Embarking on the musical journey of playing the ocarina can be an exciting and rewarding experience, whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned musician looking for a new voice. This ancient wind instrument, known for its enchanting and often ethereal sound, captivates players worldwide. This comprehensive ocarina buying guide is designed to help you navigate the choices and find the best ocarinas for beginners and professionals alike. Whether you seek your very first instrument or aim to elevate your performance with a professional model, you'll find valuable insights here.
What Makes the Ocarina Instrument So Special?
The ocarina belongs to the family of vessel flutes, meaning its sound resonates within an enclosed chamber. This unique construction gives it a pure, resonant tone distinct from transverse flutes or recorders. Its history stretches back thousands of years across various cultures, evolving into the versatile instrument we know today.
Modern ocarinas come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each influencing the tone, range, and playing experience. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right instrument for your needs.
Key Factors in Choosing Your Ocarina
Selecting the perfect ocarina involves considering several important aspects:
- Material: Ceramic ocarinas are highly popular, especially for beginners, known for their clear tone and aesthetic appeal. Plastic ocarinas offer durability and weather resistance, often preferred for travel or younger players. Wooden ocarinas provide a warmer, earthier tone, favored by some professionals.
- Tuning and Key: The most common tuning for beginners is Alto C. This means the lowest note is C, and the scale follows the C major scale easily. Other common keys include Soprano C (higher pitch) and Bass C (lower pitch).
- Number of Holes: Ocarinas range from simple 4- or 6-hole pendants to the standard 12 hole ocarina, which offers a chromatic range of about 1.5 octaves. Multi-chamber ocarinas (double, triple, even quadruple) have 18+ holes and expand the range significantly, suitable for advanced players.
- Craftsmanship and Tuning Accuracy: A well-made ocarina should be accurately tuned and feel comfortable to hold. Look for smooth finger holes and consistent sound across the notes.
Best Ocarinas for Beginners
For those new to the ocarina instrument, the focus should be on ease of learning, comfortable handling, and good sound quality. An instrument that's difficult to play or sounds poor can be discouraging.
The 12 hole Alto C ocarina is widely recommended as the best ocarina to start with. Its range is sufficient for many popular melodies, the finger spacing is generally comfortable for adult hands, and the breath requirements are moderate. Ceramic models often provide the best balance of quality and affordability for newcomers.
12 Hole Alto C Ocarina, Blue & White Porcelain Flute
$29.90 $49.90
Start your musical journey with this beautiful and easy-to-play 12 hole Alto C ocarina, perfect for learning basic tunes and noted for its clear sound.
Explore This Beginner Ocarina- Start with an Alto C 12-hole ocarina for a balanced learning curve.
- Focus on achieving a clear, steady tone before increasing speed.
- Use online tutorials and fingering charts to learn basic scales and songs.
- Be patient! Consistent practice is key to mastering the ocarina.
Stepping Up: Ocarinas for Intermediate Players
Once you've mastered the basics on a 12-hole ocarina, you might crave a wider range or different tonal qualities. This is where intermediate options, including higher-quality 12-hole models or entry-level multi-chamber ocarinas, come into play.
Exploring different keys (like Soprano G or Bass C) can add variety to your playing. A multi-chamber ocarina, such as a double Alto C, allows access to lower or higher notes and makes playing harmonies possible, significantly expanding your musical possibilities.
Top Choices for Professionals and Advanced Players
Ocarinas for professionals need to offer precision, a wide dynamic range, consistent tuning, and often an extended note range for complex pieces. While materials like wood can offer unique tones, high-quality ceramic remains a top choice, especially in multi-chamber designs.
Triple and quadruple ocarinas provide ranges exceeding two or even three octaves, essential for demanding repertoire. Craftsmanship is paramount at this level, ensuring seamless transitions between chambers and impeccable tuning across the entire instrument. These instruments allow for intricate dynamics and expressive playing suitable for professional performances and recordings.
Explore Our Diverse Ocarina Collection
12 Hole Soprano Ceramic Ocarina, Treble Wind Instrument
$24.90
$47.90
A bright-sounding ceramic ocarina in the Soprano range, great for adding high notes or for players preferring a smaller instrument. Learn more ➔
Triple Chamber Alto C Ceramic Ocarina Wind Instrument
$99.90
$139.90
Expand your range with this classic Triple Alto C ocarina, offering more complex harmonic possibilities for intermediate players. Learn more ➔
Triple Chamber Alto C Ocarina Flute - Coral Red
$239.90
$311.90
Achieve rich, multi-layered sounds with this stunning Coral Red Triple Ocarina, crafted for ocarinas for professionals seeking advanced capabilities. Learn more ➔
How to Tell if an Ocarina is Good?
Assessing ocarina quality is crucial before buying. Here’s what to look for:
- Tuning Accuracy: The most critical factor. Check if the notes are in tune across the instrument's range using an electronic tuner. Reputable makers ensure their ocarinas meet standard pitch (usually A=440 Hz).
- Sound Clarity: Each note should sound clear and stable, without excessive airiness or squeaking, especially in the higher register.
- Breath Pressure Curve: A good ocarina requires gradually increasing breath pressure for higher notes. The transition should feel natural, not abrupt.
- Craftsmanship: Look for smooth surfaces, comfortable finger holes without sharp edges, and a solid feel. For ceramic ocarinas, check for cracks or imperfections in the glaze.
- Ergonomics: The ocarina should feel balanced and comfortable to hold for extended playing sessions.
Reading reviews and listening to sound samples from trusted sources like Healing Sounds can also provide valuable insights into an ocarina's quality.
Maintaining Your Ocarina
Proper care ensures your ocarina sounds its best and lasts for years. Gently wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth after playing to remove fingerprints and moisture. Avoid dropping ceramic ocarinas, as they can break.
Store your ocarina in a protective pouch or case when not in use, away from extreme temperatures or humidity. For internal cleaning, occasional gentle swabbing with a specialized ocarina cleaning rod might be necessary, but avoid excessive moisture inside the instrument.
Conclusion
Finding the best ocarina hinges on understanding your skill level, musical goals, and the key characteristics of the instrument. Beginners thrive with user-friendly 12 hole Alto C ceramic ocarinas, while professionals may seek the extended range and precision of multi-chamber models. Regardless of your choice, the ocarina offers a unique and deeply rewarding musical experience.
At Healing Sounds, we are passionate about providing high-quality ocarinas that inspire both novice players and seasoned musicians. Explore our curated collection to find the instrument that resonates with your musical soul and enhances your well-being through the power of sound.
Frequently Asked Questions about Choosing an Ocarina
The best ocarina to start with is generally considered to be a 12 hole Alto C ocarina. It offers a good balance of range, ease of play, and comfortable size for most beginners. Ceramic models are popular starting choices.
The type depends on your level and goals. Beginners should opt for a 12 hole Alto C ocarina (often ceramic). Intermediate players might explore different keys or double-chamber ocarinas. Professionals often use high-quality ceramic, plastic, or wooden multi-chamber ocarinas for extended range and performance demands. Consider material (ceramic, plastic, wood), number of holes (12, double, triple+), and key (Alto C, Soprano G, etc.).
Yes, a 12 hole ocarina, especially in the Alto C tuning, is excellent for beginners. It provides a full chromatic octave plus a few extra notes, sufficient for learning many songs, while remaining relatively easy to handle and learn the fingerings for.
A good ocarina should have accurate tuning across its range (check with a tuner), produce a clear, stable sound on all notes, have a comfortable feel with smooth finger holes, and require a consistent, manageable breath pressure. Reputable brands and positive reviews are good indicators of quality.
For more details, refer to the historical context provided by resources like Britannica.Absolutely. Many professional musicians use ocarinas in performances and recordings. High-quality single-chamber and multi-chamber ocarinas (double, triple) made from ceramic, wood, or sometimes specialized plastics offer the range, tuning stability, and dynamic control needed for professional use across various music genres.