Electronic musical instrument having an effect manipulator

An electronic musical instrument includes a tone generator, a manipulator for defining a manipulation region and for performing manipulation within the manipulation region. The manipulator has a first detector which detects serial position data on the basis of positions of performance manipulation within the manipulation region, and a second detector which generates changing-degree data of a locus which is constituted by the serial position data. The tone generator generates musical tone with effect in accordance with the changing-degree data to thereby impart various effect such as vibrato with ease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
a) Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument and more 
particularly relates to an electronic musical instrument suitable for 
generating parameters for controlling musical tones of a rubbed string 
instrument or a wind instrument with no use of bow-string combinations, 
reeds, or the like. 
b) Description of the Related Art 
Most of real time performance manipulators of electronic musical 
instruments have been made of keyboards. A keyboard has a plurality of 
keys corresponding to respective pitches. When a key of the keyboard is 
depressed, a key switch associated with the depressed key is closed (set 
to "make") to generate a pitch signal corresponding to the pitch assigned 
with the depressed key. 
As means for controlling the effect of generated musical tones, there are 
means using transverse and longitudinal vibration of the whole of the 
keyboard, what is called a pitch bend wheel, which controls a pitch of 
tone rotating motion, provided in the vicinity of a side of the keyboard, 
and a after-touch, (which control musical tone parameters by pressure, 
force and so on applied on a key after key-depression) control in which 
the keyboard is pushed down to its lowermost position in use. 
Those electronic musical instruments equipped with such a keyboard are 
suitable to simulate the tones of keyboard instruments such as a piano, an 
organ, etc. 
Other electronic musical instruments include a guitar synthesizer, a wind 
controller, etc. The guitar synthesizer is suitable to simulate the 
musical tones of a guitar. The wind controller is suitable to simulate the 
musical tones of wind instruments. 
A rubbed string instrument such as a violin determines the pitches of 
musical tones based on the position of the string pressing finger on the 
fingerboard and changes the expression of the musical tones in a variety 
of ways, based on the speed of the string rubbing bow and the pressure of 
the string pressing bow. One of the musical tone effects peculiar to the 
rubbed string instrument is "vibrato" in which a vibratory pitch is formed 
by vibrating the string pressing finger at the position of the finger on 
the fingerboard. 
Other musical tone effects include "tremolo" forming a vibratory volume 
instead of a vibratory pitch, "celeste" bringing about a phase variation 
to thereby generate a beat, "chorus", etc. 
Further, with respect to a wind instrument for generating the musical tone 
in accordance with the breath pressure and embouchure (representing the 
posture, closure, etc., of the lips) as disclosed in Japanese Patent 
Application Laid-Open No. Sho-63-40199, the information required for 
controlling musical tones varies according to the execution, such as 
tonguing execution, long tone execution, with which the tonguing is not 
accomplished, etc. 
When the musical tones of such a rubbed string instrument are to be 
simulated by an electronic musical instrument, it is possible to generally 
consider two ways. 
One is a method in which basic performance manipulators of a rubbed string 
instrument such as a bow, strings and a fingerboard are directly used, 
and, for example, the vibration of a string is transformed into an 
electric signal which is processed electronically. The other is a method 
in which, without using a bow, strings and a fingerboard, etc. of the 
natural rubbed string instrument, manipulators such as a keyboard, etc., 
different from those of the natural rubbed string instrument are used as 
the basic performance manipulators to thereby simulate musical tones based 
on the performance of such manipulators. 
When a bow, strings and a fingerboard similar to those of the natural 
musical instrument are used as the performance manipulators to cause 
actual vibrations of a string according to the one method, a rubbed string 
electronic instrument capable of achieving performance rich in expression 
can be realized. Of course, effect control such as "vibrato" can be made. 
However, the performance using the performance manipulators similar to 
those of the natural rubbed string instrument requires techniques of a 
high grade and long-term exercise for its mastering. Therefore, those who 
are not well-trained in performance techniques cannot enjoy the 
performance of the rubbed string instrument. 
According to the other method, for example, the harmonics construction of 
the basic tone-colors of the violin is preliminarily studied to enable the 
basic musical tones to be synthesized electronically. Then, the tones of 
the violin, etc. are generated in response to the keyboard manipulation. 
The tone of the violin can change its musical expression in a variety of 
ways according to its bow speed, bow pressure, etc. while the bow is in 
contact with the string. Further, effect control such as "vibrato" can be 
added thereto. However, in the keyboard input electronic instrument, it is 
difficult to control the way of tone generation, the continuous change of 
the tone, the expression thereof, the effect thereof, etc. exactly 
according to the player's will. Further, the keyboard input electronic 
instrument cannot be manipulated easily. 
In the electronic musical instrument of the type in which effects such as 
"vibrato", etc. are controlled by the displacement of the keyboard, 
manipulation may be made easily. However, in the case of a touch 
responsive keyboard, when effect control is to be made after hitting a key 
intensively, the keyboard may be transversely or longitudinally vibrated 
against the player's will. There arises a problem in that an exact pitch 
cannot be obtained when a key is hit intensively. 
In the case of a pitch bend wheel, one hand is required for the operation 
of the wheel. There arises a problem in that the degree of freedom in 
performance is narrowed and manipulation cannot be made easily. 
Vibrato control by touch such as after-touch control has a problem in that 
effect control is made regardless of the player's will when a key is hit 
intensively. 
In the case of a guitar synthesizer, a wind controller, etc., tones similar 
to those of specific tone generators (a guitar, a wind instrument) can be 
controlled easily because the tone generation form thereof is similar to 
that of the specific tone generators. However, other musical tones are not 
natural when, for example, effect control is made to simulate tones of a 
rubbed string instrument. When effect control is to be made to simulate 
tones of such an instrument, manipulation cannot be made easily. 
As described above, the keyboard type electronic musical instruments 
according to the conventional techniques have limitations in musical tone 
effect control and are not always easy to manipulate. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic musical 
instrument having a novel function. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic musical 
instrument capable of controlling the effect of the musical tone easily. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronic 
musical instrument capable of giving a specific effect to the musical tone 
selectively according to the player's will. 
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an 
electronic musical instrument comprising: manipulation means for defining 
a manipulation region of at least two dimensions and for achieving 
performance manipulation within the manipulation region; means for 
detecting time-series position data on the basis of positions of 
performance manipulation executed within the manipulation region; means 
for detecting direction-conversion data pertaining to a locus of 
performance manipulation, on the basis of a predetermined number of 
time-serially detected position data; and a tone signal generation circuit 
for performing effect control on musical tones by using the detected 
direction-conversion data. 
Preferably, the electronic musical instrument further comprises a 
changeover switch, so that the tone signal generation circuit generates 
tone signals subjected to the musical tone effect control by using the 
direction-conversion data when the changeover switch is set to one side, 
while the tone signal generation circuit generates tone signals without 
using the direction-conversion data when the changeover switch is set to 
the other side. 
Preferably, the direction-conversion data detecting means detects an angle 
between a first radius and a second radius from the coordinates of three 
time-series points under the condition that the first radius is assumed to 
be a segment between the first one of the three time-series points and a 
center of a circle circumscribed with a triangle determined by the three 
points and the second radius is assumed to be a segment between the last 
one of the three time-series points and the center. 
Preferably, the direction-conversion data detecting means detects an angle 
between a first direction and a second direction under the condition that 
the first direction and the second direction are assumed to be defined by 
a line connecting a pair of time-serially detected adjacent points and a 
line connecting a pair of next time-serially detected adjacent points, 
respectively. 
Preferably, the manipulation region of the manipulation means is capable of 
setting a reference point and a reference axis including the reference 
point as the origin; and the direction-conversion detecting means includes 
means for detecting temporal variation of an angle formed between the 
direction connecting the reference point to a position of performance 
manipulation within the manipulation region and the reference axis. 
Preferably, the musical tone effect control is one of "vibrato", "tremolo", 
"celeste", and "chorus". 
By using the manipulation means for defining a manipulation region of at 
least two dimensions and for achieving performance manipulation within the 
manipulation region, time-series position data can be obtained. By 
detecting direction-change data from a locus of the position data, control 
parameters other than parameters such as speed, pressure, etc. can be 
generated newly. These parameters can be utilized for generating musical 
tones of a rubbed string instrument or a wind instrument. 
For example, the direction-change data can be utilized for controlling the 
"vibrato" effect in a rubbed string instrument or a wind instrument. When, 
for example, "vibrato" effect is controlled by utilizing the direction 
change calculated from three time-series points, there arises an 
operational advantage in that the relations of the motion of the finger 
and the tone, the degree of vibration of reed, etc. can be grasped 
sensibly. Accordingly, the "vibrato" effect can be added easily even if 
the player is not so skilled in playing a rubbed string instrument or a 
wind instrument. 
New control parameters derived from the direction change can also be used 
for controlling desired effects other than "vibrato", such as "tremolo", 
"celeste", "chorus", etc. 
Further, the aforementioned functions can be selected by a changeover 
switch, by which the player skilled in the playing technique can play the 
instrument by the desired execution style.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention will be described below, as to the case of addition 
of "vibrato" effect in a keyboard type electronic musical instrument for 
simulating a rubbed string instrument. 
FIG. 1 shows a hardware structure of an electronic musical instrument 
according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plane manipulator 1 
is composed of a flat plane-shaped manipulation region (tablet or means to 
be manipulated) 1a, and a pen-shaped movable hand manipulator 1b. The 
plane manipulator 1 is operated by manipulating the hand manipulator 1b on 
the manipulation region 1a. The plane manipulator 1 has a function of 
detecting the position in the manipulation region designated by the hand 
manipulator 1b and a pressure given by the hand manipulator 1b, such as 
the position where the pen point makes contact and the pressure which the 
pen point gives, etc. The coordinate information in the manipulation plane 
1a of the contact point of the hand manipulator 1b, the pressure 
information of the force by which the hand manipulator 1b is depressed on 
the manipulation plane 1a, etc. are supplied to a data bus 7 through a 
coordinate detector (POS DET) 4, a pressure detector (PRS DET) 5, etc. 
Parameters such as speed information, direction information, locus 
direction change information, etc. may be generated from the coordinate 
information by arithmetic operations. The speed information may be used as 
bow speed information representing the bow manipulation speed. The 
direction information may be used as information representing the 
direction (upward, or downward, i.e. up-bow, or down-bow) of motion of the 
bow of the violin, etc. The pressure information may be used as bow 
pressure information representing the pressure of the string pressing bow. 
A keyboard 2 includes a number of keys 2a for designating pitches, tone 
color pads 2b for designating tone colors by the names of the musical 
instruments, etc. and other manipulators 2c for designating other 
functions. The keyboard 2 supplies the respective information to the bus 
7. A timer 3 supplies the timing information for issuing the timer 
interrupt to the bus 7. 
A "vibrato" switch 6 is a changeover switch for selecting whether the 
"vibrato" effect is to be given or not to be given, on the basis of the 
direction change calculated from the locus of the position of performance 
manipulation on the plane manipulator 1 by arithmetic operations. 
Further, a CPU 9 for performing predetermined arithmetic operations, an ROM 
10 for storing the program to be executed in the CPU, etc., an RAM 11 
including various kinds of registers and work memories, etc. for storing 
various kinds of temporary information to be used for executing the 
program, a tone signal generating circuit (TONE SIG GEN) 8, etc. are 
connected to the bus 7. 
Here, the ROM 10 stores a program for generating musical tones, and the CPU 
9 performs the musical tone synthesizing processing according to the 
program while utilizing the registers in the RAM 11, etc. 
The pitch information given by manipulating a key 2a of the keyboard 2 is 
stored in key buffers (KYB) 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d. Here, four key buffers 
are provided correspondingly to the four strings of a rubbed string 
instrument such as a violin or a viola. The data stored in the key buffers 
12a to 12d includes the most significant bit (MSB) representing the on/off 
of the key and remaining bits of the key data representing the selected 
key. Frequency number conversion circuits (FNo CONV) 13a to 13d generate 
an F number signal FNo representing the frequency of the musical tone, on 
the basis of the key data. The F number signal is subjected to "vibrato" 
treatment by arithmetic operation means (ARITH OP) 14a to 14d to thereby 
generate a modified F number signal FNo' of the vibratory frequency data 
according to the "vibrato" performance. 
The tone signal generating circuit 8 includes a velocity information buffer 
(VB) 26 for storing the velocity information from the bus 7, a pressure 
information buffer (PB) 27 for storing the pressure information from the 
bus 7, a direction information buffer (DIRB) 28 for storing the direction 
information from the bus 7, "vibrato" depth information buffers 
(VIBB.sub.D) 20a to 20d for storing "vibrato" depth information 
representing the width of the change of the frequency according to the 
"vibrato" performance processed by the CPU, and "vibrato" speed 
information buffers VIBB.sub.SP 21a to 21d for storing "vibrato" speed 
information representing the number of vibrations in a unit time. The 
velocity information, the pressure information, the direction information, 
etc. are supplied to tone generators (TONE GEN) 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d. The 
information pertaining to "vibrato" is supplied to the arithmetic 
operation means 14a to 14d to modify the key number information. The 
pressure information buffer 27 serves as a register for temporarily 
storing the pressure information obtained from the pressure of the hand 
manipulator 1b against the manipulation plane 1a. The direction 
information buffer DIRB 28 temporarily stores the direction information 
obtained from the angle change at the position of manipulation, etc. 
Each of the arithmetic operation means 14a to 14d has a configuration as 
shown in FIG. 2. A low-frequency oscillator (LFO) 23 supplied with the 
"vibrato" speed information generates a signal of the frequency 
corresponding to the speed. A multiplier 24 supplied with both the 
"vibrato" depth information and the output of the low-frequency oscillator 
23 generates a signal representing the speed (frequency) information 
modulated by the depth information. The output signal of the multiplier 24 
is added to the F number signal FNo by an adder 25 to generate a modified 
F number signal FNo'. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the modified F number signal thus generated is fed to 
corresponding delay conversion circuits (DLY CONV) 15a to 15d and supplied 
to the tone generators 19a to 19d through multiplication circuits (MLT) 
16a to 16d and 17a to 17d. The delay conversion circuits 15a to 15d 
decrease the number of stages of delay when pitch is high and increase the 
number of stages of delay when pitch is low, so that the number 
(frequency) of circulations of the input signal in a signal loop in the 
tone generators 19a to 19d, which will be described later, in a 
predetermined time is changed to generate a signal of a predetermined 
frequency. In the multiplication circuits 16a to 16d, the supplied pitch 
is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient .alpha.. In the 
multiplication circuits 17a to 17d, the supplied pitch is multiplied by a 
complementary coefficient (1-.alpha.). The two multiplications represent 
that a string of a rubbed string instrument from the bridge to the 
depressed finger position on the fingerboard may be considered to be 
divided into two portions at the position where the bow rubs the string. 
Namely, the fact that the addition of the two coefficients makes 1 
represents the fact that the string length from the depressed finger 
position to the bridge is the basic length determining the pitch. When one 
coefficient .alpha. corresponds to the distance from the string rubbing 
position to the bridge, the other coefficient (1-.alpha.) will correspond 
to the distance from the string rubbing position to the depressed finger 
position. In this way, the information representing the pitch is supplied 
to the tone generators 19a to 19d. 
Although this embodiment has shown the case where a plurality of tone 
generators are provided, the invention can be applied to the case where 
the same effect as that of the plurality of tone generators may be 
obtained by time-sharing of one tone generator. 
If necessary, tone signals are generated in the tone generators 19a to 19d 
on the basis on the pitch information including the "vibrato" effect, the 
velocity information, the pressure information, the direction information, 
etc. and fed to a sound system 29 to produce musical tones. Here, each of 
the tone generators 19a to 19d includes a format filter for simulating the 
behavior of the belly of the rubbed string instrument. The sound system 29 
includes means for converting the digital tone signal into an analog 
signal, means for amplifying the analog signal, and means for transforming 
the electric signal into an acoustic signal. 
In this way, musical tones of a rubbed string instrument or a wind 
instrument which can vary its expression in a variety of ways in 
accordance with the bow speed, the bow pressure, the direction of motion 
of the bow, etc. with the addition of "vibrato" effect can be generated. 
Now, among the registers provided in the RAM, major ones will be explained 
hereinbelow. 
"Vibrato" Mode Register (VIB) 
This is a register for storing data representing information pertaining 
"vibrato" information generating mode which is changed over by the 
"vibrato" switch 6. When the mode data is "1", "vibrato" effect addition 
information which will be described later is generated on the basis of the 
direction change in a unit time and given to the tone signal generating 
circuit 8. 
Event Buffer Register (EVTBUF) 
This is a register for storing key event data corresponding to key 
depression and key release of a key 2a in the keyboard. The key event data 
includes an on/off data and a key code data representing the pitch. In the 
case of a rubbed string instrument, four event buffer registers are 
provided to enable four key events to be stored, considering the case 
where four strings are performed simultaneously. These registers play the 
role of storing the pitch data temporarily. 
Present X Position Register (X) 
This is a register for storing the X directional position X.sub.p of the 
present manipulation position of the hand performance manipulator 1b in 
the tablet 1a which forms a plane for receiving manipulation. 
Previous X Position Register (X.sub.n) 
This is a register for storing the X directional position X.sub.n of the 
hand performance manipulator 1b at the time of previous timer interrupt. 
Here, the transition distance in the X direction can be calculated from 
the two values of the X directional positions X.sub.p and X.sub.n at the 
present and previous timer interrupts. 
Present Y Position Register (Y) 
This is a register for storing the Y directional position y.sub.p of the 
present manipulation position of the hand performance manipulator 1b in 
the tablet 1a. 
Previous Y Position Register (y.sub.n) 
This is a register for storing the Y directional position y.sub.n of the 
hand performance manipulator 1b at the time of previous timer interrupt. 
Here, the transition distance in the Y direction can be calculated from 
the two values of the Y directional positions y.sub.p and y.sub.n at the 
present and previous timer interrupts. 
Velocity Register (V) 
This is a register for storing the velocity information representing the 
bow speed. The velocity information is derived from the transition 
distance calculated from the X directional transition distance and the Y 
directional transition distance as described above (and by driving it by 
time). 
Pressure Register (P) 
This is an RAM-side register for storing the pressure data derived from the 
output P.sub.0 of a pressure sensor provided in the plane manipulator 1. 
Present Angle Register (.theta..sub.p) 
This is a register for storing angle data calculated by arithmetic 
operations from the position of performance manipulation with respect to 
the center (X.sub.c, X.sub.y) of the plane manipulator 1. 
Previous Angle Register (.theta..sub.n) 
This is a register for storing angle data at the time of the previous timer 
interrupt. 
Direction Register (dir) 
This is a register for storing direction data calculated by arithmetic 
operations from the variation of the angle data. The direction data 
represents the direction of movement of the bow (upward direction or 
downward direction). In the tone signal generating circuit 8, there are 
also provided a velocity buffer VB, a pressure buffer PB, a direction 
buffer DIRB, etc. 
Advancing Direction Change Register (.omega.) 
This is a register for storing information representing the change of the 
proceed direction of the locus of performance manipulation in a unit time. 
This data is used as new information for controlling the effect such as 
"vibrato" effect. 
"Vibrato" Depth Register (VIB.sub.D) 
This is a register for storing the "vibrato" depth information representing 
the pitch size of vibration. 
"Vibrato" Speed Register (VIB.sub.SP) 
This is a register for storing the "vibrato" speed information representing 
the number of vibrations in a unit time. 
Flag OLD Register 
This is a register for storing "1" or "0" indicating whether the flag OLD 
is set or reset. If this flag is set to "1", it means that the phenomenon 
represented by this flag has been already detected and this is the timer 
interrupt on and after the second time. 
Also, there are provided other registers for storing various constants and 
variables, but the description thereof is omitted here for the sake of 
simplicity. 
FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit block diagram showing a main part of a tone 
signal generating circuit 8 which constitutes a tone generator model 
suitable for a rubbed string instrument. Corresponding to the rubbing 
action of a bow on a string of a rubbed string instrument, a bow speed 
signal is generated and fed into an addition circuit 52. This bow speed 
signal is a starting signal and supplied to a non-linear circuit 55 
through an addition circuit 53 and a division circuit 54. The non-linear 
circuit 55 is a circuit for representing the non-linear characteristic of 
a string of the violin. The non-linear circuit 55 includes a first 
non-linear circuit (NLa) 55a which represents the characteristic when the 
bow is moving downward, a second non-linear circuit (NLb) 55b which 
represents the characteristic when the bow is moving upward, and a 
selector circuit 55c for selecting one of the output signals of the two 
non-linear circuits. The selector circuit 55c is controlled by the 
direction signal. 
The non-linear characteristics of the non-linear circuits 55a and 55b 
include, as is generically represented by the reference numeral 63 in FIG. 
4A, a substantially linear region from the origin to certain points, and 
outer regions of changed characteristic. When the string of a rubbed 
string instrument such as a violin is rubbed by the bow, as long as the 
bow speed is slow, the displacement of the string is substantially 
equivalent to the displacement of the bow so that the movement of the 
string can be represented by the term of the static friction coefficient. 
This phenomenon can be represented by the substantially linear 
characteristic region containing the origin as its center. When the speed 
of the bow relative to the string exceeds a certain value, the speed of 
the bow and the displacement speed of the string are no longer the same. 
Namely, the movement is determined by a dynamic friction coefficient, in 
place of the static friction coefficient. This changeover from the static 
friction coefficient to the dynamic friction coefficient is represented by 
the step portion in FIG. 4A. 
In FIG. 3, the output of the non-linear circuit 55 is supplied to two 
addition circuits 44 and 45 through a multiplication circuit 56. 
The division circuit 54 on the input side and the multiplication circuit 56 
on the output side of the non-linear circuit 55 receive the bow pressure 
signal and alter the characteristic of the non-linear circuit 55. The 
division circuit 54 on the input side changes the input signal to a 
smaller value by dividing it. Namely, as shown by the broken line 63a of 
FIG. 4A, when the division circuit 54 is connected, even when a large 
input is applied, an output as if the input was small is generated. The 
multiplication circuit 56 on the output side plays the role of increasing 
the output of the non-linear circuit 55. Namely, the multiplication 
circuit 56 increases the characteristic 63a produced by the division 
circuit 54 and the non-linear circuit 55 to a larger value of the output 
to produce a new characteristic as shown by the dot-and-dash line 63b of 
FIG. 4A. Here, upon the same bow pressure signal, first dividing the input 
and finally multiplying the output represents dividing a characteristic by 
a coefficient C.sub.0 in the division circuit 54 and multiplying the 
result by the same coefficient C.sub.0 in the multiplication circuit 56. 
In this case, the total characteristic 63b of the dot-and-dash line lies 
on the extension of the characteristic 63 produced solely by the 
non-linear circuit 55, and has a shape which is multiplied by C.sub.0 both 
in the abscissa and in the ordinate. It is also possible to differentiate 
the coefficient of the multiplication circuit from the coefficient of the 
division circuit, to form a different shape. 
The addition circuits 44 and 45 are provided in half-circulating signal 
paths 31a and 31b. A circulating signal path constituted by the 
half-circulating signal paths 31a and 31b forms a closed loop for 
circulating the tone signal corresponding to the string of the rubbed 
string instrument. Namely, in the case of a string, the vibration is 
reflected at the opposite ends of the string and moves back and forth. In 
the case of a wind instrument, the vibration moves back and forth in its 
resonance body. This behavior is approximated by the closed loop in which 
a signal circulates. The circulating signal path includes two delay 
circuits 32 and 33, two low-pass filters (LPF) 24 and 25, two decay 
circuits 38 and 39, and two multiplication circuits 42 and 43. The delay 
circuits 32 and 33 are supplied with the products of the pitch signal 
representing the pitch and the coefficients .alpha. and (1-.alpha.) 
respectively so as to provide a predetermined delay time. 
When the "vibrato" effect is given, the pitch is controlled by the 
arithmetic operation circuit 14 as shown in FIG. 2 so as to vibrate with 
the passage of time. 
The total delay time required for returning a signal to its original 
position by circulation in the circulating signal paths 31a and 31b 
determines the basic pitch of the musical tone. Namely, the sum of the 
delay times of the two delay circuits 32 and 33, 
pitch.times.[.alpha.+(1-.alpha.)]=pitch, determines the basic pitch. One 
delay circuit corresponds to the distance from the position where the bow 
touches the string to the bridge, and the other delay circuit corresponds 
to the distance from the position where the bow touches the string to the 
depressed finger position. 
Although the pitch is mainly determined by the delay circuits 32 and 33, 
other factors included in the circulating signal path such as LPFs 34 and 
35, the decay controls 38 and 39, etc. also can produce delays. Strictly, 
the pitch of the musical tone to be generated is determined by the sum of 
all delay times included in the loop. 
The LPFs 34 and 35 simulate the vibration characteristics of various 
strings by altering the transmission characteristics of the circulating 
waveform signal. A tone color signal is generated by selecting a tone 
color pad 2b on the keyboard, etc. and supplied to the LPFs 34 and 35 to 
change over the characteristic to simulate the musical tone of the desired 
rubbed string instrument. 
While the vibration propagates on the string, the vibration decays 
gradually. The decay controls 38 and 39 simulate the quantity of the decay 
of the vibration propagating on the string. 
The multiplication circuits 42 and 43 multiply the input signal by the 
reflection coefficient -1 correspondingly to the reflection of the 
vibration at fixed ends of the string. Namely, assuming the reflection at 
the fixed ends without decay, the amplitude of the string is changed to 
the opposite phase. The coefficient -1 represents this opposite phase 
reflection. The decay of the amplitude caused by the reflection is 
incorporated in the quantity of decay in the decay controls 38 and 39. 
In this way, the motion of the string of the rubbed string instrument is 
simulated by the vibration circulating on the circulating signal paths 31a 
and 31b which correspond to the string. 
Further, the motion of the string of the rubbed string instrument has 
hysteresis characteristic. For simulating this hysteresis characteristic, 
the output of the multiplication circuit 56 is fed back to the input of 
the non-linear circuit 55 through the LPF 58 and the multiplication 
circuit 59. The LPF 58 serves to prevent oscillation in the feedback loop. 
Let the input from the addition circuit 52 to the addition circuit 53 be u, 
the input from the feedback path to the addition circuit 53 be v, and the 
amplification factor of the division circuit 54, the non-linear circuit 55 
and the multiplication circuit 56 in total be A. Then the output w of the 
multiplication circuit 56 can be expressed by (u+v)A=w. Let the gain of 
the negative feedback loop including the LPF 58 and the multiplication 
circuit 59 be B (negative value), then the amount of feedback v can be 
represented by v=wB. Arranging these two equations, 
EQU (u+wB) A=w 
EQU therefore, w=uA/(1-AB) 
In the case of no feedback, i.e. B=0, the output w can be simply expressed 
by w=uA, which means that the input u is simply multiplied by a factor A 
and then sent out. In the case of negative feedback of a gain B, an input 
(1-AB) times (B is negative) as large as the input in the case of B=0 
should be applied to obtain an output of the same magnitude. 
The characteristic when the input is increasing and there is such feedback 
is represented by the curve 63c in FIG. 4B. When the input increases to a 
certain value, there occurs changeover from the static friction 
coefficient to the dynamic friction coefficient, so that the output 
decreases stepwise. This input threshold value is represented by Th.sub.1. 
When the input has once exceeded the threshold value Th.sub.1 and then 
decreases to a smaller value again, the output w is small and hence the 
feedback amount v=Bw is also small. Namely, even if the magnitude of the 
signal supplied into the non-linear circuit 55 is the same, the negative 
feedback amount is relatively small in the case of the dynamic friction 
coefficient region, compared with the case of the static friction 
coefficient region, so that the input u from the addition circuit 52 to 
the addition circuit 53 takes a smaller value. 
Consider now the magnitude of the input u from the addition circuit 52 when 
the input to the non-linear circuit 55 becomes the threshold value. When 
the input is increasing, the static friction coefficient dominates the 
motion. Accordingly, a strong negative feedback is applied corresponding 
to a large output, so that the changeover occurs at a larger input 
Th.sub.1. On the contrary, when the input is decreasing, the dynamic 
friction coefficient dominates the motion. Accordingly, the negative 
feedback is small corresponding to a small output, so that the changeover 
occurs at a smaller input u than Th.sub.1. Therefore, the relation between 
the input u and the output w when the input is gradually increasing and 
when the input is gradually decreasing can be represented by the curves 
63c and 63d of FIG. 4B as a hysteresis characteristic. The magnitude of 
hysteresis is controlled by the gain of the multiplication circuit 59. 
In this way, according to the tone signal generating circuit as shown in 
FIG. 3, the motion of the string of the rubbed string instrument can be 
simulated, so that a basic waveform of the musical tone can be produced. 
An output is derived from some point in the circulating signal path 31 as 
shown in FIG. 3 and is supplied to the sound system through the formant 
filter 61 which simulates the characteristic of the belly of the rubbed 
string instrument. The formant filter 61 may be arranged to vary its 
characteristic upon reception of a tone color signal. 
In the tone signal generating circuit shown in FIG. 3, the signal having 
motive power for generating the musical tone is given by the bow speed. In 
the case of "vibrato" performance, a vibrating pitch signal is given. 
Further, the pressure signal is used as a signal for controlling the 
characteristic of the non-linear circuit 55. Further, the characteristic 
of the non-linear circuit 55 itself is controlled by the direction of the 
movement of the bow. It is preferable that these parameters are 
controllable based on the player's will or the performance manipulation of 
the player. The parameter for designating the pitch can be derived by 
manipulating a key 2a in the keyboard 2 or by the arithmetic operations in 
the CPU 9 and the arithmetic operation means 14, etc. on the basis of the 
performance manipulation of the plane manipulator 1 in particular in the 
case of addition of the "vibrato" effect. The bow speed information, the 
bow pressure information and the direction information can be obtained by 
the performance manipulation of the performance manipulator in the plane 
manipulator 1. For example, the plane manipulator 1 includes a tablet 1a 
and a hand manipulator 1b. 
FIGS. 5A and 5B show an example of construction of the plane manipulator. 
FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view showing a configuration for manipulating 
the plane manipulator. A tablet 62 has a manipulation plane capable of 
detecting the relative position in the plane. The pen manipulator 63 to be 
used in combination with the tablet 62 has a pen point 64 which is to be 
manipulated by displacement over the surface while touching the tablet 62, 
and also has a switch 65. Further, a reference point having coordinates 
(x.sub.c, y.sub.c) is set in the manipulation plane of the tablet 62. 
Also, a reference axis direction is set as a direction passing through the 
reference point. By the performance manipulation of the pen manipulator 63 
in the manipulation plane of the tablet 62, the speed information and the 
direction information are generated from the movement distance d and the 
change of the angle .theta. with respect to the reference axis direction, 
respectively, as will be described later. 
An example of the electric circuit to be incorporated in such a plane 
manipulator is shown in FIG. 5B. 
FIG. 5B shows an electromagnetic induction type position detecting plane 
manipulator. The pen manipulator has an AC power source 72a of a frequency 
f.sub.1, another AC power source 72b of a frequency f.sub.2, a coil 71 and 
a switch SW 65. The pen manipulator generates an AC magnetic field of a 
frequency f.sub.1 or f.sub.2, selectively. The AC magnetic field is 
established in the tablet plane by approaching the coil 71 to the tablet. 
In the tablet, there are disposed a plurality of X direction detection 
lines 73 which are arranged in parallel to the X direction and which have 
one ends commonly connected to each other, and a plurality of Y direction 
detection lines 74 which are arranged in parallel to the Y direction and 
which have one ends commonly connected to each other. At open ends of 
these detection lines, detectors 75 and 76 are connected between adjacent 
detection lines of X direction and between adjacent detection lines of Y 
direction, respectively, to be successively scanned. Namely, because an AC 
magnetic field is produced in the vicinity of the coil 71 of the pen 
manipulator, a current is induced in the detection lines just under the 
coil 71. By detecting the induction current in the detectors 75 and 76, 
the frequency of the AC magnetic field produced in the coil 71 of the pen 
manipulator and the manipulation position of the pen manipulator are 
detected. The changeover between the frequency f.sub.1 and the frequency 
f.sub.2 represents, for example, the changeover between what is called 
"arco" style rendition (i.e. bowing) and "pizzicato" style rendition. The 
information of the manipulation position produces speed information, 
direction information and "vibrato" information by the following 
processings. Here, the pressure of the manipulation is detected by a 
pressure sensor such as a pressure sensitive conductive sheet provided 
under the position detection means. 
When the pen point 64 of the manipulator 63 is moved while touching the 
manipulation plane, the position of manipulation is detected successively 
in time sequence according to the timer interrupt. Assuming now that the 
present position of the pen point 64 and the previous position at the 
previous timer interrupt are respectively represented by (x.sub.p, 
y.sub.p) and (x.sub.n, y.sub.n), then the distance d from the previous 
position to the present position is calculated. Further, a reference axis 
is established from the reference point (x.sub.c, y.sub.c) to the 
rightward direction as shown in FIG. 5A, so that the angle .theta. between 
the line connecting the reference point (x.sub.c, y.sub.c) and the 
manipulation point (x.sub.p, y.sub.p) to each other and the reference axis 
is calculated. The direction of the angle change is derived from the 
difference between the present angle data .theta..sub.p at the present 
timer interrupt and the previous angle data .theta..sub.n at the time of 
the previous timer interrupt. These parameters can form velocity 
information, pressure information and direction information. 
When the hand manipulator 1b is manipulated in the manipulation plane 1a 
while the "vibrato" switch 6 in FIG. 1 is on, direction-change information 
is extracted from the locus of the hand manipulator 1b. 
An example of technique for picking out the direction-change information is 
shown in FIG. 6. How consider the case where the top end of the hand 
manipulator moves from a point Z to a point G via points A, B, C, E and F 
in the pin the manipulation plane. In this case, direction-change 
information is extracted from adjacent three sampling points. Let the 
points A, B and C be three time-series points detected successively. Now 
consider a circle circumscribed with a triangle ABC determined by the 
three points A, B and C. Let the center of the circle be O. The direction 
change in the movement of the manipulation position from the point A to 
the point C is represented by an angle .omega. between a radius OA 
connecting the points O and A and a radius OC connecting the points O and 
C. Now consider a radius OB in order to calculate the angle .omega. of the 
direction change. 
At a triangle OBC, 
EQU .omega..sub.1 +2.alpha.=.pi. (1) 
At a triangle OAB, 
EQU .omega..sub.2 +2.beta.=.pi. (2) 
EQU .omega..sub.1 +.omega..sub.2 =.omega. (3) 
Arranging these equations (1) to (3), 
EQU .omega.+2(.alpha.+.beta.)=2.pi. (4) 
Accordingly, .alpha.+.beta.=.pi.-(.omega./2). 
From the second law of cosines with respect to the triangle ABC, 
##EQU1## 
From the equation (5), 
EQU cos (.omega./2)=(b.sup.2 -C.sup.2 -a.sup.2) /2ca 
EQU .thrfore..omega.=2cos.sup.-1 {(b.sup.2 -c.sup.2 -a.sup.2)/2ca}(6) 
In the equation (6), 
##EQU2## 
Substituting the equations (7) to (9) into the equation (6), 
##EQU3## 
Thus, the angle .omega. of the direction change can be calculated. 
The change of the proceed direction may be calculated by other methods. 
FIGS. 7A and 7B show the case where the change of the proceed direction of 
the hand manipulator is calculated by other methods. 
FIG. 7A shows the case where the change of the proceed direction is 
calculated from three time-series points A, B and C detected successively. 
A reference direction (represented by the horizontal direction in this 
embodiment) is first assumed to obtain angles between the reference 
direction and segments connecting the adjacent points in time sequence. 
Namely, in the case where three points A, B and C are detected 
successively in time sequence, segments AB and BC are assumed now. Let the 
angle between the segment AB and the reference axis be .phi..sub.1. Let 
the angle between the segment BC and the reference axis be .phi..sub.2 (in 
FIG. 7A, .phi..sub.2 has a negative value). Then, the value of direction 
change of the hand manipulator moving from the point A to the point C is 
calculated by the equation: 
EQU .omega.=.phi..sub.2 -.phi..sub.1 
EQU =-(.phi..sub.1 -.phi..sub.2) 
in which the angles .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 are expressed by the 
following equations. 
EQU .phi..sub.1 =tan.sup.-1 {(Y.sub.2 -Y.sub.1)/(X.sub.2 -X.sub.1)} 
EQU .phi..sub.2 =tan.sup.-1 {(Y.sub.3 -Y.sub.2)/(X.sub.3 -X.sub.2)} 
Although the angle of the directing change can be detected by detecting 
such three points in time sequence, the angle of the direction change may 
be calculated by another method using two time-series points and a 
preliminarily established reference point (x.sub.c, y.sub.c). 
FIG. 7B shows the case where the value of the direction change is 
calculated from data of two points. Consider now two points A and B 
detected in time sequence. Let angles for the points A and B with respect 
to a reference axis (represented as a horizontal direction in FIG. 7B) 
containing a reference point be .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2, respectively. 
Let the coordinates of the reference point be (x.sub.c, y.sub.c). 
The angle .phi..sub.1 for the point A is represented by the following 
equation. 
EQU .phi..sub.1 =tan.sup.-1 {(Y.sub.1 -y.sub.c)/(X.sub.1 -x.sub.c)} 
The angle .phi..sub.2 for the point B is represented by the following 
equation. 
EQU .phi..sub.2 =tan.sup.-1 {(Y.sub.2 -y.sub.c)/(X.sub.2 -x.sub.c)} 
The value of the change of the proceed direction is calculated as follows. 
EQU .omega.=.phi..sub.2 -.phi..sub.1 
From the direction-change information thus calculated, information for 
controlling the "vibrato" depth and the "vibrato" speed is derived. 
For example, the angle .omega. of the direction change obtained as 
described above is transformed into the "vibrato" depth VIB.sub.D and the 
"vibrato" speed VIB.sub.SP as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. 
In FIG. 8A, the "vibrato" depth increases as the angle .omega. of the 
direction change increases. The "vibrato" depth is saturated finally. This 
phenomenon means that the "vibrato" depth increases with the increase of 
the angle change .omega. according to the player's will. Further, the 
"vibrato" depth is saturated at a certain point to make the characteristic 
flat to prevent the unpleasant feeling caused by the excessively deep 
"vibrato". 
In FIG. 8B, the "vibrato" speed VIB.sub.SP is established to obtain 
"vibrato" having a substantially constant period ("vibrato" speed), in the 
case where "vibrato" is to be used according to the player's will. In 
general, in the case of the natural string instrument, as the "vibrato" 
depth increases, the width of motion of the finger on the fingerboard 
increases and, naturally, the period of vibration becomes longer. 
Therefore, the characteristic of the "vibrato" speed is established so 
that VIB.sub.SP decreases when .omega. exceeds a certain value. 
In this way, the information pertaining to "vibrato" such as the "vibrato" 
depth and the "vibrato" speed can be produced by detecting the angle 
change of the performance manipulation of the hand manipulator. 
In the following, a flow chart of musical tone generation in the case of 
performing a rubber string instrument by utilizing a structure as 
described above is described. It is now assumed that the "vibrato" switch 
6 for selecting the mode of the "vibrato" information detection is a 
circulating type switch in which two states appear alternately and 
repeatedly upon manipulation. 
First, the main routine is shown in FIG. 9. When the main routine is 
started, initialization is done in the step S11. For example, the 
respective registers are cleared. In the next step S12, the information of 
key depression and key release in the keyboard and the information on the 
manipulation of the respective manipulators such as plane manipulator, 
etc. are detected and inputted. 
When the performance manipulation information is inputted, a judgment is 
made as to whether any event or events have occurred or not, in the step 
S13. 
If there is an event, the flow goes to the step S14. In the step S14, 
judgments are made as to whether there is a key event or not, whether the 
"vibrato" switch is operated or not, and whether other manipulators are 
manipulated or not. If there is a key event, the flow goes to the key 
event routine of the step S15. When the "vibrato" switch is operated, the 
flag processing of the step S16 is done. Also, when any one of the other 
manipulators is manipulated, the corresponding processing is done in the 
step S17. 
FIG. 10 shows the key event routine. When the key event routine is started, 
in the step S21, data of key events which have occurred simultaneously are 
fetched into event buffer registers EVTBUF and "0" is set in the number n. 
In the next step S22, a judgment is made as to whether the MSB of the n-th 
(first 0-th) event buffer register EVTBUF(n) is "1" or not. The fact that 
the MSB is "1" indicates a depressed key state in which a key is 
depressed. The fact that the MSB is "0" indicates a released key state. If 
the MSB is "1", the flow goes to the next step S23 along the arrow Y. 
In the step S23, the key data of the event buffer register EVTBUF(n) is 
fetched into a vacant key buffer KYB(N) after searching vacant channels 
for inputting the depressed key data. 
In this embodiment, when there is no vacant channel, channel assignment 
will not be done. However, the depressed key data may be rewritten 
successively in the oldest assigned channel while searching out the 
assigned channel, as will be described later. 
Then, the event buffer register EVTBUF(n) which has fetched the key data is 
cleared. Then, the number n is counted up by one to n+1 (the step S24). 
In the next step S25, a judgment is made as to whether there are remaining 
event data in the event buffer registers or not. If there is no remaining 
data, "0" is set in the number n to terminate the processing (the step 
S26), and the flow returns (the step S27). 
When there is any remaining event in the event buffer registers, the flow 
goes back from the step S25 to the step S22. 
In the step S22, if the MSB of the n-th event buffer register is "0", the 
flow goes to the step S28 and an assigned channel of the same key data is 
searched for. Namely, MSB="0" means key release. For realizing key 
release, the key should be depressed beforehand. Therefore, a key buffer 
storing the depressed key data is searched for. When the assigned channel 
is searched out, the associated key buffer KYB(N) corresponding to the key 
release is cleared and the corresponding musical tone is erased. 
In this embodiment, for generating a musical tone, it is necessary that any 
one key in the keyboard is depressed and the hand manipulator touches the 
manipulation plane in the plane manipulator. In an electronic musical 
instrument which requires two conditions of key depression and 
manipulation of the hand manipulator as the condition for generating a 
tone, the musical tone is erased when the key is released. Clearing of KYB 
corresponds to the key release. 
Here, in the case where an assignment system in which the oldest assigned 
key data is successively rewritten as will be described later is employed, 
the processing corresponding to the key release event may be omitted and 
the manipulation of the pen may be employed as the sole condition for 
generating the musical tone. 
FIG. 11 shows the flag processing routine for the "vibrato" switch. When 
the "vibrato" switch is operated, a judgment is made as to whether it is 
an "on" event or not, in the step S18. If it is an "on" event, "1-VIB" is 
set in the register VIB in the step S19. Namely, the state is inverted. If 
it is not an on event, the step S19 is skipped over. Then, the flow 
returns (the step S27) to a state awaiting the next "start". 
In the following, the timer interrupt routine is described with reference 
to FIG. 12. First, when the timer interrupt has occurred, a judgment in 
the step S31 is made as to whether the pressure data PB stored in the 
pressure buffer is larger than a predetermined pressure P.sub.1 and there 
is data in any of the key buffers KYB. P.sub.0 is set as a very small 
pressure value. Namely, when pressure is applied to the plane manipulator 
and any key in the keyboard is depressed, a musical tone will be 
generated. In other words, there is no musical tone generated only by key 
depression or only by manipulation of the plane manipulator, thereby 
preventing tone generation caused by erroneous operation. 
When the two conditions are satisfied, coordinates x.sub.p and y.sub.p and 
pressure P.sub.0 which are the output signals of the plane manipulator 1 
are fetched into the respective register X, Y and P in the next step S32 
along the arrow Y. Also, the angle .theta. of the manipulation position 
(X, Y) with respect to the x axis as the reference axis containing the 
reference point (x.sub.c, y.sub.c) is calculated from the value of 
tan.sup.-1 {(Y-y.sub.c)/(X-x.sub.c)} and fetched into the register 
.theta.p. In the next step S33, a judgment is made as to whether the data 
in the register VIB is "1" or not. 
When the VIB is "1" as a result of the judgement in the step S33, the mode 
to be used is a mode for generating "vibrato" information on the basis of 
the locus of performance manipulation. Accordingly, in the step S34, a 
judgement is made as to whether the flag OLD is "1" or not. When the flag 
OLD is "1", the flag indicates the fact that the event has been already 
detected. Accordingly, the flow goes to the step S35. 
In the step S35, the angle of the direction change is calculated according 
to the theory described above with reference to FIG. 6 and is stored in 
the register .omega.. Then, the flow goes to the step S36. The values of 
VIB.sub.D and VIB.sub.SP as "vibrato" information are calculated from 
.omega. by conversion on the basis of the conversion table having the 
conversion characteristic described above with reference to FIG. 8 and are 
respectively supplied to the buffers VIBB.sub.D and VIBB.sub.SP in the 
tone signal generating circuit. Thus, the information of "vibrato" depth 
and "vibrato" speed is inputted into the tone signal generating circuit. 
In the next step S37, the distance between the time-series position data 
detected in time sequence is calculated from the position data and stored 
in the register v representing the velocity. Also, the angle change is 
calculated from the angle of the manipulation position with respect to the 
reference axis and stored in the register dir representing the direction. 
In the next step S38, a judgment is made as to whether the contents of the 
register dir is positive (0 or more) or not. When the register dir is not 
negative, the flow goes to the step S39 along the arrow Y. In the step 
S39, "1" is set in the register DIR. When the register dir is negative, 
"0" is set in the register DIR (Step S40). 
Thus, the information representing the direction of the angle change is 
stored in the register DIR. Then, the flow goes to the step S41. In the 
step S41, velocity information v and pressure information p are 
respectively converted into the velocity data V and the pressure data P by 
using the table having the characteristic as shown in FIG. 13. These 
parameters V, P and DIR are supplied to the latch means VP, PB and DIRB in 
the tone signal generating means. Then, data are updated in the step S45 
and the flow returns in the step S46. 
When VIB is not "1" as a result of the judgment in the step S33, the flow 
goes to the step S42. In the step S42, a judgment is made as to whether 
the flag OLD is "1" or not. When the flag OLD is not "1", the flow goes to 
the step S43 along the arrow N and "1" is set in the flag OLD. When the 
flag OLD is "1" as a result of the judgment in the step S42, the flow goes 
to the step S37 along the arrow Y. 
When the flag OLD is not "1" as a result of the judgment in the step S34, 
the flow goes to the step S43 along the arrow N and "1" is set in the flag 
OLD. 
When the two conditions are not satisfied in the step S31, the flow goes to 
the step S47 along the arrow N and the respective registers are cleared. 
In the step S48, the flow returns. 
In the characteristic as shown in FIG. 13A, the slope of the curve is sharp 
in the region where the velocity data v is small. The sharp slope in the 
small data region is provided so that the bow speed data is raised up to a 
good tone generating region rapidly even if manipulation is made at a 
small speed, because it is difficult to generate a good musical tone when 
the speed of the operation of the bow of the violin is too small. 
Similarly, in FIG. 13B, the slope of the curve is sharp in the region where 
the pressure data p is small. The sharp slope is provided to narrow a 
region unfit for tone generation and so that the pressure data P in a 
region fit for tone generation can be generated when a suitable pressure 
is applied. 
Although description has been made on the case where "vibrato" effect is 
controlled on the basis of detection of the direction change in the locus 
of performance manipulation, other effects such as "tremolo", "celesta", 
"chorus", etc. may be controlled by utilizing the direction-change data. 
Although description has been made on the performance of a rubbed string 
instrument, taking the case of the violin as an example, musical tones of 
other instruments can be generated by using the similar electronic musical 
instrument. 
Although description has been made on the case where the manipulation plane 
1a is provided with a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor may be 
incorporated in the pen manipulator. 
Although description has been made on the manipulator having an 
electromagnetic coupling type two-dimensional manipulation region, the 
invention is not limited thereto. For example, a combination of a light 
pen and a light-sensitive display surface may be used as a manipulator or 
a three-dimensional data input device utilizing the polar coordinates may 
be used. The reference point may be fixed or arbitrarily settable. 
Also, other hand manipulators than the pen type manipulator may be used. 
Although description has been made on the case where the invention is 
applied to performance of a rubbed string instrument, it is to be 
understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that the 
invention can be applied to performance of other instruments such as a 
wind instrument. Also, a waveform memory, an FM tone generator, etc. can 
be utilized as the tone generator as well as the physical model tone 
generator as described above. Exclusive-use circuits for executing the 
steps of the program may be used in place of the CPU, ROM and RAM. 
As is described above, according to the embodiments of the present 
invention, new parameters for controlling musical tones can be provided by 
utilizing a manipulator having a manipulation region of two or more 
dimensions and deriving direction-change information from the locus of 
performance manipulation in the manipulation region. 
From this information, "vibrato" information as in a rubbed string 
instrument or a wind instrument can be provided. 
For example, the "vibrato" information, together with bow speed information 
and bow pressure information in a rubbed string instrument, can be 
provided by rotating the hand manipulator in the manipulation region. 
Furthermore, parameters such as the bow moving direction, etc. can be 
produced by detecting the direction of the movement. 
Although description has been made on the embodiments of the present 
invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it 
will be apparent for those skilled in the art that various changes, 
modifications, improvements and combinations thereof may be made.