Performance apparatus and tone generation method using the performance apparatus

A method of generating a tone with a performance apparatus that includes a plurality of key switches arranged in a plurality of key switch rows, and a plurality of light emitting elements provided in corresponding relation to the key switches, said method comprising:

• a step of detecting an operated key switch for each of the key switch rows;
• an illumination step of, on the basis of detection in the detecting step, sequentially illuminating the light emitting elements in such a manner that an illuminated position reciprocates between the operated key switch and the key switch located at a first predetermined position in the same key switch row of the operated key switch;
• and
• a tone generation step of generating at least one of tones allocated to the same key switch row of the operated key switch when the key switch located at a second predetermined position in the same key switch row of the operated key switch is illuminated.

A computer-readable medium storing a computer program for controlling a performance apparatus that includes a plurality of key switches arranged in a plurality of key switch rows, and a plurality of light emitting elements provided in corresponding relation to the key switches, the program including:

• a detecting instruction for detecting an operated key switch for each of the key switch rows;
• an illumination instruction for, on the basis of the detection made in the detecting instruction, sequentially illuminating the light emitting elements in such a manner that an illuminated position reciprocates between the operated key switch and the key switch located at a first predetermined position in the same key switch row of the operated key switch;
• and
• a tone generation instruction for generating at least one of tones allocated to the same key switch row of the operated key switch when the key switch located at a second predetermined position in the same key switch row of the operated key switch row is illuminated.

A performance apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of key switches provided at a plurality of predetermined positions;
• a plurality of light emitting elements provided in corresponding relation to the positions where said plurality of key switches are provided;
• a detection section that detects duration of operation of a key switch having being operated among said plurality of key switches;
• a light emission control section that, in accordance with the duration of operation detected by said detection section, controls light emission of the light emitting elements located in a predetermined key-switch-arranged range including the operated key switch;
• and
• a tone generation section that generates a tone, corresponding to the operated key switch, after imparting the tone with an effect corresponding to the detected duration of operation,
• wherein when the duration of operation detected by said detection section is greater than a predetermined time, said light emission control section controls light emission of two or more of said light emitting elements, located in the predetermined key-switch-arranged range including the operated key switch, in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and
• wherein said pattern includes switching of the light emitting element to be illuminated from one light emitting element to another in accordance with passage of time.

A method of controlling a performance apparatus that includes a plurality of key switches provided at a plurality of predetermined positions, a plurality of light emitting elements provided in corresponding relation to the positions where the plurality of key switches are provided, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting duration of operation of a key switch having being operated among the plurality of key switches;
• controlling light emission of the light emitting elements, located in a predetermined key-switch-arranged range including the operated key switch, in accordance with the detected duration of operation;
• and
• generating a tone, corresponding to the operated key switch, after imparting the tone with an effect corresponding to the detected duration of operation,
• wherein when the detected duration of operation is greater than a predetermined time, the light emission controlling step controls light emission of two or more of the light emitting elements, located in the predetermined key-switch-arranged range including the operated key switch, in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and
• wherein the pattern includes switching of the light emitting element to be illuminated from one light emitting element to another in accordance with passage of time.

A computer-readable medium storing a computer program for controlling a performance apparatus that includes a plurality of key switches provided at a plurality of predetermined positions, a plurality of light emitting elements provided in corresponding relation to the positions where the plurality of key switches are provided, the computer program containing instructions for:

• detecting duration of operation of a key switch having being operated among the plurality of key switches;
• controlling light emission of the light emitting elements, located in a predetermined key-switch-arranged range including the operated key switch, in accordance with the detected duration of operation;
• and
• generating a tone, corresponding to the operated key switch, after imparting the tone with an effect corresponding to the detected duration of operation,
• wherein when the detected duration of operation is greater than a predetermined time, the light emission controlling instruction controls light emission of two or more of the light emitting elements, located in the predetermined key-switch-arranged range including the operated key switch, in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and
• wherein the pattern includes switching of the light emitting element to be illuminated from one light emitting element to another in accordance with passage of time.