Omnichord
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The Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument introduced in 1981 by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation.[1] It typically features a touch plate, and buttons for major, minor, and 7th 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. Originally designed as an electronic substitute for an autoharp, the Omnichord has become popular as an individual instrument in its own right, due to its unique, chiming timbre and its value as a kitsch object.
The Omnichord is the technological successor to an earlier instrument, 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.
The Omnichord is still produced by Suzuki, but rebadged as the Q-chord. It features more modern versions of the original Omnichord's features.[2]
Notable users
- Damon Albarn (Gorillaz)
- Owen Ashworth (Casiotone for the Painfully Alone)
- Joshua Bennetch (Red River Hymnal)
- Tim Booth (James)
- Rune Brøndbo (sternklang, weebutee)
- Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords)
- Toby Dammit (The Stooges)
- Alfred Darlington (Daedelus)[3]
- Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear)
- Brian Eno
- Mark Foster (Foster the People)
- Blake Harnage (VersaEmerge)
- Hellogoodbye (Forrest Kline)
- Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil)
- Elly Jackson (La Roux) ("In for the Kill")
- Jim James (My Morning Jacket)
- Simon Jeffes (Penguin Cafe Orchestra)
- Dave Knudson (Minus the Bear)
- Kynes[4]
- Daniel Lanois
- Sean Lennon
- The Magnetic Fields
- Matt Mahaffey(Self)[5]
- Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks)[6]
- John Mayer
- Joni Mitchell
- Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo)
- Matthew Murphy (The Wombats)
- Oh Land
- Stefan Olsdal (Placebo)
- Gregory Page
- Zeena Parkins
- Passenger[7]
- Catherine Pierce (The Pierces)
- Sergio Pizzorno (Kasabian)
- Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
- Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies)
- Robbie Robertson
- Donald Ross Skinner (Julian Cope)
- Rebecca Sugar
- Isabella Summers[8]
- Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel)
- Tracey Thorn (Falling off a log)[9]
- Tiny Tim
- Amy Turnnidge (Theoretical Girl)
- Sharon Van Etten
- Tim Wanstall (Athlete)
- Nicky Wire (Manic Street Preachers)
- Woodpecker Wooliams
- Sean Dickson (The Soup Dragons)
See also
References
- ^ Hills, Bruce (2 June 1982). "Device converts the musically illiterate into instant maestros". The Deseret News.
- ^ Orensten, Evan (20 December 2007). "Suzuki Omnichord". Cool Hunting.
- ^ http://instagram.com/p/gq1DctAEBa/#
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152682553869686&set=t.100001265223000&type=3&theater
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuWWb24GHIo
- ^ Ollison, Rashod D. "Dixie Chicks: more edge to their roots". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 7 August 2006.
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Passenger-All-The-Little-Lights/release/4164845
- ^ File:IsabellaSummers.jpg
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Tracey-Thorn-Out-Of-The-Woods/release/1527018
External links
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