Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for implementing user interfaces for interacting with a virtual instrument. For example, a user interface for a virtual instrument may be presented on a display of a device. The user interface may have any suitable number of strings (or keys) associated with a physical instrument. Each string/key may correspond to an associated audio file. Touch input may be received at the user interface. In some embodiments, the touch input may include a location corresponding to a particular string. The associated audio file may be selected based on the location. The associated audio file may be presented (e.g., via a speaker of the device) at a volume that corresponds with the pressure at which the touch input was provided.

A preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments, which comprises acquisition means which are configured to receive in input and acquire an analog electrical signal originating from a stringed electric musical instrument, the acquisition means and the stringed electric musical instrument being electrically connected. The preamplification device further comprises a potentiometer which is configured to regulate a resistive input electrical impedance value R.sub.L encountered by the analog electrical signal, and a variable-gain amplifier which is configured to automatically regulate a level of the analog electrical signal, applying a gain value G that depends on the resistive input electrical impedance value R.sub.L.

A hammer assembly includes: a pivot member that pivots about a pivot axis; and a weight supported by the pivot member and including a plate portion. The plate portion has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The plate portion has: a first region with a thickness defined by a length between the first surface and the second surface in a pivot-axis direction at a portion farthest from the pivot axis; and a second region with a thickness greater than that in the first region. In a case where the areas of the first region and the second region on a projected plane when the first region and the second region are viewed in the pivot-axis direction are compared with each other, the area of the first region is less than the area of the second region.

Trigger devices, systems, and methods for sensing a strike on a vibratory membrane. A trigger device includes an optical sensor positioned a distance from the vibratory membrane and a processing device. The optical sensor includes an emitter that emits modulated light towards the vibratory membrane and a receiver that receives the modulated light that has reflected off the vibratory membrane and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the received modulated light. The electrical signal includes a peak corresponding to a detected strike on the vibratory membrane. The processing device isolates the peak from the electrical signal and generates one or more of a signal and data corresponding to the electrical signal.

An keytar (1) includes a keyboard (2) on which a plurality of keys (2a) are arranged, a ribbon (5) in which a front surface panel (81) is arranged, and the degree of the same type of musical sound effect applied to each of tones (A-D) produced by the key (2a) is changed corresponding to detection positions in an X-direction in the front surface panel (81). Accordingly, because the degrees of the musical sound effects can be respectively changed for each of the tones (A-D) corresponding to the detection positions in the X-direction of the front surface panel (81), for the change of the same type of musical sound effect toward the tones (A-D), the monotony of this change can be suppressed and an expressive performance can be achieved.

An keytar (1) includes a keyboard (2) on which a plurality of keys (2a) are arranged, a ribbon (5) in which a front surface panel (81) is arranged, and the degree of the same type of musical sound effect applied to each of tones (A-D) produced by the key (2a) is changed corresponding to detection positions in an X-direction in the front surface panel (81). Accordingly, because the degrees of the musical sound effects can be respectively changed for each of the tones (A-D) corresponding to the detection positions in the X-direction of the front surface panel (81), for the change of the same type of musical sound effect toward the tones (A-D), the monotony of this change can be suppressed and an expressive performance can be achieved.

A musical instrument, for example, a keyboard guitar, includes a body, an elongated neck coupled to the body, neck keys disposed on the elongated neck, and an output for transmitting an electrical signal generated by the musical instrument. Activation of each neck key generates an electrical signal at the output representing a pitch associated with a musical note. The musical instrument may also include body keys disposed on the body, and a strum bar that generates an electrical signal at the output representing a pitch associated with a musical note based on which of the body keys are activated during activation of the strum bar. Further, the musical instrument may include a continuous graphic image spanning the front face of the body and the body keys, forming a continuous pattern that is unbroken across a transition between key surfaces of the body keys and the front face of the body.

An electronic synthesizer instrument incorporating four bass pedals which can be played either with the heel or the toe of the foot, so as to allow the playing of all twelve notes in a chromatic octave with just the four pedals. The apparatus is an improvement upon existing bass pedal devices which enables easier playing of the bass parts for musicians simultaneously playing other instruments. The assignment of the pitch to the pedals is selectable, but two of the easiest-to-play embodiments are described in detail. The four pedals rock on a central pivot, each giving two distinct notes. Half pitches between notes addressed by adjacent pedals can be accessed by holding both adjacent pedals down.

Disclosed is a portable electronic musical system including a pad with a plurality of touch sensitive elements, usable with a single hand. Information produced as a result of pressure being applied to one of the plurality of touch sensitive elements on the pad is captured with an electronic subsystem. The captured information is communicated to a sound producing subsystem for producing musical output. A selectively positionable support mechanism is operatively connectable to the pad, so that when at least part of the support mechanism is positioned under at least part of the single hand, all of the pad, the positionable support mechanism and the single hand are movable in unison.

A switching device includes: an actuator that is rotatable; and a contact member including an upper surface section having a flat portion and is movable in a vertical direction according to rotation of the actuator, and a deformation section disposed between a support member and an end portion of the upper surface section and deformed according to movement of the upper surface section. A chamfer portion interconnecting a contact surface contacting with the contact member and a side surface, of the actuator, is provided between a virtual plane containing an end portion, in an extending direction of the rotary shaft, of the upper surface section, and is perpendicular to the upper surface section and a virtual plane containing an end portion, in the extending direction of the rotary shaft, of a portion where the deformation section makes contact with the support member, and is perpendicular to the upper surface section.