The first time I heard the Omnichord on a record was via a track on Broadcasting from home by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. I didn’t get to see one actually played until 1985’s Live Aid concerts when Daniel Lanois would appear on screen playing one. On the one hand they looked like somebody had cut the auto chord section off a cheap Bontempi organ with the naff auto accompaniment of more expensive home organs. It was made by Suzuki and intended originally as a toy electronic version of an autoharp.
The unique feature was the touch sensitive strip which could trigger chords and arpeggios. The Omnichord has gone through many revisions and is now available as the QChord which added midi to this rather odd little instrument.
Here’s an extract of Heartwind from the Penguin Cafe Orchestra which features both the conventional and unconventional use of the Omnichord:
If this musical instrument in any way intrigues you then you can download and play with a loose software version of the instrument written by JJ Wiesler at Stanford University. This can be played via your computer keyboard and mouse.
A further example of playing from YouTube:
Mattias Olsson playing the Omnichords Autokomp section
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Odd Musical Instruments
1 Comment
July 13, 2008 at 5:22 am
I’ve played omnichords for over 20 years. Bought my first one in Dallas in 1987. Our singing trio uses it more than soundtracks because we can put it in the key that fits our range the best. I currently own 5 that still work. I have worn out 2 of the Qchords, 2 of the original #2 series, also have bought 2 of the other ones that had the dials before the Qchord came out. We just got home from playing on the local Gospel TV station in Southern Missouri. I buy mine from Sally Niner in Branson at the Grandma’s Music store. Are you still planing to continue making them? Are you going to make any more rhythm cards that would be good for christian music. We mostly use the card #1 because of the rhythym #2, #8, #22 and the Card #2 for the rhythm #1,#4 and #17. The Ballad on the built in rhythms and “new age” also have been used the most. I’ve sang at grave-side funeral services where it was perfect for the occasion and it has it’s own table ready for me to use in our church services. When we don’t have a piano player they are glad to use the Qchord to keep us all in tune. Thank God that some one was smart enough to figure out how to put so much music into such a easy to carry, stay in tune , no strings to break, masterpiece. We especially love the “voice” #79 to most of the songs we sing. I learned by accident that if I started the key I wanted to sing in with my center finger, then the pattern of chords was easy to get to and I didn’t even have to look down to know where the next chord change should go. I practiced by turning off the light and playing it in the dark so I could hear the changes . Don’t ever stop making them and if you get any more rhythm cards that would be good for the church atmosphere please contact me.
Can’t use the rhumba, cha’cha, mo-town,or Blues there so keep it Southern, and sweet.
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