Otamatone

Think of the maddest instrument you’ve ever seen. Now multiply it by a million, fashion it to look like a note of music, give it a squeezable head, a playable neck and a voice like a Stylophone drowning in a sea of theremins. All done? Good, because you should now be thinking about Otamatone.

Utterly bonkers and exclusive to Firebox, this hilariously entertaining electronic instrument is already a smash in Japan and is now set to replicate its success across the globe.

Forget all that plucking and plinking business because playing this battery operated oojamiflip involves sliding your finger along its neck, fretless bass style (an action that, when performed rapidly, can easily be misconstrued). Squeal-diddle-deee!

To create a wah-wah-ish vibrato simply squeeze Otamatone’s rubbery head and watch in incredulity as its mouth opens and closes and the notes begin to quiver. The whole hatstand process is a bit like playing a windless Martian bagpipe. In fact it makes rival nutjob instruments seem positively normal.

Controls		Slide your finger across its neck to select pitch		Squeeze the rubbery head to create a wah-wah sound

With two hands you can play almost any melody you fancy within a one octave range. To change octave simply flick the switch and…who are we kidding? Anyone who understands octaves isn’t going to buy an Otamatone. This loopy gizmo is aimed at fun-loving wannabes who wouldn’t know a B major from a Sgt Major. So what are you waiting for? The next Stairway to Heaven isn’t going to write itself. Wa-a-a-a-ah!