To provide a change of sound in response to a player's operation that is close to the change of sound of real hi-hat cymbals. A hi-hat cymbal sound generation apparatus according to the present invention includes an input part, a recording part, a trigger part and a sound volume control part. The input part acquires state information and vibration information. The recording part records data on a foot close sound, data on a foot open sound, and data on a hit sound in each state indicated by the state information. The trigger part checks whether the vibration indicated by the vibration information falls within a predetermined range in which a sound generation procedure is to be started, and starts sound generation procedures for at least all the hit sounds when the trigger part determines that the vibration falls within the range in which a sound generation procedure is to be started.

A musical instrument includes: a vibrating member configured to be vibrated by a playing operation; an adjusting mechanism configured to perform physical adjustment to change a vibration manner of the vibrating member in playing; a detector configured to detect an adjustment state of the adjusting mechanism; a musical-sound generator configured to generate musical sound based on the playing operation; and a controller configured to control a manner of generation of the musical sound by the musical-sound generator, based on the adjustment state detected by the detector.

A modular trigger system releasably attaches to a cymbal or other percussive element. The trigger system has a metal cover plate releasably affixable to a surface of the cymbal or percussive element, at least one piezo sensor releasably affixable to a surface of the cover plate, and a dampening element sandwiched between the undersurface of the cymbal or percussive element and the metal cover plate. The dampening element comprises a flexible thin sheet of rubber with a plurality of openings aligned with the piezo sensors.

An electronic instrument 4 includes a first cymbal 11comprising metal. The first cymbal 11 is electrically conductive. Furthermore, the electronic instrument 4 includes a capacitance-type touch sensor 43, and the first cymbal 11 is used as a touch electrode of the touch sensor 43. Thus, when a performer with capacitance touches the first cymbal 11, the line-to-ground capacitance of the first cymbal 11 changes, and a signal corresponding to the change in line-to-ground capacitance is output from the touch sensor 43. Therefore, when the performer touches the first cymbal 11 in the same manner as when muting a conventional cymbal, a signal indicating mute can be output from the touch sensor 43.

A wireless hi-hat cymbal controller is activated by a user's biting action. The controller includes a pressure sensor located in a mouthpiece and operably coupled to a wireless transceiver. An actuator operates in response to a wireless signal received from the controller when the pressure sensor detects that a user is biting down on the mouthpiece.

An electronic percussion instrument includes an up/down motion detecting apparatus for a hi-hat for detecting up/down motions of the hi-hat regardless of a type of the hi-hat. An interlocked portion moves in response to up/down motions of the hi-hat mounted on an extension rod that constitutes a hi-hat stand. A seat unit does not move in response to up/down motions of the hi-hat. A sensor is provided on the seat unit. A connecting portion connects the interlocked portion and the sensor together and converts up/down motions of the interlocked portion into motions detectable by the sensor.

There is disclosed an electronic hi-hat system having a movable upper housing separated from a stationary lower housing by a spring, with the upper housing having a simulated cymbal attached thereto. The upper housing and simulated cymbal connect through a central vertical rod to a lower foot pedal, with the entire structure being supported by a stand on which the lower housing mounts. The lower housing has a Hall effect sensor mounted thereon, and the upper housing has a permanent magnet aligned with and arranged to reciprocate vertically alongside the Hall effect sensor. The position of the magnet on the movable upper housing, and thus the simulated cymbal, is detected by Hall effect sensor which generates signals that can be transmitted, processed, and amplified into simulated high-hat cymbal sounds.

An up/down motion detecting apparatus for a hi-hat, which is capable of detecting up/down motions of the hi-hat irrespective of a type of the hi-hat. An interlocked portion moves in response to up/down motions of the hi-hat mounted on an extension rod that constitutes a hi-hat stand. A seat unit does not move in response to up/down motions of the hi-hat. A sensor is provided on the seat unit. A connecting portion connects the interlocked portion and the sensor together and converts up/down motions of the interlocked portion into motions detectable by the sensor.

An electronic hi-hat system having a movable upper housing separated from a stationary lower housing by a spring, with the upper housing having a simulated cymbal attached thereto. The upper housing and simulated cymbal connect through a central vertical rod to a lower foot pedal, with the entire structure supported by a stand on which the lower housing mounts. The lower housing has a Hall effect sensor mounted thereon, and the upper housing has a permanent magnet aligned with and arranged to reciprocate vertically alongside the Hall effect sensor. The position of the magnet on the movable upper housing, and thus the simulated cymbal, is detected by the Hall effect sensor which combines with signals generated by a sound pickup attached to the simulated cymbal that senses the cymbal being struck by a drumstick, the result being transmitted, processed, and amplified into simulated high-hat cymbal sounds

An electronic hi-hat 1 has a rod movable up and down with an operation of a player. A top cymbal 2 has a striking surface that can be struck by the player. A bottom cymbal 3 comes into contact with or separates from the top cymbal 2. An optical sensor 7 detects separation dimension between the top cymbal 2 and the bottom cymbal 3. The optical sensor 7 detects separation dimensions of a plurality of areas that are displaced with inclinations of the top cymbal 2 and the bottom cymbal 3 with respect to the rod r. The plurality of areas where the separation dimensions are detected are located on a common circumference of the top cymbal 2 and the bottom cymbal 3 around the rod r as a center.