Top Ocarinas – Guide & Comparison
We have written this article to help you choose the best ocarina that you can find. After reading all the possible ocarina reviews, and analyzing the market, we can say that the OcarinaWind Forest Whisper model is the one that you should have a look at. The sound that it offers is a crisp clear one and it’s very consistent. In terms of looks, it is one of the most attractive models and you can notice the attention put into it. The ocarina’s holes are well placed and won’t require you to stretch your hands too much. If you can’t find our first recommendation for sale, try the Songbird Ocarina of Time.
Comparison Table
Our Top Choice
It is professionally made and built of quality ceramic. It’s a great choice for live performances due to the consistently good sounds. It has some great aesthetics, given by the effort that the manufacturers put into it. The holes are well placed and the highest three notes don’t require a lot of effort to be reached.
The smell of smoke that is a characteristic of this ocarina is often blending with a smell of varnish and that gives an unpleasant feeling to it.
An excellent choice for any player, this ocarina offers a consistently great sound.
2nd Best
The design is ergonomic and that should make the ocarina fit in most hands. It’s a highly accurate replica of the ocarina from the original game and it’s very appealing. Due to the quality materials used, it is highly durable. The holes are nicely positioned to offer the player a good transition from similar 6 hole models.
Many people complain that the ocarina has scratches and even cracks when they receive it. The cracks also lead to an unpleasant sound.
This is a very sturdy ocarina that is great for kids due to how ergonomic and easy to play it is.
Also To Consider
The wonderful crack-white finishing will assure that you will want to pick it up and play it daily. It has a wide and precise pitch range between A4 and F6. The holes are neatly positioned to make sure that the user can reach each of them easily. It comes with a finger chart for beginners and it also offers some songs to be played.
A usual issue with smoked ocarinas - it smells like an ashtray and some people don’t have the patience for the smell to go away.
Suitable for all kinds of players, this ocarina is beautiful and provides a consistent tone.
5 Best Ocarinas in 2021 (Reviews) in 2021
We have taken the time to analyze what makes a good ocarina, we’ve read what experts had to say about that, we have consulted sales figures and we took into consideration all the pros and cons of every ocarina. After all of that, we were able to make a top of what we think are the models that you should take into consideration.
- 1. Forest Whisper 12 Hole Ocarina Classic Strawfire Masterpiece Collectible
- 2. Ocarina of Time Replica from the Legend of Zelda Kokiri Edition
- 3. L’MS Professional 12 Hole Alto C Ocarina Classic Smoked Strawfire
- 4. 12 Hole Ocarina Alto C Classic Dragon Tooth Style
- 5. 12 Hole Ocarina From Legend of Zelda Alto C Dark Blue
- Yearly Guide & Report
1. Forest Whisper 12 Hole Ocarina Classic Strawfire Masterpiece Collectible
Having a pitch range between A4 and F6, this ocarina is made of smoke straw fire ceramic. It is professionally made and it’s tuned in the key of C.
Representing an excellent choice for beginners, it is also a great addition to any professional collection of ocarinas. The diameter of this instrument is 7 inches.
Although primarily destined for beginner use, this ocarina is a solid choice for live performances. The tone that it produces is great, and not too airy. The ceramic doesn’t only give its beautiful sound, but it also helps in making it posses great aesthetics. Because it’s a fragile instrument, it comes with a pouch and neck strap.
The manufacturers say that the ocarina may smell a bit smoky when you first receive it but don’t worry if you don’t like that, as the smell goes away with time.
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2. Ocarina of Time Replica from the Legend of Zelda Kokiri Edition
This is a plastic replica of the Ocarina of Time from the famous video game The Legend of Zelda. It has been designed to be as ergonomic and practical as possible, and as visually accurate as a replica should be.
Despite being a light model, it is highly durable, due to the quality materials used. It has a tuning system similar to the English 6-hole pendant system. The holes positioning make it easy for players to transpose their skills from other 6-hole models to this one.
Don’t get fooled by the fact that this ocarina was made to resemble one from a fictional world, as it is still able to provide some great sounds in live play. It offers precision and clarity and it lets you play crystal clear high notes. Its beautiful tone makes it comparable to professional ceramic ocarinas. So get your ocarina, couple it with some bongos and let the music flow.
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3. L’MS Professional 12 Hole Alto C Ocarina Classic Smoked Strawfire
The L’MS Professional 12 Hole Ocarina is a great choice for all players. It features a beautiful crack-white finishing, and whether you’re new to the instrument or an experienced player, you will find it appealing to play.
It offers a wide pitch range, from A4 to F6 and that includes both flats and sharps. Notes from C to B are incredibly precise. When it first arrives it has a strong smoke scent to it, due to the process it goes through when made. But that smell goes away quickly.
This model comes with a finger chart that also has a piece of ocarina sheet music. Additionally, the holes are neatly placed to ensure that the player can reach all of them easily.
Thus, if you’re a beginner, you will have a pleasant experience learning to play this instrument. To protect it, the manufacturers included a padded bag in the package and a beaded necklace strap.
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4. 12 Hole Ocarina Alto C Classic Dragon Tooth Style
In terms of design, this ocarina has a dark brown appearance, with lighter brown swirls on it. The curvatures are elegant and they help the instrument fit well in the player’s hands. It comes with a nicely designed beaded thread. And using the thread is essential, because this instrument is quite fragile, and, if dropped, it will most likely break.
The sounds that it produces have a deep tone, and the instrument is pitched between A4 and F6. It also comes with a finger chart and a songbook, in order to make it far easier to be played. Its length is 7 inches, so it is a good choice for kids that want to play this instrument too. And you can help your kid play it if you accompany him or her with a portable piano keyboard.
Being made of Dolomite Pottery means that it accumulates less moisture when played. And that keeps it in tune for a longer time. It’s nicely tuned with itself, straight out of the box.
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5. 12 Hole Ocarina From Legend of Zelda Alto C Dark Blue
Although this ocarina is made of ceramic, it has a sturdy feeling, the material is thick and smooth. It represents a great replica of the famous Zelda Triforce Ocarina. Because it’s made of ceramic, it comes with a carrying strap that attaches to it and it also has a heavy nylon case. As expected, it offers a songbook and a finger chart.
Unfortunately, the book doesn’t have too many songs. When discussing its sound, it should be noted that the low sounds are great, but the high ones are a bit too airy.
The ocarina is pitched in the A4-F6 interval and that includes both sharps and flats. It’s a great choice for beginners because of how easy it is to blow. If you want to learn a somewhat similar instrument, you might also be interested in a harmonica for beginners.
The quality of the ocarina is ensured and tested before shipping. It’s a great looking model, showcasing a clear blue finishing and because it is quite small, the kids love it.
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Yearly Guide & Report
Believed to be thousands of years old, ocarinas were important in Chinese or Mesoamerican cultures, but nowadays they are produced all around the world. With the development of technology, new materials are being used and new shapes produced. This is why we have created this guide to help you get a better feeling on how ocarinas work and what is the best choice for you.
Pitch range
Usually, ocarinas have between four and twelve holes, although, larger ones can have even more. Of course, the more holes, the more difficult to play the instrument is. But with greater difficulty comes the possibility to achieve a larger range of sounds and thus, the pitch range increases.
Beginners will benefit most from an ocarina with few holes. This provides a simple instrument for them to learn. Once a player is familiar with how the ocarina sounds, he or she can move on to more advanced ocarinas that have more holes.
Young players should know that the larger the ocarina is, the more notes can be achieved with it. However, reaching the holes required for producing those musical notes can be quite difficult. A good determinant when trying to see if an ocarina fits you is to hold it in your hands. If it fits well, it means you will be able to play it properly.
Dimensions of the ocarina and its holes
Different sizes of ocarinas are used for specific tones. If a player wants to achieve soprano tones, it is advisable to use a small ocarina. Medium ones are great for tenor musical notes and the biggest models should be used for reaching bass notes.
It’s also important to know that bigger ocarinas have larger holes, and if you want your child to play the instrument, you should make sure that your kid is capable of covering the holes with his or her fingers. Otherwise, the sounds will come out distorted and the instrument will not sound great.
If you are also looking for other instruments for your child, you might want to get a piano for kids. Or, if you feel that your child can become a drummer, purchase a drum set for kids.
That is why the rule of thumb is to match the dimensions of the ocarina to the ones of the hands of the player. Good players will be able to achieve most musical notes with any quality ocarina. However, it should be kept in mind that each kind of ocarina has its specific purpose.
Build materials
Considered to be over 12,000 years old, the ocarina was initially made of clay. Nowadays you will find that this instrument is made using a large variety of materials, each providing a certain sound and feel to the instrument.
A cheap ocarina is usually made of plastic. It’s a mass-produced instrument, highly durable, but it sacrifices in the quality of the tone. Ceramic ocarinas, on the other hand, are unique because they are mostly handmade. They provide more vibration and a better resonating sound. Silicone is similar to plastic, having the same characteristics but being softer to the touch.
There are models made of wood, and these ones are very lightweight and offer a deep tone. They are thus very suitable for playing low notes. If you are looking for other woodwind instruments, maybe you will be interested in a flute for beginners. And if you feel that you really like playing these instruments, try a clarinet for beginners. Metal offers the possibility of obtaining a loud and clear sound while benefiting from a very durable ocarina.
Bibliography:
1) Where to begin playing the ocarina?
3) Ancient Wind Instrument Played & Explained
4) History and types of ocarina
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