Before I get into Oshiri Kajiri Mushi no Rhythm Lesson DS, the screenshot above is half of the title screen. To get to the menu where you can access save files (note: you get three) you tap on the screen to make the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi bite the butt.

For the most part Oshiri Kajiri Mushi no Rhythm Lesson DS: Kawai Ongaku Kyoushitsu Kanshuu is just as simple as the intro screen. Tapping is the only thing you need to know when playing the single player rhythm lesson mode. In this mode the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi moves on a map and stops for mini rhythm lessons. These bite sized stages have players tap the touch screen to make the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi hit a tambourine or a frying pan with a ladle. No matter what the instrument is the goal remains the same: tap the screen and move the butt biting bug up the meter on the right towards the derriere. Beat enough stages and you’re treated to a small scene where the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi bites a person’s butt.

Audio cues from the song and visual cues let players know when to tap the screen. The bottom screen has the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi flying in a circle occasionally zooming past stars. When he flies by one of the yellow stars you need to tap the screen. A girl on the bottom left hand of the top screen lets you know if you’re on beat to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by raising a sign with a sketch of a flower. Yes, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is an actual song in Oshiri Kajiri Mushi no Rhythm Lesson DS and so is Mary Had a Little Lamb. There are more songs than the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi theme, although you will be playing that one a lot during the first few stages.

Playing through the short stages unlocks special rhythm lessons that may teach you a thing or two about music. One of the special lessons is a vocal trainer where players have to sing notes into the microphone. You get gold stars if you sing on key. Another special lesson is a conductor mini game where players trace a line to make the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi wave a baton. The goal of the conductor mini game is to trace the pattern on beat. If you move too quickly the tempo of the classical music in the background will speed up and you get red “bad” stars. The special lesson menu also has a piano with a few instrument settings and a voice box with sound bytes to play with.