Method of visualizing music system by combination of scenery picture and player icons

• US 6,140,565 A
• Filed: 06/07/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Inventors: Yamauchi, Akira, Saito, Kenichiro, Kawada, Manabu, Kurakake, Yasushi, Fukushima, Yoshiko, Okamura, Yasuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US09/326,987
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 84/612, 84/622-625, 84/652, 84/659-661, 84/668, 84/477 R, 84/478, 84/724, 84/DIG. 6
• US Class Current: 84/600
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/111 for graphical orchestra or soundstage control, e.g. on-screen selection or positioning of instruments in a virtual orchestra, using movable or selectable musical instrument icons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/06 Cathode-ray tube

Abstract

A method is designed for displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and that is applied with an acoustic effect, an accompaniment style and the like. The method is carried out by the steps of analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate the acoustic effect, the accompaniment style and the like applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system, providing a picture of a scenery setting in matching with the discriminated acoustic effect, the accompaniment style and the like such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the music system should be played with the acoustic effect, the accompaniment style and the like, providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre, and arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and that is acoustically characterized by a specific effect, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the specific effect applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a virtual setting which is set in matching with the discriminated specific effect such that the picture of the virtual setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the music system should be played with the specific effect;

providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

2. A method of displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and that is accompanied by a specific style of an accompaniment, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate the specific style applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a virtual setting which is set in matching with the discriminated specific style such that the picture of the virtual setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the music system should be played with the specific style;

providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

3. A method of displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and that Is applied with a specific combination of an acoustic effect and an accompaniment style, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate the specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a virtual setting which is set in matching with the discriminated specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style such that the picture of the virtual setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the music system should be played with the specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style;

providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

4. A method of displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a desired lateral pan, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system, the picture of the virtual setting being divided into a sensitive zone and an insensitive zone;

locating the icon of the performance part at a desired lateral position in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system;

determining the lateral pan of the performance part dependently on the lateral position of the icon when the icon is located within the sensitive zone of the picture; and

otherwise

determining a flat lateral pan for the performance part regardless of the lateral position of the icon when the icon is located within the insensitive zone of the picture.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of providing a picture comprises providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a three-dimensional situation and environment having depth positions such that the icon can be located at a depth position in addition to the lateral position, the method further comprising the step of determining a sound volume of the performance part dependently on the depth position of the icon located in the picture.

6. A method of displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a lateral pan, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system and to discriminate the lateral pan applied to the performance part;

providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system; and

locating the icon of the performance part at a lateral position in the picture of the virtual setting in accordance with the discriminated lateral pan to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

7. A method of displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a sound volume, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system and to detect the sound volume set to the performance part;

providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a three-dimensional situation and environment having depth positions for accommodating the music system; and

locating the icon of the performance part at a depth position in the picture of the virtual setting in accordance with the detected sound volume to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

8. A method of displaying a visual image of playing at least one performance part with a particular timbre in a music system, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

synthesizing a picture containing an icon designed in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre;

providing a command to start generation of a sound having the particular timbre according to the data of the music system to thereby play the performance part of the music system; and

starting animation of the icon in response to the command so that the icon visualizes the playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the icon is animated by changing a plurality of still images of the icon.

10. A method of displaying a visual image of playing a music system containing performance parts having a particular timbres, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to each performance part of the music system;

synthesizing a picture containing a player icon corresponding to the discriminated particular timbre and symbolizing each performance part of the music system, and a conductor icon symbolizing a conductor of the music system;

generating a sound according to the data of the music system to thereby play each performance part of the music system; and

animating the conductor icon in matching with the sound associated to each performance part so as to visualize the playing of the music system.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the conductor icon is animated by changing a plurality of still images of the conductor.

12. A method of determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning a timbre allotted to a performance part of a music system, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to performance parts constituting the music system;

providing icons in correspondence with the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the performance parts with the allotted timbres;

providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a situation and environment of the music system;

arranging the icons of the performance parts in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize a visual image of the music system; and

selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine a sample of music data for use in auditioning the timbre allotted to the performance part symbolized by the selected icon.

13. A method of determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning a performance part of a music system that is applicable to perform a music of various genres, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a genre of the music to be performed by the music system;

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate a timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system; and

determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning the performance part according to the identified genre and the discriminated timbre.

14. A method of determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning a performance part of a music system that is adaptable to perform a music at a variable tempo, the method comprising the steps of:

specifying a tempo of the music to be performed by the music system;

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate a timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system; and

determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning the performance part according to the specified tempo and the discriminated timbre.

15. A method of determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning performance parts of a music system, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to the performance parts constituting the music system;

providing icons in correspondence with the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the performance parts with the allotted timbres;

providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a situation and environment of the music system, the picture containing a melody area and a backing area;

arranging a location of each icon of each performance part in either of the melody area and the backing area on the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize a visual image of the music system, some performance part being allocated to the melody area for playing a melody while other performance part being allocated to the backing area for backing the melody; and

selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine a sample of music data for use in auditioning the performance part of the selected icon, according to the timbre allotted to the performance part of the selected icon and according to the location of the selected icon relative to the melody area and the backing area.

16. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of a music system on the monitor display, the music system being constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and being modified by an acoustic effect, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to identify the acoustic effect applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a scenery setting which is set in matching with the identified acoustic effect such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment by which the music system can present the identified acoustic effect;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

17. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of a music system on the monitor display, the music system being constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and being accompanied by a specific style of an accompaniment, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to identify the specific style applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a scenery setting which is set in matching with the identified specific style such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment by which the music system can present the specific style of the accompaniment;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

18. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of a music system on the monitor display, the music system being constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and being applied with a specific combination of an acoustic effect and an accompaniment style, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to identify the specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a scenery setting which is set in matching with the identified specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment by which the music system can present the specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

19. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of a music system on the monitor display, the music system being constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a lateral pan, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system, the picture of the scenery setting being divided into a sensitive zone and an insensitive zone;

locating the icon of the performance part at a lateral position in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system;

determining the lateral pan of the performance part dependently on the lateral position of the icon when the icon is located within the sensitive zone of the picture; and

otherwise

determining a fixed lateral pan for the performance part regardless of the lateral position of the icon when the icon is located within the insensitive zone of the picture.

20. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of a music system on the monitor display, the music system being constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a lateral pan, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system and to detect the lateral pan applied to the performance part;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system; and

locating the icon of the performance part at a lateral position in the picture of the scenery setting in accordance with the detected lateral pan to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

21. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of a music system on the monitor display, the music system being constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a sound volume, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system and to detect the sound volume set to the performance part;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a three-dimensional scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment of the music system, the three-dimensional scenery setting having depth positions for accommodating the music system; and

locating the icon of the performance part at a depth position in the picture of the three-dimensional scenery setting in accordance with the detected sound volume to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

22. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of playing at least one performance part with a particular timbre in a music system by means of the monitor display, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system so as to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

synthesizing a picture containing an icon designed in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre;

providing a command to start generation of a sound having the particular timbre according to the data associated to the music system to thereby play the performance part of the music system; and

starting animation of the icon in response to the command so that the icon visualizes the playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre.

23. The computer readable medium according to claim 22, wherein the icon is animated by changing a plurality of still images of the icon.

24. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor and a monitor display, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of displaying a visual image of playing a music system on the monitor display, the music system being composed of performance parts having various timbres, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate various timbres allotted to respective performance parts of the music system;

synthesizing a picture containing player icons corresponding to the discriminated various timbres and symbolizing the respective performance parts of the music system, and a conductor icon symbolizing a conductor for conducting the music system;

generating sounds according to the data associated to the music system to thereby play the music system; and

animating the conductor icon in matching with the sounds associated to respective performance parts so as to visualize the playing of the music system.

25. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, wherein the conductor icon is animated by changing a plurality of still images of the conductor.

26. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing a timbre allotted to a performance part of a music system, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to respective performance parts constituting the music system;

providing icons in correspondence to the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the respective performance parts with the allotted timbres;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system;

arranging the icons of the respective performance parts in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize a visual image of the music system; and

selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine the sample music data for use in audibly testing the timbre allotted to the performance part of the selected icon.

27. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing a performance part of a music system that is adaptable to perform a music of various genres, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

identifying a genre of the music to be performed by the music system;

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate a timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system; and

determining the sample music data for use in audibly testing the performance part according to the identified genre and the discriminated timbre.

28. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing a performance part of a music system that is configurable to perform a music at a variable tempo, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

specifying a tempo of the music to be performed by the music system;

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate a timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system; and

determining the sample music data for use in audibly testing the performance part according to the specified tempo and the discriminated timbre.

29. A computer readable medium for use in a computer having a central processor, the medium containing program instructions executable by the central processor for causing the computer to carry out a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing performance parts of a music system, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to respective performance parts constituting the music system;

providing icons in correspondence to the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the respective performance parts with the allotted timbres;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system, the picture containing a melody area and a backing area;

specifying a location of each icon of each performance part in either of the melody area and the backing area on the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize a visual image of the music system, some performance part being located in the melody area for playing a melody while other performance part being located in the backing area for backing the melody; and

selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine sample music data for use in audibly testing the performance part of the selected icon, according to the timbre allotted to the performance part of the selected icon and according to the location of the selected icon with respect to the melody area and the backing area.

30. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre while applying an acoustic effect to the music system, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing the process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to identify the acoustic effect applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a scenery setting which is set in matching with the identified acoustic effect such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the identified acoustic effect is applied to the music system;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the monitor display.

31. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre while a specific style of an accompaniment is applied to the music system, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to identify the specific style of the accompaniment applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a scenery setting which is set in matching with the identified specific style of the accompaniment such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the specific style of the accompaniment is applied to the music system;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the monitor display.

32. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre while a specific combination of an acoustic effect and an accompaniment style is applied to the music system, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to identify the specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing a picture of a scenery setting which is set in matching with the identified specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style such that the picture of the scenery setting visualizes a situation and environment inn which the specific combination of the acoustic effect and the accompaniment style is applied to the music system;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the display monitor.

33. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a lateral pan, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system, the picture of the scenery setting being divided into a sensitive zone and an insensitive zone;

locating the icon of the performance part at a lateral position in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the monitor display;

determining the lateral pan of the performance part dependently on the lateral position of the icon when the icon is located within the sensitive zone of the picture; and

otherwise

determining a fixed lateral pan for the performance part regardless of the lateral position of the icon when the icon is located within the insensitive zone of the picture.

34. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a lateral pan, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system and to detect the lateral pan applied to the performance part;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system; and

locating the icon of the performance part at a lateral position in the picture of the scenery setting in accordance with the detected lateral pan to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the monitor display.

35. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre and a sound volume, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system and to detect the sound volume set to the performance part;

providing an icon in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre;

providing a picture of a three-dimensional scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment of the music system, the three-dimensional scenery setting having depth positions for accommodating the music system; and

locating the icon of the performance part at a depth position in the picture of the three-dimensional scenery setting in accordance with the detected sound volume to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the display monitor.

36. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system containing at least one performance part with a particular timbre, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the playing of the performance part, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system so as to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

synthesizing a picture containing an icon designed in correspondence to the discriminated particular timbre;

providing a command to start generation of a sound having the particular timbre according to the data associated to the music system to thereby play the performance part of the music system by means of the sound source; and

starting animation of the icon in response to the command so that the icon visualizes the playing of the performance part by means of the monitor display.

37. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system composed of performance parts having various timbres, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the playing of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process comprising the steps of:

analyzing data associated to the music system to discriminate various timbres allotted to respective performance parts of the music system;

synthesizing a picture containing player icons corresponding to the discriminated various timbres and symbolizing the respective performance parts of the music system, and a conductor icon symbolizing a conductor for conducting the music system;

generating sounds by means of the sound source according to the data associated to the music system to thereby play the music system; and

animating the conductor icon contained in the picture displayed on the monitor display in matching with the sounds associated to respective performance parts so as to visualize the playing of the music system.

38. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system composed of performance parts, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing a timbre allotted to a performance part of the music system, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to respective performance parts constituting the music system;

providing icons in correspondence to the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the respective performance parts with the allotted timbres;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system;

arranging the icons of the respective performance parts in the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the monitor display; and

selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine the sample music data which is reproduced by the sound source for audibly testing the timbre allotted to the performance part of the selected icon.

39. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system that is composed of performance parts and that is adaptable to perform a music of various genres, and a central processor for executing a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing a performance part of the music system, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

identifying a genre of the music to be performed by the music system;

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate a timbre allotted to a performance part of the music system; and

determining the sample music data according to the identified genre and the discriminated timbre so that the sample music data is reproduced by the sound source for use in audibly testing the performance part.

40. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system that is composed of performance parts and that is configurable to perform a music at a variable tempo, and a central processor executing a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing a performance part of the music system, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

specifying a tempo of the music to be performed by the music system;

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate a timbre allotted to a performance part of the music system; and

determining the sample music data according to the specified tempo and the discriminated timbre so that sample music data is reproduced by the sound source for audibly testing the performance part.

41. A music apparatus comprising a sound source for playing a music system composed of performance parts, a monitor display for displaying a visual image of the music system, and a central processor for executing a process of determining sample music data for use in audibly testing performance parts of the music system, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to respective performance parts constituting the music system;

providing icons in correspondence to the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the respective performance parts with the allotted timbres;

providing a picture of a scenery setting to visualize a situation and environment designed for the music system, the picture containing a melody area and a backing area;

specifying a location of each icon of each performance part in either of the melody area and the backing area on the picture of the scenery setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system, which is displayed on the monitor display, some performance part being located in the melody area for playing a melody while other performance part being located in the backing area for backing the melody; and

selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine the sample music data according to the timbre allotted to the performance part of the selected icon and according to the location of the selected icon relative to the melody area and the backing area, so that the sample music data is reproduced by the sound source for audibly testing the performance part of the selected icon.

42. An apparatus for displaying a visual image of a music system that is constructed to play at least one performance part with a particular timbre and that is acoustically characterized by a specific effect, the apparatus comprising:

means for analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the specific effect applied to the music system and to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

means for providing a picture of a virtual setting which is set in matching with the discriminated specific effect such that the picture of the virtual setting visualizes a situation and environment in which the music system should be played with the specific effect;

means for providing an icon in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre such that the icon symbolizes playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre; and

means for arranging the icon of the performance part in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize the visual image of the music system.

43. An apparatus for displaying a visual image of playing at least one performance part with a particular timbre in a music system, the apparatus comprising:

means for analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate the particular timbre allotted to the performance part of the music system;

means for synthesizing a picture containing an icon designed in correspondence with the discriminated particular timbre;

mean for providing a command to start generation of a sound having the particular timbre according to the data of the music system to thereby play the performance part of the music system; and

means for starting animation of the icon in response to the command so that the icon visualizes the playing of the performance part with the allotted timbre.

44. An apparatus for determining a sample of music data for use in auditioning a timbre allotted to a performance part of a music system, the apparatus comprising:

means for analyzing data representative of the music system to discriminate timbres allotted to performance parts constituting the music system;

means for providing icons in correspondence with the discriminated timbres such that the icons symbolize playing of the performance parts with the allotted timbres;

means for providing a picture of a virtual setting to visualize a situation and environment of the music system;

means for arranging the icons of the performance parts in the picture of the virtual setting to thereby synthesize a visual image of the music system; and

means for selecting one of the icons arranged in the visual image of the music system so as to determine a sample of music data for use in auditioning the timbre allotted to the performance part of the selected icon.