10 Tips For Choosing An Ocarina

The ocarina is a small wind instrument (a flute) that both kids and adults - people of all ages - love to play and listen to. It is one of the easiest of the wind instruments to learn and play. In fact, most ocarina players are self-taught. Many ocarinas are rugged, small, and portable enough to go anywhere - on vacations, in your purse or pocket, canoeing, rock climing, on camping trips, or in your kids backpack. The ocarina is a great way to introduce kids or adults to music as well as an instrument that can be enjoyed and played through all stages of life.

Once you've decided that you are going to buy an ocarina the question is which one. There are hundreds of ocarinas available, 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 questions to help you choose.

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 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 clay, wood, metal or plastic 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 big time fan of the video game Zelda The Ocarina of Time?  If so, then maybe you want an ocarina just like the one Link plays.

9. Where do you want to take your ocarina? would it be nice if your ocarina could fit in your purse or pocket? Will you hang it around your neck? Will you want to take it  rock climbing or caving? Will you be careful when carrying your ocarina? As far as portability, not every ocarina was created equal. Clay ocarinas can crack or break. You can't put bulky ocarinas in your pocket. Without a neck cord, you can't wear it around your neck.

10. How much materials (music books, learning materials, music recordings, etc.) are available for the ocarina you are thinking of buying? How much help will you want in learning to play? Remember that ocarinas have limited tonal range. Sheet music and music books must fit into the tonal range of the particular ocarina that you play. If you want options and variety in your music, choose an ocarina that has companion products to support your progress.

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 quite got around to. Maybe now is the time to get started?