appearing in fig2 a through 2c are similar to those described with reference to fig1 a through 1c according to the embodiment of the present invention a prescribed time period t measured from the start of the music portion is set when the searching operation is performed before the expiration of the time period t the music portion preceding the one currently being reproduced is selected when the searching operation is performed after the time period t has expired then the currently reproduced music is again played back from the beginning more specifically as shown in fig2 a when the third music portion 3 is being played back and if after the time period t has expired the search operation is performed the tape is wound to the initial position of the music portion 3 being currently played back i e the third music portion 3 then the playback is restarted upon detection of the third inter music portion c next in the case where the searching operation is performed before expiration of the time period t during the playback of the third music portion 3 the tape is wound to the music portion 2 preceding the currently played back music i e the second music portion 2 upon detection of the second inter music portion b the second music is played back from the beginning in this case if it is determined.