To select a desired object in a short time by reading the position data on a transfer destination object out of a storage means in response to the operation state of a key input means and shifting a cursor to another object position.

The objects representing the set item contents including the tones, rhythms, etc., are displayed in a menu on the screen of an external display device 14 of an electronic keyboard musical instrument 1. An operator looks at the screen and operates a cursor key to designate and input his desired tone name, etc. The position data on a transfer destination object are read out of a data ROM 8 of the instrument 1 with every operation of the cursor key. Then the cursor is shifted to the position of another corresponding object. Thus it is possible to quickly shift the cursor to the following object positions and to select a desired object in a short time.