Somewhere Over the Rainbow Omnichord Chords

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole · 1993

This chart follows Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's 1993 version, with its unhurried, swaying pulse. The omnichord is a natural match for that bright, open sound: a quick sweep of the strum plate gives a ripple of notes much like a fast strum on a small string instrument, and the rhythm machine keeps an easy beat going underneath while your hands stay relaxed.

Five chords cover the whole song, all within a few buttons of each other, and the bridge simply loops a four-chord pattern twice. It is an easy song that still sounds lovely at a slow pace, which makes it a good choice for a first recording: play a take, download it, and hear how your strumming sits against the beat.

▶ Play on the omnichord

Played in C (original key) · Rock rhythm · 84 BPM · Easy

Omnichord buttons for Somewhere Over the Rainbow

5 chord buttons cover the whole song. The highlighted square shows where each one sits on the 27-button grid.

  • C R

  • Em K

  • F E

  • G T

  • Am J

Bar-by-bar chart

Each box is one bar of 4 beats. Two chords in a box split the bar in half.

Verse

  1. C
  2. Em
  3. F
  4. C
  5. F
  6. C
  7. G
  8. Am · F

Bridge

  1. C
  2. G
  3. Am
  4. F
  5. C
  6. G
  7. Am
  8. F

Chord changes, step by step

The order you press the buttons in, with the computer key for each one, and every new hand move the first time it appears.

Verse

C REm KF EC RF EC RG TAm JF E

  • C to Em: down to the Minor row, four columns right
  • Em to F: up to the Major row, five columns left
  • F to C: one column right
  • C to F: one column left
  • C to G: one column right
  • G to Am: down to the Minor row, two columns right
  • Am to F: up to the Major row, four columns left

Bridge

C RG TAm JF EC RG TAm JF E

Key and simplifications

Somewhere Over the Rainbow stays in its original key of C: every chord it needs has a button on the instrument.

No chord had to be simplified.

Tips for playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the omnichord

Where the chords sit

F, C and G are neighbours in the Major row, on the keys E, R and T. A minor and E minor are in the Minor row under the A and E columns, on J and K, so the two minor chords sit side by side as well, a little to the right of G and one row down. Your left hand can rest on E, R and T while two right-hand fingers cover J and K.

Verse and bridge

The verse is eight bars: C, E minor, F, C, F, C, G, and a last bar that splits between A minor and F. The opening C to E minor is the widest move, R across to K, so practise it on its own before running the whole song.

The bridge is a loop of C, G, A minor and F, one chord per bar, played twice. On the keyboard that is R, T, J, E: a step right, a hop over to the Minor row, then back across to F. Because it repeats, the bridge is the best place to build confidence in Play-along mode, which counts in one bar and scores each change.

Getting a soft, open sound

The suggested Rock rhythm at 84 BPM sits on the gentle side; if it still feels busy, lower the Beat fader and let the chords lead. Turn Memory on so each chord rings after you let go, set Sustain to about one and a half seconds, and strum in short, light bursts on the number keys rather than full sweeps. The Stab chord style gives a bouncier, more plucked accompaniment.

The split final bar of the verse, A minor to F inside a single bar, is the trickiest moment. Follow mode in the practice bar lets you rehearse it without the clock running.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the omnichord: questions

What key is Somewhere Over the Rainbow played in on the omnichord?

C, the same key as the chart. All five chords, C, E minor, F, G and A minor, have their own buttons on the 27-button grid, so nothing needs to be transposed, and the whole progression sits in one small area of the panel.

Which rhythm should I use?

Rock at 84 BPM. At that tempo the pattern feels relaxed rather than heavy. For a lighter backing, drop the Beat fader or switch to the Stab chord style, which plays short chords with the rhythm instead of holding them under the harp.

Is Somewhere Over the Rainbow good for beginners?

Yes, it is rated easy. There are five chords, one change per bar apart from the last bar of the verse, and a bridge that repeats the same four-chord loop. Most players can get through it in Follow mode within a few short sessions.

Can I record my own version?

Yes. The instrument records up to five minutes per take, which is plenty for this song, and you can download the result. Run through it in Play-along mode first so the chord changes feel confident before you start recording.

How many buttons does Somewhere Over the Rainbow need on the omnichord?

5: C (R), Em (K), F (E), G (T), Am (J). C carries the song, sounding for about 31% of all beats, and there are 16 chord changes from start to finish.

How long does it take to play Somewhere Over the Rainbow through once?

The chart here is 16 bars of 4 beats. At the suggested 84 BPM that is about 46 s, plus a one-bar count-in in Play-along mode. Slow the Tempo fader down while you learn the changes.