You may click on any instrument to play it and there should be some movement or color change which indicates the instrument being played. It should be responsive enough so you can play more quickly than other digital instruments. You may also use keys to play the instruments if you would like to create something with less mouse movement. The Woods section uses numbers 1, 2, 3. The Meatals section uses letters Q, W. The Shakers/Srapers section uses the up and down arrows (for the guiro) and letters A, S, D, F, G. The Drums section uses letters Z, X, C. If any of the instruments get too big, or change too much color, press the space bar to reset it to it's original size, and color. Have fun!