Otamatone Songs: 15 Easy Melodies Step by Step (2026)

One of the first questions after buying an otamatone is: what songs can I actually play? The good news is that any melody with single notes (no chords) works on the otamatone. The trick is to pick songs with few distinct notes, a moderate tempo and a tune you already know by heart — that way you can fix your intonation by ear without reading sheet music.

In this guide you'll find 15 songs sorted by difficulty, with reference notes, fingering tips and video examples. All of them have been covered publicly on YouTube by fans and have tutorials available.

Before you start: how to read otamatone tabs

The otamatone has no numbered frets, so the "tabs" here use relative neck positions, from 1 (lowest, near the head) to 9 (highest, at the tip):

Note: these positions are approximate for the Otamatone Deluxe (44 cm). On the Classic (27 cm) intervals are smaller and everything is compressed into the lower half of the neck. Always practise against an audio reference.

1. Super Mario Bros — Overworld Theme

The most-covered song on otamatone worldwide. The opening pattern repeats the same note a lot and the leaps are predictable. Start with just the first bar and repeat it until it's memorised.

E – E – [rest] – E – [rest] – C – E – G
Pos: 4 – 4 – 4 – 3 – 4 – 7 (jump to high position)
Speed: slow first, then 120 bpm

Tip: The jump from C to G (pos 3 to 7) is the trickiest. Mark the G position on your neck with a piece of tape before you start playing.

2. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Only 5 distinct notes (C, D, E, F, G, A) and a very slow tempo. This is the classic warm-up exercise. If you can tune this melody cleanly, you already have basic neck control.

C – C – G – G – A – A – G [rest]
F – F – E – E – D – D – C [rest]
Pos: 4 – 4 – 7 – 7 – 8 – 8 – 7

Tip: Play without vibrato (mouth fixed open) until the notes sound in tune. Vibrato comes later.

3. Ode to Joy (Beethoven — 9th Symphony)

The main melody uses only 5 notes (E, F, G, A, B) moving in stepwise motion, which makes finger control much easier. Ideal for practising smooth, continuous movements.

E – E – F – G – G – F – E – D
C – C – D – E – E – D – D [rest]
Pos: 4 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3
     2 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 4 – 3 – 3

4. Happy Birthday

Everyone knows this melody by heart, which makes it easy to correct intonation by ear with no reference needed. The tune ascends gradually, training the finger to move from low to high.

G – G – A – G – C – B
G – G – A – G – D – C
Pos: 6 – 6 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 3
     6 – 6 – 8 – 6 – 5 – 4

5. Pirates of the Caribbean — He's a Pirate

This OST theme is one of the most popular otamatone covers on the internet. The compound triple metre (3/4) can feel confusing at first, but the melody is very recognisable and easy to self-correct by ear.

G – A – B – C – B – A – G [triple rhythm]
Repeat with variations: G – A – B – C – D – C – B – A
Pos: 6 – 8 – 9 – 4(high oct) – 9 – 8 – 6

Tip: This piece has an octave leap. On the Classic (27 cm) it can be very hard; the Deluxe handles it much better.

6. Bad Apple!! (Touhou Project)

The unofficial anthem of the otamatone fan community on the internet. The vocal version of Bad Apple has a tempo perfectly suited to the instrument, and its minor-key melody gives that expressive sound the otamatone is famous for. Search "bad apple otamatone" on YouTube — dozens of reference covers await.

A – G – F – E – D – E – F – G
E – D – C – D – E – F – E – D
Pos: 8 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6

7. Tetris — Korobeiniki

The Tetris theme is short, cyclic and instantly recognisable. It has a few fourth-interval leaps that take practice, but its repetitive structure makes it very easy to memorise.

E – B – C – D – C – B – A – A – C – E – D – C – B
Pos: 4 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 3 – 4 – 3 – 3 – 2

8. Zelda — Song of Storms

A community favourite. Its 6/8 pattern and the low bass line give it a unique character that the otamatone's vocal timbre highlights beautifully. Start with the opening phrase (D – F – D) and add the rest progressively.

D – F – D – [rest] – D – F – D
G – A – G – F – D – F – D
Pos: 3 – 5 – 3 – 3 – 5 – 3
     6 – 8 – 6 – 5 – 3 – 5 – 3

9. Canon in D (Pachelbel) — simplified version

Pachelbel's famous Canon has a soprano line that suits the otamatone perfectly. The underlying chord progression means even small tuning errors tend to blend in. Great for recording yourself and listening back.

F – E – D – C – B – A – G – A
B – C – B – A – G – F – E – F
Pos: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 9(low oct) – 8 – 9

10. Gurenge (Demon Slayer opening)

LiSA's hit has a very singable opening melody in an accessible note range. The chorus phrase ("gurenge!") is the most satisfying part to play and the one audiences recognise immediately.

Tip: Learn just the chorus phrase first (4 bars). That alone gives you something impressive to play in 15–20 minutes of practice.

11. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

The "Mama, just killed a man" section is one of the most viral otamatone covers on the internet. Freddie Mercury's vocal line fits the instrument's expressive timbre perfectly. Requires good vibrato control for the long, sustained notes.

12. Careless Whisper (George Michael)

The famous sax intro of Careless Whisper is a real technical challenge: sixth and seventh leaps that demand excellent muscle memory. When it comes off, it sounds incredible on the otamatone's timbre.

Tip: Practise the long-note + silence jump (the saxophone's breath) by closing the otamatone's mouth between notes. That gives the correct phrasing.

13. My Neighbor Totoro — Tonari no Totoro (Studio Ghibli)

The Totoro theme requires playing in the otamatone's highest register with precision. The melody has a playful character that suits the instrument perfectly — very rewarding when it clicks.

14. Megalovania (Undertale)

The Undertale final-boss theme has a fast tempo that demands speed and precision on repeated notes. It is the "level-proving" song in the otamatone community. Expect weeks of practice.

Tip: Start at half speed. Accuracy matters more than tempo; if the notes come out in tune at 60 bpm, speed will follow naturally.

15. Flight of the Bumblebee (Rimsky-Korsakov)

The ultimate technical challenge: lightning-fast chromatic runs that demand perfectly controlled glissandos. The definitive "hard mode" of the otamatone. YouTube versions have surpassed a million views — if you nail it from memory, you are an expert.

General tips for learning songs on otamatone

1. Start slow. Half the original speed or less. Intonation comes from muscle memory, not from speed.
2. Learn phrase by phrase. Don't try to play the whole song from bar 1. Memorise 2–4 bars, master them, then add the next block.
3. Record yourself. Our ear is more forgiving live. A recording reveals tuning issues you don't notice while playing.
4. Use an audio reference. Play the original in the background and play along. If they sound odd together, you're out of tune.
5. The model matters. With the Otamatone Deluxe tuning is significantly easier than with the Classic, thanks to the longer neck. If you're interested in other pocket instruments, check out the stylophone.
6. Practise vibrato separately. Do mouth-open/close exercises at a steady rhythm before adding vibrato to any melody.

Songs by model

Frequently asked questions about otamatone songs