Customer Reviews

Yamano Roll-up 61-Key-portable keyboard

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I bought this as a gift for my girlfriend. She needed something to practice on when we're on vacation or she's staying at my place.

She had low expectations: all she hoped was that this thing could at least help her memorize new pieces. She unrolled it, plugged it in and at the first touch she looked disgusted.

This thing feels horrible, and sounds horrible. The keys are just impossible to use. Inconsistent sensitivity - sometimes a light touch is enough to activate the key, other times you need to actually press hard. The texture of the keys is just blech, and the height of the keys makes it almost impossible to play quickly. Forget about hammer-action/velocity-sensitive keys!

You'd be better off drawing a keyboard on a piece of paper and singing the notes as you play.

Unfortunately I'm stuck with the damn thing. I wasn't quick enough to get it sent back.

The return policy is egregious: 20% restocking fee! You pay the shipping. Plus you've got to decide to return it immediately - check the policy *before* you buy. DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID.

DO NOT BUY THIS! You will be disappointed even if you have low expectations, and then if you want to return it you'll pay for the privilege.

Roll up piano has flat black keys, which I should have recognized before I ordered it. It is difficult to play because my fingers are used to feeling the raised keys. But more importantly, when the organ tones were chosen, the lower keys were raspy (not clear). I had to frequently turn it off then on to make the sounds clear. Fortunately, the company will accept returns.

This little roll-up piano is exaclty what I needed for learning music. The sound and pitch is excellent for the price. It is easy to carry with me, the bag holds the piano and the power cord. Perfect for my use.

Keyboard is too sensitive to the touch for a beginner piano student like me.May work well with a professional that can control finger movement.

Don't believe the five star reviews - they are a beat-up.

I agree with all the other one-star reviews and only wish I had read them first.

This is a crappy product you are bound to be disappointed with.

The tone is terrible, the keys are not sensitive at all and you can't really play chords.

Only suitable for people that play with one finger.

Plus the USB attachment for the second speaker broke the second I plugged it in.

DON'T BUY.

A cute, interesting toy. The ridges around the black keys are not high enough to suggest finger placement without looking at the hands.