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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. An automatic performing apparatus, comprising:
a recording medium carrying a record of chord data comprising chord name
data indicative of a particular chord name included in a music composition
and associated timing data indicative of plural different imings of
generation of said particular chord during a progression of said music
compositon, said chord name data being carried on said medium only once
for all of said plural different generations of said particular chord;
read-out means for reading out said chord name data and said timing data
from said recording medium;
chord name data supplying means for receiving said chord name data and said
timing data from said read-out means and for delivering out said chord
name data at each of the plural timings specified by said timing data; and
accompaniment tone generating means for generating an accompaniment tone
signal based on the chord name data each time that said chord name data is
delivered out from said supplying means.
2. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 1, in which:
said chord name data supplying means comprises:
first memory means;
write-in means for writing in said first memory means said chord name data
and said timing data delivered from said read-out means; and
searching for reading out, from said first memory means, said chord name
data and said timing data at each possible timing of chord generation
during the music progression and for searching out a chord name data
having associated therewith a timing data corresponding to said each chord
generation timing.
3. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising:
data generating means for generating progression data indicative of
progression timing of said music composition and including search
commanding means for generating a search command signal to said searching
means for each occurrence of said progression data.
4. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 3, in which:
said searching means reads out recorded data from said first memory means
at each generation of said search command signal, and compares said timing
data with said progression data, and picks up chord name data
corresponding to said timing data at each occurrence of coincidence
between said timing data and said progression data.
5. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 4, in which:
said recording medium further carries melody data in accordance with a
progression of said musical composition; and
said data generating means generates said melody data as said progression
data.
6. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 5, in which:
said data generating means comprises:
said read-out means for reading out said melody data from said recording
medium;
second memory means for storing said melody data delivered from said
read-out means;
said write-in means for writing in said second memory means said melody
data delivered from said read-out means; and
melody data supplying means for reading out sequentially said melody data
stored in said second memory means, and for generating the read-out melody
data as said progression data.
7. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 6, in which:
said search commanding means generates a search command signal in
synchronism with a read-out timing of said melody data.
8. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 6, in which:
said melody data comprises melody note pitch data and melody note duration
data;
said search commanding means compares said melody note duration data with
an output of counting means assigned to count a tempo clock signal
delivered from a tempo clock supply, and uses the result of the comparison
as said search command signal.
9. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 6, in which:
said timing data and said progression data each comprises data
corresponding to an address location of said melody data in said second
memory means.
10. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 4, in which:
said timing data is comprised of data corresponding to a measure number and
a beat number which collaborate to specify a specific timing during the
music progression; and
said data generating means comprises:
tempo clock supply for generating a tempo clock signal establishing the
music progression; and
counting means counting said tempo clock signal for generating a measure
count value and a beat count value together as said progression data.
11. An automatic performing apparatus according to claim 5, in which:
said melody data contains an accompaniment command in correspondence to
each possible timing of chord generation during the melody progression;
said timing data is comprised of data corresponding to the number of
occurrences of said accompaniment command; and
said data generating means includes counting means to count said
accompaniment command to produce a count output as said progression data.
12. A recording medium for use in an automatic performing apparatus to
carry out an automatic chord performance in accordance with a progression
of a music composition, carrying the following functional elements:
a chord data zone, comprising:
a plurality of spaced chord name data regions each containing chord name
data indicative of the name of a respective chord included in said music
composition; and
between each two spaced chord name data regions, a plurality of chord
timing zones associated with the chord name data specified in the
continuous chord name data region, each timing zone having timing data
indicative of a respective one of plural different timings of generation
of that particular chord during the progression of said music composition.
13. A recording medium according to claim 12, in which:
said timing data is comprised of coded data indicative of measure number
and beat number provided in said music composition.
14. A recording medium according to claim 12, further carrying a following
record:
melody data recorded in correspondence to the progression of said music
composition.
15. A recording medium according to claim 14, in which:
said timing data is indicative, by designating specific one or ones of said
melody data together which a chord is generated, of different timings of
generation of said chord during the progression of said music composition.
16. A recording medium according to claim 14, in which:
said timing data is comprised of coded data representing address
information of said melody data to read out the melody data from a memory
provided in said automatic performing apparatus, said melody data being
read out by said address information in accordance with the progression of
said melody.
17. A recording medium according to claim 14, in which:
said melody data contains accompaniment command corresponding to a
plurality of locations of progression of said music composition; and
said timing data is comprised of coded data indicative of occurrence number
of said accompaniment command.
18. A recording medium according to claim 14, in which:
said melody data is comprised of melody note pitch data and melody note
duration data.
19. A recording medium for use in an automatic performing apparatus to
carry out an automatic chord performance in accordance with a progression
of a music composition, carrying the following records:
chord data, comprising:
chord name data indicative of the names of each chord included in said
music composition; and
associated with the chord name data for each particular chord, timing data
indicative of plural different timings of generation of that particular
chord during the progression of said music composition, and wherein:
chord name data for a particular chord name is carried on said recording
medium only once regardless of the total number of generations of that
particular chord during said performance.
20. A recording medium for use with an automatic music performing
apparatus, said recording medium comprising:
an elongated recording medium strip, there being situated on said strip;
a plurality of contiguous zones along said medium strip, each of said zones
having a first region containing machine readable indicia in the form of
chord name data specifying the name of a chord, and a set of adjacent
second regions each containing machine readable indicia in the form of
timing data specifying a respective one of one or more occurrence timings
in a musical performance of a chord having the chord name specified in
said first region,
said contiguous zones being spaced along said medium for sequential machine
readability.
21. A recording medium according to claim 20, in which:
said chord name data is comprised of a code indicative of a discrimination
mark, a code indicative of a chord type and a code indicative of a root
note of a chord, and
said timing data is comprised of a code indicative of a discrimination mark
and a code indicative of timing.
22. A recording medium according to claim 21, in which:
said chord name data is comprised of ten-bit code, of which four bits are
used as a code indicative of a discrimination mark, two bits as a code
indicative of a chord type, and remainder four bits as a code indicative
of a root note of a chord; and
said timing data is comprised of ten-bit code, of which four bits is used
as a code indicative of a discrimination mark, and remainder six bits as a
code indicative of timing.
23. A recording medium according to claim 21, in which:
said chord name data is comprised of nine-bit code, of which one bit is
used as a code indicative of a discrimination mark, four bits as a code
indicative of a chord type, and remainder four bits as a code indicative
of a root note of a chord; and
said timing data is comprised of nine-bit code, of which one bit is used as
a code indicative of a discrimination mark, six bits as a timing code
indicative of measure number of said music composition, and remainder two
bits as a timing cord indicative of beat number of said music composition.
24. A recording medium according to claim 21, in which:
said chord name data is comprised of eight-bit code, of which one bit is
used as a discrimination mark, three bits as a code indicative of a chord
type, and remainder four bits as a code indicative of a root note of a
chord; and
said timing data is comprised of eight-bit code, of which one bit is used
as a discrimination code, and remainder seven bits as a timing code
indicative of number of occurrence of said accompaniment command.
25. An elongated recording medium adapted for use in an automatic music
performing apparats, said elongated medium comprising a first zone storing
machine readable indicia specifying melody note pitch data for a musical
performance, followed by a second zone containing machine readable indicia
specifying melody note duration, and thereafter a plurality of third zones
sequentially spaced along said elongated medium, each of said third zones
containing a first region having machine readable indicia specifying the
name of a chord, and thereafter a set of plural regions each containing
machine readable indicia specifying respective plural occurrence timings
in said musical performance of a chord of the specified chord name.
26. A recording medium according to claim 25 further including machine
readable demarcation data containing zones situated between said first and
second zones and between said second zone and the beginning of said
plurality of third zones. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic performing apparatus for use
in an electronic musical instrument, which apparatus being capable of
making automatic chord performance based on the data which have been
recorded in advance. The present invention is intended to reduce the
amount of data by recording chord generation timing data as well as the
chord name data with respect to those chords which are to be generated.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
As the prior art automatic performing apparatuses of this type, there has
been known an apparatus arranged so that chord name data are recorded in
the order of generation of chords as a music to be played progresses, and
that these recorded chord name data are read out successively, to thereby
make automatic chord performance. Such prior art apparatus has been
disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Preliminary Publication
Nos. Sho 50-925 and Sho 50-926.
According to such conventional system of automatic performance, however,
there has been the inconvenience such that, in case there frequently or
irregularly take place variations of chords during the progression of a
music being played, the amount of such data as are required to be recorded
becomes enormous, and that accordingly there have been required to provide
external recording medium and/or internal memory of large capacities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an
automatic performing apparatus performing an automatic chord performance
by relatively small data.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an automatic
performing apparatus of the type as described above, which can be operated
using an internal memory of small capacity.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an automatic
performing apparatus of the type as described above, which is arranged so
that, even in case the music being played is such that there frequently
occur variations of chords during the progress of a music being played,
there is no need to store or record the same chord name data repetitively.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an automatic
performing apparatus of the type as described above, which is arranged so
that, even in case there occur irregular variations of chords during the
progression of a music being played, there is no need to store or record
the same chord name data repeatedly.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide data recording medium
for an automatic performing apparatus which records chord name data and
chord generation timing data to make the apparatus perform an automatic
chord performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which:
FIG. 1 is a format diagram of data for automatic performance which is to be
recorded on a musical score sheet.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the automatic performing apparatus utilizing
the musical score sheet.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are illustrations for explaining the data format converting
operations carried out in the circuit of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which:
FIG. 5 is a format diagram of data for automatic performance which is to be
recorded on a musical score sheet.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the automatic performing apparatus utilizing
the musical score sheet.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are illustrations for explaining the data format converting
operations carried out in the circuit of FIG. 6.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which:
FIG. 9 is a format diagram of data for automatic performance which are to
be recorded on a musical score sheet.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the automatic performing apparatus
utilizing the musical score sheet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a format of automatic performance data which is to be recorded
on a musical score sheet which serves as a recording medium for automatic
performance according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In the lower blank portion of a musical score sheet 10, there is provided a
data recording section 10a. In this data recording section 10a, a
one-track magnetic tape, for example, is bonded by an appropriate means to
the musical score sheet 10. On the magnetic tape are magnetically
recorded, in the form of serial data, melody note pitch data corresponding
to the contents of the melody presented on the score sheet 10, finish data
FNS, demarcation data DM.sub.1, melody note duration data corresponding to
the contents of the melody presented on the score sheet 10, demarcation
data DM.sub.2, and chord data corresponding to the contents of the chords
presented on the score sheet 10, in accordance with this order.
The melody pitch data shows the pitches of a melody by a 6-bit binary code
for each musical note of a melody. Among these 6 bits, the significant 2
bits represent an octave, and the less significant 4 bits indicate a note
name. The melody note pitch data corresponding to the respective melody
notes are arrayed in the order of generation of sounds in accordance with
the progression of the melody. At the locations corresponding to rests in
said array of notes, there are disposed rest note data which is comprised
of a 6-bit binary code "1 1 1 0 0 0".
The finish data FNS is comprised of a 6-bit binary code "1 1 0 0 0 0", and
this data designates the finish of the melody. Also, the demarcation data
DM.sub.1 is comprised of a 6-bit binary code "1 1 0 1 0 0" and indicates
the boundary between the finish data FNS and the initial melody note
duration data.
The melody note duration data represents the duration of either a musical
note or the duration of each rest note during the course of progression of
a melody i.e. it represents the duration of the musical note. It is
comprised of a 4-bit binary code. On the other hand, the demarcation data
DM.sub.2 is comprised of a 4-bit binary code, and indicates a boundary
between the final melody note duration data and the initial chord data.
Chord data includes chord name data indicating the name of the chord which
is to be generated, and also timing data indicating the timing of
generation of such chord. Both the chord name data and the timing data are
each comprised of a 10-bit binary code. The chord data is of the
arrangement that its significant 4 bits are "1" and indicate identifying
mark, and among the remaining 6 bits, the significant 2 bits represent
such chord type as major or seventh, and the remaining 4 bits indicate the
name of a root note such as C or G so that said 6 bits represent the name
of a chord such as C-major (C.sub.M) and G-seventh (G.sub.7). The less
significant 6 bits of the chord name data are variable from the state of
all bits being "0" to the state of all bits being "1". Accordingly, the
chord name data is able to indicate different names of chords in number
corresponding to 960 through 1023 in term of decimal notation.
Timing data is such that its significant 4 bits represent an identifying
mark, and the other 6 bits indicate such address numbers as "1", "15" and
"40" as are shown in FIG. 1 with respect to C.sub.M. The address number in
this case corresponds to that address number which is read out in
accordance with the progress of a melody from a memory provided in an
automatic performing apparatus after the aforesaid melody note pitch data
has been transferred once to said memory, and this address number
instructs the timing at which a chord is to be generated. The significant
4-bits of the timing data is variable from "0 0 0 0" to "1 1 1 0" and,
therefore, the identifying mark code, unlike the instance of the
above-mentioned chord name data, is not constant. Also, the less
significant 6 bits of the timing data are variable from "0 0 0 0 0 0" to
"1 1 1 1 1 1". Accordingly, the timing data is capable of expressing
different address numbers in correspondence to 0 through 959 in term of
decimal notation.
It should be understood that, with respect to the chord data, the
identification bit may be comprised of a single bit (for example, the
chord name data may be "1" and the timing data may be "0"), and the
remaining 9 bits may be used to express the chord names or address
numbers. In case of such arrangement, it is possible to express different
chord names or different address numbers corresponding to 0 through 511 in
term of decimal notation. Also, with respect to the chord name data,
arrangement may be made that the chord type bit may be comprised of 3 or
more bits so as to express further many chord types. Further, the
recording order of the respective data on to the recording medium is not
limited to the example shown. Such order may be easily altered by using
appropriate demarcation marks.
Next, by referring to FIG. 2, description will be made of the automatic
performing apparatus which utilizes the score sheet shown in FIG. 1. The
lower portion of the music score sheet 10 is inserted into an inlet of a
data read-out unit 12. Whereupon, the data read-out unit 12 reads out
sequentially the automatic performing data recorded on the data recording
section 10a, and supplies in serial form the data to a RAM (Random Access
Memory) write-in controlling circuit 14.
The RAM write-in controlling circuit 14 supplies the 6-bit serial melody
note pitch data to a serial/parallel (S/P) converting circuit 16 which, in
turn, supplies the 6-bit parallel data to a note pitch data RAM 18.
Following the write-in of these parallel data in the RAM 18 in accordance
with a write-in address signal WA.sub.1, and upon completion of the
write-in of the melody note pitch data, a finish data FNS is written in
this RAM in the same manner. Next, the RAM write-in controlling circuit
14, after having detected a demarcation mark data DM.sub.1, supplies the
4-bit serial melody note duration data to an S/P converting circuit 20
which produces the 4-bit parallel data to write this data in a note
duration data RAM 22 in accordance with a write-in address signal
WA.sub.2. And, upon completion of the write-in of the melody note duration
data, the RAM write-in controlling circuit 14 detects the demarcation data
DM.sub.2, and thereafter it supplies the chord data, in the form of a
16-bit parallel data, to a chord data RAM 28 via an S/P converting circuit
24 and via a data format converting circuit 26, and writes the data in
this RAM 28 in accordance with a write-in address signal WA.sub.3. In such
instance, the S/P converting circuit 24 converts the 10-bit serial chord
data to 10-bit parallel chord data, and the data format converting circuit
26 converts the 10-bit parallel chord data to 16-bit parallel chord data
as shown, by way of example, in FIGS. 3 and 4. More particularly, to the
input side of the data format converting circuit 26 are supplied in
succession the parallel 10-bit data comprising the mark data and the chord
name data indicating chord name C.sub.M or the timing data indicating the
timings of generation of the chord C.sub.M in correspondence to the
address numbers "1", "15", "40", . . . , as shown in FIG. 3. However, at
the output side of the data format converting circuit 26 are sequentially
delivered out 16-bit parallel chord data which comprises parallel 10-bit
timing data corresponding to the address numbers "1", "15", "40", . . . ,
each being accompanied by the 6-bit chord name data indicating the chord
name C.sub.M as shown in FIG. 4. The parallel 6-bit chord name data shown
in FIG. 4 corresponds to the parallel 10-bit chord name data shown in FIG.
3 after having been removed of the 4-bit identifying mark bits therefrom.
It should be noted here that the data amount of the chord is far smaller
according to the present invention than those of the melody note pitch and
the melody note duration and that the memory capacity of the RAM 28 is
accordingly smaller than those of the RAMs 18 and 22. This enables a
high-speed or short time read-out operation of the RAM 28 which will be
described later. The read-out of the melody data from the RAMs 18 and 22
is controlled by a read-out controlling circuit 30, whereas the read-out
of chord data from the RAM 28 is controlled by a searching circuit 32.
In the read-out controlling circuit 30, when a start switch SW is turned
"on", an R-S flip-flop 34 is set, and its output Q="1" is supplied to an
inverter 36 and to a differential circuit 38. This inverter 36 generates
an output signal PLAY="1" during the non-performance period. Accordingly,
its output signal PLAY becomes "0" in accordance with the output Q="1" of
the flip-flop 34. Also, the differential circuit 38 generates a start
signal .DELTA.STRT by making a build-up differentiation of the output
Q="1" of the flip-flop 34 in synchronism with a system clock signal .phi..
The start signal .DELTA.STRT is supplied, as a clock input CK, via an OR
gate 40 to an address counter 42 which has been reset by the signal PLAY.
Accordingly, the counter 42 generates a read-out address signal RA.sub.1
corresponding to the initial read-out address in response to the start
signal .DELTA.STRT. From the RAM 18 is read out a melody note pitch data
corresponding to a first melody tone in accordance with the abovesaid
address signal RA.sub.1, and it is supplied to a key depression display
unit 44 and also to a melody tone generating circuit 46. As a result, the
key depression display unit 44 displays a specific key corresponding to
the initial melody tone by, for example, a light-emitting device which is
provided on either the keyboard or a keyboard diagram. Also, the melody
tone generating circuit 46 performs an electronic synthesis of a musical
tone signal corresponding to the initial melody tone and supplies same,
via an output amplifier 48, to a loudspeaker 50. As a result, the initial
melody tone is sounded from the loudspeaker 50.
An address counter 52, after having been reset by the signal PLAY,
generates a read-out address signal RA.sub.2 corresponding to the initial
read-out address in response to the start signal .DELTA.STRT. In
accordance with this read-out address signal RA.sub.2, there is read out
from the RAM 22a melody note duration data corresponding to the initial
melody note, and it is supplied as one of the comparison inputs, via a
duration data converting circuit 54, to a comparing circuit 56. The
duration data converting circuit 54 is comprised of, for example, an ROM
(Read Only Memory). This circuit 54 generates such conversion output as
will indicate the duration of a note or rest shown by the melody note
duration data delivered from the RAM 22, to correpond to the count value
of a tempo clock signal TCL which is generated by a tempo clock supply 58.
A note duration counter 60 counts the tempo clock signals TCL after being
reset by the start signal .DELTA.STRT delivered from an OR gate 62, and
supplies its count output to the comparing circuit 56 as the latter's
other comparison input. As a result, the comparing circuit 56 compares the
two comparison inputs, and when the count value of the counter 60 reaches
a value corresponding to the note duration of the initial melody note, it
generates a coincidence signal EQ.
This coincidence signal EQ serves to reset the counter 60 via a D-flip-flop
64 which is timed by a system clock signal .phi. and further through the
OR gate 62. The counter 60, after reset, again performs counting of the
tempo clock signals TCL. Also, the coincidence signal EQ is supplied via
an OR gate 40 to a counter 42. Therefore, the counter 42 advances by one
count and generates a read-out address signal RA.sub.1 corresponding to a
second read-out address. As a result, a melody note pitch data
corresponding to the second melody tone is read out from the RAM 18, and
it is supplied to a key depression display unit 44 and to a melody tone
generating circuit 46. Accordingly, in the key depression display unit 44,
there is performed a display corresponding to the second melody tone and
concurrently therewith, in the melody tone generating circuit 46, there is
carried out a synthesis of musical tone signals corresponding to the
second melody tone. And, from the loudspeaker 50 is sounded the second
melody tone.
The coincidence signal EQ delivered from the comparing circuit 56 is
supplied, via the OR gate 40, to the counter 52 also. Therefore, the
counter 52 generates a read-out address signal RA.sub.2 which corresponds
to the second read-out address. As a result, there is read out from the
RAM 22 a melody note duration data corresponding to the second melody
sound, and it is supplied, via the duration data converting circuit 54 to
the comparing circuit 56. At such instance, the comparing circuit 56 is
supplied also with the count output of the counter 60. Accordingly, this
comparing circuit 56 performs a comparing operation as mentioned before.
When the count value of the counter 60 reaches a value corresponding to
the note duration of the second melody tone, this comparing circuit 56
again generates a coincidence signal EQ. Subsequently therefrom, in a
manner same as that described above, a coincidence signal EQ is generated
for each completion of determination of a note duration or rest duration.
And, upon each generation of a coincidence signal EQ, there is freshly
read out another melody data, and on the basis of this read-out data,
there are performed an automatic key depression display and an automatic
melody performance.
Finally, a finish data FNS is read out from the RAM 18, and it is supplied
to a finish detecting circuit 66. This finish detecting circuit 66, upon
its detection of a finish data FNS, resets the flip-flop 34 by its own
detection signal. Whereby, a series of melody data read-out completes.
The melody data read-out operation has been described above. Concurrently
therewith, a read-out of chord data is performed, in a manner as will be
described below.
In the searching circuit 32, an R-S flip-flop 68 is arranged to be set in
response to a search command signal SI which is comprised of the output
signal of said OR gate 40. This search command signal SI is adapted to
reset an address counter 70 which counts the system clock signal .phi..
When a start signal ASTRT is generated, a search command signal SI which
is comprised of this start signal .DELTA.STRT sets the R-S flip-flop 68 on
the one hand, and it resets the counter 70 on the other hand. The counter
70 counts the system clock signal .phi. after said resetting, and supplies
a read-out address signal RA.sub.3 to the RAM 28. As a result, a chord
data is read out at a high speed from the RAM 28.
Among those chord data which are read out at such instance, the timing data
TD is supplied to a comparing circuit 72 as one of its comparison inputs,
whereas the chord name data CD is supplied to a latching circuit 74. And,
as the other comparison input of the comparing circuit 72, there is
supplied from the counter 42 a melody progress data (read-out address
signal RA.sub.1) which indicates the initial read-out address number. As a
result, the comparing circuit 72 generates a coincidence signal EQ when it
compares these two inputs and finds out that there is a coincidence
therebetween. As mentioned with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, let us here
assume that the initial read-out data delivered from the RAM 28 designates
a chord name C.sub.M and also designates the address number "1". Then, the
comparing circuit 72 will generate a coincidence signal EQ when the first
data is read out from the RAM 28 and it supplies same to an AND gate 76a.
At such time, the AND gate 76a has been enabled by an output Q="1" of the
flip-flop 68. Accordingly, the coincidence signal EQ delivered from the
comparing circuit 72 is supplied, as a load signal LD, to the latching
circuit 74 via the AND gate 76a. As a result, the latching circuit 74
latches the chord name data indicating the chord name C.sub.M, and
supplies same to an accompaniment tone generating circuit 76.
Based on the initial chord name data delivered from the latching circuit
74, the accompaniment tone generating circuit 76 performs an electronic
synthesis of a chord tone signal corresponding to the notes of the chord
C.sub.M on the basis of the initial chord name data, and a bass tone
signal which complies with the chord C.sub.M and a selected rhythm, and
supplies them via the output amplifier 48 to the loudspeaker 50.
Accordingly, there are generated from the loudspeaker 50 the said initial
melody tone together with the chord tone C.sub.M and a bass tone
corresponding thereto.
On the other hand, a tempo counter 78 which has been reset by a signal PLAY
counts tempo clock signals TCL, and supplies its count output to a rhythm
pattern memory 80. Thus, a rhythm pattern signal RP corresponding to a
selected rhythm and an accompaniment timing signal AT are generated from
the memory 80. The accompaniment timing signal AT is supplied to an
accompaniment tone generating circuit 76 so as to be used to control the
delivery timing of the chord signal and the bass tone signal in link with
the rhythm. Also, the rhythm pattern signal RP is supplied to a rhythm
tone generating circuit 82 to drive an appropriate rhythm sound source to
thereby cause this rhythm tone generating circuit 82 to generate a rhythm
tone signal. This rhythm tone signal delivered from said rhythm tone
generating circuit 82 is supplied also to the loudspeaker 50 through an
output amplifier. Accordingly, a rhythm tone is sounded also from the
loudspeaker 50.
Now, when the count of the counter 70 attains a count value corresponding
to the final addresses of the RAM 28, i.e. when the high-speed read-out of
chord from RAM 28 completes for one cycle, the counter 70 generates a
carry-out output CO to reset the flip-flop 68.
Next, when the comparing circuit 56 generates an initial coincidence signal
EQ in correspondence to the second melody note, this coincidence EQ is
supplied, as a search command signal SI, to the searching circuit 32.
Accordingly, the flip-flop 68 is again set, and the counter 70 will, after
being reset, resume the counting of the system clock signal .phi.. As a
result, there is performed a high-speed read-out of data from the RAM 28
in a manner similar to that for the preceding instance described above.
Accordingly, the comparing circuit 72 finds out whether or not a timing
data TD corresponding to the address number "2" is read out from the RAM
28. In case, however, there is present no timing data TD corresponding to
the address number "2", the chord name data in the latching circuit 74 is
not renewed. Therefore, the loudspeaker 50 remains to be generating the
chord C.sub.M and a base tone corresponding thereto. In a manner mentioned
above, the contents of the chord data RAM 28 are searched by the searching
circuit 32 each time when the address signals RA.sub.1 and RA.sub.2 for
the melody note RAMs are stepped to advance.
When such operations as described above are repeated and there arrives the
time at which the counter 42 supplies to the comparing circuit 72 a data
corresponding to the address number "8", the comparing circuit 72
determines, in such manner as it did previously, whether or not a timing
data corresponding to the address number "8" is read out from the RAM 28.
At this part of operation, let us now assume that there is present a
timing data TD corresponding to the address number "8" in correspondence
to the chord name G.sub.7 as shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The
comparing circuit 72 will generate a coincidence signal EQ. Therefore, in
accordance with this coincidence signal EQ, the latching circuit 74 will
latch a chord name data CD which indicates the chord name G.sub.7. As a
result, there will be produced from the loudspeaker 50 a chord of G.sub.7
and its corresponding bass tone in lieu of the chord C.sub.M and a bass
tone corresponding thereto.
As stated above, according to the automatic performing apparatus shown in
FIG. 2, there are automatically carried out a display of a melody key
depression, a melody performance and a chord-and-bass performance based on
the melody note pitch data, the melody note duration data and the chord
data which are transmitted from the music sheet 10 to the RAMs 18, 22 and
28, respectively, and also an automatic rhythm performance can be
utilized. Thus, this is extremely advantageous and useful for execising a
performance and also for playing a music in ensemble.
FIG. 5 shows a format of an automatic performance data recorded on a music
sheet 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. What
this format according to the second embodiment differs from the format
according to the first embodiment lies in the manner of expressing chord
data. The remainder constitution is the same as the first embodiment. More
particularly, the chord data which is recorded on the data recording
section 10a of the music sheet 10 contains chord name data and timing data
which each is comprised of a 9-bit binary code. The chord name data is
such that the most significant bit is "0" serving as an identifying mark,
and that the remaining 8 bits are such that the significant 4 bits thereof
expresses a chord type and the remaining 4 bits designate a root note
name, whereby they represent such chord names as C.sub.M and G.sub.7.
Also, the timing data is such that the most significant bit is "1" serving
as an identifying mark, whereas the significant 6 bits of the remainder 8
bits are used to designate a measure number, and the other 2 bits express
a beat number, whereby they indicate the timing of generation of a chord
in such form as the first beat of the first measure (1.multidot.1), and
the first beat of the third measure (3.multidot.1).
FIG. 6 shows an automatic performing apparatus utilizing the music sheet
shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, those parts similar to those shown in FIG. 2
are assigned with like reference numbers and symbols, and their
explanation is omitted.
An S/P converting circuit 24 converts a 9-bit serial chord data to a 9-bit
parallel chord data, and supplies same to a data format converting circuit
26. The data format converting circuit 26 converts 9-bit parallel chord
data to 16-bit parallel chord data as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. More
particularly, to the input side of the data format converting circuit 26
are supplied sequentially chord name data indicating a chord name C.sub.M
and the timing data indicating the timing of generation of the chord in
correspondence to the measure-beat numbers "1.multidot.1", "3.multidot.1",
. . . , both as parallel 9-bit data, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7.
However, at the output side of the format converting circuit 26 are
delivered out sequentially 16-bit parallel chord data each comprising
parallel 8-bit chord name data indicating a chord name C.sub.M and the
parallel 8-bit timing data corresponding to the measure-beat numbers
"1.multidot.1", "3.multidot.1", . . . as shown in FIG. 8. The respective
8-bit timing data and chord name data shown in FIG. 8 correspond to the
respective 9-bit timing data and chord name data shown in FIG. 7 which are
each removed of 1-bit identifying mark bit therefrom.
A counter 90 is intended to count tempo clock signal TCL after reset by a
signal PLAY, and is arranged to supply to a rhythm pattern memory 80 a
count output corresponding to the beat number. Also, the counter 90 is
arranged to supply a carry-out output CO to a measure counter 92 each time
when a count value corresponding to one measure is attained. The measure
counter 92 counts, after reset by a signal PLAY, the carry-out outputs CO
and generates a count output corresponding to the measure number.
The count outputs of the counters 90 and 92 are combined together to
constitute a measure-beat number data BD, and the combined signal is
supplied to a searching circuit 32 as a progress data indicative of the
progress of the musical composition, in lieu of the progress data RA.sub.1
shown in FIG. 1. Also, among the count outputs of the counter 90, the beat
pulse BP which is generated for each beat is supplied to the searching
circuit 32 as a search command signal in lieu of the search command signal
SI shown in FIG. 1.
The searching circuit 32 reads out, at a high speed, the chord data
delivered from the RAM 28, in a manner similar to that described above,
for each generation of a beat-pulse BP, and compares it with the
measure-beat number data BD, and thereby determines whether or not a
timing data corresponding to the measure-beat number indicated by the data
BD is read out from the RAM 28. As shown by way of example in FIGS. 7 and
8, let us assume here that there is a timing data corresponding to the
first beat of the first measure "1.multidot.1". The searching circuit 32,
when the abovesaid timing data is read out, latches a chord name data
indicative of a chord name C.sub.M, and supplies it to an accompaniment
tone generating circuit 76. Therefore, a loudspeaker 50 generates a chord
C.sub.M and its corresponding bass tone in a manner similar to that
described previously.
Thereafter, at the arrival of the timing corresponding to the second beat
of the second measure, there is read out from the RAM 28 a timing data
indicative of the corresponding timing "2.multidot.2" as shown in FIG. 5.
Whereupon, the searching circuit 32 picks up a chord name data which is
indicative of a chord name G.sub.7 and supplies same to the accompaniment
tone generating circuit 76. As a result, from the loudspeaker 50 is
generated the chord G.sub.7 and its corresponding bass tone in lieu of the
chord C.sub.M and its corresponding bass tone.
FIG. 9 shows a format of an automatic performance data which is recorded on
a music sheet, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The format according to this third embodiment differs from the format
according to the first embodiment in that an accompaniment command is
contained in a melody note pitch data and that the chord timing data is
set in correspondence to the number of occurrences of the accompaniment
command. More particularly, the melody note pitch data is recorded on the
data recording section 10a of the music sheet 10 in the form of containing
an accompaniment command which is comprised of a 6-bit binary code "1 1 1
1 0 0" arranged at plural locations during the progression of said melody.
Also, the chord data contains a chord name data and a timing data which
are each comprised of an 8-bit binary code. The chord name data is such
that its most significant bit is "0" serving as an identifying mark, and
among the remaining 7 bits, the significant 3 bits represent a chord type
and the remaining 4 bits represent a root note name, to thereby expre | | |
