A modular approach to large string array electronic musical instruments such as specialized harps, zithers, sympathetic string arrays, the Harry Partch Kithara, the Harry Partch Harmonic Cannon, and other large string array electronic musical instruments is presented. A mounting frame is used to interchangeably secure a plurality of a plurality of musical instrument modules, each comprising a plurality of strings configured to vibrate and create electronic signals. An electronic interface is configured to transmit electrical signals from the plurality of musical instrument modules to an external system. The electronic interface can be configured to provide a multichannel output. The arrangement can further comprise either or both of at least one audio mixer and at least one signal processor.

The invention discloses a western and national ensemble instrument which comprises an instrument body, and a key assembly, a matrix circuit, a main board, a function control device and a timbre control device arranged on the instrument body; the key assembly is electrically connected with the matrix circuit; the matrix circuit is electrically connected with the main board; the main board is electrically connected with the function control device; the main board comprises an electrically connected timbre device packaged with a plurality of western musical instrument timbres and a plurality of national opera timbres. Due to the fact that the timbre control device is arranged on the panel of the instrument body, the timbre control device is electrically connected with the function control device by the main board to invoke timbre information corresponding control and any matching and superposition control.

A purely electronic musical instrument controller (without audio-frequency vibrating elements) for generating music control signals, such as MIDI-format control signals, and comprising arrays of strumpads is disclosed. The electronic musical instrument controller can include one or more of a (push)-button, touchpad, pressure sensor, ribbon controller, impact sensor, slider control, knob control, expression wheel, joystick, chord button array, switch, multiple-position selector, and internal sound-synthesis elements for internal audio signal generation. The electronic musical instrument controller can transmit control signals to an external system and receive control signals from an external system. Control signals can be of MIDI format. The electronic musical instrument controller can be secured on a stand or arrangement for attaching a strap, the strap enabling the electronic musical instrument controller to be worn by a user.

A customizable electronic musical instrument includes a mounting frame for securing a plurality of user-installable electronic musical modules of various types including a type for generating at least one control signal responsive to user operation, a type for generating audio signals, responsive to a control signal. The instrument can transmit outgoing audio electrical signals to an external system and can include internal sound amplification. The instrument includes one or more types of controller elements such as a keyboard, touchpad, strumpad, impact sensor, slider control, expression wheel, joystick, ribbon controller, button, switch, pressure sensor, multiple-position selector, knob potentiometer, and further comprises at least one music synthesizer element. Control and audio signals may be routed among modules by a switch or bus. Audio signals can be mixed by a multichannel audio mixer and/or processed responsive to at least one control signal. Outgoing control signals responsive to controller electronic musical modules.

A customizable electronic musical instrument includes a mounting frame for securing a plurality of user-installable electronic musical modules of various types including a type for generating at least one control signal responsive to user operation, a type for generating audio signals, responsive to a control signal. The instrument can transmit outgoing audio electrical signals to an external system and can include internal sound amplification. The instrument includes one or more types of controller elements such as a keyboard, touchpad, strumpad, impact sensor, slider control, expression wheel, joystick, ribbon controller, button, switch, pressure sensor, multiple-position selector, knob potentiometer, and further comprises at least one music synthesizer element. Control and audio signals may be routed among modules by a switch or bus. Audio signals can be mixed by a multichannel audio mixer and/or processed responsive to at least one control signal. Outgoing control signals responsive to controller electronic musical modules.

An electronic bass musical instrument that has the appearance, character and ambiance of a traditional washtub bass where the sounds of the bass are produced electronically by manually pressing an electrically conductive string extending along a neck of the bass against selected electrically conductive contacts arranged at spaced positions along the neck thus sending signals to an electronic control circuit of the instrument, whereby the sounds of the bass are produced electronically, providing vastly improved tonal quality and pitch accuracy to the sounds produced.