Keyboard instrument and key manufacturing method

Abstract

A simple method is used to apply a process to the key that reduces slippage caused by fingernails or sweaty hands, as well as the generation of abnormal noises caused by contact with fingernails. [Solution] The keyboard instrument 100 is equipped with multiple controls operated by the user. The controls are multiple keys 21 provided on the keyboard instrument 100. A flocked layer 50 is formed on the upper surface of the keys 21, which are the controls, by flocking multiple fibers using electrostatic flocking. The fibers forming the flocked layer 50 are short fibers 5 having a predetermined fiber length L or fiber diameter D.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard instrument and a method for manufacturing keys.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a keyboard instrument equipped with a keyboard such as an electronic piano is an instrument that many users widely have the opportunity to touch, and is used for relatively casual performance purposes. The keys of a keyboard instrument may be molded from resin or the like. However, since the keys are formed of a hard material, there may be abnormal sounds when the nails hit during key presses. In particular, keys molded from resin are lacking in hygroscopicity and have a smooth surface, so when playing with fingertips or sweaty hands, they may be slippery or sticky, and there is a possibility that the playability may be impaired. In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes attaching a sweat-absorbing surface material to the surface of a key molded from resin.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the keys are relatively small members, and there are curves and irregularities on the surface. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 1, even if an attempt is made to attach a surface material, it is laborious to cut and process the surface material into an appropriate shape and size, and further labor is required for the work of attaching it without displacement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a keyboard instrument and a method for manufacturing keys capable of applying a process capable of reducing the occurrence of slippage due to nails and sweat and abnormal sounds due to contact with nails to the keys by a simple method.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the keyboard instrument according to the present invention is a keyboard instrument equipped with a plurality of controls operated by the user, characterized in that a flocked layer is formed on the upper surface of the controls by electrostatic flocking. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a key can be processed using a simple method to reduce slippage caused by fingernails or sweaty hands, and to reduce the generation of abnormal noises caused by contact with fingernails. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the main parts showing the overall external configuration of the keyboard instrument according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of a unit key for a keyboard instrument. [Figure 3] This is a magnified view of the area indicated by the dashed line in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a magnified perspective view of a key part of the keyboard unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic, enlarged side view of a key part of the keyboard unit. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating how to strike a key without a bristle layer. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of striking a key in the embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing an example of a unit. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows a correspondence table illustrating an example of assignment when the fiber length and fiber diameter of the fibers to be electrostatically flocked to each key are varied for each key. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is a plan view showing an example of a keyboard unit where the fiber length and fiber diameter of the fibers used for electrostatic flocking on each key are varied for each unit. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing an example of a unit. [Figure 12]This is a plan view illustrating an example where multiple unit units with different frictional properties are provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the manufacturing method for the keyboard instrument 100 and keys 21 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In this embodiment, up and down, left and right, and front and back refer to the orientation shown in Figure 1. The embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferred limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and illustrated examples below.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the keyboard instrument 100 of this embodiment comprises a keyboard unit 2 having a plurality of keys 21, and a case 3 in which the keyboard unit 2 is housed. The case 3 is made of various resins, such as polystyrene (PS) or ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin). Various switch units 31 and display units 32 are provided on the upper rear (back) side of the case 3, etc., so as to be exposed on the upper surface. The switch units 31 consist of various switches for performing operations necessary for the keyboard instrument, such as a power switch, volume switch, tone switch, and function switch. The display unit 32 has a flat display panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel or an EL (electroluminescent) display panel, and is configured to display various information necessary for the keyboard instrument. In addition, in the keyboard instrument 100 of this embodiment, a rotary switch unit 33 is provided on the upper side of the case 3 (the upper left side in the example shown in Figure 1), so as to be exposed on the upper surface. The rotary switch unit 33 is used, for example, to add pitch bend effects, modulation effects, etc., to the musical tones generated when each key 21 of the keyboard unit 2 is struck. Inside the case 3 is a control unit (not shown). The control unit receives instructions and keystroke operations from the switch unit 31 and outputs musical tones corresponding to the keystrokes, and controls the display on the display unit 32.

[0011] The keyboard unit 2 includes a plurality of keys 21 composed of white keys 21a and black keys 21b. The keys 21 are operators that the user operates. In the following, when simply referred to as "keys 21", it includes both white keys 21a and black keys 21b. The operation of the keys 21 (key - pressing operation) is performed by the finger F. During the key - pressing operation, the user's finger F, nail Fn (see Fig. 6 etc.) etc. abut against the surface of the keys 21. The material forming the keys 21 is not particularly limited, and for example, various hard materials such as resins, wood, glass, metal, ceramics, etc. can be applied. The number of keys 21 included in the keyboard unit 2 is not limited, and for example, 88 (7 octaves + 3) or 76 (6 octaves + 3) keys 21 are provided. The keys 21 constitute a unit unit 20 with one octave as a set as shown in Fig. 2 for example, and the keyboard unit 2 is configured by assembling a plurality of such unit units 20 to a key chassis not shown. The rear end portion of each key 21 is supported by a support portion not shown and can rotate or swing in the vertical direction during key - pressing. A hammer member (not shown) that applies an action load during key - pressing may be provided on each of these keys 21. In this case, by the rotation of the hammer member during key - pressing, a key touch feeling like that of an acoustic piano can be reproduced.

[0012] In the embodiment, on the upper surface of the keys 21 (white keys 21a and black keys 21b) which are operators, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 etc., a flocking layer 50 in which fibers (short fibers 5 (flock) described later) are flocked is formed. The flocking layer 50 is formed by electrostatic flocking processing. The upper surface of the keys 21 on which the flocking layer 50 is formed includes not only flat portions as shown in Fig. 3 (portion III shown in Fig. 2), but also inclined surfaces, curved surfaces etc. as shown in Fig. 4. In the case of electrostatic flocking processing, as long as it is the range where an adhesive (adhesive 51 in Figs. 5 and 7) is applied, the short fibers 5 can be planted almost uniformly regardless of whether it is a plane, an inclined surface or a curved surface.

[0013] As schematically shown in Figure 5, the flocked layer 50 is formed by implanting fibers (short fibers 5, described later) on top of the adhesive 51. The fibers forming the flocked layer 50 have almost uniform fiber lengths (fiber length L) and fiber diameters (fiber diameter D, see the right side of Figure 5), and are implanted uniformly and densely. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the fibers forming the flocked layer 50 are short fibers 5 with a fiber length L of 0.8 mm ≤ L ≤ 3.0 mm. When setting the fiber length L of the short fibers 5, it is preferable to take into account the amount that the nail Fn protrudes from the fleshy part of the fingertip of a typical human finger F. For example, if we assume that the amount that the tip of a human nail Fn protrudes from the fingertip is about 0.8 mm, then the fiber length L of the short fibers 5 should be 0.8 mm or more. By setting the fiber length L in this way, the impact from the nail Fn and finger F can be absorbed by the buckling deformation of the short fibers 5. In addition, a gap of about 2 to 3 mm is provided between the keys 21. Therefore, if the short fibers 5 are approximately 0.8 mm ≤ L ≤ 3.0 mm in length, flocking them to the upper surface of the key 21 will not hinder the operation of adjacent keys 21. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fibers forming the flocked layer 50 are short fibers 5 with a fiber diameter D of 4.0 μm ≤ D ≤ 12 μm. Note that the fiber length L and fiber diameter D of the short fibers 5 are not limited to the ranges exemplified herein.

[0014] When a key is struck, a repulsive force (normal force) is generated from the key 21 against the finger F. As shown in Figure 6, if the force with which the finger F pushes down on the key 21 (striking force) is "α" and the repulsive force from the key 21 is "β1", then the key 21 can be pressed when α > β1. For example, if the repulsive force β1 from the key 21 is 0.05N, then the key 21 can be pressed by striking with a force greater than 0.05N. In this regard, if a flocked layer 50 is provided on the upper surface of the key 21 as in the embodiment, a repulsive force (normal force) N' is generated from the key 21 against the finger F due to the buckling load P' of the flocked layer 50 (the short fibers 5 that make up the flocked layer 50). Therefore, when a key is struck, the original repulsive force β1 from the key 21 is added to the repulsive force from the flocked layer 50, and the force pushing back against the finger F (repulsive force) becomes "β2" as shown in Figure 7. Here, assuming a fiber length L = 1 mm and fiber diameter D = 4 μm, the buckling load P per short fiber 5 forming the flocked layer 50 is, for example, "5.57 × 10⁻¹⁰ -15 The result is "N / key". And, assuming that the area in contact with finger F or its fingernail Fn during keystroke is Φ=6mm, the area is S=30.7mm². 2 For example, in one embodiment, assuming that the number of hairs implanted per 1 mm square is 62,500, the number of hairs implanted in the key-pressing area N ≈ 2 × 10 7 The buckling load of the short fiber 5 in the key-pressing area P' = P × N ≈ 1.1 × 10 -8 Therefore, when a flocked layer 50 is formed on the surface of the key 21, the repulsive force β2 from the key 21 when struck is the original repulsive force β1 from the key 21, which is 0.05N, plus 1.1 × 10⁻¹⁰ due to the short fibers 5. -8 N is the added value, but 1.1 × 10 due to 5 short fibers -8 N is a negligible value, and in this case, the repulsive force β2 can be said to be approximately the same as β1 (β1 ≈ β2). Therefore, if α > β1, then α > β2, and it can be said that there is no effect on the keying operation due to the presence of the flocked layer 50 on the surface of the key 21.

[0015] Note that, due to the buckling load P' of the tufting layer 50 (the short fibers 5 that constitute the tufting layer 50), the repulsive force (vertical resistance) N' generated from the key 21 against the finger F decreases as the fiber length L of the short fibers 5 increases. Also, as the fiber diameter D decreases (the fiber becomes thinner), the repulsive force (vertical resistance) N' from the key 21 against the finger F decreases. That is, by increasing the fiber length L or decreasing the fiber diameter D, the frictional force on the key 21 can be reduced. That is, if the fiber diameter D is the same, the longer the fiber length L, the weaker the frictional feeling due to the frictional force (the touch and feel is softer). Also, if the fiber length L is the same, the smaller the fiber diameter D, the weaker the frictional feeling due to the frictional force (the touch and feel is softer). Therefore, for example, the fiber length L may be set according to the user's order or the like to achieve a preferred key touch feeling. Generally, the friction coefficient of an ivory key is 0.19 - 0.21, and the friction coefficient of the short fibers 5 used in electrostatic tufting is about 0.2 - 0.3. Therefore, by adjusting the fiber length L and fiber diameter D of the short fibers 5, it may be possible to approximate the ideal texture of an ivory key for the key 21.

[0016] Next, the manufacturing method of the key 5 in this embodiment and the operation of the keyboard instrument 100 equipped therewith will be described. First, an adhesive 51 (not shown) is applied to the upper surface of each key 21 before it is assembled as a keyboard unit 2. The adhesive 51 used has sufficient durability to prevent the short fibers 5 from falling out during use of the keyboard instrument 100. The method of applying the adhesive 51 is not particularly limited; for example, it may be applied using a brush or paintbrush, or it may be applied by spraying the adhesive 51 using a spray gun. When applying the adhesive 51, it is desirable to mask off other surfaces (surfaces that do not want to be flocked, the sides of the key 21, etc.) so that the adhesive 51 is applied only to the surface to be flocked (i.e., the upper surface of the key 21). By masking the sides of the key 21 before applying the adhesive 51, even if the adhesive 51 is sprayed over the entire key 21 using a spray gun, the adhesive 51 can be applied only to the upper surface of the key 21. This allows for efficient application of the adhesive 51 and improves productivity.

[0017] Next, a key 21 with adhesive 51 applied to its upper surface is placed above an electrode plate on which short fibers 5 are mounted, and a high voltage is applied to form an electric field. As a result, the short fibers 5 are charged by the high-voltage power supply and then fly upward due to the electrostatic force in the electric field. They then change their orientation to align with the electric field lines and move towards the key 21, where they are implanted in an almost perpendicular position to the adhesive 51 applied to the upper surface of the key 21. After that, the adhesive 51 is dried and hardened, for example, by blowing air or using a heater. This completes the electrostatic flocking process (flocking) that forms a flocked layer 50 on the upper surface of the key 21 with the short fibers 5 implanted almost uniformly.

[0018] Once the electrostatic flocking process is complete, the keys 21, each with a flocked layer 50 formed on its upper surface, are assembled into a single unit 20, one octave at a time. These unit 20 units are then assembled onto a multi-key chassis to form a keyboard unit 2. The completed keyboard 2 units are then housed in a case 3, completing the keyboard instrument 100. In this embodiment, a flocked layer 50 is formed on the upper surface of each key 21 of the keyboard instrument 100 by electrostatic flocking. This prevents the finger F from slipping due to sweat or other factors when striking the key. It also prevents the generation of abnormal noises when a fingernail Fn strikes the upper surface of the key 21.

[0019] As described above, the keyboard instrument 100 according to this embodiment is a keyboard instrument 100 equipped with a plurality of keys 21 which are controls operated by the user, and a flocked layer 50 is formed on the upper surface of the keys 21 by electrostatic flocking. When the flocked layer 50 is formed by electrostatic flocking, the flocking can be applied almost uniformly to the parts to which the adhesive 51 is applied. For this reason, the flocked layer 50 can be formed not only on flat surfaces but also on curved parts, curved surfaces and fine parts as long as the adhesive 51 can be applied, making it possible to easily process the surface of the keys 21.

[0020] By providing a flocked layer 50 on the upper surface of the key 21 in this way, the frictional force of the upper surface of the key 21 is improved, and an anti-slip effect is obtained, which prevents the fingernail Fn from slipping or the finger F from slipping due to sweaty hands when operating (playing) a keyboard instrument. By suppressing unintended slippage of the finger Fn due to the fingernail Fn or sweaty hands, an improvement in playability can also be expected. In addition, the flocked layer 50 also provides a sound-dampening effect, which suppresses the generation of abnormal noises such as clicking sounds caused by contact between the fingernail Fn and the key 21. Furthermore, the presence of the flocked layer 50 on the surface of the key 21 prevents the key 21 from being scratched. In addition, because the flocked layer 50 has moisture-absorbing and heat-retaining properties, it prevents stickiness on the upper surface of the key 21 and reduces the coldness felt by the finger F when playing in cold environments. Moreover, because the entire upper surface of the keyboard unit 2 is covered with a flocked layer 50 made of short fibers 5, it is possible to reduce reflected light caused by, for example, downlights hitting the keyboard unit 2 on a performance stage. Thanks to this anti-reflective effect, key 21 is easily visible even when illuminated by strong lights, allowing you to concentrate on playing.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flocked layer 50 is formed of fibers (short fibers 5) with a fiber length L of 0.8 mm ≤ L ≤ 3.0 mm. This suppresses slippage and noise caused by fingers F and fingernails Fn, and prevents the flocked layer 50 from affecting adjacent keys 21 even when the short fibers 5 are flocked right up to the top surface of the key 21. Also, assuming that the protrusion of the tip of a human fingernail Fn is about 0.8 mm, by making the fiber length L of the short fibers 5 0.8 mm or more, the impact from the fingernail Fn and finger F can be absorbed by the buckling deformation of the short fibers 5. In addition, the longer the fiber length L of the flocked layer 50, the softer the feel, and the shorter the fiber length L, the harder the feel. In this embodiment, the fiber length L can be adjusted to any length within the range of 0.8 mm ≤ L ≤ 3.0 mm, so the flocked layer 50 can be provided to suit the user's preferences. Furthermore, it is possible to make the key 21 feel and texture closer to the ideal ivory key 21.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flocked layer 50 is formed of fibers (short fibers 5) with a fiber diameter D of 4.0 μm ≤ D ≤ 12 μm. The larger the fiber diameter D of the flocked layer 50, the harder the feel, and the smaller the fiber diameter D, the softer the feel. By providing a wide range of tolerance for the fiber diameter D, it is possible to provide a flocked layer 50 with a hardness that suits the user's preference. Moreover, it is possible to bring the feel and texture closer to that of an ivory key 21, which is considered ideal for a key 21.

[0023] The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of a method for manufacturing the keyboard instrument 100 and keys 21 according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto. For example, it is not necessary to uniformly provide a flocking layer 50 made of short fibers 5 with the same fiber length L and fiber diameter D for all keys 21 constituting the keyboard unit 2. That is, for example, for each key 21 within an octave interval, the fiber length L or fiber diameter D of the short fibers 5 forming the flocking layer 50 may be different. This allows for adjusting the type of short fibers 5 forming the flocking layer 50 so that each key 21 has a different frictional feel (touch and feel derived from surface friction) for each note. In this case as well, it is preferable that the fiber length L of the short fibers 5 be in the range of 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm, and the fiber diameter D be in the range of 4.0 μm to 12 μm. For example, as shown in Figure 8, short fibers 5 with different fiber lengths L or fiber diameters D are flocked to each key 21 within an octave interval. In this case, a correspondence table like the one shown in Figure 9 is established to determine which short fibers 5 to implant in which key 21. In the example shown in Figure 9, the fiber length L of the short fibers 5 is specified as four different values ​​(L1, L2, L3, L4) within the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and the fiber diameter D is specified as three different values ​​(D1, D2, D3) within the range of 4 μm to 12 μm. For example, the key 21 corresponding to "Do" in Figure 8 is implanted with short fibers 5 with fiber length L1 and fiber diameter D1 according to the table in Figure 9 (i.e., a flocked layer 50 composed of short fibers 5 with fiber length L1 and fiber diameter D1 is formed). Similarly, the key 21 corresponding to "Ra#" is implanted with short fibers 5 with fiber length L4 and fiber diameter D3 according to the table in Figure 9 (i.e., a flocked layer 50 composed of short fibers 5 with fiber length L4 and fiber diameter D3 is formed).

[0024] Furthermore, the short fibers 5 that form the flocked layer 50 on each key 21 may have their fiber length L or fiber diameter D matched so that they gradually change from those with high friction (hard to the touch) to those with low friction (soft to the touch) within an octave interval. For example, Figure 10 illustrates a case where the fiber length L of the short fibers 5 is specified as seven different values ​​(in order of hardness, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7) within the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and the fiber diameter D is specified as two different values ​​(in order of hardness, D1, D2) within the range of 4 μm to 12 μm. For the white keys 21a from "Do" to "Si", the fiber diameter D is set to D1 for all of them, and the fiber length L is adjusted so that the length of the short fibers 5 gradually increases from L1 to L7. Furthermore, the short fibers 5 that form the flocking layer 50 on the upper surface of the "C#" key 21 (black key 21b) are selected to have the same fiber length L1 as the "C" key, but with a fiber diameter D thinner than D1, resulting in slightly less friction (softer feel) than the "C" key 21. This allows the friction (feel) of the keys 21 to gradually decrease (become softer) from "C" to "B", as shown in Figure 11.

[0025] In this way, by adjusting the type of short fibers 5 that form the flocking layer 50 so that each key 21 has a different friction (feel, texture), even when a user with poor eyesight plays, they can intuitively know which key 21 they are touching by the feel of the top surface of the key 21. In other words, even without the user seeing the key 21, they can perceive the difference in sound by replacing it with the difference in friction (feel) of the key 21 and enjoy the music. Furthermore, by repeating this experience, they can naturally learn which key 21 produces which sound, which can support their playing.

[0026] Furthermore, for example, the flocking layer 50 may be formed such that at least one of the fiber length L or fiber diameter D of the short fibers 5 forming the flocking layer 50 differs for each octave interval. That is, for each unit unit 20 constituting an octave interval, at least one of the fiber length L or fiber diameter D of the short fibers 5 forming the flocking layer 50 provided on the upper surface of the key 21 is made different. In other words, as shown in the example in Figure 12, for the leftmost unit unit 20A among the unit units 20 constituting the keyboard unit 2, the short fibers 5 are selected to form a flocking layer 50 with a strong friction (hard to the touch) for all the keys 21 constituting the unit unit 20A. Similarly, for the rightmost unit unit 20C, the short fibers 5 are selected to form a flocking layer 50 with a weak friction (soft to the touch) for all the keys 21 constituting the unit unit 20C. Furthermore, for the central unit unit 20B, short fibers 5 are selected to form a flocked layer 50 with a friction (feel) intermediate between that of unit unit 20A and unit unit 20C for all the keys 21 that make up the unit unit 20B. For example, when a user with poor eyesight learns to play a keyboard instrument 100, they often start by memorizing the divisions into one-octave intervals. Therefore, by differentiating the friction (feel) of the keys 21 that make up each unit unit 20, the divisions into one-octave intervals can be intuitively recognized, making it easier to learn to play the keyboard instrument 100.

[0027] Furthermore, the flocked layer 50 formed on the upper surface of the key 21 (for example, the white key 21a of "C") located at the boundary of an octave interval may be formed in such a way that at least one of the fiber length L or fiber diameter D of the short fibers 5 forming the flocked layer 50 is different from the flocked layer 50 formed on the upper surface of the other keys 21. In other words, as described above, when a user with poor eyesight learns to play a keyboard instrument 100, it is thought that they will first need to memorize the divisions into octave intervals. For this reason, even without changing the flocked layer 5 of all the keys 21 within the unit unit 20 that constitutes an octave interval, if the feel of the key 21 at the boundary of an octave interval is different, the user can recognize the divisions into octave intervals. For this reason, the flocked layer 50 may basically be formed so that all keys 21 have the same friction (feel), and only the friction (feel) of the key 21 at the boundary of an octave interval may be made stronger (harder) or weaker (softer). For example, the entire keyboard unit 2 is formed with a flocked layer 50 that provides a friction (feel) similar to that of the ivory keys 21, while the top surface of the keys 21 at the positions that mark the divisions of one octave intervals is formed with a flocked layer 50 that provides a friction (feel) distinct from the ivory keys. In this case as well, the user can intuitively recognize the divisions of each octave interval by touch without having to look at the keys 21, making it easier to learn to play the keyboard instrument 100.

[0028] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may also be a combination of the elements of each embodiment, and includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the manufacturing method of the keyboard instrument 100 and the keys 21 in the above embodiments can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 21 keys (operators), 50 flocked layers, 100 keyboard instruments

Claims

1. A keyboard instrument having multiple controls operated by the user, A flocked layer is formed on the upper surface of the aforementioned operator by electrostatic flocking. A keyboard instrument characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned flocked layer is formed of fibers with a fiber length L of 0.8 mm ≤ L ≤ 3.0 mm. The keyboard instrument according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned flocked layer is formed of fibers with a fiber diameter D of 4.0 μm ≤ D ≤ 12 μm. The keyboard instrument according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned operator is a key, The aforementioned hair follicle layer is formed such that at least one of the fiber length or fiber diameter differs in each key within an octave interval. The keyboard instrument according to feature 1.

5. The aforementioned operator is a key, The aforementioned hair follicle layer is formed such that at least one of the fiber length or fiber diameter differs for each octave interval. The keyboard instrument according to feature 1.

6. The aforementioned operator is a key, Of the aforementioned flocking layers, the flocking layer formed on the upper surface of the key located at a position that marks the division of one octave interval is formed such that at least one of the fiber length or fiber diameter differs from the flocking layer formed on the upper surface of the other keys. The keyboard instrument according to feature 1.

7. A method for manufacturing keys for a keyboard instrument that has multiple keys as controls operated by the user, A flocked layer is formed on the upper surface of the key by electrostatic flocking. A method for manufacturing keys, characterized by the following features.

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