June 2009 Notable Toys — Musical Toys

This petite piano is designed with many textures and moving parts to foster tactile sensitivity. Baby gets a lesson in cause and effect by pushing on the white keys and hearing one of three classical music selections from Beethoven and Mozart. The blue and purple keys light up as the music plays. The textured handle is shaped like a baby grand. Two large, colorful beads slide around on the handle for added play value. Like a player piano, this one has a moving cylinder on the top. Baby can spin it and watch beads rattle and pop inside, or hold the rattle by the handle and shake it to make a baby’s own music. "It fosters tactile sensitivity through multiple textures and moving parts," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

Designed for use with traditional drum sets or with drum console gaming systems, Rock Stix LED drumsticks pulse with every beat. The user taps the Rock Stix to activate the ultra-bright LED, which illuminates the entire stick. Batteries are included and replaceable. The Stix are constructed with Lexan professional-grade plastic for superior durability and optical clarity. There are no switches, wires or controls, and the product is available with red, blue or rainbow LEDs. The packaging features a "try me" option so customers can see the functionality of the product and the LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

The Riff-Rocker is a portable, personal USB guitar game that can be plugged in and played anytime, anywhere. The pocket-sized guitar functions like the widely popular, interactive guitar game but costs a fraction of the price. The Riff-Rocker is portable and designed to be easy to use. It requires a one-time, free software download. The software comes with an assortment of preprogrammed songs and allows players to import their own purchased music from the Web or their MP3player. The Riff-Rocker’s frets are used to play notes that appear on the computer screen. Players earn points by hitting the notes, and additional points are awarded when the fret keys are held down for long notes. It includes easy, medium and hard levels of play, as well as a multiplayer option. "The Riff-Rocker was designed as an inexpensive gaming alternative to all the accessories, games and consoles required to play other musical video games," Karlie,in marketing at Buztronics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Designed for use with traditional drum sets or with drum console gaming systems, Rock Stix LED drumsticks pulse with every beat. The user taps the Rock Stix to activate the ultra-bright LED, which illuminates the entire stick to create incredible lighting effects in low-light conditions. Batteries are included and replaceable. Rock Stix are constructed with Lexan professional-grade plastic for superior durability and optical clarity. There are no switches, wires or controls to get in the way. They are available with red, blue or rainbow LEDs. The packaging features a "try me" option so customers can see the functionality of the product and LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

The Bounce Back Ball is a game in itself. The user secures the nylon band around his wrist with the elastic strap, then tosses or throws the ball to activate the ultra-bright LEDs. He must prepare to catch the ball as it returns to his hand. The Bounce Back Ball is available in blue with impact-activated blue LEDs. “Try me” packaging feature allows customers to see the ball’s LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

Featuring a performance by Tony-nominated actress Sharon McKnight, this accompaniment CD allows children to sing along with the music of the Disney Broadway musical. In addition to well-known songs from the animated movie, new songs were added by composer Alan Menken. Two versions of each song are provided; the student can learn the song by singing along with guide-vocals, then practice on their own by singing with the accompaniment tracks. It was named a Top Ten Cast Album of 2008 by TalkinBroadway.com. "All songs are fully-orchestrated and recorded in the original show key — ideal for Broadway fans. [It] works well as a learning tool when paired with the sheet music," Malinda, marketing director at Stage Stars Records, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

These floating drums introduce kids to rhythm while they bathe, and can be pitch-adjusted according to the amount of water in the drums themselves. They come with a waterproof rhythm chart.
— “We sell tons of Alex's bathtub musical instruments. A dozen or so [per month],” Mary Porter, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in spring 2009.
— In March 2009, eight of 64 retailers named instruments by Alex-Panline as their best-selling bath toys.
— Alex products are always top sellers for Melody’s Choices, Owner Steve Melody told TDmonthly in spring 2009. “Stock it well and it will sell well,” he said.

Designed for use at sporting events, this noise-making plastic item is 1-meter long and sounds like an elephant. Orders over 5000 pieces can be customized with team logos. Launch date: 2009.
— As of 7.26.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on Amazon.com and was listed No. 12 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Captures the spirit of the World Cup. Easy to use and features different play modes. CONS: Some might consider the sound annoying.