What is the difference between ocarinas

That's some flat out copy cat nonsense, but what can you do. The Japanese continue to promote this instrument in their anime shows, such as Pokemon, Bleach, and Naruto. But it has also crept into other television shows and movies over the years, such as in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life in which a teacher chastises a student for playing around with one in class.

In the amazing Jim Henson movie The Dark Crystal , it was the instrument of choice for the Gelfing race you could argue that's it's not one but come on. Bonus fun for you folks with iPhones out there: The Smule App. It's a fun on-the-go app to mess around with based around the 4-hole pendants. You hold your phone just like you would a pendant and blow over the only button there is on the iPhone, which actually hides a mic beneath it.

It registers the wind and converts to your screen. You can get a full idea of how it works just by looking at the image above. You can even name your virtual pendant and share your performances, look at some sheet music, and more.

It's nifty if you're bored, but most certainly doesn't replace the real thing. And that's all she wrote. You now have your doctorate in Ocarinology. I may have just invented a new word. Here's my advice to you.

Before you break the bank on a top quality clay or crystal one from one of the respected vendors above, hit up Amazon or somewhere and find a cheap little plastic one first. Play around with it and see if it's just a passing whim that got you excited for a week or two. If you're still passionate about mastering this beast of an instrument, then by all means order a nice one just don't drop it!

Regardless, the main point is to have fun, enjoy the culture and history of it all, and look cool in front of your friends. The cheap ones make great gifts for kids and will drive their parents nuts. You have to strike early before everyone knows what an ocarina is though, or you'll eventually just look like a nerd I can hear it now Features Columns.

Original Artwork by Matt Needham Life is full of many curiosities, and it is quite curious in itself that this instrument is making a comeback into the mainstream musical consciousness.

History of the Instrument Currently considered one of the oldest instruments invented, this unique instrument has been dated as far back as 10, B. Tairona, Colombia. Etymology of the Word The first modern versions intended to be respected as classical instruments were created by Giuseppe Donati in Italy in the year Types of Ocarinas Talking about the various types can be kind of confusing without seeing them visually laid out.

Transverse The archetypal version is the transverse, or sweet potato. Double Chamber Alto C Transverse You'll notice on some of the images above that the creators have created a convention of stamping the range and the key near the mouthpieces for easy identification. The Ocarina Types Chart Here's a summarized type chart: Transverse Hole Hole Pendant 4 or 6-Hole Peruvian Inline Multi-Chambered Double Triple There are some other types that don't neatly fall into the classification system above and are more of a novelty, although they are fully functional.

Here's a couple of examples: Fully Functional Teacup Style Above is an example of one you can literally drink out of and play a melody with, while below is a double chambered version that is built for the purpose of harmonizing your melodies. Ocarina Sheet Music Reading and playing along with sheet music is a unique experience.

Below is an example of what they look like: Pictorial Fingering Charts for Hole Transverse My personal recommendation is to purchase sheet music books from one of the sellers listed above. Don't try to play this melody, I just punched in random notes. How to Read the Sheet Music Reading this style of sheet music is a breeze thanks to the clever visualization methods. How They Work This numbered diagram helps explain exactly how this crazy little instrument functions: Following the numbers: Air is blown into the mouthpiece.

The air passes the labium, which helps create… The standing waves that reverberate within the hollow body. By covering and uncovering finger holes, the performer manipulates the pitch. Video Demonstrations "If you play it here, you can talk with the spirits in the forest. Join Our Mailing List.

Jared H. Jared has surpassed his 20th year in the music industry. He acts as owner, editor, lead author, and web designer of LedgerNote, as well as co-author on all articles. He has released 4 independent albums and merchandise to global sales. But Wait, There's More! Sorry, this category only has one post and you just read it! Useful Articles. Popular Posts.

Essential Reviews. About Contact FAQs. Audio Interface Buying Guide Remember when choosing an audio interface was confusing before you read this? Vocal Microphone Buying Guide It's so easy to record studio quality vocals these days with the right mic Advertising Permissions Disclosures. They can be made to have balanced volume with strong low notes, or alternately with the high notes tuned to play at a higher volume. The 12 hole ocarina is a variation of the 10 hole ocarina which was developed in Asia.

Today, 12 hole ocarinas are the most commonly available, due to the popularity of the design in Asia. The subholes extend the instrument's sounding range downwards by 3 semitones, giving a total range of A to F on a C instrument. The subholes can also be used to play accidental notes which require half covering holes on a 10 hole. It is important to note that the 12 hole ocarina is not fundamentally superior to the 10 hole.

To function ocarinas must be able to create a pressure differential in the chamber, and as holes are opened, air can escape, which limits the total range. The 11 hole ocarina is a compromise between the 10 hole, and 12 hole ocarina. By eliminating one of the sub-holes, the timbre and volume of the whole instrument can be balanced, like a 10 hole ocarina, but the instrument can also play a semitone lower, and the subhole can also be used for playing accidentals. Inline ocarinas are essentially the same as transverse ocarinas, and use a identical or near identical fingering.

However the mouthpiece is placed on the end of the chamber, with the body held straight out from the player, much like a recorder or whistle. This design doesn't really have any advantages over the transverse. The inline design allows the hands to be held straight which may put less stress on the player's wrists, but also creates unique ergonomic challenges as supporting the instrument is more difficult. Inline ocarinas do not have the same basis of standardisation in design and playing techniques which exists in transverse instruments.

There are no standard playing techniques, like the 3 point grip for transverse ocarinas. As a maker, I have also found the inline design accoustically problematic. Without going into a huge ammount of detail, the inline voicing seems to make these ocarinas more prone to screeching when overblown, and the long and narrow chamber tends to result in much larger thumb holes. Ocarinas can only sound a limited range due to their physics, and multichambered ocarinas exist to provide more range to the player.

They take the basic fingering system of a transverse ocarina, and add add additional chambers. You can think of a multichamber ocarina as multiple ocarinas which are tuned to play as a single instrument. Pendant ocarinas were developed in the United Kingdom in the 's, and are small instruments which play an octave using 4 finger holes and a binary-like fingering system.

As they have fewer holes, they can be made very small, and warn as a pendant. It is easy to always have one with you as they are so small, and are great for spontaneous musical performances, and passing the time. Pendant ocarinas do have technical limitations, as the limited number of finger holes does not allow all notes to be tuned perfectly, and the player must compensate with blowing pressure. The pendant design having fewer holes does have advantages, as it allows them to be made physically smaller than a transverse can be, allowing them to sound at a higher pitch.

There are opportunities to improve the design and create a more serious musical instrument. Does the shape of the ocarina change anything? So why would a player look to purchase a double chamber ocarina? What about the material the ocarina is made from? Which is the Best Ocarina for Me?

The sweet potato- shaped Transverse ocarina is the most common shape and you will find most learning books and online materials will refer to the use of this style. The English pendant ocarina simply has holes making this the best beginner ocarina shape as many notes can be quickly learned.

There are a few alternative shapes including double chambers and a combination of the two styles above. It is unlikely that you will find useful material for these shapes, however.

Part of a set of accessories including Zelda theme music. Have the look of the video game ocarina so great for fans of the game. Not well-crafted designs for playing. Does not offer good sound quality. More of a decoration or ornamental piece. Manufactured to support breathing patterns. Good tuning and intonation across the range. A well-crafted replica. Would need upgrading with proficiency. Great for very young players to start picking up the basics.

Plastic is very durable. An affordable option. Would need upgrading when moving passed playing around with simple tones. Great beginner option to build up skills.

Very affordable. Would need upgrading to achieve more tones. Good high note production. Great intonation. Good for solo and ensemble playing.

Expensive option. Affordable option. Good projection. The higher notes are more difficult to reach on this ocarina. Affordable instrument. Well-crafted ocarina. Great sound quality. Some intonation issues. Excellent durability. Beautiful mellow tone. Affordable ocarina. Can take some time to get used to producing the notes on the ocarina. Handmade and well-crafted ocarina.