features

Amazon.com ReviewWhen is an electronic piano more than just a piano? When it's the Blue Man Group Keyboard Experience. This 37-key synthesizer keyboard offers a variety of instrument voices, includingorgan, guitar, trumpet, violin, strings, drums, slap bass, and others. Motion-sensitve tubes line the top and side of the keyboard. These tubes are used by waving your hands in front of them and can function as different drum voices, to "remix" one of the ten pre-programmed songs, or to adjust tempo and volume. It's a lot of fun to hit a drum snare or cymbal without actually touching anything, but it lacks the ability to simultaneously play both the drum and piano, cutting one off for the other. As for remixing the pre-programmed songs, motion in front of the tubes merely shuts on or off thedifferent orchestral voices--nice, but not very useful. The little iPod drawer under the keyboard is a surprising feature--the built-in headphone plug pumps tunes from your music player (iPod or other) through the keyboard's speakers so you can play along to your favorite song. There's also a stereo out port, so you can pipe the music big into a home theater set-up or small into a pair of headphones. A bonus DVD of the Blue Man Group playing their instruments is included to inspire your creativity. --Porter B. Hall

Amazon.com Everyone loves music. Whether making up lyrics to a favorite tune, drumming the steering wheel while driving, or playing air guitar along with the video, you know you love music. But the Blue Man Group wants you to take that love one step further: they want you to create music. And this set of percussion tubes inspired by their live stage show is just the device you need to get started. This compact box (just shy of two feet by one foot) consists of eight PVC tubes that emit an invisible beam. By simply waving the included sticks, or even your hands, above the tubes, you break that beam and create a unique sound. Now imagine the variety of amazing tunes that you can make by breaking the beams at different intervals, from various distances, at changing speeds, and so on. The eight tubes reflect the sounds of the cymbal, snare, electric snare, conga, ride cymbal, hi-hat, hi-timbale, and bass drum.

Wave sticks over tube openings to create fun, unique sounds.

While that might sound like enough to keep you occupied, the musical versatility doesn’t stop there. This magical kit provides even more interactive ways to make music with 10 pre-programmed songs, a speed drum setting that adjusts tempo, plus five instrument sounds to choose from: Blue Man tubes, drums, steel drums, xylophone, and marimba. You can also insert your iPod or other MP3 player into the loading dock to mix, fade, layer, or just play along with your favorite songs.

High-quality, built-in speakers and volume control let others hear your musical wanderings straight from the tubes, or you can use the audio out jack and run the system through your stereo or TV. If the hour is late or baby is sleeping, you can plug the included earphones into the headphone jack and entertain yourself without disturbing those around you. There’s even a way to record your jam sessions and then play them back and a spot to plug in a microphone (not included) should you want to explore your vocal talents, too. When the concert is over, a storage tube keeps the wave sticks ready for the next time. Four AA batteries are required, but not included.