Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes

Other products by Manley

Product Features

• I-pod compatible
• Motion sensor technology allows quiet operation and smooth control
• Use internal speakers, headphones, or external amplifier
• Unique drum sticks and ear phones included
• Plays drums or a many instruments in a full octave

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10.4 x 19.8 inches ; 6.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000FBSMLS
• Item model number: 27496
• Our recommended age: 5 - 12 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 5 years and up
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,990 in Toys & Games (See Bestsellers in Toys & Games)

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• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

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.

Product Description

Inspired by the ever-popular Blue Man Group, these tabletop percussion tubes play drums and other instruments in a full octave range. New motion-sensor technology allows for quiet operation and smooth control. Sound can be heard through internal speakers, headphones, or an external amplifier (not included).

Percussion tubes are MP3-compatible, meaning you can create music on top of your favorite MP3 tracks. Includes Blue Man Percussion Tubes, two drumsticks and earphones. Requires 4 "AA" batteries (included). Colors may vary.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed! Not recommended., January 3, 2007

By	Jay Boyd - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unfortunately, this products concept is much better than the actual product itself. First, the packaging that the product comes in takes a structural engineer or master thief to open. The complexity at which the box is constructed is the products most amazing attribute. One of the biggest flaws of this product is that it is not a percussion toy as you might expect from the drum sticks/mallets included. The sounds are triggered by motion sensors inside the tubes, made simply by waving a hand or other object over them. This makes it very difficult to actually play the sounds you are trying to make without moving over the other tubes and triggering those sounds as well. The quality of the speaker is poor, popping and cracking at middle volume settings. The iPod integration is no more than an audio jack that plays your iPod through its' sub-par speaker. There is a cheap drawer to hold your iPod with a hole in the bottom to route the audio cable back to the audio jack. The sounds that you can make are limited and not very creative coming from a BMG product. I would be surprised if the "songs" were created/endorsed by the BMG as they are equally uninspired. Not to mention the "tin-like" sounds coming from the crap speaker (did I mention that?) As a BMG fan, this product looks to be no more than a great brand wrapped on a well-below average musical toy. Not recommended, especially at $[...]. Not even worth half of that.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great idea..., January 14, 2007

By	CA Pirate (Montclair, VA USA) - See all my reviews

The concept of this instrument is great, very different from anything else on the market in this catagory...however, it is very difficult to get any precision when playing it, because the tubes are so close together. It takes some time, effort, patience, and practice to play an actual tune on it. Definitely an instrument for an older child. The sound effects are awesome though! My kids love it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blue Man's Percussion Tubes Music Station, January 15, 2007

By	Dan Green (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One has about 6 background melodies to chose from. The tube sounds can be
changed to snare, xylophone, drums, and tymphany sounds. One neat thing is
if kids lose or break sticks, they can wave hands over tubes to create the
sounds. Some limitations, but for the cost, appropriate. -DG