Ocarina videos to enjoy...
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You've decided that you are going to buy an ocarina. Now the question is which one to choose. With so many ocarinas to choose from, in different shapes and sizes, made of clay or wood or plastic, some with four holes and others with twelve... with so many possibilities choosing the right one can be difficult. Ask yourself the following ten questions. When you can answer them, you are ready to make your decision. 1. What kind of music do you want to play with your ocarina? If you want to play simple, slow melodies then most ocarinas will work. If you want to play fast and technically challenging music, most will not work. Make sure you hear sound samples of the ocarinas you are considering, and make sure they can play the kind of music you want to play. 2. How far (musically) do you want to go with your ocarina? Do you want something to entertain you for a few weeks? Or do you want a serious instrument that will let you progress to advanced levels of musicianship? If you want to go far musically and will put in the practice necessary to get good, get an ocarina that you won't grow out of... that will let you progress to virtuosity. 3. Do you like the way this ocarina sounds? Have you heard this ocarina played live? If not, do you have nice recorded samples to listen to? 4. Do you like the way this ocarina 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. 5. Where do you want to play your ocarina? Do you intend on playing for others? In public performances? Do you want to be able to play along with other musicians without microphone amplification? Most ocarinas are quiet and subdued. Some ocarinas have great playing volume and could readily be played in public without amplification. 6. Do you want a clay, wood, metal or plastic ocarina? A few thoughts. Clay is like glass in that it can crack or shatter if dropped. A nice hardwood ocarina is gorgeous. Metal ocarinas are rare, but some are stunning. There are tons of cheap plastic ocarinas... toys. However, some plastic ocarinas are top notch instruments that are made of high tech plastics like polycarbonate. 7. What style do I want, transverse or inline? Ocarinas come in two basic styles, transverse and inline. The transverse style (like the sweet potato) is played like a standard Boehm flute where the flute is held at a ninety degree angle to the head. The inline style is played like a clarinet or recorder where you blow into the length of the flute. I find that the inline style is more comfortable to play for extended periods of time. 8. How much materials (music books, learning materials, music recordings, etc.) are available for the ocarina you are considering? How much help will you want in learning to play? Remember that the ocarina has limited tonal range. Sheet music and music books must fit into the range of that particular ocarina. Make sure that there are enough products to support your progress for the ocarina that you are considering. 9. Are you a big fan of the video game Zelda The Ocarina of Time? You might want an ocarina like the one Link plays. 10. Where will you take your ocarina? Does your ocarina need to fit in your purse or pocket? Do you need to be able to hang it around your neck? Will you take it caving or rock climbing? Not all ocarinas are created equal as far as portability goes. Clay ocarinas can shatter. Big ocarinas won't readily fit in your purse or pocket. |