An electronic engine for generating acoustic musical notes for simulating a music
box. The engine includes a memory for storing data, and an electronic controller
connected to the memory for producing a control signal in accordance with said
data. A plurality of tone generating members, such as tines from a comb are provided,
with each tine generating a corresponding musical note when the tine is placed
in motion. One or more actuators in communication with the controller generate
a temporary magnetic field in response to the control signal for resonantly adding
energy to the tines without requiring physical contact between the tines and the
actuators to produce the corresponding musical notes.