AbstractA polyphonic electronic musical instrument is provided wherein a keyboard is used to trigger arpeggiated chords which emulate a strumming guitar sound. Select keys are provided for selecting which notes are included in chords to be strummed. At least one triggering device is also provided for triggering chords. The triggering device is constructed to alternate between two trigger states. The triggering device may be a keyboard key, foot pedal, or other device. The instrument operates in such a fashion that two arpeggiated chords of alternating direction (ascending and descending) may be produced during, and at least partially as a result of, one triggering device cycle from one state to the other and back again.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An emulator for producing a guitar style performance from a controller, said controller including a user-operated triggering device for triggering arpeggiated chords which a user may alternate between a first trigger state and a second trigger state, and at least twelve keyboard keys assigned to a note select function, each of which a user may alternate between a rest key state and a selected key state, comprising:
a digital data processing system which receives trigger state information from said triggering device and key state information from said note select keys, and which sends commands to a tone generating device wherein,
a first state change of said triggering device from said first trigger state to said second trigger state when at least two of said note select keys are in said selected key state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to initiate production of a plurality of tones corresponding to the selected note select keys in an ascending sequence; and,
a second state change of said triggering device from said second trigger state to said first trigger state following said first triggering device state change as said selected note select keys remain in said selected key state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to (a) terminate production of said plurality of tones and (b) re-initiate production of said plurality of tones in a descending sequence.
2. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
said triggering device is a keyboard key.
3. An emulator as in claim 2 wherein,
said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.
4. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
said triggering device is a vertically reciprocating foot pedal.
5. An emulator as in claim 4 wherein,
said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.
6. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
said triggering device is a foot position sensing device which senses horizontal position of at least a portion of one of said user’s feet.
7. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein,
each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.
8. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
production of all of said tones initiated as a result of said first trigger state change is terminated as a result of said second trigger state change before the tones are re-initiated as a result of said second state change.
9. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
each of said tones initiated as a result of said first trigger state change is terminated as a result of said second trigger state change immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
as a result of said second state change, the highest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest tone.
10. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
state changes of said triggering device are affected through movement of a human appendage;
said data processing system receives information from said triggering device regarding the velocity with which said appendage effects trigger state changes;
said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,
the velocity values corresponding with commands to initiate tone production for selected tones are a function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggers the initiation of the selected tones.
11. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
said key state information includes information regarding aftertouch pressure applied to selected note select keys;
said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,
the velocity values for selected tones are a function of aftertouch pressure applied to note select keys near the time of corresponding trigger state change.
12. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
said data processing system measures elapsed time between successive triggering device state changes; and,
elapse times between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a trigger state change are a function of the elapsed time between that trigger state change and the preceding trigger state change.
13. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
state changes of said triggering device are affected through movement of a human appendage;
said data processing system receives information from said triggering device regarding the velocity with which said appendage effects trigger state changes; and
elapse times between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a trigger state change are an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which affected the corresponding trigger state change.
14. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two tones one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.
15. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;
said data processing system communicates with said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.
16. An emulator as in claim 15 wherein;
said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.
17. A method of generating ascending and descending musical chord arpeggiations comprising:
assigning at least twelve of the keys within a keyboard to a note select function;
determining which keys are included within a group of said note select keys being held in a selected state by a user;
instructing a tone generating device to play an ascending arpeggiation of the notes corresponding with said group of keys in response to a first user-initiated state change of a triggering device from a first trigger state to a second trigger state as said group of keys continue to be held in selected state; and
instructing said tone generating device to (a) mute the notes played in response to said first trigger state change and (b) play a descending arpeggiation of the same notes in response to a second user-initiated state change of said triggering device from said second trigger state to said first trigger state as said group of keys continue to be held in selected state.
18. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;
said triggering device is a key within said keyboard.
19. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 18 wherein,
said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.
20. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;
said triggering device is a foot pedal.
21. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 20 wherein,
said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.
22. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein,
each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.
23. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;
production of all of said notes initiated in response to said first triggering device state change is terminated as a result of said second triggering device state change before the notes are re-initiated in response to said second triggering device state change.
24. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;
each of said notes initiated in response to said first triggering device state change is terminated as a result of said second triggering device state change immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
in response to said second state change, the highest pitched selected note is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected note is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest note.
25. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;
measuring the velocity with which a human appendage effects a triggering device state change; and
instructing said tone generating device to produce the corresponding arpeggiation at a volume which is a function of the measured appendage velocity.
26. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;
measuring the aftertouch pressure applied to said group of keys near the time of a triggering device state change; and
instructing said tone generating device to produce the corresponding arpeggiation at a volume which is a function of the measured aftertouch pressure.
27. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;
measuring elapsed time between successive triggering device state changes; and,
instructing said tone generating device to produce said arpeggiations of notes in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiation are a function of the elapsed time between the triggering device state change which triggered the arpeggiation and the preceding triggering device state change.
28. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;
measuring the velocities with which a human appendage effects triggering device state changes; and
instructing said tone generating device to produce said arpeggiations of notes in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiation are an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggered the arpeggiation.
29. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;
the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two notes one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.
30. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;
instructions are sent to said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.
31. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 30 wherein;
said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.
32. An emulator for producing a guitar style performance from a controller, said controller including first and second user-operated triggering devices, each of which a user may alternate between a rest trigger state and a selected trigger state, and at least twelve keyboard keys assigned to a note select function, each of which a user may alternate between a rest key state and a selected key state, comprising:
a digital data processing system which receives trigger state information from said triggering devices and key state information from said note select keys, and which sends commands to a tone generating device wherein,
a state change of said first triggering device from said rest trigger state to said selected trigger state when at least two of said note select keys are in said selected key state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to initiate production of a plurality of tones corresponding to the selected note select keys in an ascending sequence; and,
a state change of said second triggering device from said rest trigger state to said selected trigger state following said state change of said first triggering device as said selected note select keys and said first triggering device continue to be held in selected state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to (a) terminate production of said plurality of tones and (b) re-initiate production of said plurality of tones in a descending sequence.
33. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein said processing system
(a) allows said tone generating device to continue production of the tones initiated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device when either of said triggering devices is returned to rest state as the other triggering device and said selected note select keys remain in selected state; and
(b) commands said tone generating device to terminate production of the tones initiated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device when the triggering device remaining in selected state is returned to rest state.
34. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
at least one of said triggering devices is a keyboard key.
35. An emulator as in claim 34 wherein,
said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.
36. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
at least one of said triggering devices is a foot pedal.
37. An emulator as in claim 36 wherein,
said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.
38. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein,
each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.
39. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
production of all of said tones initiated as a result of said state change of said first triggering device is terminated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device before the tones are re-initiated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device.
40. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
each of said tones initiated as a result of said state change of said first triggering device is terminated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
as a result of said state change of said second triggering device, the highest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest tone.
41. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state are affected through movement of one or more human appendages;
said data processing system receives information from said triggering devices regarding the velocity with which said one or more appendages effect state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state;
said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,
the velocity values corresponding with commands to initiate tone production for selected tones are a function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggers the initiation of the selected tones.
42. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
said key state information includes information regarding aftertouch pressure applied to selected note select keys;
said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,
the velocity values corresponding with commands to initiate tone production for selected tones are a function of aftertouch pressure applied to note select keys near the time of corresponding triggering device state change from rest to selected state.
43. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
said data processing system measures elapsed time between successive triggering device rest-to-selected state changes; and,
elapsed time between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a triggering device rest-to-selected state change is a function of elapsed time between successive triggering device rest-to-selected state changes.
44. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state are affected through movement of one or more human appendages;
said data processing system receives information from said triggering devices regarding the velocity with which said one or more appendages effect state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state; and
elapsed time between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a triggering device rest-to-selected state change is an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which affected the corresponding rest-to-selected trigger device state change.
45. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two tones one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.
46. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;
said data processing system communicates with said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.
47. An emulator as in claim 46 wherein;
said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.
48. A method of generating ascending and descending musical chord arpeggiations comprising:
assigning at least twelve of the keys within a keyboard to a note select function;
determining which keys are included within a group of said note select keys being held in a selected state by a user;
instructing a tone generating device to play an ascending arpeggiation of a group of notes corresponding with said group of keys in response to a user-initiated state change of a first triggering device from a rest trigger state to a selected trigger state as said group of keys continue to be held in selected state; and
instructing said tone generating device to (a) mute said note group and (b) play a descending arpeggiation of the same note group in response to a user-initiated state change of a second triggering device from a rest trigger state to a selected trigger state as said group of keys and said first triggering device continue to be held in selected state.
49. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
said tone generating device is allowed to continue sustaining the notes within said descending arpeggiation when either of said triggering devices is returned to rest state as the other triggering device and said group of note select keys remain in selected state; and
said tone generating device is instructed to mute the sustaining notes when the triggering device remaining in selected state is returned to rest state.
50. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
at least one of said triggering devices is a key within said keyboard.
51. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 50 wherein,
said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.
52. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
at least one of said triggering devices is a foot pedal.
53. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 52 wherein,
said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.
54. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein,
each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.
55. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
production of all of said notes initiated in response to said first triggering device state change is terminated as a result of said second triggering device state change before the notes are re-initiated in response to said second triggering device state change.
56. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
each of said notes initiated in response to said first triggering device state change is terminated as a result of said second triggering device state change immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
in response to said second triggering device state change, the highest pitched selected note is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected note is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest note.
57. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 further comprising;
measuring the velocity with which a human appendage effects a triggering device state change; and
instructing said tone generating device to produce the corresponding arpeggiation at a volume which is a function of the measured appendage velocity.
58. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 further comprising;
measuring the aftertouch pressure applied to said group of note select keys near the time of a triggering device state change; and
instructing said tone generating device to produce the corresponding arpeggiation at a volume which is a function of the measured aftertouch pressure.
59. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 further comprising;
measuring elapsed time between successive rest-to-selected triggering device state changes; and,
instructing said tone generating device to produce said arpeggiations of notes in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiation are a function of the elapsed time between the rest-to-selected triggering device state change which triggered the arpeggiation and the preceding rest-to-selected triggering device state change.
60. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 further comprising;
measuring the velocities with which a human appendage effects triggering device state changes; and
instructing said tone generating device to produce said arpeggiations of notes in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiation are an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggered the arpeggiation.
61. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two notes one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.
62. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 48 wherein;
instructions are sent to said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.
63. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 62 wherein;
said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.
64. An emulator for producing a guitar style performance from a controller, said controller including at least 24 keys, each of which a user may alternate between a rest key state and a selected key state, comprising:
a digital data processing system which receives key state information from said 24 keys, and which sends commands to a tone generating device;
said processing system including a memory device which stores data, said data including the tones contained within twelve predetermined chords, each of said twelve chords corresponding with one of the twelve notes in a standard octave; wherein,
said 24 keys are grouped by said data processing system into twelve strum key pairs, each pair corresponding with one of said twelve predetermined chords and consisting of an upstrum key and a downstrum key; and
for any one of said key pairs, (a) a rest-to-selected state change of the upstrum key causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to initiate production of the tones contained within that pair’s corresponding chord in a descending note sequence and (b) a rest-to-selected state change of the downstrum key causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to initiate production of the tones contained within the same corresponding chord in an ascending note sequence.
65. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein,
when any one of said 24 strum keys is held in selected key state as another of said 24 strum keys is changed from rest to selected state, said processing system commands said tone generating device to
(a) terminate production of the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the previously selected key; and
(b) initiate production of the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the newly selected key.
66. An emulator as in claim 65 wherein;
the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the previously selected key are terminated before initiation of the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the newly selected key.
67. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein;
when any one of said 12 downstrum keys is changed from rest to selected key state as the other 23 strum keys are in rest state and is then held in selected key state as its pair partner upstrum key is changed from rest to selected state, said processing system commands said tone generating device to terminate each tone contained within the corresponding chord immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
the highest pitched tone of the chord is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest tone.
68. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein;
when any one of said 12 upstrum keys is changed from rest to selected key state as the other 23 strum keys are in rest state and is then held in selected key state as its pair partner downstrum key is changed from rest to selected state, said processing system commands said tone generating device to terminate each tone contained within the corresponding chord immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
the lowest pitched tone of the chord is muted and re-triggered, then the next highest pitched musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next highest tone.
69. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein,
each of said strum keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.
70. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein;
state changes of said strum keys from rest to selected state are affected through movement of at least one of the user’s fingers;
said data processing system receives information from said strum keys regarding the velocity with which said finger effects state changes of said keys from rest to selected state;
said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,
the velocity values corresponding with said commands to initiate tone production are a function of the velocity of the finger movement which triggers the commands.
71. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein;
said data processing system measures elapsed time between successive rest-to-selected strum key state changes; and,
elapsed time between successive commands to initiate tone production within a note sequence initiated as a result of a rest-to-selected strum key state change is a function of elapsed time since the prior rest-to-selected strum key state change.
72. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein;
said data processing system communicates with said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.
73. An emulator as in claim 72 wherein;
said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.
74. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein,
the two keys within each of said key pairs are spaced one octave apart on the left-to-right axis of said keyboard.
75. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein,
said keyboard includes at least two parallel key rows which extend longitudinally from left to right; and
the two keys within each of said key pairs are laterally aligned with each other.
76. An emulator as in claim 64 wherein,
said keyboard includes at least four parallel key rows.
77. An emulator as in claim 76 wherein;
said keyboard comprises a first key row, a second key row, a third key row, and a fourth key row;
said rows extend longitudinally from left to right;
said second key row is laterally positioned between said first and third rows;
said third key row is laterally positioned between said second and fourth rows;
at least a plurality of keys within said first row are laterally aligned with a plurality of keys within said third row;
at least a plurality of keys within said second row are laterally aligned with a plurality of keys within said fourth row; and
at least a plurality of keys within said second row are staggered in the longitudinal dimension halfway between adjacent keys of the first row.
78. An emulator as in claim 77 wherein,
strum keys in rows one and two are paired with laterally aligned strum keys in rows three and four, respectively.
79. An emulator as in claim 78 wherein;
at least a plurality of strum keys within rows one and two are downstrum keys, and their pair partners in rows three and four are upstrum keys.
80. A method of generating ascending and descending musical chord arpeggiations comprising:
assigning at least 24 of the keys within a keyboard to a strum triggering function;
grouping said 24 strum trigger keys into twelve key pairs, each pair corresponding with one of the twelve notes in a standard octave and consisting of an upstrum key and a downstrum key;
assigning one of twelve predetermined chords to each of said key pairs;
instructing a tone generating device to play an ascending arpeggiation of one of said chords in response to a state change of that chord’s corresponding downstrum key from a rest key state to a selected key state; and
instructing said tone generating device to play a descending arpeggiation of one of said chords in response to a state change of that chord’s corresponding upstrum key from a rest key state to a selected key state.
81. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein,
when any one of said 24 strum keys is held in selected key state as another of said 24 strum keys is changed from rest to selected state, said tone generating device is instructed to
(a) terminate production of the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the previously selected key; and
(b) initiate production of the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the newly depressed key.
82. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 81 wherein;
the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the previously selected key are terminated before initiation of the tones contained within the chord corresponding with the newly depressed key.
83. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein;
when any one of said 12 downstrum keys is changed from rest to selected key state as the other 23 strum keys are in rest state and is then held in selected key state as its pair partner upstrum key is changed from rest to selected state, said tone generating device is instructed to terminate each tone contained within the corresponding chord immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
the highest pitched tone of the chord is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest tone.
84. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein;
when any one of said 12 upstrum keys is changed from rest to selected key state as the other 23 strum keys are in rest state and is then held in selected key state as its pair partner downstrum key is changed from rest to selected state, said tone generating device is instructed to terminate each tone contained within the corresponding chord immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,
the lowest pitched tone of the chord is muted and re-triggered, then the next highest pitched musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next highest tone.
85. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein,
each of said strum keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and
said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.
86. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 further comprising:
measuring the velocity with which a user’s finger effects a rest-to-selected state change of one of said keys; and
instructing said tone generating device to play that key’s corresponding arpeggiated chord at a volume which is a function of the measured finger velocity.
87. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 further comprising:
measuring elapsed time between successive rest-to-selected strum key state changes; and,
instructing said tone generating device to play arpeggiated chords in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiated chord are a function of the elapsed time between the rest-to-selected strum key state change which triggered the chord and the preceding rest-to-selected strum key state change.
88. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein;
instructions are sent to said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.
89. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 88 wherein;
said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.
90. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein,
the two keys within each of said key pairs are spaced one octave apart on said keyboard.
91. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein,
said keyboard includes at least two parallel key rows which extend longitudinally from left to right; and
the two keys within each of said key pairs are laterally aligned with each other.
92. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 80 wherein,
said keyboard includes at least four parallel key rows.
93. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 92 wherein;
said keyboard comprises a first key row, a second key row, a third key row, and a fourth key row;
said rows extend longitudinally from left to right;
said second key row is laterally positioned between said first and third rows;
said third key row is laterally positioned between said second and fourth rows;
at least a plurality of keys within said first row are laterally aligned with a plurality of keys within said third row;
at least a plurality of keys within said second row are laterally aligned with a plurality of keys within said fourth row; and
at least a plurality of keys within said second row are staggered in the longitudinal dimension halfway between adjacent keys of the first row.
94. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 93 wherein,
strum keys in rows one and two are paired with laterally aligned strum keys in rows three and four, respectively.
95. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 94 wherein;
at least a plurality of strum keys within rows one and two are downstrum keys, and their pair partners in rows three and four are upstrum keys.Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a keyboard-controlled electronic musical instrument capable of emulating a strumming guitar.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a guitarist plays a guitar with standard string tuning and the standard physical configuration (left hand selecting notes on the fretboard and right hand strumming the strings), a downstrum (in which the right hand strokes downward) generally produces an ascending arpeggiated chord. An upstrum generally produces a descending arpeggiated chord. Generally, a guitarist will alternate up and downstrums, producing arpeggiated chords which are alternately ascending and descending. This action is easy, smooth and natural, due to the fact that two chords may be produced with a single up-down cycle of the right hand. This two-chord-per-cycle technique enables a guitarist to easily produce strums in rapid succession. Also, this technique allows a guitarist to easily introduce a swing factor into the timing of the strums. A swing factor or “feel” is present when the elapsed time between an upstrum and a downstrum is different than the elapsed time between a downstrum and an upstrum. By consistently alternating strums with the same time difference, a guitarist can produce a desired swing feel. A guitarist may easily achieve this effect by simply displacing the center of his stroke either slightly above or slightly below the vertical center of the six strings (the vertical center of the strings is between the D and G strings). This displacement of stroke is so easy and natural that guitarists are often not even aware that they are doing it.
Various known prior art processing systems enable a keyboardist to simulate guitar strums. However, these prior art systems have been found to be lacking in the above stated advantageous qualities which a guitar possesses.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,420 (Deutsch) describes a keyboard guitar emulator in which a group of keys perform the dual function of chord selection and arpeggiated chord triggering. In text column 11, lines 44-68, an alternating strum direction feature is disclosed. A musician, or user, may trigger a first strum by depressing a chord on the keyboard. Once the chord is depressed and held, an additional strum, alternating in direction, may be triggered by lifting any key within the chord and repressing it. Since a chord is triggered only when the key moves from rest to depressed position, the two-chord-per-cycle technique described above is not possible and the above described advantages of this technique are not realized.
Other guitar emulators provide a separate trigger switch to trigger arpeggiated chords, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,520 (Drydyk), but none of the known prior art enables a user to produce arpeggiated chords in alternating directions with the same easy, smooth, and natural action of strumming a guitar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Overview:
According to the present invention, an electronic musical instrument is provided with a keyboard, a tone generating device, at least one user-operated triggering device for triggering arpeggiated chords, and a digital data processing system. The keyboard may be worn on the user with the same orientation as the Z-Tar (manufactured by Starr Switch Co. of San Diego, Calif.) or other strap-on keyboard, or the keyboard may be horizontally situated in the traditional fashion.
The data processing system processes key state information received from the keyboard and, following a predetermined software program, sends tone triggering/muting instructions to a tone-producing module. The keyboard, processing system, and tone-producing module may be housed within a single stand-alone unit, or separate units may be provided for each. For example, the invention may be realized through the use of a standard MIDI controller keyboard sending MIDI data to a stand-alone computer which then processes the received data according to the invention and sends this processed data via MIDI to a standard stand-alone tone producing module. In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard and microprocessor-controlled processing system are housed in a single unit and communicate via MIDI to a standard stand-alone tone producing module. The processing system and tone generating device may be incorporated into the same electronic device, circuit board, or even into the same microprocessor-driven computer system. Other hardware configurations are within the scope of the invention as well.
At least twelve keys within the keyboard are assigned to a note select function. The data processing system establishes this assignment by processing information about movement of these keys in a manner which is consistent with a note select function. The tone generating device is capable of producing at least twelve tones corresponding with the at least twelve note select keys. Numerous different tone generating devices may be used. These include (but are not limited to) MIDI or ZIPI-operated electronic “sound modules”, and computer-controlled automatic pianos, e.g., PianoDisc.RTM. pianos.
The user may alternate the triggering device between two states.
The instrument operates in such a fashion that two arpeggiated chords of alternating direction (ascending and descending) may be produced during, and at least partially as a result of, one triggering device cycle from one state to the other and back again.
It should be noted that, for any type of triggering device according to the present invention, the two trigger states are not transitory. They are distinct static states. A static state is to be distinguished from a transitory event in that a static state may be maintained indefinitely, and a transitory event may not. For example, the sweeping of a guitar pick over a set of guitar strings is an event. A keyboard key in rest position is in a static state. A triggering device according to the present invention triggers an arpeggiated chord when it is shifted by the user from one static state to another. A triggering device according to the present invention is configured in such a manner that, under normal operating circumstances, the processing system is always informed of a shift from one state to the other.
The triggering device may be a key on the keyboard which may be alternated between a rest state (typically “up” position) and a selected state (typically “down”, or “depressed” position). The key may comprise a stationary metal plate which is electrically connected to a finger sensing circuit. In this alternate embodiment, the triggering device comprises the metal plate key and the sensing circuit. The sensing circuit would occupy a rest key state (e.g., a low current state) when it is untouched and would occupy a selected key state (e.g., a relatively high current state) when a fingertip is making direct contact. Note select keys may operate in the same way.
Triggering device state changes may be affected through movement of a human appendage, e.g., a finger, foot, elbow, palm, knee, or other body part. The speed with which this appendage moves may be measured in ways which are familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. Information regarding the speed with which a human appendage effects a state change may be used to determine performance parameters, such as output velocity (normally used by a tone generating device to determine loudness) or arpeggiation rate.
The invention may be realized through at least four methods which are described in the following four sections.
1. Single Trigger Method:
The invention may be realized with the use of a single triggering device. The triggering device may be alternated by the user between a first trigger state and a second trigger state. This device may be a key within the keyboard, as discussed above, a switch on the instrument control panel, a foot switch, or other device.
For example, the triggering device may be a foot position sensing device which senses horizontal position of at least a portion of one of the user’s feet. This unit may include a swivel plate upon which the user’s heel or toe rests, and a sensing system which senses horizontal position of the user’s toe or heel (whichever is free to swing). By swinging his toe back and forth from right to left, the user alternates the triggering device between first and second trigger states. The sensing system may be optical, sensing the location of the swinging foot portion directly. Alternately, the sensing system may sense rotation of the swivel plate in which case the position of the swivel plate with the user’s foot pointed to one side corresponds with one trigger state. By swinging his foot to point in the other direction, the swivel plate is partially rotated to a second position corresponding with the second trigger state.
With the single trigger method, a first state change of the triggering device (e.g., a downstroke of a trigger key) from its first trigger state (e.g., from rest key position) to its second trigger state (e.g., to depressed key position) when at least two of the note select keys are in selected key state causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to initiate production of the tones corresponding with the selected note select keys in an ascending sequence. (For definitional purposes, the at least two keys constitute a chord.) A second state change of the triggering device (e.g., an upstroke) from its second trigger state to its first trigger state following the first trigger state change as the selected note select keys remain in selected key state causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to terminate production of the tones initiated as a result of the first trigger state change and again initiate production of the same tones, this time in a descending sequence.
2. Double Trigger Method:
The invention may be realized with the use of a single pair of triggering devices. Each of these triggering devices may be alternated by the user between a rest trigger state and a selected trigger state. The two triggering devices may each be a key within the keyboard, as discussed above, a switch on the instrument control panel, a foot switch, or other device.
With the double trigger method, a trigger state change from selected to rest state does not initiate a chord or tone. Only state changes from rest to selected state (e.g., downstrokes) cause the data processing system to initiate tone production.
In the parlance of this specification’s parent application, the two triggers “repeat” with each other. A state change of the first triggering device from rest trigger state to selected trigger state when at least two of the note select keys are in selected key state causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to initiate production of the tones corresponding with the selected note select keys in an ascending sequence. A state change of the second triggering device from rest trigger state to selected trigger state following the state change of the first triggering device as the selected note select keys and the first triggering device continue to be held in selected state causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to terminate production of the tones initiated as a result of the first triggering device state change and again initiate production of the same tones, this time in a descending sequence.
3. Multiple Trigger Key Pairs Method:
(This method is referred to in the Description of the Preferred Embodiment as “Single Key Strumming”.)
With this method, at least twelve trigger key pairs serve the dual function of note/chord selection and strum triggering. The processing system includes a memory device which stores data. This data includes the tones (i.e., notes) contained within at least twelve predetermined chords. Each of the twelve chords corresponds with one of the key pairs. The twelve chords may all be of the same type, e.g., major seventh chords. Each of the twelve key pairs may be assigned to a different one of the twelve notes in a standard octave. The two keys within each pair may be spaced one octave apart. This arrangement works well with a standard keyboard. For a Janko Keyboard with independent keys, the two keys within each pair may occupy different key rows and be laterally aligned; i.e., they may occupy the same position on the X (left-to-right) axis.
A single keyboard may include more than one group of twelve pairs. One group may trigger major chords, another group may trigger minor chords, another group may trigger dominant seventh chords, etc. The processing system may include a patch change function which may change the type of chord which one or more groups may trigger. Thus, many different chord types may be performed with one keyboard.
Each key pair consists of an upstrum key and a downstrum key. For any one of the key pairs, a rest-to-selected state change of the upstrum key causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to initiate production of the tones contained within that pair’s corresponding predetermined chord in a descending note sequence; and a rest-to-selected state change of the downstrum key causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to initiate production of the tones contained within the same corresponding chord in an ascending note sequence.
The two keys within a pair may repeat with each other.
4. Multiple Single Trigger Keys Method:
This method may be viewed as a combination of the Single Trigger Method and the Multiple Trigger Pairs Method. Predetermined chords are stored in memory as in the Multiple Pairs Method. However, instead of a pair of keys assigned to each predetermined chord, only one strum trigger key is used for each chord. Thus, only twelve strum keys (one octave) are required for one chord type in any of the twelve keys. Each strum key is user-alternateable between a first state (e.g., a rest state) and a second state (e.g., a selected state).
A foot pedal, keyboard key, or other auxiliary control device is used in conjunction with the strum keys. The auxiliary device may be alternated by the user between a first state (e.g., a rest state) and a second state (e.g., a selected, or depressed state).
When the auxiliary device is in its first state, a strum key state change causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to initiate production of an audio sound. This sound may be a “chucka” sound, as would result if a guitarist strummed his guitar strings while muting them with his left hand. This sound may be produced by the playback of a “chucka” sample, by playing a series of six “click” sounds in rapid succession, or by commanding the tone generating device to play in rapid succession a very short portion (e.g., the first eight milliseconds) of six of the same guitar string tones used for the sustaining chords. Alternately, when the auxiliary device is in its first state, a strum key state change may result in no audio sound or tone at all.
When the auxiliary device is in its second state, a strum key state change from first to second state causes the data processing system to command the tone generating device to produce an ascending arpeggio of the corresponding predetermined chord; and a reverse state change (i.e., from second to first state) of the same strum key results in a descending arpeggio of the same chord. The tone generating device is allowed to continue sustaining the chord until (a) the auxiliary device is returned to its first state, at which time the chord is terminated; or (b) a second strum key state change is performed, at which time the chord is terminated and the predetermined chord corresponding with the second state change is initiated. If this second strum key state change is the reverse state change of the same key, the new chord is identical to the first chord, with the arpeggiation direction reversed.
When applied to a conventional keyboard, this method enjoys an advantage over the Multiple Trigger Pairs Method: Since only one octave is required for one type of chord, more chord types may be provided in a single keyboard without a patch change.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a general overview of electronic systems/hardware and recommended keyboard which may be used to realize the invention.
FIG. 2 shows an overview of the software program used in the preferred embodiment.
FIGS. 3-14 detail various program subroutines which are used in the preferred embodiment. Subroutines which require two drawing figures are split into two parts–a & b, for example, 14a & 14b.
FIG. 15 shows a cutaway side view of a front guide pin and bushing recommended for the keyboard of the preferred embodiment.
FIGS. 16A-D show various views of a rear guide pin and bushing recommended for the keyboard of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 16A is an exploded view, FIG. 16B is an overhead view with key not shown, FIG. 16C is cutaway rear view taken along line XVI-C of FIG. 16B, and FIG. 16D is a cutaway side view taken along line XVI-D of FIG. 16B.
ORIENTATION TERMS AND CLARIFICATIONS
In this specification and appended claims orientation terms are based on the orientation of a musician as most commonly positioned at a piano keyboard; thus:
The longitudinal axis is that which extends from the bass, or left end of the keyboard to the right, or treble end.
The lateral or transverse axis is that which extends from the front to the rear of the keyboard.
The vertical axis refers to the key axis of motion.
In this specification and appended claims, a statement that a key is “depressed” or “down” means that a key is moved from rest to depressed position. Depressed position does not necessarily refer to the absolute bottom end of key travel. Rather, this term refers to any depth of key depression which is beyond the threshold at which the key state sensing system interprets the key to be in depressed position. For example, this threshold may occur at 2/3 down from rest position. Likewise, rest position is any position above a predetermined rest position threshold; for example, the upper 1/3 of key travel. For example, an embodiment which is well within the scope of the 2nd aspect of the invention would be one in which when a first key is held down as a second key is depressed, the first tone is muted as the second key reaches 1/3 of its downward stroke, and the second tone is initiated when the second key reaches 2/3 of its downward stroke.
The term “key row” refers to a row of keys which extend substantially from left to right. Key rows within a keyboard according to the present invention are not necessarily precisely parallel to the left-right keyboard axis. For example, a keyboard with angled rows (e.g., the Uniscala Keyboard shown in Keyboard magazine, June 1995) may be adapted to utilize the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
I. Overview
The preferred embodiment of the invention is a five-row Janko controller keyboard with independent keys. Various aspects and embodiments of this keyboard are described in the applicant’s prior patents, U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,490 (Key Guide) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,772 (Linearly Reciprocating Keyboard Key Incorporating Two Guide Pins), and copending applications Ser. Nos. 08/173,855, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,763 (Tactile Key Tops), and 08/345,067, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,115 (Keyboard Key Return and Motion Sensing Mechanisms Incorporating a Swing Arm). These prior specifications are hereby incorporated by reference.
With guidance from these prior specifications and the present specification, a person of ordinary skill in the art may engineer a keyboard with the necessary features to implement the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, these features include:
(1) a keyboard 25 (A portion of a 5-level Janko keyboard is shown with an example of two keys 27 which occupy the same position on the X axis and which may be used as a strum trigger keys pair.);
(2) a key state sensing system (including key position/velocity/pressure sensors 28 and a system to scan these sensors 30) which can, for each key of the keyboard 25, sense downward/upward velocity and at least 16 levels of aftertouch pressure;
(3) at least two foot pedals 35 each with sensors capable of measuring downward/upward pedal velocity (The pedal unit sold with the Ensoniq SDP-1 keyboard may be employed. This pedal includes two pedals each with a contact spring which alternates between upper and lower stationary contact wires. Transit time between these two contacts may be measured and pedal velocity may thus be calculated. Alternately, a pedal employing a photointerrupter sensor may be employed. Such a pedal may be monitored by one of the key sensing daughter microcontrollers shown in applicant’s copending application Ser. No. 08/345,067, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,115, for Keyboard Key Return and Motion Sensing Mechanisms Incorporating a Swing Arm.);
(3) a microprocessor-controlled computer system 36 (including a central processing unit 37, a random-access memory 38, and a read-only memory 39) which can process information received from the key state sensors and other input devices;
(4) a control panel including various switches 40 to perform various control duties including (a) assisting in programming of the keyboard by the user, and (b) implementing control and configuration patch changes during performance;
(5) a panel scanning circuit 41 for reading control panel key state information;
(6) a panel LED circuit 41a for informing the user of which configuration patch is currently called up and for prompting the user during the programming process;
(7) a floppy-disk drive 42 or other transferrable memory storage media for loading the keyboard operating system and patches;
(8) at least two control wheels 43 for control of parameters such a