Admit I
Otamatone Regular, white
Anyone who wants the classic singing quaver
| Model | Regular |
|---|---|
| Colour | White |
| Played by | Sliding the stem, squeezing the cheeks |
| Type | Touch-sensitive electronic |
4.1/5 on Amazon from 16,300 ratings
See it on Amazon
A quaver with opinions
Otamatone:which model to play
The otamatone is a quaver-shaped electronic instrument that you play by sliding one finger and squeezing its cheeks. We compare the Regular, Melody and Deluxe models, and the character editions that fill out the range.
By Rhys Entwistle, updated 4 November 2026
Act I
What an otamatone is
The otamatone is a Japanese electronic instrument made by Maywa Denki with Cube, and it appeared in 2009. It is shaped like a quaver, with a round head, a long stem and a flag, and it is played by sliding a finger along the stem.
Squeeze the cheeks of the face at the same time and the sound wobbles open and shut. That squeeze is the wah, and it is what makes every otamatone sound as though it has opinions about your playing.
Otamatone is a trade mark of its makers. We name it to identify the instrument, and this site has no connection with Maywa Denki or Cube.
Where the otamatone comes from
Maywa Denki is the Japanese art unit behind a long line of eccentric electrical devices, and the otamatone is the one that escaped the gallery. It now sits on shelves next to ordinary toys, looking slightly surprised to be there.
How the otamatone makes its noise
Press and slide a finger on the touch-sensitive stem to choose a note. The stem has no frets or markings, so pitch is down to your finger and your ear, which is more skill than the face suggests.
A real instrument, with caveats
An otamatone is electronic, touch-sensitive and quite capable of playing a recognisable tune once you have practised. It is real enough to play a melody and silly enough that nobody will ask you to play at a wedding.
Act II
Which otamatone: Regular, Melody or Deluxe
The three standard sizes behave differently, so the choice matters more than the face does. Check the model name in each title before ordering, because the characters on the front vary far more than the sizes do.
Admit II
Otamatone Melody, Kirby edition
Children learning timing with built-in tunes
| Model | Melody, smaller |
|---|---|
| Tunes | Built in, chosen with flag buttons |
| Edition | Kirby |
| Extra | Optional keyring attachment |
4.6/5 on Amazon from 532 ratings
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Admit III
Otamatone Deluxe, English manual
Players who want to plug into an amp
| Size | Large, jumbo |
|---|---|
| Output | 3.5 mm stereo jack |
| Power | 3 × AA, included |
| In the box | Aux cable, strap, English manual |
4.4/5 on Amazon from 3,600 ratings
See it on AmazonThe Regular otamatone
The Regular is the model most people picture: a touch-sensitive stem, a flexible face, and a sound that changes with every squeeze. It is the sensible place to start, and the one the character editions copy.
The Melody otamatone
The Melody is smaller and carries built-in tunes. You pick a song with the buttons on the flag, then press the stem at the right moments to play along, and the listing claims it teaches rhythm and metre. The one in our list is a Kirby edition, with an optional keyring attachment.
The Deluxe otamatone
The Deluxe is the large model, with a 3.5 mm stereo jack for headphones, amps and speakers. The listing includes an aux cable, three AA batteries, an English manual and a strap, and calls it professional grade, which is a bold description for a quaver. Stock is scarce on Amazon.
Act III
Otamatone editions and imports
The same shape also comes as Japanese imports and as character editions, and the sound is the same whatever is printed on the front. Read each title carefully, since an import may arrive with a manual you cannot read.
Admit I
Otamatone Regular, blue, JP version
Collectors comfortable with a Japanese-market model
| Model | Regular |
|---|---|
| Colour | Blue |
| Version | JP |
| Height | 27 cm |
4.2/5 on Amazon from 1,000 ratings
See it on Amazon
Admit II
Otamatone Regular, Kirby edition
Kirby fans who want the standard-size model
| Model | Regular |
|---|---|
| Edition | Kirby |
| Played by | Sliding and squeezing |
| Type | Touch-sensitive electronic |
4.5/5 on Amazon from 4,800 ratings
See it on Amazon
Admit III
Otamatone Hatsune Miku edition
Hatsune Miku fans after a character edition
| Edition | Hatsune Miku |
|---|---|
| Played by | Sliding the stem, squeezing the cheeks |
| Tone | Low, medium or high, claimed |
| Age | Kids, teens and adults, claimed |
4.5/5 on Amazon from 1,900 ratings
See it on Amazon- Regular, blue, JP version: the title says it is the Japanese-market model, so check the manual language if it is meant as a gift.
- Regular, Kirby: standard size with a Kirby design on the face.
- Hatsune Miku edition: a special edition of the otamatone that the listing says plays in a low, medium or high tone.
Kirby and Hatsune Miku are characters from other makers, and this site has no connection with either.
Act IV
Playing an otamatone in the first week
The first week with an otamatone is about finding where the notes live on a stem that gives no clues. Short, daily sessions work better than one long afternoon, mostly for the sake of the household.
- Slide a finger along the whole stem and listen to the lowest and highest notes.
- Hold one note steady, then squeeze the cheeks gently to hear the wah.
- Pick a tune you already know and slide to match it, note by note.
- Add the squeeze only where the tune needs emphasis.
Squeeze, then slide
Treat the two hands as separate jobs: one finds the pitch, the other shapes the sound. Practising each job alone before combining them is the sensible order, and the order of the two barely matters.
The Melody model as a tutor
The Melody model plays a tune you can follow with the stem, which suits anyone who would rather learn timing than guess it. Choose a song with the buttons on the flag and copy the rhythm.
Act V
Otamatone against other odd ways to make a note
The otamatone belongs to a small family of instruments that need no lessons to make a noise and several years to master. Here is how its relatives are played.
| Instrument | How you play it |
|---|---|
| Otamatone | Slide a finger along the stem and squeeze the cheeks |
| Stylophone | Touch a stylus to a metal keyboard |
| Theremin | Move a hand near two antennas, without touching |
| Kazoo | Hum into the tube |
Act VI
Who an otamatone is for
The listings call the otamatone a gift for lovers of all things cute, silly and weird, which is fair. It suits anyone who wants an instrument that starts conversations, and the Melody model suits children who want to practise timing.
- Choose the Regular for a first otamatone and a good laugh.
- Choose the Melody to follow built-in tunes with a small hand.
- Choose the Deluxe if you want to plug in and be heard.
Giving an otamatone as a present
The listings pitch the Kirby and Hatsune Miku editions at children, teens and adults alike, and the Melody model at children learning timing. Whoever receives an otamatone, expect the first squeak to be repeated for the rest of the day.
If you want something with keys
Anyone who would rather have a keyboard under the fingers than a bare stem should read about the melodica. Plucked notes with fixed pitches are the kalimba’s department, and neither needs a face to work.
Encore
Questions for the otamatone, and its replies
- Are otamatones hard to play?
Making a noise takes seconds. Landing on the right pitch is harder, because the stem has no frets or markings and your finger has to find each note unaided.
- Is an otamatone worth buying?
It depends on what you want from it. As a conversation piece and a tuneable curiosity, yes. As your only instrument, it will test the patience of everyone in earshot.
- Why are otamatones so cute?
The design is a face on a musical note, and the face does the singing. Nobody ever asked the otamatone to look serious, and it has taken the hint.
- How do you pronounce otamatone?
Roughly oh-tah-mah-tone. The name joins otamajakushi, the Japanese word for a tadpole and for a musical note, to the word tone.
- What separates the Regular from the Deluxe?
Size and connections. The Deluxe is full-sized, with a 3.5 mm stereo jack for headphones, amps and speakers, whereas the Regular is the standard-sized model.
- Does the Melody model play tunes by itself?
It has built-in tunes, which you choose with the buttons on the flag. You then press the stem at the right moments to play along, so you still do the work.
- Can an otamatone go through a speaker?
The Deluxe can, through its 3.5 mm stereo jack, and the listing includes an aux cable. For the other models, check the listing before assuming a socket exists.