Understanding the Omnichord in 2022

Many models of Omnichord are delightedly enjoying & approaching their 40th birthday. Thus I am writing a long overdue introduction for Omnichord buyers and strumplate ticklers in 2022.

What’s the big deal with the Omnichord in 2020?

The Omnichord is not cresting in popularity “just now”. It’s been on a happy travel of upward mobility for many years (decades?) now — even beyond the well noted range of high-art and popular artists using the Omnichord well into the turn of the century (David Bowie, Daniel Lanois, Damon Albarn, etc. etc…) the Suzuki Omnichord had an Indie Rock hey-dey in the mid / late 00’s as well. If you’ve done any sort of google-sleuthing on the subject you can find photos, videos, and interview with folks from Jim James (My Morning Jacket) to Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) touting it’s use. Into the 2010s and beyond, it has continued within the Indie music world from the floor-tom beating, tambourine shaking Head and the Heart, to the dreamwalking folk of Sharon Von Etten. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit has Omnichord featured on their 2020 album “Reunions”, and Phoebe Bridgers performed (tragically) the Q-chord for a 2020 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel. Come on Phoebe — the Q-Chord?? Seriously??

Yada-yada — so that’s the top-muck-scum of the Omnichord pond in modern music history. We could go down and around the hole to all sorts of unexplored and delighting independent avant-rockers using the Omnichord in present day and beyond - and maybe we will in another blog post - but for now let me give a concise and hopefully helpful explanation of the current state of second-hand Omnichords for the regular folks. Don’t forget on the central truth of all Omnichord joy — it’s the most accessible instrument in the whole dang world!!

What Omnichord and Why?

It has always been my intention to eventually create a series of in-depth explanatory videos for introductions to various models. In terms of written e-sources, I’ll recommend the general rundown at Omnichord Heaven for starters.

I’ll have a round of tips for buying Omnichords used and online (don’t worry — I won’t be sad if you don’t buy from me :) ) up sometime on the website.