JP2001100751A - Keyboard touch training device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch training device for allowing a performer to take a practice while confirming whether or not he can touch keys properly. SOLUTION: A touch judging part 19 judges whether or not touch is adequate by comparing velocity detected by a touch detecting part 22 with velocity indicating a touch proper range. A touch designating switch 20 designates a dynamic marks and a touch range setting part 21 outputs velocity corresponding to the dynamic marks. A touch adequacy/inadequacy display part 23 is energized according to the result of the touch adequacy/inadequacy judgment obtained by the touch judging part 19 so that a performer can recognize the adequacy/ inadequacy of touch according to LED display, voice, or tone change.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard touch training apparatus, and more particularly to a keyboard touch training apparatus capable of objectively recognizing a keystroke strength (touch) of a keyboard instrument.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the practice of playing a keyboard instrument, a player must acquire performance techniques that incorporate elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, and touch. Of these, the melody and harmony can be read from the music score, and the user can practice while following the music score. Also, by using the metronome and performing according to the sound emitted by the metronome, the correct tempo can be learned.

[0003]

Since there is no basic practice method for objectively knowing whether or not a touch is correctly expressed among the above-mentioned elements for the performance, the performance of each performance is not considered. He had no choice but to rely on his own sensitivity. Further, even if the player plays with the touch in mind, the touch varies depending on the finger, so that the touch tends to vary. Therefore, it has been difficult to check whether the touch intended by the player is correctly and uniformly expressed.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard touch training apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems and allows a player to practice while checking whether or not a touch is correctly expressed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, the present invention provides a touch detecting means for detecting a key pressing strength, and a key detecting means for determining whether the key pressing strength is within a predetermined appropriate touch range. Touch determination means for determining whether or not the touch is not appropriate when the key pressing strength is outside the appropriate touch range, based on the determination by the touch determination means. The first characteristic lies in that means for recognizing is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a display means for visually indicating that a touch is appropriate is provided when the key pressing strength is within a touch appropriate range based on the judgment by the touch judgment means. There is a feature.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a touch designating means for designating a dynamic symbol, and a proper touch range output means for outputting upper and lower velocities of an appropriate touch range based on the dynamic symbol designated by the touch designating means. A third feature is that the touch determination means is configured to determine whether or not the key pressing strength is within a proper touch range indicated by the upper and lower velocities.

According to the first feature, if the touch is out of the preset appropriate touch range when the key is pressed, the improper touch is notified so that the player can recognize the touch with eyes or ears. Further, according to the second feature, when a key is pressed with a correct touch, the player can recognize it.
Further, according to the third feature, a correct touch range serving as a guide for training can be easily indicated by a dynamic symbol.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic piano including the touch training device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
Each part of the electronic piano is controlled according to a control program stored in the program memory 2. The musical tone waveform memory 3 stores waveform data corresponding to a plurality of timbres and timbre parameters for controlling the waveform data to generate a musical tone. The timbre parameters include address information of the waveform data, envelope control information, and the like.

The automatic performance data memory 4 stores recorded performance data, and the performance data can be reproduced as musical tones in accordance with the supplied tempo information. The program memory 2, the automatic performance data memory 4, and the musical tone waveform memory 3 can be realized by a ROM. Note that the recording data is stored in the automatic performance data memory 4.
Instead of or in addition to this, a CD-RO that can be detachably mounted from the outside via an interface (not shown)
M or a card-type ROM can be used. RAM5
Is used as a work area and a buffer of the CPU 1, and may be backed up by a battery, for example. The timbre parameter is RA
It may be stored in M5.

The keyboard device 6 has a plurality of keys. For example, two keys for detecting key event information indicating key on / off of each key and touch information (velocity value) indicating a key pressing strength, that is, velocity, are provided. It has a touch sensor composed of a switch. Keyboard interface 7
Generates key event information and touch information based on the state of the touch sensor. These pieces of information are stored in the RAM 5 in association with the key numbers.

The panel operation unit 8 includes a tone color selection switch, a reproduction start switch of performance information stored in the automatic performance data memory 4, a mode switch for instructing a touch training mode, a touch designation switch, and the like.
It has various operation switches. Panel interface 9
Generates switch event information indicating whether each switch on the panel operation unit 8 is on or off, and the switch event information is stored in the RAM 5 in association with each operation switch. The panel operation unit 8 can have a display (not shown) composed of, for example, a liquid crystal screen, and can display a control result of the CPU 1 on the display.

The pedal operation section 10 has a plurality of pedals (for example, three pedals) and means for detecting an operation amount in conjunction with operation of the pedals. A potentiometer can be used as the pedal operation amount detecting means. The pedal interface 11 has an A / D converter and a buffer amplifier, converts the output of the potentiometer connected to the pedal into digital data, and outputs the digital data to the data bus 12 as pedal data.

The sound source, that is, the tone generation circuit 13 includes a digital control oscillator (DCO), a digital control filter (DCF), a digital control
It has an amplifier (DCA) and an effector, and outputs a tone signal based on the waveform data read from the tone waveform memory 3. The tone signal output from the sound source 13 is D / A
The signal is converted into an analog signal by the converter 14, amplified by an amplifier circuit (amplifier) 15, and then emitted through a speaker 16.

The above components are connected to each other through a data bus 12 except for a D / A converter 14, an amplifier 15, and a speaker 16. In order to obtain performance information, a MIDI interface can be provided as needed, and a memory card interface circuit, a floppy disk device, and the like can be provided for the automatic performance data memory 4.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the touch training apparatus. In the figure, a mode selection switch 17 is a switch means capable of selecting a normal performance mode, an automatic performance mode, a touch training mode, and the like, and outputs a selection signal SEL when the touch training mode is selected. When detecting the selection signal SEL, the touch training mode detection unit 18 activates the touch determination unit 19.

The touch designation switch 20 has a forte f,
The switch means is capable of selecting any one of the strong and weak symbols of touch, such as mesoforte mf and piano p, and outputs a signal representative of the strong and weak symbols. The touch range setting unit 21 outputs velocity data indicating a proper touch range corresponding to the dynamic symbol. The appropriate touch range is the upper limit value of velocity V
_U and the lower limit value _VL are set.

When a key of the keyboard device 6 is depressed, the touch detection section 22 reads an output from a touch sensor provided for each key and calculates a velocity. The calculated velocity V ₀ is input to the touch determination unit 19. Data representing the velocity range is also input to the touch determination unit 19. The touch determination unit 19 determines whether the velocity value is within the appropriate touch range or outside the appropriate touch range.

The appropriate touch display section 23 includes an appropriate touch display section 24 and an out-of-range touch display section 25. Proper touch display unit 24 has an LED indicator that indicates that velocity V ₀ detected by the touch detection unit 22 is appropriate when the touch proper range. The LED in this case is preferably green. On the other hand, out-of-range touch display unit 25
Has an LED indicator that indicates that the velocity value detected by the touch detection unit 22 is inappropriate when the velocity value is outside the appropriate touch range. In this case, the LED is preferably red.

The appropriate touch display section 24 and the out-of-range touch display section 25 are not limited to those for turning on LEDs,
A sound may be used to notify whether or not an appropriate touch has been made. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part function for displaying whether a touch is appropriate or not by voice. For example, ROM
The audio waveform storage unit 26 composed of the following stores waveform data for generating a sound such as “strong” or “weak”. The touch determination unit 19 outputs digital data corresponding to the determination result. When this digital data is input as address data, the audio waveform storage 26
Outputs corresponding audio data. If the velocity is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the appropriate range, it is pronounced “strong”, and if the velocity is equal to or lower than the lower limit of the appropriate range, it is pronounced “weak”. When the velocity is appropriate, no voice notification is made.

The waveform data output from the audio waveform storage unit 26 is D / A converted by a D / A converter 27, and then input to a speaker 29 via an amplifier 28 and output as audio. The speaker 29 may be shared with the musical tone generating speaker 16 or may be provided separately.

If the touch is not appropriate, the LED
May be changed instead of turning on or emitting a sound such as “strong” or “weak”. For example, the velocity V ₀ if it is determined that the lower limit value V _L is smaller than the touch proper range, so as to sound according to the settings strings instead of piano sound while playing with the tone of the piano. Furthermore, velocity V
_{If 0} is determined to be larger than the upper limit V _U touch proper range, it may be caused to sound by the voice for example organ instead of the tone of the piano.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main function for changing the tone when the touch is not proper. The timbre selection switch 30 is provided in the panel operation unit 8, and the waveform data is output from the tone waveform memory 3 in accordance with the timbre designation data output from the timbre selection switch 30.
3 is read. A tone color switching unit 31 is provided between the tone color selection switch 30 and the tone waveform memory 3. The tone switching unit 31 is switched by a signal corresponding to the determination result output from the touch determination unit 19.

If the touch is proper, the signal d1 becomes "1", the gate is opened, and the tone selection switch 30
Can be input to the tone waveform memory 3. On the other hand, when the touch is not appropriate, the signal d1 becomes “0”, and the signal d2 or d3 becomes “1” instead. The signal d2 is output when the velocity exceeds the upper limit of the appropriate touch range, and the signal d3 is output when the velocity is below the lower limit of the appropriate touch range.
If the touch is not appropriate, the touch determination unit 1
The waveform data is read from the tone waveform memory 3 in accordance with the signal output from the memory 9. As a result, the tone is generated in a tone different from the tone being played, so that the player can immediately recognize that the touch is not appropriate.

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing the overall processing of the electronic piano. First, when the power is turned on, the CPU 1, the RAM 5, the LSI constituting the sound source 13, and the like are initialized in a step S1. In the panel switch event process in step S2, the state of each switch on the panel operation unit 8 is read and processed. The panel switch event process includes a process of selecting a touch training mode based on the operation of the mode selection switch 17,
A process of setting a proper touch range based on an operation of the touch designation switch 20 is included.

In the pedal event process of step S3, the operation of the pedal is detected, and a predetermined process is executed according to the operation amount. In the keyboard event process in step S4, a key code detected by the detection means for each key provided in the keyboard device 6, velocity information corresponding to a touch, and the like are read and processed. In the automatic performance processing in step S5, processing for automatic performance is performed based on the performance information read from the automatic performance data memory 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the mode selection processing. By the initialization, the mode selection switch 17 is set to the performance mode. In step S100, it is determined whether or not the mode selection switch 17 has been operated. If there is no operation, the process exits this flow. If the mode selection switch 17 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S101, and it is determined whether the mode has been switched to the touch training mode. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S102, where the touch training flag Ft is set to "1". If step S101 is negative, step S1
Proceeding to 03, the flag Ft is set to "0".

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the touch designation process. In step S200, the touch designation switch 2
It is determined whether 0 has been operated. If there is no operation, the process exits this flow. If the touch designation switch 20 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S201, and it is determined which of the plurality of dynamic symbols has been designated. Step S20
In step 2, based on this determination, the ROM
And the like, and read out the velocity value and set it as the appropriate touch range. Touch proper range is set at the upper limit V _U and the lower limit value V _L of the velocity for each dynamic mark.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the touch judgment processing by the touch judgment section 19. In step S10, it is determined whether or not a key-on, that is, a keyboard-on event. Unless key-on, subsequent steps of this flow are not executed. On the other hand, if key-on, step S11
To calculate the velocity V ₀ go to. Step S12
Then, it is determined whether or not the flag Ft is "1". Flag Ft
There "1" if the process proceeds to step S13, reads the upper limit value V _U and the lower limit value V _L of the velocity indicating a touch proper range. In step S14, it is determined whether the touch is appropriate. If the touch is proper, the process proceeds to step S15 to output a proper signal GOOD.

If step S14 is negative, step S
16 willing or touch exceeds the upper limit, i.e. determines the velocity V ₀ is whether larger than the upper limit V _U. If the touch exceeds the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S17 to output a strong touch signal HIGH. The judges, if step S16 is negative, whether the touch advances to step S18 is below the lower limit, i.e. the velocity V ₀ is whether the lower limit value V _L smaller. If the touch has fallen below the lower limit, the process proceeds to step S19 to output a weak touch signal LOW.

It is preferable to determine whether the touch exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit. However, if the touch is out of the upper or lower range of the appropriate touch range, it is determined that the touch is inappropriate and the inappropriate signal “FAULT” May be output. Further, it is determined whether the touch exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit, and “HIGH” or “L” is determined.
An “OW” signal may be output.

When the touch is out of the proper touch range, the red LED is turned on, a sound for alert is issued, or the tone is changed according to these determination signals, as described above. . These displays etc.
They may be used alone or in combination with each other. Although the green LED is turned on when the touch is appropriate, no display or guidance may be made when the touch is appropriate. This is because a certain practice effect can be obtained by calling attention only when the touch is bad.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first or fifth aspect of the present invention, the trainee can play an accurate touch while playing the keyboard with eyes or ears by means of visual display means such as a lamp or sound. It can be easily worn while checking easily. In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the appropriate range of the touch can be automatically set by designating the dynamic symbol, so that the trainee can associate the specific dynamic symbol and the touch with each other. You can practice more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating main functions of a touch training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an electronic piano including the touch training device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart of the electronic piano.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main function of a device that informs by voice whether touch is appropriate or not.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating main functions of a device that notifies the propriety of a touch by a change in timbre.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a mode selection process by operating a mode selection switch.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a touch designation process by operating a touch designation switch.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a touch determination process in a touch determination unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 4 ... Automatic performance data memory, 6 ... Keyboard device, 8 ... Panel operation part, 17 ... Mode selection switch, 19 ... Touch determination part, 20 ... Touch designation switch, 21 ... Touch range setting part, 22 ... Touch Detector, 23: Touch appropriateness display

Claims (5)

[Claims] A touch detection unit configured to detect a key pressing intensity; a touch determination unit configured to determine whether the key pressing intensity is within a predetermined appropriate touch range; and a key pressed based on the determination by the touch determination unit. Display means for visually displaying that the touch is not appropriate when the strength is outside the appropriate touch range. 2. A touch detecting means for detecting a key pressing strength; a touch determining means for determining whether or not the key pressing strength is within a predetermined appropriate touch range; and a key pressing based on the determination by the touch determining means. A keyboard touch training apparatus comprising: a notifying unit that notifies, by voice, that the touch is not appropriate when the strength is outside the appropriate touch range. 3. A touch detecting means for detecting a key pressing strength; a touch determining means for determining whether or not the key pressing strength is within a predetermined appropriate touch range; and a key pressing based on the determination by the touch determining means. A keyboard which comprises: tone changing means for changing a tone of a tone generated according to a key depression when the strength is outside the appropriate touch range to a tone different from the default tone to indicate that the touch is not appropriate. Touch training device. 4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a second display unit for visually indicating that the touch is appropriate when the key pressing strength is within the appropriate touch range based on the determination by the touch determination unit. The keyboard touch training device according to claim 1. 5. A touch designating means for designating a dynamic symbol, and a proper touch range output means for outputting upper and lower velocities of an appropriate touch range based on the dynamic symbol designated by the touch designating means, The touch determination means is configured to determine whether or not the key pressing strength is within a proper touch range indicated by the upper and lower velocities. The keyboard touch training device according to 1.