Best Otamatone, Reviews

Otamatone is a unique shaped musical instrument; its shaped like a musical note and sounds like theremin. Here’s more on the unique instrument, how it works and some amazing songs played on the Otamatone.

Buy Otamatone

Otamatones come in different colors such as white, blue, pink, black. Aside from Kirby, you get special versions, like this Kumamon bear. Otamatones are available for cheap on Amazon.

You can use this as a stress buster, to develop a child’s interest in music, for creativity in general. IT also serves as a great gift item for all age groups.

Otamatone from Maywa Denki

A weird yet cute looking musical instrument. Press parts of the tail button, and the instrument produces different pitch and tone. Move its mouth and the Otamatone will start singing.

Analog to digital sound motion with the sounds of a drum. The single note chord has three phases High, Middle and Low. Comes with English operation manual.

• Pros: Nice toy instrument, looks adorable
• Cons: Not very loud

Weight: 8.5 ounces. Dimensions: 14.9 x 5.4 x 1.7 inches. Also serves as a great gift for any musician.

Otamatone: Beginner’s Guide

What is the Otamatone?

Otamatone is an unique electronic musical instrument synthesizer, developed originally in Japan. Its designed in the shape of a singing musical note. The Otamatone is played by rubbing its shaft and squeezing its bulb.

The Otomatone was created by toy company CUBE Works and art unit Maywa Denki.

Most Otamatone feature three octaves and two volume settings. You get practice sheet and AAA batteries with every Otamatone purchase.

• You can change the octave in three grades via the low-mid-hi lower slider.
• The upper slider allows to turn off/on the Otamatone or increase the volume of Otamatone speaker.

Rear of the OtamatoneHere’s more on the Otamatone.

How to Play the Otamatone

While the videos might suggest that the instrument is very easy to play, it actually takes time to get used to it.

Here are the there things that you have to learn:

• You need to push on the stem of the instrument to play a note
• You have to slide the fingers up and down the stem to change the pitch
• You can squeeze the face of the instrument for dramatic vibrato.

Using two hands you can play practically any song (melody).

how to play Otamatone

Best Videos of Covers Performed with the Instrument

Watch: Pokemon Theme Song
Multiple Otamatones add depth to a track.

Kunitech Music380 “Lambada(Otamatone Version)”
Everybody loves the classic Brazilian song Lambada.

‘Rocketman’ on the Otamatone
Michael Thomas Connolly shared this awesome + disturbing music video and cover of Elton John’s Rocketman, featuring the sounds of the Otamatone.

Here’s the making (behind-the-scenes) of the music video.

More Unique Instruments

• Theremin Electronic Instrument
• Ocarina Music Instrument