A folding marimba may include a first set of spaced apart rails; a first set of tone bars suspended from the first set of spaced apart rails; a second set of spaced apart rails; and a second set of tone bars suspended from the second set of spaced apart rails; wherein the first and second sets of spaced apart rails are configured for hinged rotation about a hinge line such that the marimba is configurable in an unfolded configuration having a first length and a folded configuration having a second length that is less than the first length. For example, the second length may be about half of the first length.

A motor control system is provided for controlling a speed of a motor system used in a musical instrument. The motor control system includes at least one sensing device attached to the musical instrument, and configured for detecting movement of an object and providing a sensor signal based on the movement of the object. Also included in the motor control system is a control unit having a processor connected to the motor system and the at least one sensing device. The control unit is configured for selectively modulating the speed of the motor system based on the sensor signal.

A keyboard percussion instrument (100) generates sounds when keys (130) or other such members are struck. A movable damper bar (140) is brought into contact with the keys to artistically shorten their ringing duration. When pressed, a pedal (145) removes the damper bar from contact with the keys. When the pedal is released, a spring (1010) urges the damper bar into contact with the keys. The damper bar is supported by a pair of arms (165) that pivot about pivot points (800) at the ends of movable posts (520) that extend from a pair of pivot height adjusting mechanisms (175). Each pivot height adjusting mechanism has two adjusting screws. A first screw (510) urges a post to move up or down and a second screw (565) fixes the post in position when tightened. Adjusting the height of pivot points provides control over damping of key vibrations.

A vibrato assembly for a keyboard percussion instrument comprises a motor and a vibrato fan or disc assembly. A motor (510) is responsive to a controller (1000), a run/stop switch (1035), and a potentiometer (1020). Pulleys (100A, 100B, 515) and a timing belt (520) couple rotation of the motor to an assembly of resonator or vibrato fans (720) via one or more magnets (120) or magnetically susceptible members to isolate vibrations. A sensor is activated by one of the magnets to sense the rotational position of a pulley when the fans are oriented vertically. When a run/stop switch 1035 is in a stop condition, sensor 525 signals controller 1000 to stop the motor, thereby leaving the fans vertical so that resonant tubes (725) are in an open condition when the vibrato function is stopped.

A toy piano including one or both an enlarged sound plate intermediate the sound bar of the toy piano and its sound board, and a sound box into which the sound board is incorporated. Preferably, the sound plate extends beyond the normal edges of the sound bar in which the longitudinal tines of the toy piano are mounted so as to lie adjacent to the sound board over a larger area. Likewise, the sound box should preferably be shaped so as to be somewhat wider (measured in the longitudinal direction of the tines) towards the end where the tines are longest (and produce lower tones) and somewhat narrower towards the end where the shorter tines (producing higher tones) are located. It preferred shape is characterized by somewhat convex curves at the more treble and bass ends, respectively, of the sound box with a somewhat concave curve intermediate these two ends. The backboard of the sound box can be bowed outward for enhance acoustics.