Choosing an Ocarina: Top 10 Questions To Ask

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 so many ocarinas to choose from 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 new ocarina.

1. What genre of 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? If you think your ocarina is stunning, you will very likely carry it more, show it to family and friends more, play it more, progress farther and faster, and enjoy it 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 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 will your ocarina go? 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 supporting materials (learning materials, music books, inspirational music, 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.