Hammer Velocity Measurement System

A method for determining a velocity of a hammer of a keyboard instrument, the method comprising:

• transmitting a light signal to a hammer;
• receiving a reflected light signal from the hammer indicative of a position of the hammer as the hammer moves between a rest position and a strike position;
• generating an electrical signal based on the reflected light signal received from the hammer;
• determining a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point representative of a first hammer position and a second trigger point representative of a second hammer position;
• and
• determining a velocity of the hammer based on the time interval,
• wherein i) the first hammer position corresponds to a first hammer height above the rest position, or ii) the second hammer position corresponds to a second hammer height below the strike position, the second hammer height being in close proximity to the strike position.