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.

In one embodiment, an electronic musical instrument (EMI) (or electronic multi-instrument) is described that separates pitch choice from percussive sound control (articulation). A pitch sensor interface (by which notes are selected) may comprise a software-programmed touchscreen interface (that can be modeled on existing musical instruments or entirely new) configured to allow pitch choice, while sound control may be made on a separate articulation control sensor (by which notes are triggered and modified), such as an illustrative double-sided touch pad, that senses one or more of a velocity, pressure, movement, and location of a user's contact. The design facilitates a portable, ergonomic, and intuitive way to express music via standard digital protocols (e.g., MIDI) through a physical interface that encourages fluid, non-static, personally distinguishable musical expression. Notably, the instrument may illustratively be a controller that requires a compatible synthesizer sound source (e.g., on-board or separate).

Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that is capable of simulating a playing technique for an acoustic percussion instrument. A tubular body part is opened on an axial end surface, and a head is attached to the axial end surface to be struck on the front surface. A capacitance sensor includes an electrode that generates a capacitance with respect to a detected conductor, such as a human body, positioned on the front surface side of the head. Because the capacitance sensor detects a change of a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the electrode and the detected conductor, whether the detected conductor approaches (contacts) the head or presses the head can be determined. As a result, the playing technique for the acoustic percussion instrument is simulated.

An electronic wind instrument according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of performance keys for specifying pitches, a breath sensor which detects at least a breath input operation, and a controller (CPU), wherein the controller (CPU) selectively switches between a first mode of outputting first sound waveform data generated on the basis of the breath input operation and operation of at least one performance key from among the plurality of performance keys, and a second mode of, when the breath input operation is detected, outputting second sound waveform data based on musical piece data regardless of whether operation of the at least one performance key is detected or is not detected.

An electronic percussion instrument to control generated sound in accordance with operation to the striking surface includes: a first sensor configured to detect a slapping operation on the striking surface; a second sensor configured to detect a contact operation to the striking surface; and a processor configured to control sound generated in response to detection of a slapping operation by the first sensor in accordance with a place of a contact operation to the striking surface detected by the second sensor.

Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that is capable of simulating a playing technique for an acoustic percussion instrument. A tubular body part is opened on an axial end surface, and a head is attached to the axial end surface to be struck on the front surface. A capacitance sensor includes an electrode that generates a capacitance with respect to a detected conductor, such as a human body, positioned on the front surface side of the head. Because the capacitance sensor detects a change of a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the electrode and the detected conductor, whether the detected conductor approaches (contacts) the head or presses the head can be determined. As a result, the playing technique for the acoustic percussion instrument is simulated.

Described herein are embodiments of electronic sensorized spherical input and output devices, systems, and methods for capturing gestural input from a user's physical interactions with a spherical device. In one embodiment, the spherical input and output device includes a number of sensors along the surface area of the sphere in a configuration conforming to a user's fingers and hands. A microprocessor receives sensor input and transmits the sensor signals to receiving devices which include computer software to translate the sensor signals to audio output, visual output, or various functions on receiving devices. Additional embodiments of the invention include binary modifier functions which allow the user to trigger a number of different outputs for the sensorized sphere, such as volume control, tempo, sample playback, LED lights, game modes, and other functions. Other embodiments include the integration of inertial measurement units (IMUs), which may include a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to capture complex user gestures involving motion, direction and spin of the sensorized sphere to provide unique output signals.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a light-emitting device of a digital keyboard musical instrument. The method includes: detecting a touch action generated by a user upon a key of the digital keyboard musical instrument and generating a touch signal, by a sensor placed underneath the key, and transmitting the touch signal to a processor, wherein the touch signal comprises the magnitude information of the touch action; receiving the touch signal and generating a corresponding control signal in accordance with the magnitude information of the touch signal, by the processor; and actuating the light-emitting device to produce a light-emitting effect in accordance with the control signal by the processor. Since the detection of the touch action upon the key by the sensors is accurate enough to capture all details of the complete key-touching action, the light-emitting effect produced based on this more detailed detection of the touch action is more exquisite and accurate.

A voice synthesizing apparatus includes a first receiver configured to receive first utterance control information generated by detecting a start of a manipulation on a manipulating member by a user, a first synthesizer configured to synthesize, in response to a reception of the first utterance control information, a first voice corresponding to a first phoneme in a phoneme sequence of a voice to be synthesized to output the first voice, a second receiver configured to receive second utterance control information generated by detecting a completion of the manipulation on the manipulating member or a manipulation on a different manipulating member, and a second synthesizer configured to synthesize, in response to a reception of the second utterance control information, a second voice including at least the first phoneme and a succeeding phoneme being subsequent to the first phoneme of the voice to be synthesized to output the second voice.

The present invention provides a reed for an electronic musical instrument and an electronic musical instrument in which determination of lip position is not susceptible to the influence of noise and the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic musical instrument is provided with a reed and a plurality of sensor electrodes in the reed, arranged next to one another from a tip side of the reed towards a base side of the reed, each of the sensor electrodes having a center portion projecting towards the tip side of the reed. The lip position of the performer is determined in accordance with the output from the plurality of sensors.