Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

Product Features

• Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

Product Details

• ASIN: B002X1CW1E
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,650 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware, May 13, 2010

By 

Cynthia (winston salem, nc, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

As a beginning piano student who travels for work, the roll-up piano seemed a perfect way to fit in practice while on the road. I read negative reviews of the product, but decided to try it anyway (figuring the more refined technical issues experienced by better pianists wouldn't be as worrisome for a beginner).

I was wrong.

As mentioned, it is awkward to play on flat keys. The experience is not simply dissimilar to actual piano playing, I feared it would ruin the fingering techniques my teacher was so diligently attempting to instill in me. Instead of being a boost to my home practice, I spent more time trying to train my fingers to slide side-to-side (instead of up-and-over) while playing sharps/flats.

Worse, each key must be pressed at certain points with significant pressure. If your fingers do not press each key's sensor precisely, or insufficient pressure is applied, the key fails to make a sound.

As with another reviewer, I regret that my short-lived (7-day) test of the roll-up piano was so costly. This company charges a 20% restocking fee ($20), does not reimburse shipping charges ($12), and will not cover return shipping ($13). Thus, my experience with the roll-up piano cost me $45.

I'm not sure who the ideal buyer of this product is meant to be, but if you think as a beginner this product MAY work for you - think again.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yamano Hand Roll Piano - This roll up piano deserves a big hand!, January 7, 2010

By 

Edward Balen (Bradenton, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

I love my Yamano roll up piano. I just got it today in the mail. It replaced my old USB roll-up piano, which is a Dream Cheeky model. The Yamano is by far the better of the two.

There are certain important things that set this roll up piano above others. First, it has full-size keys. Most other models, including my old Dream Cheeky, do not have this. The smaller keys make playing more difficult. Whereas, the full size keys on the Yamano makes playing it very similar to a real piano. In fact, it is the nearest thing to a real piano without moving the real clunker around.

Second, my old Dream Cheeky roll up USB piano was reliant on software for sound. The Yamano, on the other hand, generates its own sounds. The instrument voices are very good compared to say a Dream Cheeky. I compared them side by side, and the piano voice on the Yamano is the far better of the two. Whereas the piano voice on the Dream Cheeky sounds like a very cheap harpsichord rather then a piano.

Third, the Yamano is MIDI compatible. Most other roll up pianos are not, or they need extra software for this.

Fourth, this instrument can be amplified with speakers, or played in private with headphones. Most other models again do not afford you this.

And fifth, which I feel is most important, the Yamano comes with its own drawstring storage fish net carrying pouch. Most of your other models just come alone. You get just the instrument, batteries if you're lucky, and that's about it. The Yamano comes as a complete kit. Besides the instrument, it comes with the storage pouch. It also comes with its own AC power adapter. Most other models use batteries only, or USB. Two instruction manuals round out the kit, one English and one Japanese. Regarding storing the Dream Cheeky, it rolls up and fits into a common pencil case. The Yamano is far too large for that.

The only drawback I have encountered with this instrument is recording it. Most of the conventional methods work, but the sound has a very annoying buzz. The best way to record this instrument is with sound recorder in windows vista.

Bottom line, if you want a roll up piano that travels very well, yet comes fully loaded, get your hands on a Yamano. Your fingers will thank you for it.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Really Crappy Functionality, March 12, 2010

By 

Kit Fry (Madison, AL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

The roll up piano was much worse than the reviews indicated. The keys do not respond like any properly designed keyboard imitator. It's impossible to play anything semi complicated because the keys don't pick up on anything but the perfect touch.
Chords are practically impossible. I'm so incredibly disappointed that $100 doesn't buy something better than this. Even more disappointed that the price was "on-sale." Total Crap.

Buyer beware. This apparently is a frequent enough complaint that they have a well organized refund policy. They have a 20% restocking fee that they explain so nicely when you go to look up refunds. Also shipping is nonrefundable. Course, I didn't expect it to be, but this entire crappy experience lost me $40. Can't believe this is ethical! Think about it. "Selling" merchandise that never goes out of stock for $20 a pop. Genius!