Customer Reviews

Sing 'n Learn Japanese, Vol. 1 (Book & CD)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I showed this to my Japanese friends and they really knew all of the songs. These are popular songs. The lyrics are written in romanji (the roman alphabet) and hiragana so they can read by anybody. All the songs are translated. The CD is good. The songs are short but most are repeated twice. The voice is a little high for me but that's true with many children's songs. All of the songs are repeated without words at the end of the CD (karaoke style).

If you enjoy a thumping, skull splitting migraine headache, then Sing N Learn is for you.

As a longtime language instructor, I agree with the effort that this series makes, but it is the execution that ultimately weakens Sing N Learn Japanese. To be sure, there are much, much better ways to learn Japanese. In fact, I would recommend this title only as a last resort and after you've thoroughly exhausted traditional ways to learn Japanese.

The songs contained herein are renditions of popular Japanese folk songs. WARNING: Most of the words sung throughout are inaudible. While the accompanying workbook aids in comprehension, it isn't enough to get you through the annoying vocals of the entire Sing N Learn series.

Indeed, most of the songs contain blood-curdling vocals accompanied by low fidelity musical arrangements making listening to the songs almost unbearable. (My students asked me to turn it off after one song). Overall, the musical and vocal quality is definitely poor and grating at best. I will bet an entire year's paycheck that my dog can howl better than the vocals on this tape. Do yourself a favor: try something, anything else other than this series to learn a foreign language. "*"

This book/video combo is invaluable for both of us. Songs are written out in both romanji as well as hiragana so I am learning just as much as he is. The book also contains a handy glossary at the end and cultural notes which explain the traditional way in which songs are sung, and how lyrics are acted out as many songs depict games (finger play, staring contest, etc.). The lyrics are a bit short but in most cases they are repeated so it is easy to catch on. We've been listening for about 2 months now and my son already knows when to follow along such as with the clapping hands song, finger play songs, etc just from listening, so I think he is definitely learning some japanese. Plus it's a lot of fun. There's also a karaoke section for you to sing alone once you learn the songs. The audio quality is pretty good as well. We are definitely ordering the Japanese 2 verson!

The reviewer/buyer with negative comments drew my attention. It stated that the singing generated migraine.

I had wanted to buy the book to enlarge my volcab, having studied Pimsleur level 1-3, with only 5 lessons left. The other reviewers raved about it, but more or less from young kids' point of view.

Having benefited from songs in my experience of learning foreign languages, i weighed carefully in my head the advantages and disadvantages. There were only a handful of reviews to begin with. Based on the review comments and the books' own details stating that there is english translation, romaji (phonetics) and the kanas, i decided to buy it.

It did not disappoint me.

The music and the singing can be categorized as plain, at the first play of the CD. I see why that reviewer did not like it. However, as i began my learning process with this book, the songs' charm gradually revealed itself.

This was, of course, after i learned the most well known two pieces, Twinkle Twinkle little star, and, Heand-and-shoulders-and-knees.

I did not strictly follow the order of the songs presented in the book. Rather, i picked those that i thought would generate the greatest reward : Getting the lyrics down pat. I chose songs with multiple verses (Let's clap hands; One chopstiks, two chopsticks) to begin with.

The strategy worked.

Before i mastered these songs, i did not know words such as, glasses, moustache, little birds. Nor verbs such as, became, let's clap, let's stomp, let's laugh, let's get angry, let's cry.

Sure, the melodies in these songs did not sound as dramatic as the two well known ones originally set in english, at the first glance. Moreover, the spartan accompaniment did not a whole lot of drama to it. But, if you listened carefully, you would hear the various accompaniement to the solo piano. They suited the lyrics (The Frog's Song, e.g.) very well.

Other aspects:
Cultural notes - - Excellent, because they either helped me choreograph movements to accompany the songs (Open your hands; Let's clap; One chopsticks), or helped me master the lyrics (Piglet, raccoon, fox, cat).

Illustration - - Straight forward, but animated drawing inspires me to buy crayons to color them.

Words - - Romaji and kanas stacked on top of each other in large fonts. Great for people like me with nearsightness. English translation at the end.

One reviewers who raved about the book pointed out that the translation might not be totally faithful. I kind of see that in the book. But at least, the translators did not make "piglets" in japanese into "cars" in english.
Where else would i be able to master the names of three animals in no time? Only here.

I used this for my teenage student who I teach Japanese privately. It has all classic Japanese songs with English translation for easy understanding. Also, comes with karaoke. I think great for learning Japanese through classic songs.

Very nice small book(let)with CD. Very Short easy to follow words and songs. Great for an adult beginner to get a feel for the sounds in the language. Even better for very young children (2-5 years old)to start learning the Japanese language.

I like the songs and the words that go along with it in the book, also there is hiragana katakana chart on the first page which is a useful reference right at hand. A good way to learn vocabulary thru song!! Its very cute