We all love using this and it is very relaxing"¦

(one note seems a little off though) The booklet that comes with is easy to follow, but they're baby songs. And I found that the drum books offered by other Sellers are a little hard to follow. So, if you can read a little music you might want to look for regular songbooks with songs in the key of "C". According to the tuner I used these are the notes that match the numbers on the drum: dotted 5=G dotted 6=A dotted 7=B regular 1=C regular 2=D regular 3=E regular 4=F regular 5=G regular 6=A regular 7=B dotted 1=C dotted 2=D dotted 3=E .

Purchased as a fun present for my dad. The packaging was sturdy - box was small enough for the drum not to rattle around in, and the drum was in a plastic bag, the velvet storage, and a larger plastic bag on top.

My drum came with the gold number stickers attached, and there were also black stickers included if I wanted to add them. We didn't use a tuner to check, but all the notes sounded very nice. I read the little booklet and it explained that the tongues can be adjusted by pressing them down (into the drum) to lower a note pitch or press up (out of the drum) to raise it. There is a stopper at the bottom that can be removed for tuning.

All listed pieces were accounted for. The little booklet had 12 songs, though I only recognized Twinkle little Star and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Very easy to follow along!

Some tips I saw for newbies like me and my dad:
1) The notes are not in "order" around the circle on purpose! This is to play chords easier once you become more advanced.
2) the best sound is if you hit the tongues at the apex of the curve, around the middle of the tongue. If it sounds "tinny" you may just not be striking it in the right spot. We tried hitting in different spots and it really does make a difference - same as finger placement when playing the guitar.
3) Because of the drum size, the highest note (label #1, shortest tongue) is going to be slightly quieter than the rest. Hitting it harder won't make it louder. If you're planning to put on concerts with it and must have that note clarity, get a bigger size. This isn't a defect of the product - don't expect grand piano results from a toy piano!!!
4) regarding how hard to hit, you don't need any more power than you'd use to press on a computer keyboard. The hot placement will be the thing affecting volume the most.

Overall I'm glad I made the purchase and am very pleased with the quality and appearance. If I can edit the review, I'll try to add a video later to show how it works.

Got this for my boyfriend for his birthday & he loved it!
It came quickly and packaged beautifully!!
Comes with EVERYTHING you need from the sticks to the case & even a booklet to get you started in playing right away!
The sound is beautiful & so relaxing!
This is a great gift for ALL ages!! I plan on getter one for my soon to be 3 yr old grandson. He is autistic & I think he would enjoy banging around on the drum & listening to the soothing sounds it makes.
Great purchase!!

I bought this for my mother for her birthday. I took it out and tested the sound, and it sounded nice. The bag and tools are also good quality, at least to someone new to these.