Patent ID: 8859866

Claim:
A keyboard instrument comprising: a plurality of keys; a plurality of sounding bodies each provided in corresponding relation to each of the plurality of keys; a plurality of hammers each responsive to an operation of any one of the keys and configured to strike the sounding body corresponding to the operated key; a stopper configured to prevent the hammer from striking the sounding body; a soundboard configured to be vibrated with vibration of the sounding body; an excitation unit including a vibration member connected to the soundboard and a main body heavier than the vibration members, the excitation unit configured to generate at least one of attraction force and repulsion force between the vibration member and the main body in response to a drive signal supplied thereto to vibrate the vibration member; a supporting unit configured to support the main body so that less or no load of the main body is applied to the soundboard at least in a state in which the soundboard is not vibrated; a performance information generation unit configured to generate performance information corresponding to an operation of the key; a signal generation unit configured to generate an audio waveform signal based on the performance information, the generated audio waveform signal being supplied to the excitation unit as the drive signal to thereby vibrate the vibration member; and a controlling unit configured to control the stopper in such a manner as to permit or not to permit the stopper to prevent the hammer from striking the sounding body when the vibration member is vibrated in response to the drive signal.