Importance

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Abstract

A polyphonic breath controlled electronic musical instrument includes a hand held breath sensor unit having a plurality of bidirectional air flow sensing passageways for detecting sucking or blowing action of the performer in a manner similar to a conventional acoustic harmonica. The breath sensor unit further includes pressure sensing transducers on the surface thereof, adapted to sense lip pressure and finger pressure of the performer, as well as a plurality of switches activated by the fingers of the performer holding the breath sensor unit. A microphone configured in the breath sensor unit picks up the vocal sounds of the performer. A thumb wheel controller is provided on the sensor unit to allow a control of tone parameters, such as volume, by the thumb of the performer. The signals from the sensors and switches on the sensor unit are provided to a remote electronic control unit which converts the analog sensor signals and on/off switch signals to MIDI control data in response to programs set by the performer. The performer may set various combinations of tone effects which may be varied in the performance by the performer activating the switches and pressure sensors. A tone generator receives the MIDI control signals and provides musical tones in response thereto. A conventional acoustic harmonica may be accurately emulated in addition to providing a number of other digital musical effects.

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First Claim