Sound generation control apparatus

A method of controlling generation of music sounds with aide of a display device, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining on the display device a loop region having an outer periphery surrounding a reference point and indicating progression of time in accordance with time information and in association with a length in a circumferential direction of the loop region;
• displaying in the loop region a music data image corresponding to music data which specifies content of music sound to be generated as time progresses, wherein the music data image is displayed in the loop region such that progression of the music data corresponds to the length in the circumferential direction of the loop region;
• outputting, upon receiving an instruction to start generation of the music sound, the time information indicating a time that progresses from a timing corresponding to the instruction;
• and
• generating the music sound based on the music data corresponding to the music data image and according to a relationship between a position in the circumferential direction of the loop region determined by the time information and a location of the music data image in the loop region,
• wherein the step of displaying displays a plurality of music data images in the loop region, and the step of generating simultaneously generates a plurality of music sounds corresponding to the plurality of the music data images as the time progresses.

A machine readable non-transitory storage medium for use in a computer having a processor and a display device, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for controlling generation of music sounds with aide of the display device by processes of:

• defining on the display device a loop region having an outer periphery surrounding a reference point and indicating progression of time in accordance with time information and in association with a length in a circumferential direction of the loop region;
• displaying in the loop region a music data image corresponding to music data which specifies content of music sound to be generated as time progresses, wherein the music data image is displayed in the loop region such that progression of the music data corresponds to the length in the circumferential direction of the loop region;
• outputting, upon receiving an instruction to start generation of the music sound, the time information indicating a time that progresses from a timing corresponding to the instruction;
• and
• generating the music sound based on the music data corresponding to the music data image and according to a relationship between a position in the circumferential direction of the loop region determined by the time information and a location of the music data image in the loop region,
• wherein the process of displaying displays a plurality of music data images in the loop region, and the process of generating simultaneously generates a plurality of music sounds corresponding to the plurality of the music data images as the time progresses.