 64 are opposed to each other along the longitudinal direction (stretching direction of the strings 3) as shown in FIG. Dot conductive patterns (electrodes) 65 are formed at regular intervals.

Accordingly, when one of the four strings 3 is pressed with a finger, the upper portion 62U of the flexible substrate 62 at that position is bent, and the strip-shaped conductive pattern 64 is formed in a dot-like shape at the opposing position on the lower portion 62D. Contacts the conductive pattern 65,
Since the switch at that position is turned ON, it is possible to output a pitch setting signal corresponding to the position where the finger is pressed together with the string 3.

In the case of this example, the string 3 is electrically independent of the pitch setting means, and the string 3 generates a modulation signal by estimating a position to be pressed by a finger and rotating the movable piece. It is not necessary to be a conductor because it is merely provided to make it possible to use a filament such as an insulating thread or string made of synthetic fiber, natural fiber, resin, or the like. .

The dot-shaped conductive pattern 65 of this embodiment may be replaced with a strip-shaped resistor as in the above-described embodiment. In this case, the position at which the strip-shaped conductive pattern 64 comes into contact with the strip-shaped resistor changes depending on the position pressed by the finger, and the divided resistance value of the strip-shaped resistor changes. The voltage divided at the contact position with the pattern 64 can be output as a pitch setting signal.

Next, another embodiment of the electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the electronic stringed instrument includes an input unit 70, a tone signal forming circuit 71, and a D / A converter 72 for each string, and outputs from the D / A converter 72 for each string. Each tone signal is input to an amplifier 73 through a resistor r, where it is mixed and amplified, subjected to electro-acoustic conversion by a speaker 74, and emitted. This is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-48891, which was previously proposed by the present applicant.
The present invention is applied to an electronic bowed musical instrument as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H10-26095.

The input section 70 includes the pitch setting means, the string type selecting means also serving as the string corresponding section operation detecting means, and the tone modulation control section in the above-described embodiment, and the player performs various operations. Thus, various performance parameters can be input. Typically, as in the above-described embodiment, a manual member (movable playing member) simulating a bow of a bowed bowed musical instrument is organically coupled to the instrument main body, and the relative movement is performed to perform the performance.

As representative examples of various performance parameters, for example, the moving direction of the manual member, the position where the string contacts the manual member,
There are pressures on the strings of the manual members, pitches, timbres specified on the fingerboard and optionally with vibrato modulation applied. Based on these performance parameters, a tone signal forming circuit 71 using a physical model tone generator forms a tone signal. The tone signal is a digital signal,
The signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 72.

The tone signal forming circuit 71 is a non-linear tone synthesizing circuit which models a bowed bowed stringed instrument, and includes a non-linear function part which approximates a friction characteristic between a string and a bow, and a delay part which approximates a characteristic of a string. And a filter unit and the like. The details are described in the above-mentioned publication and are well known, and therefore, the description is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a manual member imitating a bow provided in the input unit 70 and an example of its detection unit. An instrument body (not shown) is provided with a bowed portion 80 also serving as a detecting portion having a shape similar to a bowed bowed instrument, and a manual member (hereinafter, referred to as a "bow") 85 having a bow-like shape is provided on the upper surface thereof. And perform the operation by operating (bowing) in the direction of arrow Q. A string corresponding portion 81 corresponding to the four strings is
82, 83, and 84 are provided, and the bow body 85 is moved by hitting one of the chord corresponding portions. Here, the parameters for determining the generated tone include the moving speed, moving direction, contact position, and the like of the bow 85.

In order to obtain such information, a signal generating means and a signal detecting means are provided in the vicinity of the bow corresponding portion 81, 82, 83, 84 of the bow 85 or the bowed portion 80 to detect the movement of the bow 85. . There are various methods for detecting the relative movement of the bow 85 with respect to the instrument body.

For example, a member that is electrically coupled to the instrument main body and the bow 85 is provided to form a resonance circuit and the like, and the mutual inductance and capacitance between the bow 85 and the instrument main body are used to change the bow. Since a signal corresponding to the degree of coupling between the body 85 and the instrument body can be taken out, the relative movement can be detected. However, the detection range may be narrow or the detection accuracy may be insufficient in the connection between a pair of members.

As another detection method, the moving bow 8
5 is a method in which a plurality of elements are provided and selectively coupled to elements on the instrument main body. In FIG. 17A, a number of light emitting elements 86 are provided on a bow 85, a light receiving element 87 is provided on a bowed portion 80 on the instrument body side, and each light emitting element 86 emits light in turn. By detecting whether the light receiving element 87 is receiving the light from the light 86, it is possible to determine which part of the bow 85 is hitting the bowed portion 80, that is, the contact position of the bow 85. Further, the moving direction of the bow 85 can be determined by judging the change tendency of the position. Further, by measuring how many light pulses are incident within a unit time, the moving speed of the bow 85 can be determined.

In FIG. 17B, the bow 85 is reversed.
Provided with a plurality of light receiving elements 87, and a bowed portion 80 on the instrument body side.
The case where the light emitting element 86 is provided above is shown. The operation in this case is only the reverse of the above-mentioned (A), and the description is omitted.
The transmission and reception of these signals can be performed not only by optical signals but also by ultrasonic waves or electric pulse trains by coupling / interruption of a magnetic circuit by movement of the bow 85.

FIG. 17C shows that both the light emitting element 86 and the light receiving element 87 are provided on the bowed portion 80 on the instrument body side, and the bow 8
5 shows an example in which a plurality of reflection patterns 88 are provided on the surface 5. The reflection patterns 88 are formed at regular intervals, and the ratio of the black and white pattern changes with the position. In the figure, the reflection pattern is shown as protruding from the surface. However, in practice, a monochrome pattern may be formed on a plane by printing or the like.
The light receiving element 87 and the light emitting element 86 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

Then, light from the light emitting element 86 of the bowed portion 80 is irradiated on the reflection pattern 88 on the bow 85, and the reflected light is received and detected by the light receiving element 87. The bow speed can be measured by detecting the number of pulses of the received light signal within the unit time, and the contact position of the bow 85 can be measured by detecting the ratio between the high level period and the low level period of the received light signal. Further, the moving direction can be determined from the change tendency (increase / decrease) of the ratio. The barcode may be configured with a black and white pattern to represent position information. Alternatively, a light emitting element 86 and a light receiving element 87 may be provided on the bow 85 side, and a reflection pattern may be provided on the instrument body side.

FIG. 18 shows the bow 8 in the case of FIG.
5 shows a structural example. This bow body 85 is a perspective view of a part of the appearance as viewed from the lower surface side. A sliding plate 90 is provided on the bowed surface of the bow 85 that is in contact with the lower surface. Sliding plate 90
Is equivalent to the hair of a natural musical instrument, and is formed of, for example, plastic or the like having a suitable sliding feeling. A large number of rectangular windows 90a are formed in the sliding plate 90 at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and a window having the same shape as the sliding plate 90 is formed between the sliding plate 90 and the main body 85a of the bow 85. The pressure sheet 91 and the conductive sheet 92 are sandwiched.

A light emitting element 86 is provided on the lower surface of the main body 85a of the bow 85 so as to be located near the center of each window 90a of the sliding plate 90. The windows 90a correspond to the light emitting elements 86 in each window.
In order not to irradiate the light receiving element 87 (FIG. 17), which does not interfere with each other, it is desirable that the light receiving element 87 has an appropriate depth. In addition, each light emitting element 86 is formed of, for example, a light guide member having a light emitting diode and a lens portion, and light emitted from the light emitting diode passes through the lens portion of the light guide member to form a separate light flux from the window 90 a of the sliding plate 90. And inject.

When the bow 85 is operated by sliding the sliding plate 90 in sliding contact with the bowed portion 80 shown in FIG. 16, the bow 85 interacts with the light receiving element 87 provided on the bowed portion 80. The contact position, the moving direction, and the moving speed (bow speed) can be detected.
Further, the conductivity of the pressure-sensitive sheet 91 sandwiched between the sliding plate 90 and the main body 85a changes in accordance with the force pressing the bow 85 against the bowed portion 80. The resistance between them decreases. Thereby, the pressing pressure of the bow 85 can be detected.

In this example, an example in which a large number of light emitting diodes are arranged in a row on the lower surface of the bow 85 has been described. Instead of a plurality of light emitting diodes, as shown in FIG. (E.g., photodiodes or phototransistors) may be arranged on the lower surface of the bow 85. Further, a pair of light emitting element and light receiving element may be provided in the bow body 85 corresponding to each window 90a, and a reflection surface may be provided on the bowed portion 80 to reflect light from the light emitting element.

Also in this embodiment, the same means as in the above-described embodiment can be used as the pitch setting means and the means for generating the tone modulation signal. And the bow 85
Is operated while being in contact with any of the string corresponding portions 81 to 84 of the bowed portion 80, the input unit 70 (FIG. 15) for the contacted string corresponding portion also serves as a string operation detection signal. Generates a parameter and connects a tone signal forming circuit 71 connected thereto.
Only generate tone signals.

Here, a specific example of means for detecting various performance parameters with the input unit shown in FIG. 15 using the bow 85 will be described. However, since the circuit for detecting the pressing pressure of the bow 85 against the bowed portion 80 using the pressure-sensitive sheet 91 and the conductive sheet 92 of the bow 85 shown in FIG. FIG. 19 conceptually shows a number of light emitting elements arranged in a bow and light emission thereof. FIGS. 20 and 21 show examples of circuits for detecting various performance parameters by time division control. In this case, the bow 85 and the instrument main body are connected by a signal line (not shown).

In FIG. 19, for example, 64 LEDs 86 as light emitting elements are provided on the bowed surface corresponding to the hair of the bow 85.
-0 to 86-63 are one-dimensionally embedded and arranged. Each of these LEDs is excited in a time sharing manner. For example, 3.2MH
The 64 LEDs 86-0 to 86-63 are caused to emit light one after another by the pulse signal of z, and the 64th LED is returned to the first LED 86-0 again to emit 64 LEDs one after another.

The rectangular pulses shown in FIG.
Light emission from The light emitting LED sequentially moves to the right (from the leading bow to the former bow) in the figure with time. In this way,
The continuous pulse is divided into 64, and 64 LEDs 86
-0 to 86-63 are emitted one by one and operated in a time sharing manner. Therefore, only one LED emits light at a time,
If it is known which LED is emitting light, the bow 85
From which part of the light can be detected. By synchronizing the light emission pulse train of the LED and the detection position by the light receiving element, it is possible to determine which part of the bow 85 has been detected by the light receiving element.

In FIGS. 20 and 21, for example, 640
1 MHz or 3.2 MH which is a frequency higher than 1 Hz
z is supplied to the counter 95,
The number of pulses is counted. The count number is decoded by the decoder 96 to generate a modular 64 signal,
The four LEDs 86-0 to 86-63 emit light sequentially. Light receiving signals from a plurality of light receiving elements 87-i (i = 1 to n) which receive light emitted from these LEDs in a timely manner are added by an OR circuit 93.

The reason for providing a plurality of light receiving elements is that the bow 85
This is because it is possible to detect the approach movement with a certain width. The light receiving signal from the OR circuit 93 and the output pulse signal from the decoder 96 are multiplied by AND circuits 97-i corresponding to the LEDs 86-0 to 86-63. That is, when the first LED 86-0 emits light and a light receiving signal is obtained from any of the light receiving elements 87-i, the AND circuit 97-1
Supplies the output to the first flip-flop (hereinafter abbreviated as “FF”) 98-1 of the flip-flop train 98,
The fact that the light emission of the second LED 86-0 is detected is registered.

Similarly, when the light emission of the n-th LED 86-n is detected by the light receiving element 87-i, the n-th FF of the flip-flop array 98 is set. At the timing when the LED 86-i emits light, one of the light receiving elements 87-i
When i is received, FF98-i (i = 1 to 64) is set. At the next timing, the LED 80- (i + 1) emits light, and when it is received, the next FF 98- (i + 1) is set.

Then, the outputs of two adjacent FFs become "1" and "1", respectively. It is detected by two or more bits in the detection circuit
9 is detected and the FF98-i and FF98- (i + 1) are reset. Therefore, FF98-i and FF98- (i + 1)
Is reset, but if the light emission of the LED 86- (i + 1) is continuously received, the FF 98- (i + 1) is set again.

Further, as a countermeasure for resetting when no sound is generated, if the next position signal does not come for 0.02 to 0.3 sec or more,
Each FF is reset. That is,
The outputs of all the FFs of the flip-flop array 98 are ORed with the OR circuit 12
OR is taken at 0, and the output is differentiated by a differentiating circuit 121,
The signal is supplied to the reset input of each FF via a retriggerable monostable multivibrator (RMM) 122, a rising differentiating circuit 123, and an OR circuit 124-i. Therefore, after the Q output of each FF, the RMM 122
Is reset when the set time elapses.

Each FF 9 in the flip-flop string 98
The latch circuit 125 on the output side of the 64 → 6 converter 99 is latched at the timing when the Q output of the 8-i is changed from all “0” to any “1”. This is to avoid this effect since a non-detection state occurs temporarily even after the bow is bowed from when the reset signal is input to when it is set. In this manner, which part of the bow 85 is in contact with the bowed portion 80 shown in FIG. 16 can be measured simultaneously with the detection of the light pulse.

Depending on which part of the bow 85 is in contact with the bowed portion 80, an output signal is supplied from the corresponding FF of the flip-flop array 98. This 64-bit parallel signal is converted into a 6-bit signal by the converter 99 and supplied to the subsequent stage shown in FIG. The output 100 of the counter 95 is also supplied to the subsequent stage. When it is detected that the bow 85 has separated from the bowed portion 80, the latch circuit 125 is cleared.

FIG. 21 shows a circuit connected to the latter stage of FIG. 20. The 6-bit parallel signal 10 indicating the contact point of the bow 85 is shown in FIG.
1 is input to the delay circuit 102 and the comparator 1
03 and the latches 106-1 and 106-2, and also output as it is as bow position information. The delay circuit 102 receives the counter output 100 and delays one pulse.

The delay output signal 1 of the delay circuit 102
01a and the original signal 101 are compared by a comparator 103.
If the signal 101a one pulse before is a smaller number corresponding to the front bow side, the bow body 85 is moving upward. Conversely, if the signal 101a one pulse before corresponds to the LED with the larger number closer to the original bow, the bow 85 has moved downward.

In this manner, the moving direction of the bow 85 is identified, and the upward signal UP or the downward signal DN is output. In response to these direction signals, the flip-flop 10
4 outputs a direction signal 105 of "1" when moving upward and "0" when moving downward. If a key-on (KON) signal is required depending on the use circuit, the output UP of the comparator 103 is ORed with DN, and
This output may be used as a KON signal.

On the other hand, for example, the 3.2 MHz clock signal CK1 is frequency-divided by the frequency divider 114 to produce a signal CK2 having a low frequency of about 10 Hz. The signal CK2 is latched 106
Supply -1. The complementary signal / CK2 (“/”) of the signal CK2
Means inversion and is shown with an overline in the figure). A signal obtained by delaying one pulse from CK2 and / CK2 is formed by a delay circuit 115.
It is supplied to the latch 106-2.

Therefore, the identification circuit 107, which receives the 6-bit parallel signal 101 indicating the position of the bow 85 via the latches 106-1 and 106-2, inputs the information at that time and the information before a predetermined time. Then, by calculating the difference between the two inputs A and B, it is possible to know how much the bow 85 has moved during a predetermined time.

If necessary, the amount of movement of the bow 85 must be 16
Identify the stage and provide output to any of the 16 output lines. Further, the moving amount may be represented by 16 bits in 64K steps. The conversion circuit 108 receiving the 16 output lines outputs
The bit signal is converted into a binary 4-bit parallel signal and output as a bow speed signal 109.

The bow speed signal 109 is output from the conversion table 11
0, and creates the timbre signal 111 by referring to the table. The conversion table 110 may have other inputs. In this way, information on the performance parameters such as the moving direction of the bow 85, the bow position, the bow speed, and the timbre can be obtained from the circuits shown in FIGS.

Next, another example of the string type selecting means capable of detecting pressure will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a main part of the string type selecting means also serving as the string corresponding part operation detecting means. Parts equivalent to those shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. It is. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 24 is a developed view of a part of the flexible substrate.

This string type selecting means replaces the bow rest 14, which is the string corresponding part in the first embodiment, with four bow rest rollers 130 (one fixed in the figure) as string corresponding parts corresponding to each string. Is shown on the drum section 11 along the axial direction thereof. At the center of both end surfaces of the roller 130, shafts 131 are respectively provided so as to protrude.
As shown in FIG. 22, 31 is fitted in a long hole in the radial direction of the drum portion 11 provided in the flange portion 12b, and the other shaft is fitted in a long hole provided in the flange portion (not shown) to move in the radial direction. It is supported as much as possible.

As shown in FIG. 23, the drum portion 11 has a concave portion 11a along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
At each angled position, and the pressure sensor 13
2 is disposed, and is retained by a holding piece 133 and a set screw 134. The roller 13 is placed on the pressure sensor 132.
0 is placed. Roller 130 may or may not be able to rotate.

The pressure-sensitive sensor 132 has a pressure-sensitive film 1 on the surface that comes into contact with the folded flexible substrate 135 when folded, and on one side from the fold indicated by the broken line in FIG.
36, and the electrode patterns 137 and 1 on the other surface.
38 are formed in a comb-tooth shape so as to be alternately close to each other.

When the flexible substrate 135 is folded, the pressure-sensitive film 136 and the electrode patterns 137 and 138 are provided.
Is in contact with Since the pressure-sensitive film 136 becomes conductive when pressed, the manual member 23 simulating a bow as shown in FIG. Electrode pattern 1 according to
Since the pressure-sensitive film 136 is electrically connected between 37 and 138, the pressing force can be detected by measuring the change in the resistance value or the conductivity.

In this way, when selecting each string type, the pressing force of the manual member is detected, and a detection signal is given to the sound source means 40 shown in FIG. Parameters can be controlled.

Next, another example of the pitch setting means of the electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This pitch setting means is configured by making the switch configuration of the pitch setting unit shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 finer to form a matrix configuration, thereby increasing the pitch resolution. It also serves as a string type selection means.

That is, using two folds or two flexible substrates with a spacer interposed therebetween, a vertical conductive pattern and a horizontal conductive pattern shown in FIG. 25 are respectively formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate and the lower surface of the upper substrate. Are individually formed, and are arranged on the upper surface of the fingerboard provided on the rod-shaped portion of the electronic stringed instrument main body described above. Then, only when the intersection of each vertical line and the horizontal line is pressed with a finger, a switch matrix is established in which both lines are conducted.

In the example shown in FIG. 25, four strings, that is, E
Along each of the strings A, D, and G, one vertical line P1 to P4 for identifying the string type, and six vertical lines A to 4 for identifying the pitch range. A total of seven vertical line patterns F are formed. The six vertical lines A to F for identifying the pitch range are as follows. In the lowest pitch range, only the leftmost vertical line A in the figure is exposed and the other six vertical lines B to F are displayed.
Are covered with the resist R so that they do not conduct to the horizontal line even if pressed.

In the other pitch regions,..., Only one vertical line B, C, D, E, F is sequentially exposed, and the other vertical lines are covered with a resist R. The same resist formation is repeated from the next pitch region. Meanwhile, 1
A pattern of 48 horizontal lines P5 to P52 is formed for each pitch range. Each of the horizontal lines P5 to P52 is provided with a diode D for backflow prevention. In the figure, “G ₀ ”, “A”, “B”, “C♯”, “D♯”, and “F” displayed at the left end of the first horizontal line P5 of each pitch range indicate the pitch (scale). In this example, one pitch region is formed for each whole sound, and the range of one whole sound is subdivided into 48 pitches.

Therefore, for example, when the pitch region of any string is depressed, any one of the horizontal lines P5 to P52 and the vertical line A
Is conducted, and also conducts with any of the vertical lines P1 to P4 according to the type of the string. When the inside of the pitch region is pressed, one of the horizontal lines P5 to P52 and the vertical line B conduct.

As described above, the horizontal lines P5 to P
Since the vertical lines conducting to 52 change to A, B, C, D, E, and F, even if the horizontal lines corresponding to the respective pitch regions are sensed together at the same time, the vertical lines A to F are detected using the CPU. By performing time-division scanning, it is possible to identify which pitch region has been pressed. At this time, the type of the string can be identified based on which of the vertical lines P1 to P4 is detected as conducting. That is, it has a function as string type selecting means.

For example, when the portion surrounded by the ellipse a in FIG. 25 is pressed, the horizontal line P35 and the vertical lines A and P
Since each intersection with 1 is conducted, a current flows through each of the lines A, P1, and P35 at the timing when the vertical line A is energized, as indicated by the arrows, and by detecting this, the pitch region of the G string is detected. It can be determined that the 30th highest pitch from “G ₀ ” has been designated.

Since the pitch of the pitch is very fine, several horizontal lines are actually pressed at the same time. However, the highest pitch is selected by giving priority to the high pitch, or the highest pitch determined at the same time is selected. It may be determined in advance whether or not to determine the central pitch between the lowest tones.

In this manner, very high resolution pitch information can be obtained as a digital signal with a small number of scan lines. Therefore, it is possible to have an almost stepless continuous pitch designation function with a relatively simple circuit configuration, similarly to a stringed instrument without a fret such as a violin.

When a plurality of strings are provided as described above, the string type selecting means selects a string type by pressing one of the intermediate portions, and the string type selecting means as described above. There is a type in which a plurality of section operation detecting means are provided, and a string type is selected by selecting and operating one of them.
By executing one or both of these, the string type is selected, and the tone range of the tone signal generated by the tone generator 40 is controlled.

The pitch setting means 20E and the like shown in FIG. 1 output a signal for setting the pitch when the corresponding string 3 is depressed, and thus can also serve as a string type selecting means. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 1, both the string type setting means also serving as the pitch setting means and the string type selecting means 10 serving as the string corresponding portion operation detecting means are provided. Both control the tone range of the tone signal generated by the tone generator 40 when the string type is selected.

A plurality of string type selecting means (string corresponding parts) are provided as in these embodiments, and when any one of them is selected and operated, the string type is actually provided. It is not necessary to use a plurality of strings. For example, even if there is only one string, any one of them can be selected by assuming a plurality of virtual strings for setting pitches of different ranges. . In that case, one string and its pitch setting means are shared by a plurality of virtual strings.

Alternatively, when the pitch setting means also has the string type selecting means in addition to the string corresponding portion operation detecting means, such as when the pitch setting means also serves as the string type selecting means, a plurality of strings are provided. Even in the case of an electronic stringed instrument, the string corresponding portion operation detecting means does not need to identify the operation of each string, but only needs to detect the operation of the string corresponding portion at one place in order to instruct the start of sound generation.

[0116]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an electronic stringed instrument simulating a stringed instrument such as a violin, a finger of a player who sets a pitch of a performance sound by pressing a string during a performance is provided. Thus, effects such as vibrato, tremolo, and reverb can be easily and reliably applied to the performance sound. Then, the effect given is a manual operation, so that the effect is similar to a natural musical instrument.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a different arrangement example of the string type selecting means shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view when a manual member is slid into contact with the string type selecting means shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the electronic stringed instrument shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the photo sensor unit in FIG. 6;

8 is a driving circuit diagram of the photo reflector shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing output characteristics of a pair of photo sensors for each movable piece.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the string type selecting means in FIG. 1;

11 is a cross-sectional view of the string type selecting means shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a movable bow contact plate and a micro switch in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing another example of the pitch setting means in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the electronic stringed musical instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a manual member (bow body) simulating a bow provided on the input unit of FIG. 15 and a bowed part (detection unit).

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing various different configuration examples for detecting the operation (bowing) of the manual member.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the distal end of the manual member (bow) as viewed from the lower surface side.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a large number of light emitting elements arranged in a bow and light emission thereof.

20 is a circuit diagram showing a former stage of an example of a circuit for detecting various performance parameters by time division control in the input unit 70 of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram showing a subsequent stage in the same manner.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a main part showing another example of the string type selecting means.

FIG. 23 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

FIG. 24 is a developed view of a part of the flexible substrate in FIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a switch matrix showing another example of the pitch setting means of the electronic stringed instrument according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Musical instrument main body, 1a ... Rod-shaped part, 2, 2 '... Fingerboard, 3 ...
String, 3a ... middle part of string, 4, 5 ... pin, 6 ... movable piece, 7
... Strip-shaped resistors, 8 ... Support pieces, 9 ... Axes, 10,50 ... String type selecting means (also serving as string corresponding section operation detecting means), 11,5
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Drum part, 12a, 12b, 52a, 52b ... Flange part, 13a, 13b ... Cover, 14 ... Bow rest (string corresponding part), 16 ... Fixed piece, 17 ... Light emitting window, 18 ... Light receiving window,
20E, 20A, 20D, 20G: pitch setting means, 21
... A / D converters, 22E, 22A, 22D, 22G ... AND circuits, 23 ... manual members (detected members), 24 ... through holes, 30 ... musical tone modulation control means, 31E, 31A, 31
D, 31G: multiplier, 32, 32a, 32b: photo sensor, 321: photo reflector, 322: dome-shaped elastic body, 33E, 33A, 33D, 33G: A / D converter, 41, 73: amplifier, 42, 74 ... speaker, 54
... Movable bow plate, 55 ... Axis, 56a, 56b ... Micro switch, 60 ... Pitch setting unit, 61 ... Recessed part, 62
... Flexible board, 62U ... Upper part, 62D ... Lower part, 63 ... Spacer, 64 ... Strip-shaped conductive pattern, 65 ...
Dot-shaped conductive pattern, 70: input section, 71: tone signal forming circuit, 72: D / A converter, 80: bowed section, 81-
84: string corresponding portion, 85: manual member (bow), 86: light emitting element, 87: light receiving element, 88: reflection pattern, 90: sliding plate, 90a: window, 91: pressure-sensitive sheet, 92: conductive sheet, 130: roller (corresponding to string), 132: pressure-sensitive sensor, 135: flexible substrate, 136: pressure-sensitive film, 13
7,138: electrode pattern, R: resist, D: diode

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A musical instrument main body, a string fixed to both ends of the musical instrument main body, and fixed to a movable piece so that an intermediate portion can be displaced; and a detector provided on the musical instrument main body. A string-corresponding-part operation detecting means for detecting a string operation by a detection operation of the detected member; and a longitudinally depressed position provided when the string is depressed, provided on the string of the musical instrument main body. Pitch setting means for setting a pitch in accordance with the following: a sound generation instruction is given by an output of the pitch setting means and an output of the string corresponding portion operation detecting means, and the pitch set by the pitch setting means Sound source means for generating a corresponding tone signal; detecting a displacement of the movable piece from a basic position due to a small movement of the string; and controlling modulation of a tone signal generated from the sound source means by a modulation signal corresponding to the displacement amount. Sound modulation control means An electronic stringed instrument characterized by that. 2. A string operation which is detected by a detected member operating on a main body of a musical instrument, a string fixed to both ends of the main body of the musical instrument, and a detecting portion provided on the main body of the musical instrument. String corresponding portion operation detecting means provided for the string of the musical instrument main body, the pitch setting means being pressed together when the string is pressed, and setting the pitch according to the pressed position in the longitudinal direction thereof Sound source means which is instructed to generate sound by the output of the pitch setting means and the output of the string corresponding part operation detecting means, and generates a tone signal corresponding to the pitch set by the pitch setting means; A deformed output generating means for detecting a deformation of a string corresponding to the force and outputting a signal, and a tone generated from the sound source means by a modulation signal corresponding to a signal output by the means. Tone modulation that modulates the signal An electronic stringed musical instrument, further comprising control means, wherein the string and the pitch setting means are electrically independent. 3. The electronic stringed musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of strings are provided, and an intermediate portion of any of the strings is pressed, or a plurality of string corresponding section operation detecting means are provided. , One of which is selected and operated,
An electronic stringed musical instrument provided with string type selecting means for selecting a string type by performing one or both of the above and controlling a range of a musical tone signal generated by the sound source means. 4. The electronic stringed musical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor at a position corresponding to a string on the main body of the musical instrument, and a string corresponding to the string on the pressure sensor. A roller is provided which is slidably contacted with a manual member shaped like a bow of a stringed musical instrument, which is a member to be detected by the unit operation detecting means, and the pressing force by the manual member is detected by the pressure-sensitive sensor via the roller. An electronic stringed musical instrument wherein parameters such as volume or tone of a tone signal generated by said sound source means are controlled in accordance with a detection signal.