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…

You can see the ocarina collection on flickr.

I came across this picture titled "Cracked Ocarina."

I think the caption says it all. That's one of the big problems with clay. They shatter or crack quite easily. Luckily this ocarina was only cracked… and not shattered.

Here's the ocarina on flickr.

At least it could be glued.

Since I began playing the ocarina, I have always been able to look back and realize that I was noticeably better than I had been only one year before. On many occasions I have rejected a song as unappealing only to return to it a year or so later and find that it was a gem.

I simply didn't have the skills to make it sparkle the first time around.

On other songs and techniques that are a little over my head, I just keep chipping away, remembering to run through them now and again when I take short ocarina breaks. A few months or a year later, the seemingly impossible song has been transformed into a near-virtuoso performance.

So now that you've decided to buy an ocarina, the question is which one to select. With hundreds of ocarinas to consider, in different shapes and sizes, made of plastic or clay or wood, some with four holes and others with twelve… With hundreds of ocarinas available picking the right one for yourself can be difficult. Ask the following ten questions. When you can answer them confidently, you are ready to choose your ocarina.

1. What genre of ocarina music will you want to play? If you want to play simple and slow melodies then just about any ocarina will work be good enough. If you will want to play technically difficult and fast music, most will not work for you. Make sure you see a demonstration or hear sound samples of the ocarinas you are considering. Make sure that the ocarina you are considering can play the type of music you want to play.

3. Do you like the way it sounds? Have you heard this ocarina in a live performance? Probably not… but do you at least have you recordings to give you an idea of their sound?

4. Where would you like to play your ocarina? Do you expect to play for others? Will you perform publicly? Do you wish to be able to play with other musicians without needing microphone amplification? The majority of ocarinas are quiet and subdued. A few ocarinas have good playing volume and could readily be played in public without needing amplification.

5. How do you like the way it looks? When you think your flute is beautiful, you will very likely carry it more, show it to your friends and family more, play it more, improve more rapidly, and enjoy it much, much more.

6. What style of ocarina do I want, transverse or inline? Ocarinas come in two basic styles, inline and transverse. Transverse ocarinas (like the sweet potato) are played like a Boehm flute where the flute is held at a perpendicular angle to the head. Inline ocarinas are played like a recorder or clarinet where you would blow into the length of the flute. I find that the inline style is more comfortable when playing for extended periods of time.

7. Do you want a wood, clay, plastic, or metal ocarina? Some thoughts. Clay is can crack or shatter if dropped. Nice wood ocarinas are beautiful. Metal ocarinas are uncommon, but some are noticeably stunning. There are many cheap plastic ocarinas… toys. Some plastic ocarinas, however, are top quality instruments made of high tech plastics like polycarbonate.

8. Are you a die hard fan of the video game Zelda The Ocarina of Time? If so, then you might want an ocarina like the one Link plays.

9. How much ancillary materials (self-study materials, inspirational music, music books, etc.) are there for the ocarina you are considering? How experienced are you musically? How much help will you need in learning to play? Keep in mind that the ocarina has limited tonal range (maxing out at an octave plus three). Sheet music and music books must fit into the tonal range of that particular ocarina. If you want to play seriously, make sure that there are companion products to support your progress for the ocarina you are considering.

10. Where do you want to take your ocarina? Do you want your ocarina to fit in your purse or pocket? Do you want to be able to hang it around your neck? Do you want to take it caving or rock climbing? Will you be careful when transporting your ocarina? As far as portability goes, not all ocarinas are created equal. Ceramic ocarinas can crack or shatter. Bulky ocarinas won't fit in your pocket. If there isn't a neck cord, you can't wear it around your neck.

If you're looking for a musical instrument that fits into your life, as opposed to the other way around, the ocarina very well may be the instrument that you've been looking for. For many of us, playing an instrument is something we have long wanted to do, but never got around to. Maybe this is a good time to get started?

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.

The ocarina is absolutely STUNNING. Everyone that I've shown mine to has been impressed. The G model fits nicely in my hand.

It doesn't come through great in my photos, but the finish on the instrument reminds me of gold or a nice brass instrument. The surface is anodized which makes it very scratch resistant. These aluminum ocarinas are very solid and have a bit of heft to them. I like the solid feel. Here's what the ocarina looks like on from the side.

Here's what the ocarina looks like from the back.

As to the heft… this ocarina is sturdy enough and has enough mass to perhaps be used quite effectively as a self-defense instrument. If you have two of them, you could tie the straps together to make some impromput nunchacku. This ain't no clay sweet potato whistle. This baby's serious both as an instrument of music and of self-defense ;-P

How do they sound? Great. Just like the other ocarinas made by Mountain Ocarinas. Do I like the aluminum better than the hardwood? Hmmm… I'll have to think about that. It probably depends on the mood I'm in.

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.