My son mentioned this instrument to me. I saw some otamatone youtube videos and it looked like fun. I was hesitant because of the cost and saw that there are better quality more professional ones for three times the price. I decided to start with a "beginner" model. It arrived quickly and included instructions, batteries, and a beginner, play by numbers song, "Happy Birthday". The battery case required a small screwdriver to open and it's important to be patient and not to force any part of this closed because I think you could easily crack the plastic. There are two settings, higher pitch and medium. I preferred the medium as it sounded more normal. I soon realized that my hands were a bit on the large side to negotiate the keyboard and some dexterity is required if you want to open and close the mouth part with your other hand while playing. I struggled with the enclosed music and eventually decided to add some numbered dots to help me with the placement of some of the tones. My conclusion, like so many others, is that it's a fun but challenging toy. Based on this, I will not purchase the professional model and once I finally master "Happy Birthday", with photographic proof of course, I will pass this otamatone on to my son.
***NOTE - Despite how it looks, you don't blow into it. It's not a wind instrument.
My son mentioned this instrument to me. I saw some otamatone youtube videos and it looked like fun. I was hesitant because of the cost and saw that there are better quality more professional ones for three times the price. I decided to start with a "beginner" model. It arrived quickly and included instructions, batteries, and a beginner, play by numbers song, "Happy Birthday". The battery case required a small screwdriver to open and it's important to be patient and not to force any part of this closed because I think you could easily crack the plastic. There are two settings, higher pitch and medium. I preferred the medium as it sounded more normal. I soon realized that my hands were a bit on the large side to negotiate the keyboard and some dexterity is required if you want to open and close the mouth part with your other hand while playing. I struggled with the enclosed music and eventually decided to add some numbered dots to help me with the placement of some of the tones. My conclusion, like so many others, is that it's a fun but challenging toy. Based on this, I will not purchase the professional model and once I finally master "Happy Birthday", with photographic proof of course, I will pass this otamatone on to my son.
***NOTE - Despite how it looks, you don't blow into it. It's not a wind instrument.