Omnichord expert and co-developer Darren Brown has described the Suzuki Omnichord's target audience as "people who wanted to play an instrument but had never found the time to learn". It's a worthy aphorism, but as he goes on to acknowledge, this quirky and celebrated instrument is so much more than that. With a storied past, a cult following, and no less than 10 different models since 1981, the Omnichord offers something for everyone. Yes, even in a school music department.
History of the Omnichord
The Omnichord's story began in 1980, when Suzuki released both the experimental PC-27 "Tronichord" and the more developed OM-27 "Omnichord". Both featured 27 chord buttons (the current model has 38 buttons and 108 chords!) and an innovative touchplate for strumming — allowing users to create rich accompaniments with no prior musical training. While the Tronichord faded quickly due to limitations in control and features, the OM-27 was embraced for its ease of use and futuristic charm, particularly by songwriters and performers seeking an intuitive, portable instrument. It seems that although the Omnichord was never a runaway commercial success – niche instruments rarely are – it developed a dedicated following for its unique strumming approach and aesthetics, especially in Japan.
Throughout the '80s and '90s, the instrument evolved significantly, gaining more chords, improved strumplates, MIDI capability, and broader musical appeal. It eventually gained cult status after appearing in the hands of artists like David Bowie, Brian Eno, Joni Mitchell and The Human League —drawn to its unique sound, offbeat look, musical directness and simplicity.
Damon Albarn even confirmed in 2023 that the Gorillaz’ hit song ‘Clint Eastwood’ is built upon the Omnichord’s Rock 1 preset beat!
In the early 2000s, the Omnichord was reborn as the QChord, adding modern features while retaining its signature playability. All-new sounds and styles were introduced, and a revolutionised cutaway design was born. After a 20-year run, production halted in 2020—but following renewed interest, Suzuki launched the OM-108 in 2024: a modern revival of the retro classic.
What can you do with the Omnichord OM-108?
The OM-108's versatility might surprise you. With a built-in speaker, and the facility to play through an external speaker too, meaning you can easily move it around a classroom during composition time, but plug it in for a bigger sound during mini performances. Beyond its classic auto-accompaniment features, it functions as a rhythm machine, melody instrument, and harmonic backbone all in one compact unit. For instance, you can use it for basic accompaniments as in the video below. You’ll recognise the song!
Create a whole automated soundscape with updated rhythm selection:
Introduce sus4 and add9 chords into the mix:
Or, use the blue overlay shown below to transform the buttons into a keyboard, and play full-on melodies on the Omnichord.
From gentle folk strumming to electronic pop beats, the OM-108 adapts so many of the musical styles your students might want to explore. The intuitive, clearly labelled chord layout means even complete beginners can create sophisticated-sounding accompaniments within minutes, whilst the melodic capabilities offer scope for more advanced musical exploration.
How can you use it in the classroom?
The Omnichord's greatest strength in education lies in its ability to level the playing field. In a typical Year 8 or 9 class, you'll have students ranging from grade 5 pianists to those with very little experience on any instrument. The Omnichord bridges this gap beautifully, particularly in pop songwriting projects, making music lessons better and more fun for everyone involved!
Group projects and breakout spaces
Picture this: groups of five or six students working together to compose and perform original songs. Traditionally, differences in experience levels might make it harder for some students to feel confident in contributing to some aspects of the song, like harmonic structure. With an Omnichord in the mix, everyone can contribute meaningfully and influence the soundscape and form of the song, making for a smoother, more even, and more inclusive collaboration between the group.
The instrument's immediate gratification factor cannot be overstated. Press a chord button, strum the plate, and you've got a full band sound. What student (or teacher!) wouldn’t enjoy that? This instant success builds confidence and encourages experimentation in ways that traditional instruments often can't match for beginners. Students can quickly grasp concepts like verse-chorus structures, key changes, and rhythmic variation when they can hear and feel the results immediately.
If you have breakout spaces in your department Omnichords are the perfect thing to have in them. Find out more about what makes a great breakout space from Anna Gower’s article here.
Assessments
For assessment purposes, these projects tick multiple boxes: students demonstrate understanding of musical elements, work collaboratively, perform with confidence, and engage with technology. The Omnichord naturally encourages peer teaching too—students who grasp the chord patterns quickly become mentors for their groupmates, just by showing which buttons to press.
Demonstrating styles and genres
Beyond songwriting, the OM-108 works brilliantly for exploring different musical styles and genres. Want to demonstrate the difference between a waltz and a bossa nova, or introduce the concept of swing vs straight feel? The built-in rhythm patterns make it crystal clear. Discussing chord progressions in different keys? The transpose function lets you demonstrate instantly without the complexity of traditional keyboard work.
A worthwhile investment for your classroom?
Here's where we need to be realistic. Of course, an Omnichord is not a replacement for classroom keyboards like the PSR-E383 and Roland GO:PIANO 61, but it unquestionably occupies a useful niche in music education. Four or five units could transform your approach to group composition work—just be prepared a little jostling over who gets to use them first! The instruments are mercifully robust and compact, with gig bags available for easy storage, so they'll withstand the rigours of classroom life better than you might expect.
Particular value lies in engagement and accessibility. For schools committed to inclusive music-making and breaking down barriers to musical participation, the Omnichord's unique blend of simplicity and sophistication makes it a serious option to consider. In the right hands, and with the right projects, an Omnichord doesn't just provide a bit of light-hearted fun in the classroom; it democratises group music making in a way few instruments can.
What about for individual students?
This is another situation in which the Omnichord can really shine. We’ve all come across people who are keen songwriters, but have yet to develop much technical expertise in, for example, piano or guitar to support their raw musical ideas. The Omnichord OM-108 is the perfect thing to recommend or lend out to a student in this scenario.
In conclusion…
Much as the Omnichord’s fame has thus far derived from its cult status, we think that its potential applications in music education deserve some attention. This illustrious, eccentric instrument is well worth considering for anyone looking to liven up their classrooms or breakout spaces, and is a perfect recommendation for budding songwriters who want to hear their ideas out loud with as few hurdles as possible!
