Reproduction control method, reproduction control system, and reproduction control apparatus

A computer-implemented reproduction control method of reproducing a series of sounds, including first sound and second sound that follows the first sound, of a piece of music represented by sound data, the method comprising:

• estimating a temporal position of part of the piece of music being played by a user in conjunction with reproduction of the series of sounds of the piece of music being reproduced;
• and
• reproducing the series of sounds following playing of the piece of music by the user based on a result of the estimation,
• wherein the reproducing of the series of sounds includes:
• starting reproducing the first sound;
• stopping the reproduction of the first sound in response to receiving a first instruction in a reproduction period of the first sound;
• and
• after the stopping of the reproduction of the first sound, starting reproducing the second sound in response to receiving a second instruction from the user.

A computer-implemented reproduction control method comprising:

• obtaining sound data representative of a series of sounds including a first sound;
• starting reproducing the first sound;
• and
• continuing the reproduction of the first sound until an end of the first sound in response to receiving an instruction in a reproduction period of the first sound,
• wherein the instruction is generated in accordance with a manipulation of a manipulation device by a user.

A reproduction control system comprising:

• a memory storing instructions;
• and
• at least one processor that implements the instructions to:
• acquire performance data specifying a plurality of sounds, including first sound and second sound following the first sound, provided to a performance device;
• acquire a first audio signal representative of first sounds of a piece of music produced by a musical instrument in a first performance of the piece of music with the musical instrument;
• generate, based on the first audio signal, reference data representative of a time point at which each of the first sounds of the piece of music is produced in the first performance;
• compare the reference data with a second audio signal representative of second sounds of the piece of music produced by the musical instrument in a second performance of the piece of music with the musical instrument, to estimate a temporal position of a performance within the piece of music in conjunction with the second performance;
• and
• reproduce the plurality of sounds specified by the performance data, following the second performance based on a result of the estimation,
• wherein in reproducing the plurality of sounds, the at least one processor is configured to:
• start reproducing the first sound;
• continue the reproducing the first sound until an end of the first sound in response to receiving a first instruction in a reproduction period of the first sound;
• stop the reproduction of the first sound;
• and
• after stopping the reproduction of the first sound, start reproducing the second sound in response to receiving a second instruction from a user.

A reproduction control apparatus for reproducing sound from sound data representing a series of sounds including first sound and second sound that follows the first sound, the reproduction control apparatus comprising:

• a memory storing instructions;
• and
• at least one processor that implements the instructions to:
• start reproducing the first sound;
• continue the reproduction of a first sound until an end of the first sound in response to receiving a first instruction in a reproduction period of the first sound;
• stopping the reproduction of the first sound;
• and
• after the stopping of the reproduction of the first sound, start reproducing the second sound in response to receiving a second instruction provided by a user.

A reproduction control apparatus for reproducing a series of sounds, including first sound and second sound that follows the first sound, of a piece of music represented by sound data, the reproduction control apparatus comprising:

• a memory storing instructions;
• and
• at least one processor that implements the instructions to:
• estimate a temporal position of part of the piece of music being played by a user in conjunction with reproduction of the series of sounds of the piece of music being reproduced;
• and
• reproduce the series of sounds following playing of the piece of music by the user based on a result of the estimation,
• wherein, in reproducing the series of sounds, the at least one processor is configured to:
• start reproducing the first sound;
• stop the reproduction of the first sound in response to receiving a first instruction in a reproduction period of the first sound;
• and
• after stopping the reproduction of the first sound, start reproducing the second sound in response to receiving a second instruction from the user.