Filtering is performed on original waveform to remove components of a
predetermined frequency band from the waveform, and dividing positions of
the original waveform data are determined on the basis of envelope levels
of the filtered waveform. The dividing positions may be determined on the
basis of differentiation of an envelope of the filtered waveform. Rise
positions in the original waveform data are detected, and one rise
position may be selected from among one or more rise positions detected
within a predetermined range of the original waveform and extracted as a
dividing position of the original waveform. Presumed beat positions in
the original waveform may be detected, and rise positions of the original
waveform may be detected within predetermined ranges corresponding to the
presumed beat positions. In parallel with reproduction of automatic
performance, waveform data are stored in memory along with
synchronization control data indicative of relationship in processing
timing between the automatic performance and the waveform data.