Automatic accompaniment apparatus and automatic accompaniment method

An automatic accompaniment apparatus comprising:

• a display;
• and
• a processor that is configured to:
• determine a current position in a music piece in progress;
• select an accompaniment element data set to be used out of a plurality of accompaniment element data sets every time the determined current position arrives at a predetermined switching position;
• generate accompaniment data indicating automatic accompaniment based on the selected accompaniment element data set;
• calculate time information corresponding to a time required until the determined current position arrives at a next switching position;
• and
• control a display to display arrival advance notice information indicating the calculated time information,
• wherein the displayed arrival advance notice information changes according to the calculated time information as the current position approaches the next switching position.

An automatic accompaniment method comprising:

• determining a current position in a music piece in progress;
• selecting an accompaniment element data set to be used out of a plurality of accompaniment element data sets every time the determined current position arrives at a predetermined switching position;
• generating accompaniment data indicating automatic accompaniment based on the selected accompaniment element data set;
• calculating time information corresponding a time required until the determined current position arrives at a next switching position;
• and
• controlling a display to display arrival advance notice information indicating the calculated time information,
• wherein the displayed arrival advance notice information changes according to the calculated time information as the current position approaches the next switching position.