JPH01239595A - electronic stringed instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an electronic stringed instrument that is provided with a percussion operation means and thus can be played in a manner similar to the chopper bass performance of an acoustic stringed instrument.

[Prior Art] As this type of electronic stringed instrument, something called a guitar synthesizer has been known. This guitar synthesizer extracts the vibration period, or pitch, from the string vibrations obtained when a stretched string is played, and determines the corresponding pitch based on the vibration period. , on the condition that the level of the string vibration has exceeded a predetermined value, sends the start of the musical tone of the determined pitch to the musical tone generating circuit, and generates the desired tone synthesized by the musical tone generating circuit. The musical tones are configured so that they are produced at a determined pitch. According to this synthesizer, as mentioned above, it is possible to generate desired musical tones with a wide variety of tones according to the string operation, but it also extracts the vibration period (pitch) from the string vibration, and Therefore, not only is a large-scale and expensive device for extracting the vibration period required, but also it is necessary to accurately and reliably extract the vibration period from the string vibration. For a specified period of time (
For example, in the case of a 6-string guitar synthesizer, approximately
/80 seconds), there is a slight time delay between the time when the string is actually played and the string vibration starts and the time when the desired musical tone is emitted from the musical tone generation circuit. As a result, there is a problem in that it gives a strange feeling to the performer. Although these problems have been considerably improved due to recent rapid developments in high-speed arithmetic processing technology and semiconductor integration technology for pitch extraction devices, they are still not sufficient.

Recently, in order to solve these problems, in place of the above-mentioned so-called pitch extraction method electronic stringed instrument, it can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, and the responsiveness of musical tones to string operations is extremely good. A novel electronic stringed instrument has been proposed by the applicant (for example, Utility Application No. 10219/1981).
No. 0, Utility Application No. 1981-121841, Utility Application No. 131-1
45197, those described in 61-145198)
This electronic stringed instrument is called a switching type electronic stringed instrument because it uses a pitch designation switch and a string trigger switch that perform switching operations for pitch designation and musical tone generation instructions.

This electronic stringed instrument has a large number of pitch designation switches arranged in a matrix in the fingerboard of the neck that protrudes from the instrument body to designate the pitch of the musical sound to be generated.
On the same part formed on the instrument body, there is an electric signal converter that converts the string vibrations generated when the string is played into an electric signal, or the level of the string vibration is determined based on the output from the electric signal converter. a string vibration level detection section to detect, and a sound generation start instruction section that instructs each pitch specification switch to start producing a musical tone of a specified pitch based on the electric signal or the detection output of the string vibration level detection section; It is configured by arranging each.

According to the electronic stringed instrument adopting this switching method, a predetermined pitch designation switch among the pitch designation switches embedded in the fingerboard is set to the fret string strung above the pitch designation switch. If a string stretched on the body is played while a switching operation is being performed together with a string pressing operation, the pitch specifying switch that is undergoing the switching operation will be activated at the timing of the string operation. It is possible to quickly and reliably produce a musical tone of a specified pitch specified by . Therefore, not only is there no need for a large-scale and expensive vibration period (pitch) extraction device as mentioned above, but there is no time delay between the start of string vibration and the start of musical tone production. It is possible to reliably prevent a feeling of discomfort when playing strings.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, among the electronic stringed instruments of this type, the 'It child stringed instruments of the type using a 1" f height designation switch and a string trigger switch (the above-mentioned Utility Model Application No. 81-102190 and Utility Model Application No. In the case of No. 81-121841), the musical tone of the pitch specified by the pitch specification switch starts producing at the timing when the string trigger switch is turned on.
There is a problem in that it is not possible to perform using the thumb picking method of chopper bass playing on acoustic stringed instruments (a method of generating musical sounds by hitting the strings with the thumb on the frets/fingerboard), making it impossible to perform with rich variety. Ta. There have been electronic stringed instruments that have a drum pad on the surface of the body or the like and generate percussion sounds by striking the drum pad, but none of them generate musical tones at a specified pitch.

In addition, an electronic string instrument using a pitch specifying switch and a string vibration level detection section (the above-mentioned Utility Model Application No. 145197/1989)
No. 61-145198), the volume and timbre of the musical sound to be generated can be controlled according to the level of vibration of the string when the string is played. B7 ; II
However, the timbre of the generated musical sound can only be controlled using a preset medium-tone tone. By the way, in the case of acoustic stringed instruments, the pull-picking technique of chopper bass playing (a playing technique in which the strings are pulled from the bottom to the top, and the reaction is used to strike the strings against the frets to generate musical sounds). When you play,
When the strings strike against the frets, the impact sound generated at that time is added to the string vibration table.

Also, when playing using the thumb picking technique described above, the fingertips strike the frets along with the strings, so
This is different from the timbre, quality, or pitch of the musical tone obtained when performing the above-mentioned pull-picking technique. However, in the case of conventional electronic stringed instruments, when played using pull-picking or thumb-picking techniques, the timbre and pitch of each musical note generated differs depending on these playing techniques, creating an effective running base. It was impossible to perform.

[Purpose of the Invention] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and is an electronic device that enables a performance similar to the thumb picking technique used in chopper bass performance by performing a percussion operation on the percussion operation section. The purpose is to obtain a stringed instrument. In addition, the present invention provides a more effective running bass by differentiating each characteristic, such as at least one of the timbre and pitch, of the musical tones generated by the thumb picking technique in the chopper bass technique and the musical tones generated by the pull picking technique. The purpose is to obtain an electronic stringed instrument that can be played.

[Summary of the Invention] The invention as set forth in claim 1 is characterized in that the musical sound generating means causes the musical sound generating means to start producing a musical tone of a specified pitch specified by the pitch specifying means by a hitting ff operation of the percussion operating means provided on the fingerboard. The invention according to claims 2 and 3 is characterized in that the pitch is specified by the pitch specifying means by the string operation or by the percussion operation of the percussion operation means provided on the fingerboard. The musical tone generating means is instructed to start generating a musical tone of the pitch of the pitch, and the characteristic of the musical tone signal generated from the musical tone generating means is variably controlled by the musical tone characteristic control means so as to be generated by one string operation and percussion operation. The key point is that at least one of the tone characteristics of the musical tones or the pitch of the musical tones is made to differ from each other.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 10 are drawings for explaining the present invention in detail.

External appearance of electronic stringed instrument 4S configuration> FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of the electronic stringed instrument according to this embodiment.

This electronic stringed instrument 201 consists of a neck 202 and a body 203 having a fingerboard 202a. Six wooden strings 204 of the same thickness made of non-stretchable material are stretched over the fingerboard 202a.

One end of the strings 204 is supported by a bead 207 provided on the head 206 of the fingerboard 202, and the other end is supported by a bridge 213 provided on the body 203.
is fixed.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line I--I in FIG. 1, and those having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions. As shown in FIG. 2, in the recess formed on the upper surface of the neck 202, there are a number of pitch specifying switches PSW and PSW made of a printed circuit board 224 and a surface rubber 225.
The surface rubber 225 that is fitted and fixed is laid on the printed circuit board 224, and both edges of the surface rubber 225 wrap around the edges of the printed circuit board 224 to fix the printed circuit board 224. It is bent into a 0 shape. On the lower surface of the surface rubber 225 that is joined to the printed circuit board 224, six rows of four contact points 226 are formed at each fret 223 Ill and at positions corresponding to the strings 204, and on the upper bottom surface of these four contact points 226, movable contacts are formed. 227 is formed in a pattern, and a fixed contact 228 is formed in a pattern on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 224 facing the four contact parts 226. By pressing the surface rubber 225 from above together with the string 204, the movable contact 227 becomes a fixed contact. 228, and designation of a predetermined pitch is performed. Although frets 223 are provided on the surface rubber 225 in FIG. 2, these may not be provided.

The other end of the L2 string 204 is attached to the body 203-.
).

It is fixed and stretched to a bridge 213 provided in the. A total of six electromagnetic pickups 214 are provided on the body 203 at a position below the central portion of the body 203 of each string 204 . The pickup 214 detects the string vibration of the string 204 and outputs an electric signal according to the level of the detected string vibration of the string 204. Output. Note that a piezoelectric element such as a piezo element may be provided at the end of each string 204 instead of the electromagnetic pickup 214. ...
A string trigger switch may be connected to one end of the string, and when the string starts vibrating, the switch is turned on and a predetermined trigger signal is output. On the other hand, the body FiB203 has a hard solid body made of wood or synthetic resin, and the body 2
A mode switch section 4, a power switch 216, and a tempo volume 217 are provided at predetermined positions of 03. The mode switch unit 4 switches the performance mode of the electronic string instrument 11201 between a normal mode and a pull picking mode.
The pull picking mode is a normal performance mode that is generated by the string operation in step 4, and the pull picking mode is a special performance mode that generates a musical tone with a pitch that is, for example, one octave higher than the golden pitch based on the pitch specification of the pitch specification switch PSW. be. The power switch 216 is an on/off switch for Ichihara input.

The tempo volume 217 is for selecting speed or speed of the tempo. Further, in the lower part of the body 203, a pattern ifQ constant switch group 219 for selecting a tone color or a rhythm pattern, and a rhythm pad switch group 220 as operators for manual rhythm performance are arranged. Incidentally, SP+ and SF3 are speakers for emitting played musical tones in stereo, and a bass speaker SP+ is provided on the body 203 side, and a treble speaker SP2 is provided on the henno 206 side. Furthermore, a tremolo arm 221 is rotatably provided on the body 203 and is used to appropriately change the pitch of a musical tone that has started to be generated. When this tremolo arm 221 is operated, the output voltage of a variable resistor 221a provided at the base end thereof is changed.

Further, at the upper part of the IH section 203 (or fingerboard 202a) between one set of frets) 223-223 and corresponding to the lower part of each string 204, there is a percussion operation part that can be used for percussion operation in the thumb picking playing method. A thumb picking operation section 230 is provided.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the line ■-■ in FIG. 1 for explaining the thumb picking operation section 230, and
Components with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 have the same functions. In FIG. 3, a pressure sensitive element 231 such as a piezo element or a strain element is provided at the bottom of the thumb picking operation section 230, and the thumb picking operation section 230 is operated from above the string 204 to perform a striking operation, that is, a thumb picking operation. Then, the pressure sensitive element 231 is pressed and generates an electric signal corresponding to the striking operation force, and this electric signal is an analog signal as shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, and is converted into a digital signal. It is added to the microcomputer to generate musical tone signals.

Overall Circuit Configuration> Next, FIG. 4 shows the overall circuit configuration of the electronic stringed instrument according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, six strings 204:...
The pickup signal detected from the pick amplifier 214 for converting the string vibration generated when the string is operated into an electric signal is sent to the six input terminals 214a,
... is input. This pickup signal is outputted from these input terminals 214a as an analog signal as shown in FIG. 5(1). This pickup signal is amplified by an input amplifier 332, and then inputted to each envelope extraction circuit 313 through a capacitor 315.

These envelope extraction circuits 313... extract an envelope signal having a corresponding predetermined waveform from the analog signal input to the input terminal 214a (see FIG. 5 (2)). This is for extracting and outputting it to an analog/digital converter (hereinafter referred to as "rA/D converter") 314. In this embodiment, it is an operation for amplifying an analog signal input via a capacitor 315. An amplifier 316, a diode 317 connected to the output side of this operational amplifier 31B, a capacitor 318 and a resistor 3 connected to the cathode side of this diode 317.
It consists of 19. And the capacitor 3
18, the other end of the resistor 319 is grounded, and the diode 31
The output of 7, that is, the cathode side, is fed back to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier 316. Further, the operational amplifier 3
The positive input terminal of 16 is grounded via a resistor 323. In addition, each envelope extraction circuit 313...
The self-discharge time constant of the envelope signal output from the capacitor 318 is determined by the capacitance of the capacitor 318 and the resistance value of the resistor 319.

On the other hand, the A/D converter 314 converts the envelope signal from the envelope extraction circuit 313 into a digital signal. In addition, the central processing unit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "CPU") 320 of the microcomputer controls all operations of this circuit, and is coupled to the pitch specifying switch PSW. Pitch data and A/D from key scan circuit 333
Based on the digital signal indicating the volume from the converter 314, control is performed to generate or mute a musical tone of a specified pitch. That is, this microcomputer 320 detects whether the level value of the digital signal output from the A/D converter 314 has reached a certain value (in this embodiment, the level value "5") or more, and The time when the value exceeds a certain value (point of ■ in Figure 5 (4))
The level value of the digital signal is detected multiple times (in this embodiment, twice and O, as shown in FIG. 5 (4)) from
di is detected, the digital signal of this maximum level value is set as the string vibration level, and based on that digital signal, a musical tone is generated at the corresponding volume, the corresponding volume, and the corresponding tone. to control. On the other hand, when the level value of the digital signal from the A/D converter 314 subsequently becomes a constant value (level value "2" in this embodiment) or a value slightly smaller than the constant value, at that point (the fifth Figure (4
After a predetermined period (1) has elapsed from the time point marked ◎ in ), the musical tone being generated is controlled to be turned off based on a key-off command signal from a timer 321 provided inside. For this purpose, this microcomputer 320 has
A random access memory (RAM) 322 is provided to store each level value of the digital signal from the A/D converter 314 and pitch data from the key scan circuit 333. Writing of each level value, for example, "13", "25", and "40" is performed in j order at each timing ■, ■, and ◎ in FIG. 5(4). Also, this RAM322
Each level value "13", "25", respectively stored in
Among "40", the maximum level value "40" is detected by the function of the microcomputer 320, and the level value "40" is detected by the function of the microcomputer 320.
40'' is regarded as the strength when the string 204 is played, and the volume designation information corresponding to this strength and the pitch designation information from the key scan circuit 333 are used as a PCM for both normal and pull picking. The signal is sent to the sound source section 7. After the sound starts, if a frequency change instruction is given by choking the string 204 (after picking, pushing up or pulling down the string being held down to change the pitch) or operating the tremolo arm 221, the frequency change will be performed in real time. microcomputer 32
0 to the PCM sound source section 7.

In addition, the pressure-sensitive element 2 when the Thumbishking performance is performed.
The output from 31 is also sent to the thumb picking PGM sound source frB6, as in the case of the string operation output from the playback 214, and its explanation will be omitted.

Furthermore, inside the microcomputer 320, various arithmetic processing is executed, and each gate 324 provided at the output stage of each of the envelope extraction circuits 313 . A read-only memory (R) fixedly stores an arithmetic processing circuit (ALU) 325 for sending out gate control signals 01 to G6 that sequentially time-divisionally control opening and closing, and a program that controls the entire device.
OM) 326, etc. are provided.

Then, the microcomputer 320 sends a start command signal (A/D
start) to start executing A/D conversion,
Conversely, the A/D converter 314 outputs an end command signal (EAD) indicating that the process of converting the analog log signal into a digital signal has been completed, and is provided to the microcomputer 320.

Further, the two PCM sound source sections 6.7 are for generating musical tone signals of desired volume and pitch based on musical tone generation commands from the microcomputer 320,
The musical tone signals output from both of these PCM sound source units 6.7 are sent to a stereo sound system SS composed of an amplifier, speakers, etc., and from this system SS.

It is output as acoustic output.

[Operation of the embodiment] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Prior to explaining the operation of this embodiment, the general flow and pitch designation switch processing performed by the microcomputer will be briefly explained.

General Flow of Microcomputer> FIG. 6 shows the general flow of the microcomputer 320. When the power is turned on (step GO), the microcomputer 320 first operates.

In the 0 string trigger detection process G2-1, which performs the initialization process Gl and repeats the processes from step G2 to step G8 after initialization, each string 204...
It is determined whether or not there is a trigger (whether a string operation or pull-picking operation has been performed), and when a trigger (start of string vibration) is detected, the string 204...
... determines what type (number string) of the string it is, outputs the corresponding string trigger information, outputs the first string vibration level information, and converts the corresponding musical sound signal to normal or normal.
A musical tone is generated at a predetermined timing from a pull-picking PCM sound source section 7. Further, in step G2-2, it is determined whether or not a striking operation on the thumb picking operation section 230, that is, a thumb pinking performance has been performed, and electrical signal level information corresponding to the pressing force on the pressure sensitive element 231 is outputted, and a countermeasure is taken. A musical tone signal is generated from a thumb picking PCM sound source section 6. In the pitch designation switch state detection process G3, the pitch designation switch PSW...
・The state of each switch is read, and the pitch designation switch state change determination process G4 determines the change in the pitch designation switch state (on/off change of the pitch designation switch), and if there is a change, , executes fret state change processing G5. In this process G5, when the pressing position of the fret that belongs to the string that is currently sounding changes, the pitch of the string is reset to the corresponding pitch. When the state changes to the so-called open string state, the sound is muted.
In the zero-order panel switch state detection processing G6, which does nothing with respect to changes in the state of pitch designation switches belonging to strings that are not being sounded, the state of each switch in the panel switch group PASW is read, and the state of each switch in the panel switch group PASW is read. In state change determination processing G7, a change in the state of the panel switch is determined, and if there is a change, in panel switch state change processing G8, necessary processing, such as setting processing for tone, effect, etc., is performed. .

Pitch designation switch processing> Next, pitch designation switch state detection processing G3 in FIG. Pitch designation switch state change determination processing G4. The pitch designation switch process performed in the pitch designation switch state change process G5 will be explained with reference to FIG.

In this pitch designation switch 2 processing, first, the 1st string number is designated and "1" indicating the 1st string is stored in the register C as the 1st string number (step ciot), and then step G10
Proceed to step 2 and perform the following processing, that is, specify the 1st string number and set the string number indicated by register C (in this case, ?5
The state of the pitch specifying switch PSW corresponding to the first string) is read (step G102), the pitch specifying switch PSW of the highest note is determined from among the pitch specifying switches PSW that have been turned on or a plurality of pitch specifying switches PSW are turned on, and the pitch specifying switch PSW of the highest note is determined. Write the note name (pitch) data of the note to the fret buffer of the string indicated by register C (in this case, the 1st string); however, the pitch specification switch PSW corresponding to the string number indicated by register C is When everything is off.

Write the open string pitch name (pitch) data of the string indicated by register C to the corresponding bread buffer (step G
103).

When such processing is completed, the process proceeds to step Gl04, where the contents of the string number designation register C are incremented by "t" in order to perform similar processing for the next string (second string). Then, it is determined whether the contents of register C have become "7" or more.
In the following cases, the process returns to step G102 and repeats the same process.

If it is 7' or more, it means that the pitch designation switch processing has been performed for the cosine (1st string to 6th string), so it can be removed from this flow.

As described above, the microcomputer 320 operates.

<Operation of the example> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

Now, press the desired string 204... with the fingertips of your left hand, and press the string 204... corresponding to that string 204...
... is played with a predetermined strength, the movable contact 227 makes electrical contact with the fixed contact 228, so that the pitch designation switch PSW composed of these contacts 227 and 228 is turned on. In this on state, the key scan circuit 33
3 is detected by scanning. This scanning result is written to the fret buffer provided for each string (7th
(see step G102.103) On the other hand, the string 204
The string vibrations generated as the strings are played are sensed by the pickup 214. This string vibration is output from the pickup 214 as an analog signal with a waveform as shown in FIG. circuit 3
13, and the envelope extraction circuit 313 extracts an envelope signal having a waveform as shown in FIG. 5(2). The extracted envelope signal is sequentially sent to the A/D converter 314 in a time-sharing manner by each gate 324 whose opening/closing is controlled by gate control signals G, ~G6 from the microcomputer 320. . The envelope signal input to the A/D converter 314 is processed within the A/D converter 314 as an A/D start command signal (start signal) periodically output from a timer 321 provided in the microcomputer 320 It is converted into a digital signal at each output timing (see Figure 5 (3)).

Immediately after the output timing of this A/D start command signal, an EAD command signal is sent from the A/D converter 314 to the microcomputer 320 to notify the end of the analog/digital conversion operation (see Fig. 5). (4)
), the digital signal output from the A/D converter 314 is processed in the microcomputer 320 in a flowchart as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B when the mode switch unit 4 is switched to the pull-picking mode. Processed according to. This flow is timer-interrupted with respect to the general flow shown in FIG. 6, or is started repeatedly at a predetermined timing. That is, from step S-1, the microcomputer 320
starts processing and reaches step S-2. In step S-2, the process jumps to subroutine M, and when the timer 321 in the microcomputer 320 measures a predetermined time, step S-2 jumps to subroutine M. M-
1, the A/D start command signal is sent to the A/D converter 31.
In the sixth step M-2, the A/4 is sent to
The completion of the conversion process to a digital signal executed by the A/D converter 314 based on the D start command signal is detected by the input of the end command signal (EAD), and when such a command signal is input, a YES determination is made. and then step M-3
In step M-3, the data of the digital signal is imported into the microcomputer 320.
When the data loading operation of the digital signal data to the microcomputer 320 is completed, the process returns (jumps back) to the flow shown in FIG. It is determined whether the level value of the received digital signal is "5" or more, and if YES, the data (for example, level value "5") is stored in the RAM 322 in step S-4. In addition, in the case of NO, return to step S-2 again, and then execute step S-3 to perform the next A/
In this embodiment, it is determined whether the level value of the digital signal at the timing of the D start command signal is "5" or more, and the process is repeated in the same manner. At the timing of , the level value of the digital signal is rl
34, and is therefore greater than "5", the level value "13" is stored in the RAM 322. By storing this level value "13" in the RAM 322, it is determined that a specific one of the strings 204 is being played at that time. Next, the process moves to step S-5, and in step S-5, the timing of the next A/D start command signal (FIG. 5 ( 4) The envelope signal at the timing (2) in the middle is similarly converted into a digital signal and stored in the RAM 322 in step S-6. -M-3), the envelope signal is converted into a digital signal at the timing of the primary A/D start command signal (timing O in Fig. 5 (4)), and in the next step S-8, The level value at the timing ◎ is stored in the RAM 322. Next, in step S-9, the level value of the digital signal at each of the above timings ■, ■, and ◎ (in this example, the level value is "13"). ”, “25”, r404), the maximum level value (r40J in this example) is obtained.

This maximum level value "40" is regarded as the strength (string vibration level) when the string 204 is plucked. This maximum level 4 is
RAM322 by the action of microcomputer 320
In step 5-10, the fifth
As shown in FIG.
It is sent along with the key-on command, and based on this key-on command, the volume corresponding to the maximum level value "40" of the digital signal is specified, and based on the specified pitch data in the corresponding fret buffer, it is louder than the specified pitch data. Pitch data an octave higher is specified. Therefore, musical tone signals according to these specifications are generated by the normal sample picking/PCMfi-[ section 7 and outputted from the sound source section 7 .

Furthermore, when the mode switch section 4 is switched to the above-mentioned normal mode, the performance is performed by normal string operation, and the operation is almost the same as the above-mentioned pull-picking mode. However, the only difference is in the processing of steps 5-10 in FIG. 8A, in which specified pitch data in the fret buffer corresponding to the key-on command is sent to the normal pull-picking PCM sound source section 7, and the pitch specification switch PSW is This generates a musical tone with a specified pitch.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the processing operation of the digital signal from the A/D converter 314 in the microcomputer 320 when a thumb picking performance is performed, that is, when the thumb picking operation section 230 is percussed. It is a flowchart figure for explaining. This flow is started by a timer clocked in contrast to the general flow shown in FIG. 6, or is started repeatedly at a predetermined timing.

First, from step S-1, the microcomputer 32
0 starts the process and reaches step S-2. In this step S-2, the process jumps to subroutine M and the 9th B
As shown in the figure, when the timer 321 in the microcomputer 320 measures a predetermined time, step M
-1, the A/D start command signal is sent to the A/D converter 3.
In the zero-order step M-2, the A
The completion of the conversion process to a digital signal executed by the A/D converter 314 based on the /D start command signal is detected by the input of the end command signal (E A D), and when such a command signal is input, If YES is determined, then the process moves to step M-3 and the data of the digital signal is taken into the microcomputer 320. In step M-3, the digital signal data microcomputer 32
When the data acquisition operation to 0 is completed, the process returns (jumps back) to the flow shown in FIG. 9A, and in this case, in the first step S-3, the microcomputer 32
It is determined whether or not the level value of the digital signal taken into 0 is "5" or more. If YES, the data (for example, level "5") is stored in the RAM 32 in step S-4.
Store in 2. In addition, in the case of No, step S-
Return to step 2, and then execute step S-3 to determine whether the level value of the digital signal at the timing of the next A/D start command signal is "5" or more. In this example, the process is repeated, as shown in FIG.
) At the timing (3) in the middle, the level value of the digital signal is "13", and is therefore greater than "5", so the level value "13" is stored in the RAM 322.

By storing this level value "13" in the RAM 322, it is determined that a specific one of the strings 204 has been played at that time.
5, and in this step S-5, the next A/
Timing of D start command signal (■ in Fig. 5 (4))
The envelope signal at the timing of
22, and further in step S-7, through the process of the subroutine M (M-1 to M-3), the next A
/D At the timing of the start command signal (timing ◎ in Figure i5 (4)), the envelope signal is converted into a digital signal, and in the next Stella 7'S-8, the level value at that timing ◎ is stored in the RAM 322. Remember. next,
In step S-9, each of the above timings [stock],
The level value of the digital signal at ■, ◎ (in this example,
level values "13", "25", r40J), the maximum level value among them (r40J in this example)
) to 11). This maximum level value "40" is regarded as the strength (string vibration level) when the string 204 is plucked. After this maximum level value is read from the RAM 322 by the action of the microcomputer 320, it is read out from the RAM 322 in step 5-10. As shown in FIG. 5(5), the microcomputer 320 sends a message to the thumb picking PCM sound source section 6.
It is sent along with the key-on command, and based on this key-on command, the volume corresponding to the maximum level value "40" of the digital signal is specified, and the pitch data is specified based on the specified pitch data in the corresponding fret buffer. be done. Therefore, musical tone signals according to these specifications are generated by the thumb picking PCM sound source section 6 and output from this sound source section 6.

Here, the tone of the musical tone signal generated from the thumb picking sound source section 6 is changed to the normal-pull picking ffkJII by the string operation or the pull picking playing technique.
The tone color content of the sound source section is set in advance to a different tone color content so as to be different from the tone color of the musical tone signal generated from the PCM sound source section 7.

<Effects of Example> As mentioned in -, according to the electronic stringed instrument of this example,
By performing a percussion operation on the thumb picking operation section 230, a musical tone with a pitch specified by the pitch specifying switch PSW is generated in the thumb picking sound source section 6, allowing an enjoyable performance that simulates the chopper bass playing technique on an electronic stringed instrument. becomes.

Further, as a musical sound generating section, a thumb picking sound source section 6 and a PCM sound source section 7 for normal sample picking, which generate musical sounds of two different tones, are provided, as shown in FIG.
2), the thumb picking playing method (in the same figure, "↓
''), and when the strings are played using normal string plucking or pull-picking (see "↑" in the figure), the timbres of the musical sounds mutually generated from the sound sources 6 and 7 differ. Since they are different, a more effective chopper bass playing method is possible.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1θ (4), the pitch of a musical tone generated by the thumb-picking technique and the pitch of a musical tone generated by the normal string operation or pull-picking technique are divided into one octave. Since there is a pitch difference, it becomes possible to perform the so-called running bass playing method very easily and effectively.

Furthermore, since the mode switch section 4 is provided, it is possible to easily switch and select between normal performance by normal string operation and pull-picking performance in which the pitch is changed as described above. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the level value of the digital signal output from the A/D converter 314 is "2" to generate the musical tone signal.
It will continue until . That is, in step 5-11 in FIG. 8A, subroutine M shown in FIG. 8B is executed, and in the next step S-12, the envelope is set to "2".
”, and if NO, return to step 5-11 again. And ◎ in Figure 5 (5)
At the timing of , the level value of the digital signal becomes "2".
'', the determination is YES in step 5-12, and the timer 321 in the microcomputer 320 starts operating in step 5-13.
In step 5-14, after a predetermined time (1) has elapsed from the timing ◎, in step 515, a key-off command is sent from the timer 321 to the PCM sound section a 7 to attenuate and silence the musical tone being generated.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pickups 214... pick up the string vibrations of the strings 204...
The analog signal from ... is sent to the A/D converter 314.
Based on the predetermined value of the digital signal, the normal/pull picking combined PCM sound source section 7 outputs a desired musical tone, that is, a musical tone signal at a volume corresponding to the predetermined value of the digital signal. This makes it possible to obtain performance sounds with a wide variety of tones and appropriate volumes with a simple configuration and high processing accuracy, unlike the conventional case in which all musical tones are generated through analog processing. Can be done. In particular, in this embodiment, the A/D
Based on the maximum level value of each level value of the digital signal No. 1 output from the converter 314, a musical tone is generated at a volume corresponding to the maximum level value, so that the volume intended by the performer is Thus, musical tones can be generated reliably.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the timer 321 counts a predetermined time (1) from the time when the level value of the digital signal output from the A/D converter 314 becomes "2" or less, and after that elapsed time, the Based on the key-off command from the microcomputer 320, the muffling of the musical tones being generated is started, so that the musical tones being generated can be reliably made to sound 7rI from the time the performer intended. .

Modified Example> In the above example, the maximum level of the digital signal ((
i is detected, and a musical tone is generated with a weight corresponding to the magnitude of the maximum level value, but it is not the maximum level value, but the level value of the digital signal at the sending timing of a certain A/D start command signal. When the level value exceeds a certain value, a musical tone having a volume corresponding to the magnitude of the level value may be immediately generated, provided that the level value becomes equal to or greater than the certain value.

In the above operation description, when the first string 204 is played, from what point a predetermined musical tone is generated, and from what point is the musical tone being generated is silenced, is determined by Although it has been described that the vibration is performed using a predetermined level value (maximum level value, etc.) among the vibration level values, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, pitch specification position, that is, pitch specification switch PSW... Throat switch PSW...
Whether the switch is turned on or not can be easily determined by checking the pitch data of the highest note or the open string pitch data written in the fret buffer.

In addition, in the embodiment, a PCM sound source section 7 for both normal and pull picking was provided as a sound source section corresponding to the normal mode and pull picking mode, but instead of being used for both modes, separate and independent sound source sections were provided for each mode. It may be made to have.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pitch of the musical tone generated by the thumb picking operation is set to be one octave lower than the pitch of the musical tone generated by pull picking, but this pitch difference is limited to one octave. Alternatively, the musical tones generated by the pre-operation may have different musical tone characteristics other than timbre and pitch.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the 0-stage musical tone generator is configured to generate a plurality of musical tone signals using a single PCM sound source section 6.7, but the circuit system for waveform generation, such as the PCM system, The algorithm is not limited to this, and the sound source section may be time-division multiplexed to create 12 channels of musical tone generation means, of which 6 channels (one series) may be multiplexed.
The microcomputer 320 as a musical tone characteristic control means is used to control the musical tone characteristics so that the channel is responsible for generating the a-color tone for thumb picking, and the remaining six channels (other channels) are responsible for generating the tone for both normal and pull picking. It may also be controlled.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fg height designation switch PSW was used as the pitch designation means, but the present invention is not limited to this. A specific pitch may be specified by arranging a plurality of resistors and conductors and detecting the resistance value corresponding to the pressed fret position. It may be possible to specify a specific pitch by supplying a weak current and making electrical contact between the conductive string and a plurality of conductive fret pieces dividedly arranged at each fret position. Propagate ultrasonic waves to , count the round trip time, and determine the specific i'? It is also possible to specify a height.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the string for fret operation and the trigger string for plucking are integrally constructed, but they may be formed separately.

Further, in the above embodiments, an electromagnetic type pickup 214 is used as the electric signal conversion means, but the present invention is not limited to this. 1 string trigger switch (connected to one end of the string, turns on when the string starts to vibrate) A Hall element type pickup (a Hall element type pickup in which a Hall element connected to one end of a string and a magnet are arranged in correspondence and the Hall effect is produced by the vibration of the Hall element) may also be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, by performing a percussion operation on the percussion operation means provided on the fingerboard, the specified note specified by the pitch specification means can be played. Since the musical tone generating means is instructed to start producing high pitched musical tones, musical tones at a predetermined pitch can be generated by the performer's percussion operation, similar to the thumb picking technique used in acoustic stringed instruments, resulting in an enjoyable effect. An electronic stringed instrument that can be played in a variety of ways! It has the effect of being insulted.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claims 2 and 3, the pitch specifying means is controlled by performing a percussion operation on the percussion operation means provided on the fingerboard and by performing a plucking operation on the stretched strings. Instructing the musical tone generating means to start generating a plurality of chestnut rf's having the specified specified pitch, and by the musical tone characteristic controlling means,
Since the musical tone characteristics of the plurality of musical tones are variably controlled, running bass performance can be simulated using thumb picking and pull picking techniques similar to the chopper bass performance of an acoustic stringed instrument, for example. In other words, the characteristics of the musical tones produced by the thumb picking technique and the characteristics of the musical tones produced by the pull picking technique can be made to differ from each other, for example, the timbre or pitch of the tone can be greatly different, making it possible to play a running bass very effectively. This has the effect of providing an electronic stringed instrument that is capable of

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are for explaining an electronic stringed instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall plan view, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing a pitch specifying switch. , 3rd
The figure is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ of Figure 1 showing the thumb picking operation section, Figure 4 is the overall circuit configuration diagram, Figure 5 (1) is an output waveform diagram of the pickup output, Figure 5 (2) ) is an envelope signal waveform diagram extracted by the envelope extraction circuit; FIGS. 5(3), (4), and (5) are explanatory diagrams showing the timing of data processing between the microcomputer and the PCM sound W section; Fig. 6 is a general flowchart of the operation of the microcomputer, Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the pitch designation switch processing of the microcomputer, and Figs. FIGS. 9A and 9B are flowcharts showing the operation of the microcomputer until a musical tone is generated from the PCM sound source section based on the digital signal of the digital signal from the A/D converter in the thumb picking playing style. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer until a musical tone is generated from the PCM sound source section. FIG. 4... Mode switch part, 6... PCM source part for thumb picking, 7... Normal.
PCM sound source section for Pulpigi 7g, 201...
Electronic stringed instrument, 204... Strings, 214...
・Pickup, 230... Thumb picking operation section, 231... Pressure sensitive element, 320...
・Microcomputer, PSW... Pitch specification switch. Figure 2 PSW Figure 3 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) pitch specifying means for specifying a musical tone with a pitch corresponding to the pressed fret position when a predetermined fret position is pressed; and the pitch specifying means provided on the fingerboard. a percussion operation means for instructing, by a percussion operation, the start of sound production of a musical tone at a specified pitch specified by the percussion operation means; An electronic stringed instrument characterized by comprising a musical tone generating means capable of generating a musical tone signal. (2) When a predetermined fret position is pressed, a pitch specifying means for specifying a musical tone with a pitch corresponding to the pressed fret position; and when a stretched string is played. , an electric signal converting means for converting the string vibration generated by the string operation into an electric signal; and a specified pitch specified by the pitch specifying means based on the conversion output from the electric signal converting means. a sound generation start instructing means for instructing the start of sound generation of a musical tone of; and a percussion operation means provided on the fingerboard for instructing, by a percussion operation, the start of sound generation of a musical tone of a designated pitch specified by the pitch designation means; musical sound generating means capable of generating musical sound signals corresponding to the sound generation start instructions from the sound generation start instructing means and the percussion operation means; and musical sound characteristics for variably controlling the characteristics of the musical sound signals generated from the musical sound generating means. An electronic musical instrument characterized by comprising: a control means; (3) The musical tone characteristic control means controls the plurality of musical tone signals generated by the musical tone generating means so that they are musical tone signals having mutually different tones and pitches, or having mutually different tones and mutually different pitches. 3. The electronic stringed instrument according to claim 2, wherein