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* [[Chest Rockwell]] uses an omnichord on their song Body Prop 3. |
* [[Chest Rockwell]] uses an omnichord on their song Body Prop 3. |
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* [[Simen Eriksrud]] - Norwegian producer |
* [[Simen Eriksrud]] - Norwegian producer |
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* [[Techno Cowboy]] - Recorded an album featuring the Omnichord called "The Ziggy Stardust Omnichord Album", a remake of David Bowie's classic record. |
* [[Techno Cowboy]] - Recorded an album featuring the Omnichord called "The Ziggy Stardust Omnichord Album", a 2009 remake of David Bowie's classic record. |
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* [[Tormod Eikill]] - Norwegian guitarist has played the omnichord on several recordings |
* [[Tormod Eikill]] - Norwegian guitarist has played the omnichord on several recordings |
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* [[The Bird and the Bee]] - Play the omnichord on several recordings |
* [[The Bird and the Bee]] - Play the omnichord on several recordings |
Revision as of 17:31, 9 April 2009
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An Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument, introduced in 1981 and manufactured by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. It typically features a touch plate, and buttons for major, minor, and diminished chords. The most basic method of playing the instrument is to press the chord buttons and swipe the touch plate with a finger or guitar pick in imitation of strumming a stringed instrument.
The Omnichord is the technological successor to an earlier toy, known as the Tronichord, with which it shares many technical and functional similarities. Omnichords often feature preset rhythms with a tempo control which the player may use as accompaniment. Several models of the Omnichord were produced, which added MIDI compatibility, a selection of voices for the touch plate, effects such as vibrato and sustain, and chord memory. Some Omnichord musicians will play the instrument as a keytar, by strapping the instrument on both ends and playing it as if it were an electric guitar.
Originally designed as an electronic substitute for an autoharp, the Omnichord has become popular as a unique instrument in its own right, due to its unique, chiming timbre and its value as a kitsch object.
The Omnnichord is still produced by Suzuki, but rebadged as the QChord. It features more modern versions of the orignal Omnichord's features.
Omnichord players
- Dean Wareham of Galaxie 500, Luna, and Dean and Britta plays an Omnichord from time to time especially on the song Moon Palace.
- Daniel Lanois plays an omnichord on Bob Dylan's album Oh Mercy.
- John Mayer uses an Omnichord in "No Such Thing", "Neon", "Back to You", and "Not Myself" on his 2001 album "Room for Squares".
- Dido plays an Omnichord in her song "Never Want To Say It's Love" from her new album Safe Trip Home.
- David Bowie played an Omnichord live at The Concert for New York City on "America".
- Jim James of My Morning Jacket is known to perform with an Omnichord at many of his live shows, as well as on the album Evil Urges.
- Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs plays an omnichord on their album Show Your Bones.
- Jemaine Clement of the band Flight of the Conchords uses an Omnichord during live performances.
- Grizzly Bear used an Omnichord during their performance on The Late Show with David Letterman.
- The Capitol Years used an Omnichord on their album Dance Away The Terror.
- Serai Zaffiro of De Novo Dahl is an Omnichord player.
- Jenny Mitchell of The Barmitzvah Brothers plays the Omnichord.
- The Mae Shi a popular L.A. band purchased an omnichord from Goodwill.
- Chest Rockwell uses an omnichord on their song Body Prop 3.
- Simen Eriksrud - Norwegian producer
- Techno Cowboy - Recorded an album featuring the Omnichord called "The Ziggy Stardust Omnichord Album", a 2009 remake of David Bowie's classic record.
- Tormod Eikill - Norwegian guitarist has played the omnichord on several recordings
- The Bird and the Bee - Play the omnichord on several recordings
External links
- World-wide Omnichord and QChord users group
- QChord Network
- An instructional video to play The Suzuki QChord
Yellow from Cinema Strange Plays one on the song The Red and Silver Fantastique and the Libretto of the Insipid Minstrel on the album The Astonished Eyes of Evening