Ocarina TV Blog

Ocarina videos to enjoy…

Variations on Greensleeves - Hang on for the jig at time 2:38!

 

Demonstration of the Famous Ocarina Trill (at time 2:16)

 

Short, Fast, Ocarina Clip

 

Explaination of the Ocarina

 

Polycarbonate G Ocarina Review by Docjazz

 

Scarborough Fair on Ocarina

 

Docjazz had me ROFL with this one…

 

Ocarina Review

 

Tapion's Theme

 

Broccoli Ocarina

 

The ocarina flute is in principle a "vessel" or closed end flute and is a wind instrument. An assortment of types of ocarinas have existed since ancient times. Ocarinas can make beautiful music and rhythm. There are numerous many ocarinas, like the sweet potato, inline. Various ocarinas have differing hole sizes and numbers of holes. In recent times a video game called zelda the ocarina of time has made the ocarina popular among kids. In this video game by Nintendo (R) the character Link plays his flute for different reasons. There are games for Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Holes differ in size. Just about any genre of music can be played on these vessel flutes. A capable instrumentalist can play celtic, classical, Christian, hynns, jazz, bluegrass, hard rock, classic or acid rock, rap, country western, folk music, pop, traditional Irish, Scottish, disco, native american, Latin, Mexican, South American, African, or just any of a number of musical styles you can think of. Ocarinas are made of a variety of materials including hard wood, ceramic, pottery, plastic, other woods, glass, metal, steel, aluminum or just about any substance that can be worked into a firm shape. Skilled performers can add fancy decoration or ornamentation like cuts or rolls to make a easy song or piece into a virtuoso masterpiece.

Some say that versions of the ocarina originated in Budrio which is a city near Bologna Italy. Though different ocarinas have varying fingerings, some ocarina artisans and craftsmen have produced ocarina tab or tablature similar to tab used in guitar. Of course conventional notation can also be used in this new age to express an opus. These flutes are flexible and can be played by an individual or a symphony. Some composers have made scores to be used to play harmonies. If the conductor understands counterpoint, then he will understand how to write the scores so that the harmony will be according to modern musical theory.

Since the start of time, from earliest to modern time, music and the arts have been an essential element of all cultures and civilizations. Some artisans make ocarinas to play in different keys. The potential keys would be C C# D D# E E# F F# G G# A A# B B# as well as the flat keys in both major and minor. Some ocarinas are chromatic and some are pentatonic only. Of course chromatic instruments are more accommodating than non-chromatic flutes. Some fingerings are straightforward and some are difficult. These works of art can have 1 one, 2 two, 3 three, 4 four, 5 five, 6 six, 7 seven, 8 eight, 9 nine, 10 ten, 11 eleven, 12 twelve, 13 thirteen, 14 fourteen or more finger holes. Some play a full octave, some less than an octave, and some yet play more than an octave.

Chromatic instruments can be played both as a transposing or non-transposing instrument. High school bands, for example, usually instruct all non C instruments as transposing instruments for ease of learning. Certainly this makes it more complicated when duos, trios, or quartets perform in concert because it requires transposition of the staff of music. High-quality information about the ocarina can be found at Wikipedia. The ocarina is a musical instrument. Some are high quality, some are inexpensive, some are worthy of a public recital. Some are toys merely. They can be used by the professional or amateur or beginning musician alike to play haunting meoldies for a choir or chorus or to jam with friends. One just needs to be a learner at heart and have fingers and motivation. Then you can set the mood with your playing.

They can be played along with the guitar, piano, trumpet, accordian, banjo, harp, recorder, cello, violin, mandolin, bass, viola, clarinet, horns, bells, vocalist, tin whistle, penny whistle, bagpipes or just about any instrument you can think of…

Here's a video showing a Mountain Ocarinas chromatic aluminum ocarina in the key of G. The video is comlements of YouTube. This ocarina is very unique and stunning. It has a surface finish which is very similar to a nice brass instrument. The instrument is heavier than the hardwood or polycarbonate ocarinas. I like the extra heft because it makes the flute have a very solid feel. Take a look at the below video…

Here's a video showing a Mountain Ocarinas chromatic hardwood ocarina in the key of G. This ocarina is truly a work of art. Take a look at the below video and see if you don't agree…

Did you see the new ocarina video on the mountain ocarina site? It's very cool.

Don't try and view it if you don't have a broadband connection (cable modem or DSL). It's about 10 megabytes and is about 4 minutes long… but worth the wait.The video starts out with some of sound samples of mountain ocarinas with some nice scenic photos.

Then it shows some pictures (stills) of their ocarinas.

Then there's some nice video clips of Karl Ahrens playing some the ocarina. The video of Karl looks like it's taken with a camcorder, and the certainly sound isn't studio quality (since it must be recorded on the camcorder) but it gives a good idea what Karl's ocarinas are capable of… with a bit of practice. Karl is really skilled at adding in Celtic ornamentation into his music. He makes it look effortless. I wish I could play like him…

So if you have a minute… click on the picture above.

Cliff here. I'm the webmaster for Mountain Ocarinas. I'm putting together a site to demonstrate my favorite ocarina ( the Mountain Ocarina of course :)  ).

Just a little background for the time being, till I have more to say… The ocarina flute is in principle a "vessel" or closed end flute and is a wind instrument. An assortment of types of ocarinas have existed since ancient times. Ocarinas can make beautiful music and rhythm. There are numerous many ocarinas, like the sweet potato, inline. Various ocarinas have differing hole sizes and numbers of holes. In recent times a video game called zelda the ocarina of time has made the ocarina popular among kids. In this video game by Nintendo (R) the character Link plays his flute for different reasons. There are games for Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Holes differ in size. Just about any genre of music can be played on these vessel flutes. A capable instrumentalist can play celtic, classical, Christian, hynns, jazz, bluegrass, hard rock, classic or acid rock, rap, country western, folk music, pop, traditional Irish, Scottish, disco, native american, Latin, Mexican, South American, African, or just any of a number of musical styles you can think of. Ocarinas are made of a variety of materials including hard wood, ceramic, pottery, plastic, other woods, glass, metal, steel, aluminum or just about any substance that can be worked into a firm shape. Skilled performers can add fancy decoration or ornamentation like cuts or rolls to make a easy song or piece into a virtuoso masterpiece.