10 Easy Otamatone Songs for Beginners: Notes, Tips & Tutorials

Just got your first Otamatone and wondering what to play?

Good news! You don't need years of musical experience to start making recognizable tunes with this funny little instrument.

Whether you're learning on an Otamatone Regular or Deluxe, there are plenty of beginner-friendly songs you can practise using only a handful of notes.

We've put together 10 familiar melodies, from "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", along with easy-to-follow notes and tips to help you improve.

Let's get started!

Before You Play: Understanding Otamatone Notes

Unlike a piano, the Otamatone doesn't have individual keys for each note.

Instead, you press along its black fingerboard to change the pitch. The higher up the stem you press, the lower the note. Moving towards the Otamatone's face produces higher notes.

You can also squeeze its cheeks while playing to produce the signature "wah-wah" sound.

How to find your notes

Before trying the songs below, spend a few minutes locating notes on your Otamatone.

1. Turn on your Otamatone. Select a comfortable pitch setting using the Low, Mid, or High switch.

2. Open a tuner. Use a chromatic tuner app or the official Otama Tuner to identify the notes you're playing.

3. Find C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Press different positions on the stem and observe the detected pitch.

4. Mark your positions. Use removable painter's tape or the official Do Re Mi stickers to remember where the notes are located.

5. Practise a scale. Slowly play C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and the next C, if your instrument's available range permits.

You can find the official tuner instructions and printable sticker resources in the Otamatone Learning Guide.

Important: Each Otamatone can have slightly different note positions. Use a tuner rather than copying someone else's finger placements exactly.

How to read our song notes

The songs below use a simple letter system:

• C D E means play those three notes in order.

• | separates musical phrases.

• C5 means the C one octave above middle C (C4).

• A note repeated twice means you should release and press it again.

Most examples are simplified teaching arrangements in C major. If the written pitches don't fit your Otamatone comfortably, you can transpose the melody to a different starting note while keeping the same musical intervals.

You don't need to read sheet music. If you already know how the song sounds, use its familiar rhythm as your guide.

1. Hot Cross Buns

Difficulty: Very Easy | Notes used: C, D, E

This is one of the best first songs for any Otamatone player.

It requires only three notes, making it ideal for practising accurate finger placement without moving too far along the stem.

Notes to play:

E D C | E D C | C C C C | D D D D | E D C

Playing tip: Start by finding E, D, and C. Practise moving down those three notes slowly until you can play them without looking at your markings.

Once you're comfortable, try playing the entire song without stopping.

What you'll learn: Basic finger placement and smooth movement between neighbouring notes.

2. Mary Had a Little Lamb

Difficulty: Very Easy | Notes used: C, D, E, G

If you can play "Hot Cross Buns", you're already close to learning this song!

"Mary Had a Little Lamb" introduces one additional note: G.

Notes to play:

E D C D | E E E

D D D | E G G

E D C D | E E E E

D D E D | C

Playing tip: Pay attention to the jump from E to G. Unlike the other notes, these aren't immediately next to each other in the scale.

Practise this small jump before playing the entire melody.

What you'll learn: Repeated notes, basic rhythm, and small finger jumps.

3. Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)

Difficulty: Easy | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G, A

This familiar French nursery song is excellent for practising note patterns.

The melody repeats several times, giving you opportunities to build muscle memory.

Notes to play:

C D E C | C D E C

E F G | E F G

G A G F E C | G A G F E C

C G C | C G C

Playing tip: Focus on the first phrase, C D E C, until you can play it smoothly.

Then practise the descending passage G A G F E C. Take your time when moving from E back down to C.

What you'll learn: Repeated phrases, ascending scales, and descending melodies.

4. Ode to Joy – Beethoven

Difficulty: Easy | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G

Want to try classical music on your Otamatone?

Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" is a good place to start. Its famous melody uses simple note movements that work well for beginners.

Notes to play:

E E F G | G F E D

C C D E | E D D

E E F G | G F E D

C C D E | D C C

Playing tip: Practise the sequence E F G G F E D until it feels natural.

Try holding the final note of each phrase slightly longer to make the melody sound more musical.

Once you're comfortable, experiment with gently opening the Otamatone's mouth on longer notes.

What you'll learn: Musical phrasing, note accuracy, and controlled expression.

5. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Difficulty: Easy | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G, A

Almost everyone knows this melody, which makes it particularly useful for practising by ear.

Notes to play:

C C G G | A A G

F F E E | D D C

G G F F | E E D

G G F F | E E D

C C G G | A A G

F F E E | D D C

Playing tip: The opening jump from C to G may take some practice.

Start slowly and locate both positions before trying to play them consecutively.

If the notes are difficult to reach on your Regular Otamatone, move your hand rather than stretching your fingers too far.

What you'll learn: Larger note jumps, pitch recognition, and playing a complete familiar melody.

6. London Bridge Is Falling Down

Difficulty: Easy | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G, A

This song has a simple, recognizable melody with a mixture of upward and downward movements.

Notes to play:

G A G F | E F G

D E F | E F G

G A G F | E F G

D G E C

Playing tip: Focus on moving smoothly between G, A, and F.

Try playing the first two phrases without looking at your notes. Then add the rest of the song.

What you'll learn: Changing directions smoothly and recognizing repeated musical patterns.

7. When the Saints Go Marching In

Difficulty: Easy | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G

This traditional tune is a fun choice if you want to play something upbeat.

Its opening is particularly recognizable.

Notes to play:

C E F G | C E F G

C E F G E C E D

E E D C

Playing tip: Start by practising C E F G. Repeat the phrase until you can move between the notes confidently.

Then gradually increase your playing speed.

Try opening the Otamatone's mouth on the longer notes for a more expressive performance.

What you'll learn: Musical timing, repeated phrases, and controlled mouth movements.

8. Jingle Bells

Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G

With the holiday season approaching, "Jingle Bells" is a great song to learn.

It's also a fun tune to play for friends and family.

Notes to play (chorus):

E E E | E E E

E G C D E

F F F F | F E E E

E D D E | D G

Playing tip: The opening uses repeated E notes.

Practise releasing and pressing the same note cleanly rather than holding it continuously.

Then work on the jump from G to C in the third phrase.

What you'll learn: Repeated-note timing, musical rhythm, and larger intervals.

9. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Difficulty: Intermediate | Notes used: C, D, E, F, G, A, B

Ready for a slightly bigger challenge?

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" uses more notes than the previous songs, making it useful for improving your fingerboard accuracy.

Notes to play:

G C C D C B A

A D D E D C B

G E E F E D C

A G G A D B C

Playing tip: Break the song into four short phrases.

Practise each phrase separately before connecting them.

Don't rush when moving between notes that are farther apart on the fingerboard.

What you'll learn: Extended note sequences, musical memory, and accurate positioning.

10. Happy Birthday to You

Difficulty: Intermediate | Requires a wider pitch range

One of the most useful songs to learn is also one of the most recognizable.

Once you've mastered "Happy Birthday", you'll have a fun musical surprise ready for someone's special day.

This arrangement uses octave numbers to distinguish higher notes.

Notes to play:

G4 G4 A4 G4 | C5 B4

G4 G4 A4 G4 | D5 C5

G4 G4 G5 E5 | C5 B4 A4

F5 F5 E5 C5 | D5 C5

Playing tip: This song spans more than one octave, so it requires a wider pitch range than most of our earlier examples.

The Otamatone Deluxe's larger fingerboard may make the extended movements more manageable.

If your Otamatone cannot comfortably reach all the written pitches, try transposing the melody into a playable range.

What you'll learn: Larger pitch jumps, octave changes, and playing recognizable songs from memory.

Want to Play Your Favorite Pop or Video Game Songs?

Once you've practised these beginner melodies, you might be wondering whether you can play songs from your favorite video games, anime, or artists.

Absolutely!

The Otamatone Regular and Deluxe let you choose individual notes freely, so you can learn melodies from many different musical genres.

The main challenge is locating the correct notes and moving between them accurately.

For a practical example, check out the official Otamatone beginner tutorial featuring musician and content creator Nelson Silva (@moshibass), who demonstrates how to learn "All the Small Things" by blink-182.

Watch the official Otamatone beginner tutorial

5 Tips to Get Better at Playing Otamatone

1. Practise slowly before increasing your speed.

Start with simple melodies and concentrate on producing the correct notes. Speed will come naturally as you become more familiar with the fingerboard.

2. Use a tuner to check your pitch.

Because the Otamatone doesn't have marked keys, even a small movement can change the pitch. A tuner can help you identify where you're pressing accurately.

3. Practise short sections instead of entire songs.

If a particular section is difficult, repeat just those few notes until you're comfortable.

4. Experiment with the mouth movements.

Your Otamatone's movable mouth is part of what makes it so expressive. Once your notes are accurate, practise gently opening and closing the mouth while holding a note.

5. Play songs you already know.

Recognizing a melody makes it easier to identify mistakes and correct your playing by ear.

Which Otamatone Is Best for Learning Songs?

If you're thinking about getting an Otamatone specifically to learn music, we recommend starting with the Regular or Deluxe.

Otamatone Regular: Great for First-Time Players

The Regular is smaller and easier to carry around.

Its shorter fingerboard makes reaching different note positions convenient, especially for people with smaller hands.

It's a good option if you want to practise casual melodies, experiment with music, and bring your Otamatone wherever you go.

Shop Otamatone Regular at Hamee

Otamatone Deluxe: More Room for Precision

The Deluxe is larger and offers more space between finger positions.

That additional room can help when practising accurate melodies and learning more complicated songs.

The Deluxe also includes adjustable volume and an audio output for connecting to compatible external equipment.

If you want to practise regularly or create musical performances, it's worth considering.

Shop Otamatone Deluxe at Hamee

What about the Otamatone Melody?

The Melody is different from the Regular and Deluxe. It plays 11 built-in tunes rather than allowing you to freely select individual notes.

It's a fun option for learning rhythm, but we recommend the Regular or Deluxe if you want to learn the songs in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest song to play on Otamatone?

"Hot Cross Buns" is one of the easiest starting points because it requires only three notes. "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Ode to Joy" are also good choices.

Can I play Otamatone without knowing music theory?

Yes! You can learn melodies by ear, follow letter notes, or use online tutorials. A little practice with a tuner can make learning much easier.

Why does my Otamatone sound out of tune?

The fingerboard is continuous rather than divided into fixed keys. Small differences in finger placement can produce different pitches. Try practising slowly with a tuner and marking your note positions.

Can I play these songs on Otamatone Melody?

Not freely. The Melody comes with preset tunes and lets you control their rhythm. The Regular and Deluxe are designed for choosing individual notes yourself.

How long does it take to learn an Otamatone song?

That depends on the song and your experience. A three-note melody may be manageable in your first practice session, while longer melodies can take more time.

Focus on accuracy before speed.

Start Making Music with Otamatone!

Learning an instrument doesn't have to be complicated.

Start with three notes, practise your favorite melodies, and gradually challenge yourself with new songs.

Whether you're playing a nursery rhyme or working your way up to a musical performance, the most important thing is to have fun experimenting.

Ready to start your own Otamatone journey?

Explore All Otamatones at Hamee.com