Arpeggio generating system and method

Abstract

In an electronic musical instrument, an apparatus and method are described for automatically generating arpeggios from selected chords while requiring only a minimum amount of performance sophistication and dexterity. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of voice priority switches are included, each of which corresponds to a voice-related rhythmic pattern or an arpeggio variation of tones played. The desired variation of the voice-related rhythmic pattern of tones is implemented as selected notes are played. The played notes and corresponding notes in higher octaves are stored in a random access memory and subsequently accessed by a microprocessor which searches up or down in frequency to find the available notes in the random access memory. Subsequently, the microprocessor converts chosen notes to audible tones. The system of the subject invention, under certain predetermined conditions, reverses the order of search whenever the highest or lowest notes are reached or exceeded, stops the search, and produces a five-note trill. Further, the system of the subject invention, under certain predetermined conditions, skips one or more active notes during a search and immediately searches for another note in the chord or changes the direction of search in the middle of the chord or sequence.