Music – Accessories – Teaching devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2001-06-12
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Music
Accessories
Teaching devices
C084S47000P, C084S478000, C084S609000, C084S649000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245983
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to performance training apparatus and recording mediums, which prestore a performance-training program.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, performance training apparatus are known which have a so-called navigation function to cause a performer to beforehand recognize an operation element to be operated (i.e., a key to be depressed) for performance. For example, an electronic keyboard instrument having such navigation function includes a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs provided in correspondence to a plurality of keys of the keyboard. As a melody is progresses, a light emitting element for a key to be depressed based on event data for a predetermined part (generally, a melody part) of the melody is turned on or off. By using such function, even when the performer is unfamiliar with the performance of the melody, the performer can perform the melody by sequentially depressing keys corresponding to sequentially turned-on light emitting elements.
However, in the conventional performance training apparatus, melodies used for performance training are limited to ones prepared in the performance training apparatus, and it is desired that the performer can use any melody for training purposes.
Especially, in recent years many melody data of a SMF (Standard MIDI File) type are available on the network. It is desired that the melody data can be used for performance training.
However, there is a problem in use of those melody data of the SMF type as they are. Melody data is generally composed of a plurality of parts, a particular one of which is used for turning on/off of the light emitting element in the performance training apparatus, and other parts are fed for accompaniment use to a sound source. Thus, a light emitting element is turned on when a timing when a corresponding key is depressed has come and musical sounds of other parts are generated synchronously with the timing. However, the performer inevitably recognizes that the light emitting element has been turn on and then depresses the corresponding key. Thus, the performer's performance is delayed inevitably compared to the performance of the parts. Thus, synchronization cannot be achieved. As just described above, even when general melody data is used as it is for performance training, it is impossible to cause the performer to beforehand recognize a key to be depressed.
Conventional performance training apparatus are arranged to stop the progress of the melody from the time when a light emitting element corresponding to the key to be depressed is turned on to the time when the performer depresses that key. If melody data of the general SMF type is used as it is, however, the melody would progress irrespective of whether correct key depression is performed, and the performer cannot follow up the melody.
Further, even when the timing of turning on a light emitting element is advanced earlier in order to cause the performer to beforehand recognize the corresponding key to be depressed, the performer cannot now recognize which is a correct timing of key depression.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a performance training apparatus by which the performer is capable of beforehand recognizing an operation element to be operated manually (i.e., a key to be depressed) for performance, using melody data used generally for performing the melody for performance training purposes.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a performance training apparatus comprising: a plurality of operation elements for performance each operated for specifying a different pitch; a plurality of light emitting means each provided for a respective one of the plurality of operation elements; melody data feeding means for sequentially feeding a plurality of items of event data each comprising a melody part and a note-on/off command for production/muting of a musical sound of a pitch; delay means for delaying all the plurality of items of event data fed by said melody data feeding means excluding one of the plurality of items of event data including a particular melody part by a predetermined time compared to the item of event data including the particular part; light emission control means for controlling the turning on/off of a one of the plurality of light emitting means provided for that of the plurality of operation elements which specifies the same pitch as the event data including the particular melody part fed by the melody data feeding means does, in accordance with the production/muting of the musical sound based on the item of event data including the particular melody part; event data producing means for producing an item of event data including the particular melody part for performance which commands the production and muting of the musical sound of the pitch based on operation of the operation element; and output means for outputting the item of event data including the particular melody part produced by the event data producing means and all the plurality of items of event data delayed by the predetermined time by the delay means excluding the item of event data including the particular melody part.
According to this arrangement, since part data of melody data other than its particular part data to specify an operation element or key are sent to the sound source with a delay of a predetermined time compared to the particular part data, the performer can recognize the operation element to be operated key to be depressed) the predetermined time earlier than the performance of the other parts, and hence the performer's performance of the particular part is prevented from being delayed compared to the performance of the other parts.
Another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a performance training system which comprises a performance control device for sending melody data for performance training and a performance device for receiving the melody data, for indicating the operation element or key to be operated or depressed to the performer, and for performing the melody.
Thus, there is provided a performance training system comprising: a) a performance control device which comprises: melody data feeding means for sequentially feeding a plurality of items of event data each including a melody part and a specific item for commanding generation/muting of a musical sound of a pitch; first transmitting means for transmitting a respective one of the plurality of items of event data fed by said melody data feeding means; and delay means for delaying timings of transmitting all the plurality of items of event data other than an item of event data including a particular melody part by the first transmitting means by a predetermined time compared to the timing of transmitting the item of event data including a particular melody part; and b) a performance device comprising: first receiving means for receiving an item of event data from said first transmitting means; a plurality of operation elements for performance each operated for specifying a different pitch; a plurality of light emitting means each provided for a respective one of the plurality of operation elements; light emission control means for controlling the turning on/off of a one of said plurality of light emitting means provided for that of the plurality of operation elements which specifies the same pitch as the event data including the particular melody part received and fed by said first receiving means does, in accordance with the production/muting of the musical sound based on the item of event data including the particular melody part; event data producing means for producing an item of event data including the particular melody part for performance which commands the production and muting of the musical sound of the pitch based on operation of the operation element; and output means for outputting the item of event data including the particular melody part produced by the event data producing means and all the plurality
Casio Computer Co. Ltd.
Fletcher Marlon T.
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Nappi Robert E.
LandOfFree
Performance training apparatus, and recording mediums which... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Performance training apparatus, and recording mediums which..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Performance training apparatus, and recording mediums which... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2537786