US 3,962,945 A · Foot actuated electronic organ

Abstract

A musical instrument including an electronic organ provided with sound generators of an upper manual, a lower manual, a bass and a rhythm section. The sound generators are connected electrically to control switches in a console, these control switches being actuated by spaced horizontal, arcuately disposed, rows of main, switch actuating, pedals selectively operable by a person's left foot. The main pedals are disposed also in vertical rows corresponding to a basic note of a chord while the horizontal rows correspond to the key of each basic chord. A diode logic, in cooperation with the sound generators and control switches, dictates a prescribed chord of the lower manual sound generator to be sounded when a main pedal is depressed. An auxiliary switch which is actuated by a rhythm pedal operated by the right foot of a person, is adapted, when the additional chords are programmed by depression of a control pedal, to energize the sound generators of the upper manual for producing such additional compatible chords. The main pedals also actuate circuits to the sound generators of the bass and a switch, actuated by sidewise movement of the rhythm pedal, actuates the rhythm section.

Claims12

Dependent claims

In an electronic organ of the type having note generating means, and a bass assembly the combination of:

an array of foot pedals adapted for selection by foot depression;
a control pedal adapted for operation by foot depression;
first logic means connected with said note generating means for producing chords corresponding to selected notes;
second logic means connected with said note generating means for producing chords corresponding to other selected notes;
first switch means actuated by said foot pedals for energizing said first logic means, for enabling said second logic means and for energizing said bass assembly;
and
second switch means actuated by said control pedal for energizing said second logic means as enabled by said first switch means, whereby foot operation of said foot pedals and said control pedals provide chord accompaniment so as to free the musician's hands for playing a separate instrument.

4 more elements

In an electronic organic of the type having note generating means, the combination therewith of:

a. a console;
b. control switches disposed in said console;
c. means connecting said switches to said not generation means for producing prescribed chords when a switch is actuated, certain of said switches being connected to said note generating means so as to cause said note generating means to produce, in different keys respectively, major chord combinations, certain other of said switches being connected to said note generating means so as to produce, in different keys respectively, minor chord combinations;
d. a plurality of juxtaposed foot pedals means projecting from said console, said foot pedals means being disposed arcuately and in a plurality of horizontal rows one over the other, said foot pedals means being connected respectively to said switches for respectively actuating said switches;
the foot pedals means in one row being connected to said certain switches which cause the note generating means to generate major chord combinations;
the foot pedals means in a second row being connected to said certain other switches which cause the note generating to generate minor chord combinations.

3 more elements

In an electronic organ which includes an upper manual, a lower manual, a bass assembly, note generating means connected to said upper manual, said lower manual and said base assembly for producing musical notes selected at said upper manual, said lower manual and said bass assembly, and speaker means for sounding notes produced by said note generating means, the combination of:

an array of foot pedals adapted for selection by foot depression;
a control pedal adapted for operation by foot depression;
first logic means connected with said note generating means for producing chords corresponding to selection of notes at said lower manual;
second logic means connected with said note generating means for producing chords corresponding to selections at said upper manual;
first switch means actuated by said foot pedals for energizing said first logic means, for enabling said second logic means and for energizing said bass assembly;
and
second switch means actuated by said control pedal for energizing said second logic means as enabled by said first switch means, whereby foot operation of said foot pedals and said control pedals provide chord accompaniment so as to free the musician's hands for playing a separate instrument.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Foot actuated electronic organ

Life of this patent

Foot actuated electronic organ

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12