Most of the ocarinas I have are tuned to the key of C (Alto/Tenor), which I love because it's the key that the ocarina from Zelda: Ocarina of Time is tuned to. That Aria Ocarina... I have 3 ceramic 12 hole ocarinas in the same key as that ocarina, and the STL plastic 12 hole I have is in the same key as well.
I like my Shadow Bass ocarina because of its low pitch. One thing I found strange switching from my Shadow Bass to one of my smaller ocarinas is that the size and weight difference makes the smaller ocarinas seem much lighter and the holes feel smaller, as if my fingers got bigger lol
I just recently discovered this instrument! I’m so fascinated by its sound and form! Grateful for your content, thank you! I’m excited to invest in one! 💓
Thaaaaaank you so much, I'm from Germany and I'm an ocarina beginner. Now I have an ocarina that sounds not so good, thank you for your advice where to buy ocarinas. A few minutes ago I've bought two on this site and I hope I will play the ocarina like you. Maybe I will in a few years 😅. Thank you so much for your inspiration ❣️
This is super cool. I recently discovered that there is such a thing as a Treble G flute which fits in-between piccolo and concert flutes and now I want one. So thankful to have won one of your ocarinas! I can't wait to play it :D
@@nairdacnalbel I have the Shadow Bass ocarina myself. It's a big ocarina, and it's heavy, but it makes up for those drawbacks with a low pitch and mellow tone that's easier on my ears than a soprano ocarina, and even my STL tenors
Thank you for this video. I've been trying to find sound samples without a backing track or reverb so I have a realistic idea of how it will sound when I play it. This is very helpful.
The resonance on the bass is what sets it apart. Looking at getting an imperial city ocarina. Torn between getting a tenor in the key of G or going for a bass. ( Bass is twice the price) or going for a double straight of the bat so I can have the best of both worlds 😁
Wow! They sound so pretty! I have a night by noble Alto C I can't play to well but I really like them I just realized you have like 2k worth of ocarinas in your background-
I am so tempted to eventually buy the Air ocarina even though my ocarina collection (which all came from STL ocarina) is already extensive IMO, and I have two more from them coming in the mail soon. However, I dont have a soprano yet ,which is probably good because I dont know if my ears can take take that high of a pitch (I play clarinet and alto sax so i am more accustomed to a middle range). Still, I have the Fire, Lightening, Water, and Ice ocarinas from STL so it woulf be so fitting to add Air to the collection.
thank you for this! my gf and i recently started playing a ceramic tenor ocarina - her first instrument, but not mine. it's a bit small for my hands, and was thinking of buying a bass ocarina too - but also want to extend the range, so was thinking about buying a bass triple as i'd love a 2+ octave range (sax & violin background myself). is that a crazy leap to make? i know a triple chamber is much trickier but i think i can handle the heft and don't want to limit the range or have to buy another one later. any thoughts?
That's awesome that you are both interested in the Ocarina! Here's the thing, the double and triple chambers are super tricky. I totally get not wanting to buy more than one, but maybe in that case, just buy a plastic one until you get used to it (since it's cheaper) and then get a double or triple chamber? Also, bass Ocarinas are super heavy as is which is especially hard right when you're starting out. Then the double/triple chambers are even more heavy which I would imagine would be more difficult (I haven't tried a triple chamber myself). I hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions I can help you with!
Triple Basses are fun but heavy. If you have weak wrists a double bass may be better. If price conscious try an Imperial City Ocarina Double Bass C. Its dirt cheap for a multichambered Bass and very high quality. My second ocarina ever purchased was an ICO Triple Bass C and I don't regret it. 4 Years and 30 ocarina purchases later, it is still my most played and regularly used ocarina out of my collection.
Hey I bought the water Ocarina in Tenor C and really like it. I made it most of the way through Saria's Song (thank you for making that tutorial video) but am getting my tenants upset as they hear me attempt the same song in the same pitch over and over again. What ocarina do you think is the least intrusive to play for the sake of practice, preferably not something in Tenor C since I already own that ocarina?
hmm that's tricky. I think I'd probably go with what ZeldaACFan17 said, bass is not as loud and the sound won't carry as far since it is lower sounding. Best of luck!
That second ocarina from the left on your desk in the back is the one I bought. I BELIEVE it's a tenor For some reason I get these ... "voice cracks?" or pitch shifts... could this be because the holes drilled are low quality? All your ocarinas sound so crisp
Is it of the cheap replicas that you see on amazon? Because those tend to be poorly made and they're not tuned properly. The one she owns is from a proper ocarina company
@@seol7035 s'probably what it was. :P I shoulda known. But now I ordered my official tenor STL ocarina and am currently waiting for it. I cant wait. I think the holes were drilled improperly in my cheapy $30 one.
How do you make sure the Ocarina is not dropped as it is quite tiny. Does it come with a neck band tied to it? I am really intrigued by this instrument. The sound it makes is so beautiful..
What song are you playing??? Love the vid, helped me decide to get a tenor. My cats hate the high pitch of the soprano so I can't practice it at home lol
I got a LoZ ocarina from Song Bird many years ago, but it was only a 4 hole ocarina. I am wanting to get back to playing, but I want more variety, so I am thinking of getting a 12 hole. That bass ocarina sounds incredible, but you said it's not particularly good for beginners, and that has me worried. I am not sure if I should go ahead and get the bass or not. It just sounds so good though.
I say go for it! Every ocarina I have feels completely different and took practice to get the hang of it. I play soprano, concert, and tenor ukulele too. Same issue.
@@armenvondoms1815 Thanks! I think I will get one then and just practice. I appreciate the info. The Bass is expensive, so I will have to wait a while lol.
@@GraveyardXrow I recently purchase a Charlie Hind bass inline made of wood. With shipping was $150. Totally worth it. STL sells the Zelda plastic bass for $65. I would never be able to afford either but used my stimulus check!😂
Im looking at getting an ocarina and will likely get a tenor because it seems they are the widest used, but the bass seems like it would be more comfortable for someone like me who has large hands with long fingers, which always make instruments more uncomfortable to play in general particularly wind instruments i find.
Based on your videos I decided to buy an ocarina, I'm tired of my wood flutes wetting out and having issues. I went to the site you recommend and saw that they offered a 6 hole bass that's designed for smaller hands, so I guess it's lighter in weight than the bass you demonstrate in this video. I bought it. Thanks for code. Have you reviewed this geo bass yet?
Ocarinas are extremely cheap compared to most instruments can get a pretty decent ocarina at a pretty low price. Here are some ocarina makers around or under 60 CAD price range (about 50$ USD) that are A) of good quality and B) work well for a beginner. I'll mostly be recommending ceramic ocarinas because wooden ones get really pricey, metal ones are really rare, and plastic ones can...vary in quality. Keep in mind if you're unsure of how large your hands are, it's best to get an alto/tenor. Sopranos can be extremely uncomfortable and near impossible to play with small hands, and vice versa with bass. I've got very small hands and I struggle a lot with my bass, and when I was younger it was physically impossible for me to cover the holes of a bass. I will be recommending almost exclusively transverse ocarinas, since that's what I play. Pendants are fine and on the cheaper end for sure, but I personally do not care much for them as they are a lot less, shall we say, intuitive, since they don't have linear fingering, and in my experience there are a lot less people who make pendants with the intention of them being quality instruments...and the quality ones I was aware of back when I was still interested in pendants aren't made anymore, with a singular exception. Inline makers nowadays tend to be too pricy for that range (RIP Mountain Ocarina, you will be missed). I actually find transverse ocarina more comfortable than inlines but I know most people are the other way around. STL can be quite a mixed bag (which is fair, a lot of their ocarinas are more art than music and that's a-okay) so I wouldn't buy whatever you want willy-nilly, and some of their better models are on the pricier side. BUT, I highly, HIGHLY recommend the DIY as a first ocarina. Like if I can recommend anything here on this list enough, it is the DIY. It is really good for its price range, you can absolutely buy way worse for much more, it's a damn forgiving instrument, and you get the bonus of putting your own design on it if you're artistically inclined. Jade Everett, a really highly regarded ocarina maker, is on the record saying that the DIY is one of the best twelve hole alto Cs they've played. Not for the price range. Just period. I don't know if I agree with that sentiment but I've not owned enough 12 hole alto Cs to make such a judgement (I have two and this is one of them). But it is quite the nice ocarina. The Aria G is my other rec. It has a cleaner sound, DIY is mellower. The Aria is less forgiving than the DIY, so for that reason I feel like the DIY is a much better option; but if you want something in G instead or like the tone of the aria more, go for that instead. Lastly, I hear the plastic line has improved a lot over the years, especially the 12 holes, enough that David Erick Ramos (my persona ocarina idol and the guy who inspired me to play at age 9) went from 'Never Buy These Ever' to 'This is a really good beginner option!', although I think the airyness of the highnotes leaves a lot to be desired. Dinda ocarinas - sells on etsy. All clay, all unglazed. His ocarinas are hand made one by one, so they're not gonna be in stock all the time. Very mellow tone, a lot more 'earthy' than many other ocarinas. I recommend an 11 hole over a 12 one, the clarity of tone beats the range the standard 12 hole gives you, and he's one of the few people I know who makes 11 holes in that price range; most people who make 11 holes nowadays are asking around 100 at least. Usually his alto Cs (referred to as tenor Cs in this video) go for about 43 CAD, which is quite the steal. I've been eyeing getting one for myself for a while, but I'm waiting for one that really catches my eye since, again, he doesn't have models since he's not a mass commercial seller. I think he's a bit of a diamond in the rough among ocarina makers. This is also the most affordable of the clay options, at least for me as someone who lives in Canada, where US shipping can get Really Wild. If you're pressed on money and really want a ceramic ocarina, this is the one to go for. It's preeeetty hard to go wrong with Focalink/Stein's ceramics, their quality is pretty consistent and and you can buy a lot of models unavailable at Songbird (who sells a lot of focalink/stein and is their primary distributor in the west), most anything in the alto 60$ CAD range should serve you more than well. Their plastic Osawa line is also apparently pretty great. I think it's consistently stronger than the STL's plastic, although I'm not a huge fan of the tone. Night by noble. It's kind of the golden standard of plastics nowadays. It's quite pricey for a plastic imo, but I think it's the nicest sounding of the the good ol' DER recommends. And now...the non transverse options. I have exactly one pendant and one inline rec, and it's all by the same person. They're also the only wooden option. Charlie Hind. I cannot begin to describe the admiration I have for this man and his ocarinas. They are pricey, especially his transverse ocarinas, but WELL worth the price. He's in a semi retirement right now so his stock isn't always super available, but he makes inlines still on an off and on basis and will take transverse commissions. His inline sopranos are essentially pendants because of their fingering. Because of the way pendants and especially inlines are played in comparison to transverses, it's a lot more doable with big hands; far less cramped. The G soprano inline is about 50 CAD, and the D is about 60. His inlines with linear fingerings start with the altos, which go for far above this price ranger, buuuut he does have a DIY kit where you can assemble your own, which is about 40 dollars CAD. He also has a soprano C inline called the junior, but it doesn't seem to be in stock right now. If you want any tips for picking out a beginner ocarina beyond just my recs, let me know! I also highly recommend pureocarina's online book for technique and learning if you want to get serious about the instrument.
Question! I'm planning to buy an ocarina, but I don't understand chords or notes at all. Like at all. I tried to read up about it, but understand nothing. "Key of C" and all that. I'm looking for an ocarina with quite a deep (or low?) pitch. There are so many types. Pendant ocarinas, bass ocarinas, 12 hole, 6 hole. How do I know which are lower? What I'm mainly looking for is something like the "lugia theme" here on youtube. Remember, I know nothing about music.
Ever since I was little I always wanted to learn alot of instruments but never got the chance. I would now but it's hard to play a violin when you have sever nerve damage in your hands. I heard people like me say they were able to play the ocarina, I would love to but I'm not sure.
I have a night by noble ocarina and I onisly have no idea if it's good quality. It's on Amazon, yes I herd that to never buy ocarinas of Amazon, it was affordable, and I needed that because I didn't know if I'll like it or not.
Hi, I want to start playing the Ocarina but I'm looking for a "normal" tuned Ocarina.Not too high,not too low, for a beginner like me :) Do you think that a C Major Tenor is what I'm looking for?
Hi Gina, great video! I was wondering: why are bass ocarina so expensive? I mean yes, they are bigger, but they're not even twice the size of a tenor and yet they can cost 4 times as much
They are somewhat harder to tune. They take more space in the kiln. I believe the failure rate is higher. For a company that keeps them in stock, the demand is lower so they have to make back the cost on fewer instruments. That said, you can get one for a pretty reasonable price from some individual makers. Dinda Ocarina on Etsy makes Bass C ones for under $100 and occasionally Bass G ones for just over that (I just received mine). I have large hands so fingering isn't an issue, but I am certainly feeling the weight in my thumbs after playing on it for a while
How do you handle the different keys they're all in? (I know you can't play them all at once, but maybe it's relevant if you're multracking an arrangement for RUclips.)
Hi Gina, Ive been meaning to get an ocarina that is not as loud as my STL Plastic C. Ive heard people say to get a Bass C, but im really just after an ocarina that is not so loud. I wouldnt mind getting a bass ocarina, but just as long as i have this range + lower volume, particularly for not overpowering singers, soft guitar and practicing in my room. Thanks a lot
Asking once again to help beginners: Can you correct in the description or the comments the name used for “Tenor C” and “Alto G” in this video? Those ranges are incorrectly named. All other ocarina makers and professionals call them Alto C and Soprano G. Please help beginners, Gina! 🙏
If you have larger hands, it can be uncomfortable to play a smaller instrument like that. Alto models tend to fit most hands. You might want to pick up one of those.
There are contrabass ocarinas. They are really big and really expensive. There aren't many making them. As for a bass, I don't know what you consider expensive. There are makers that sell them in the $100 range, but most are outside the US. STL and Songbird are closer to $200 for theirs.
@@astridposey I prefer the sound of ceramic instruments though the plastic ones seem pretty decent. They are also lighter. My new bass G is right at 2lbs (1 kilo) which doesn't sound like much until you've been supporting it mostly on your thumbs for a lengthy practice session. It does make my other instruments feel feather light after playing it though.
how sad is it that i have looked at the website so often that i see the ones in the background and i know the names of them and what they are tuned to. i want one so bad but the only way ill be able to get one is if i can convince my parents to buy it and i pay them but they wont even do that,........😭😭😭😭😭😭
Look on eBay. The latest 6 hole pendant style I bought was only $2.15!! That was with shipping too. I had to wait a few weeks for delivery from China but was worth it.
Alto C and Tenor C are actually the same range, it's just confusing that STL calls their ocarinas pitched between Soprano C and Bass C (Alto C normally) tenors... Tenor F and G ocarinas are actual tenors though 😉
"Most ocarinas you're going to find will be tenors." Really? because a quick amazon search of just 'ocarina' gives me a billion alto c ocarinas and nothing else XD. Also thanks for the vid!
I wouldn't recommend buying one on Amazon. Most are pretty badly tuned. There's a small chance that you'll get a good one. Most ocarinas that aren't out of tune are usually around 30 or 40 bucks. I have a ceramic one from Amazon that luckily wasn't poorly tuned because I got it for a cheap price.The Night By Noble Ocarina which can be found on Amazon is around 30-40 ish bucks and it's not bad for beginners especially. Which I recommend if you don't wanna take a gamble.
Oddly enough the cord was that damaged my ocarina. It once fell down and didn't get damaged, but my cat getting entangled with the cord and running off was too much...
Being a bass guitar player and a lover of the low-end, I wanted a bass ocarina starting out. Unfortunately it seems like basses are only made to professional standards. You can find a $25 Alto or Soprano, but if you want a bass you need to shell out like $125 minimum.
They are more expensive and usually not made of plastic. Still, $125 for a quality instrument of any kind is pretty cheap really. Spend that on a guitar and it's going to be pretty much garbage.
The bass sounds so mystical :o
I think so too!
Yes! As the low whistle. I love them! 😍
There's a RUclips channel for Ocarina songs other than STL and she has a few nice pieces performed on the bass ocarina. Some really sound magical.
@@GinaLuciani isn't there a contrabass one?
0:48 soprano
1:10 alto
1:35 tenor
2:09 bass
Thank you!
And y baritone? Uwu
Creo q baritone comparte con Tenor xD
Me encanto "tenor" ♡
Baritone ewe xD
Tenor sounds like the blue ocarina.
Sophrano sounds like the fairy ocarina
I have a tenor ocarina, but I personally prefer the bass's lower notes because it's much more soothing than the rest.
Me too. I have quite a few ocarinas, but my favorites are my STL ocarinas tuned to Tenor/Alto C and lower, since I don't like high pitched sounds.
Most of the ocarinas I have are tuned to the key of C (Alto/Tenor), which I love because it's the key that the ocarina from Zelda: Ocarina of Time is tuned to. That Aria Ocarina... I have 3 ceramic 12 hole ocarinas in the same key as that ocarina, and the STL plastic 12 hole I have is in the same key as well.
I like my Shadow Bass ocarina because of its low pitch. One thing I found strange switching from my Shadow Bass to one of my smaller ocarinas is that the size and weight difference makes the smaller ocarinas seem much lighter and the holes feel smaller, as if my fingers got bigger lol
That's awesome! What a great collection!
It is a big switch isn't it!
Gina I learned the Zelda shop theme on the air ocarina
That's awesome!!
I think a soprano ocarina would be too high pitched for that song
Nice
I just recently discovered this instrument! I’m so fascinated by its sound and form! Grateful for your content, thank you! I’m excited to invest in one! 💓
How exciting! Have fun!
Thaaaaaank you so much, I'm from Germany and I'm an ocarina beginner. Now I have an ocarina that sounds not so good, thank you for your advice where to buy ocarinas. A few minutes ago I've bought two on this site and I hope I will play the ocarina like you. Maybe I will in a few years 😅. Thank you so much for your inspiration ❣️
This is super cool. I recently discovered that there is such a thing as a Treble G flute which fits in-between piccolo and concert flutes and now I want one. So thankful to have won one of your ocarinas! I can't wait to play it :D
Hope you have fun learning it!
You play the ocarina so beautifully!
Thank you so much!
I would love to know about the Ocarinas you have displayed in the background!
Thank you Gina! Just placed my order for a Zelda 12 hole tenor ocarina 👍🏽
Thanks for the the discount Gina, that Shadow Bass was expensive. Im broke with a really dope ocarina now😈🔥
Was it worth it?
I have the shadow bass ocarina too!
@@Callsign_Kishin actually? Yeah and i dont usually play instruments like that
@@ZeldaACFan17its legit huh?? Now all i need is a pan flute and im ready for summer
I went with the Charlie Hind bass inline ocarina. I too am now broke but finally have a bass so to play at night without waking the fam.
Hellooo I just started learning ocarina and I just bought your supremo ocarina I love the pitch that sounds 😍😍😍😍
Yay! Have so much fun!
Soprano*
Ordered the Shadow Bass. Can't wait for it to arrive.
Awesome! It has such a great sound!
@@GinaLuciani I'll let you know what I think. I've got a Night by Noble, and I wanted a lower range.
@@nairdacnalbel I have the Shadow Bass ocarina myself. It's a big ocarina, and it's heavy, but it makes up for those drawbacks with a low pitch and mellow tone that's easier on my ears than a soprano ocarina, and even my STL tenors
@@ZeldaACFan17 I agree. I was afraid it wouldn't be worth the steep price tag, but it totally is. I love the glaze pattern as well.
There is also a Double Bass/Kontrabass Okarina, probably to accompany a Jazz Band.😅
Thank you for this video. I've been trying to find sound samples without a backing track or reverb so I have a realistic idea of how it will sound when I play it. This is very helpful.
Thanks for that good presentation!
If you started off by playing flute, like me, ITS SO SIMILAR YET SO EASY AND ITS SO AMAZINGGG
yep i do agree
Dang it they all sound so good! I'm super excited because I just ordered the water Ocarina! It's my first Ocarina!
How exciting! I hope you have fun learning it!
This video helped me buy my first. Used your code. Thanks!
Just bought an Ocarina because of you, thanks
Just bought the tenor, can't wait!
How exciting! Which one did you get?
Gina Luciani I got the Aria Tenor in black and green! I gave you a follow on Instagram, thanks.
@@rickyperaza411 I have the Aria with the green stripe too 🟢
Thank you very much!
The bass one looks class and sounds great.
So fine gina....and talented...i love your displayed collections in the top shelf🥰
Those ocarinas are so cool, but my personal favorite is the tenor Zelda ocarina, aka the tenor ocarina of time.
The resonance on the bass is what sets it apart.
Looking at getting an imperial city ocarina. Torn between getting a tenor in the key of G or going for a bass. ( Bass is twice the price) or going for a double straight of the bat so I can have the best of both worlds 😁
Sweet! Thanks for this lesson. -Alex Yacovelli
Wow! They sound so pretty! I have a night by noble Alto C I can't play to well but I really like them I just realized you have like 2k worth of ocarinas in your background-
I am so tempted to eventually buy the Air ocarina even though my ocarina collection (which all came from STL ocarina) is already extensive IMO, and I have two more from them coming in the mail soon. However, I dont have a soprano yet ,which is probably good because I dont know if my ears can take take that high of a pitch (I play clarinet and alto sax so i am more accustomed to a middle range). Still, I have the Fire, Lightening, Water, and Ice ocarinas from STL so it woulf be so fitting to add Air to the collection.
woww that bass sounds so good, i love it 😍😍
thank you for this! my gf and i recently started playing a ceramic tenor ocarina - her first instrument, but not mine. it's a bit small for my hands, and was thinking of buying a bass ocarina too - but also want to extend the range, so was thinking about buying a bass triple as i'd love a 2+ octave range (sax & violin background myself). is that a crazy leap to make? i know a triple chamber is much trickier but i think i can handle the heft and don't want to limit the range or have to buy another one later. any thoughts?
That's awesome that you are both interested in the Ocarina! Here's the thing, the double and triple chambers are super tricky. I totally get not wanting to buy more than one, but maybe in that case, just buy a plastic one until you get used to it (since it's cheaper) and then get a double or triple chamber?
Also, bass Ocarinas are super heavy as is which is especially hard right when you're starting out. Then the double/triple chambers are even more heavy which I would imagine would be more difficult (I haven't tried a triple chamber myself).
I hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions I can help you with!
Triple Basses are fun but heavy. If you have weak wrists a double bass may be better. If price conscious try an Imperial City Ocarina Double Bass C. Its dirt cheap for a multichambered Bass and very high quality. My second ocarina ever purchased was an ICO Triple Bass C and I don't regret it. 4 Years and 30 ocarina purchases later, it is still my most played and regularly used ocarina out of my collection.
I would love to see more
Just posted more ocarina videos :) New videos coming every month!
Awesome 😎
Hey I bought the water Ocarina in Tenor C and really like it. I made it most of the way through Saria's Song (thank you for making that tutorial video) but am getting my tenants upset as they hear me attempt the same song in the same pitch over and over again. What ocarina do you think is the least intrusive to play for the sake of practice, preferably not something in Tenor C since I already own that ocarina?
Bass ocarinas are an octave lower than alto/tenor C ocarinas, but they are also much heavier and more expensive
hmm that's tricky. I think I'd probably go with what ZeldaACFan17 said, bass is not as loud and the sound won't carry as far since it is lower sounding. Best of luck!
@@GinaLuciani If you don't want to type out my full username you can just call me Zelda
@@GinaLuciani Just a tip, for the same amount of energy a note with half the frequency will travel twice as far.
I.e bass tones travel a lot further.
That second ocarina from the left on your desk in the back is the one I bought. I BELIEVE it's a tenor
For some reason I get these ... "voice cracks?" or pitch shifts... could this be because the holes drilled are low quality? All your ocarinas sound so crisp
Is it of the cheap replicas that you see on amazon? Because those tend to be poorly made and they're not tuned properly. The one she owns is from a proper ocarina company
@@seol7035 s'probably what it was. :P I shoulda known. But now I ordered my official tenor STL ocarina and am currently waiting for it. I cant wait. I think the holes were drilled improperly in my cheapy $30 one.
Yes, @seol is correct. Hope you have fun with your new ocarina from STL, @Frankeh!
How do you make sure the Ocarina is not dropped as it is quite tiny. Does it come with a neck band tied to it? I am really intrigued by this instrument. The sound it makes is so beautiful..
Yes, almost all of STL Ocarinas come with a neck strap (I think the only ones that don't are the professional ones!)
What song are you playing??? Love the vid, helped me decide to get a tenor. My cats hate the high pitch of the soprano so I can't practice it at home lol
It sounds like you demonstrated the sound on all of them by playing Saria's Song from Ocarina of Time.
I didn’t know anything about Ocarinas. I just chose one off of Songbird. It works well. I just thought it would go higher. I got it in C key.
I got a LoZ ocarina from Song Bird many years ago, but it was only a 4 hole ocarina. I am wanting to get back to playing, but I want more variety, so I am thinking of getting a 12 hole. That bass ocarina sounds incredible, but you said it's not particularly good for beginners, and that has me worried. I am not sure if I should go ahead and get the bass or not. It just sounds so good though.
I say go for it! Every ocarina I have feels completely different and took practice to get the hang of it. I play soprano, concert, and tenor ukulele too. Same issue.
@@armenvondoms1815 Thanks! I think I will get one then and just practice. I appreciate the info. The Bass is expensive, so I will have to wait a while lol.
@@GraveyardXrow I recently purchase a Charlie Hind bass inline made of wood. With shipping was $150. Totally worth it. STL sells the Zelda plastic bass for $65. I would never be able to afford either but used my stimulus check!😂
Im looking at getting an ocarina and will likely get a tenor because it seems they are the widest used, but the bass seems like it would be more comfortable for someone like me who has large hands with long fingers, which always make instruments more uncomfortable to play in general particularly wind instruments i find.
Based on your videos I decided to buy an ocarina, I'm tired of my wood flutes wetting out and having issues. I went to the site you recommend and saw that they offered a 6 hole bass that's designed for smaller hands, so I guess it's lighter in weight than the bass you demonstrate in this video. I bought it. Thanks for code. Have you reviewed this geo bass yet?
Ah I wish I could afford this beautiful instrument...I am obsessed with it's sound T_T
Your videos are really informative Gina❤️
Ocarinas are extremely cheap compared to most instruments can get a pretty decent ocarina at a pretty low price. Here are some ocarina makers around or under 60 CAD price range (about 50$ USD) that are A) of good quality and B) work well for a beginner. I'll mostly be recommending ceramic ocarinas because wooden ones get really pricey, metal ones are really rare, and plastic ones can...vary in quality.
Keep in mind if you're unsure of how large your hands are, it's best to get an alto/tenor. Sopranos can be extremely uncomfortable and near impossible to play with small hands, and vice versa with bass. I've got very small hands and I struggle a lot with my bass, and when I was younger it was physically impossible for me to cover the holes of a bass.
I will be recommending almost exclusively transverse ocarinas, since that's what I play. Pendants are fine and on the cheaper end for sure, but I personally do not care much for them as they are a lot less, shall we say, intuitive, since they don't have linear fingering, and in my experience there are a lot less people who make pendants with the intention of them being quality instruments...and the quality ones I was aware of back when I was still interested in pendants aren't made anymore, with a singular exception. Inline makers nowadays tend to be too pricy for that range (RIP Mountain Ocarina, you will be missed). I actually find transverse ocarina more comfortable than inlines but I know most people are the other way around.
STL can be quite a mixed bag (which is fair, a lot of their ocarinas are more art than music and that's a-okay) so I wouldn't buy whatever you want willy-nilly, and some of their better models are on the pricier side. BUT, I highly, HIGHLY recommend the DIY as a first ocarina. Like if I can recommend anything here on this list enough, it is the DIY. It is really good for its price range, you can absolutely buy way worse for much more, it's a damn forgiving instrument, and you get the bonus of putting your own design on it if you're artistically inclined. Jade Everett, a really highly regarded ocarina maker, is on the record saying that the DIY is one of the best twelve hole alto Cs they've played. Not for the price range. Just period. I don't know if I agree with that sentiment but I've not owned enough 12 hole alto Cs to make such a judgement (I have two and this is one of them). But it is quite the nice ocarina. The Aria G is my other rec. It has a cleaner sound, DIY is mellower. The Aria is less forgiving than the DIY, so for that reason I feel like the DIY is a much better option; but if you want something in G instead or like the tone of the aria more, go for that instead. Lastly, I hear the plastic line has improved a lot over the years, especially the 12 holes, enough that David Erick Ramos (my persona ocarina idol and the guy who inspired me to play at age 9) went from 'Never Buy These Ever' to 'This is a really good beginner option!', although I think the airyness of the highnotes leaves a lot to be desired.
Dinda ocarinas - sells on etsy. All clay, all unglazed. His ocarinas are hand made one by one, so they're not gonna be in stock all the time. Very mellow tone, a lot more 'earthy' than many other ocarinas. I recommend an 11 hole over a 12 one, the clarity of tone beats the range the standard 12 hole gives you, and he's one of the few people I know who makes 11 holes in that price range; most people who make 11 holes nowadays are asking around 100 at least. Usually his alto Cs (referred to as tenor Cs in this video) go for about 43 CAD, which is quite the steal. I've been eyeing getting one for myself for a while, but I'm waiting for one that really catches my eye since, again, he doesn't have models since he's not a mass commercial seller. I think he's a bit of a diamond in the rough among ocarina makers. This is also the most affordable of the clay options, at least for me as someone who lives in Canada, where US shipping can get Really Wild. If you're pressed on money and really want a ceramic ocarina, this is the one to go for.
It's preeeetty hard to go wrong with Focalink/Stein's ceramics, their quality is pretty consistent and and you can buy a lot of models unavailable at Songbird (who sells a lot of focalink/stein and is their primary distributor in the west), most anything in the alto 60$ CAD range should serve you more than well. Their plastic Osawa line is also apparently pretty great. I think it's consistently stronger than the STL's plastic, although I'm not a huge fan of the tone.
Night by noble. It's kind of the golden standard of plastics nowadays. It's quite pricey for a plastic imo, but I think it's the nicest sounding of the the good ol' DER recommends.
And now...the non transverse options. I have exactly one pendant and one inline rec, and it's all by the same person. They're also the only wooden option.
Charlie Hind. I cannot begin to describe the admiration I have for this man and his ocarinas. They are pricey, especially his transverse ocarinas, but WELL worth the price. He's in a semi retirement right now so his stock isn't always super available, but he makes inlines still on an off and on basis and will take transverse commissions.
His inline sopranos are essentially pendants because of their fingering. Because of the way pendants and especially inlines are played in comparison to transverses, it's a lot more doable with big hands; far less cramped. The G soprano inline is about 50 CAD, and the D is about 60. His inlines with linear fingerings start with the altos, which go for far above this price ranger, buuuut he does have a DIY kit where you can assemble your own, which is about 40 dollars CAD. He also has a soprano C inline called the junior, but it doesn't seem to be in stock right now.
If you want any tips for picking out a beginner ocarina beyond just my recs, let me know! I also highly recommend pureocarina's online book for technique and learning if you want to get serious about the instrument.
Question!
I'm planning to buy an ocarina, but I don't understand chords or notes at all. Like at all. I tried to read up about it, but understand nothing. "Key of C" and all that. I'm looking for an ocarina with quite a deep (or low?) pitch. There are so many types. Pendant ocarinas, bass ocarinas, 12 hole, 6 hole. How do I know which are lower?
What I'm mainly looking for is something like the "lugia theme" here on youtube. Remember, I know nothing about music.
Ever since I was little I always wanted to learn alot of instruments but never got the chance. I would now but it's hard to play a violin when you have sever nerve damage in your hands. I heard people like me say they were able to play the ocarina, I would love to but I'm not sure.
You can also get a contrabass ocarina :)
Credit to everyone!
I have a night by noble ocarina and I onisly have no idea if it's good quality. It's on Amazon, yes I herd that to never buy ocarinas of Amazon, it was affordable, and I needed that because I didn't know if I'll like it or not.
Hi, I want to start playing the Ocarina but I'm looking for a "normal" tuned Ocarina.Not too high,not too low, for a beginner like me :)
Do you think that a C Major Tenor is what I'm looking for?
I think that the Tenor in C would be perfect for you! Make sure to use my code "Gina" at www.stlocarina.com for 10% off!
Hello, i have a question. I Want to learn the Ocarina but i dont know what to buy
Hi Gina, great video! I was wondering: why are bass ocarina so expensive? I mean yes, they are bigger, but they're not even twice the size of a tenor and yet they can cost 4 times as much
They are somewhat harder to tune. They take more space in the kiln. I believe the failure rate is higher. For a company that keeps them in stock, the demand is lower so they have to make back the cost on fewer instruments. That said, you can get one for a pretty reasonable price from some individual makers. Dinda Ocarina on Etsy makes Bass C ones for under $100 and occasionally Bass G ones for just over that (I just received mine). I have large hands so fingering isn't an issue, but I am certainly feeling the weight in my thumbs after playing on it for a while
Question: what is the lowest note the bass ocarina can go to, and can we hear it please?
What is the song you play in the video called please? I really recognise it as a Zelda theme but can't find which one 🙈
Yes i have a question, why are they so cool?
Think I'm getting the alto :0
But the one that I've got is higher than the smallest one you showed! Idk what notes it plays! Help!!! Plz
Is it possible to hit the High G on Zelda's Lullaby using an alto ocarina?? Thank you. My tenor goes up to high F - almost there!
There is also a contrabass ocarina, it’s huge.
I'd love to try one at some point, but they are really expensive as a rule.
@@CrimFerret yes they are, around 500-900$
How do you handle the different keys they're all in? (I know you can't play them all at once, but maybe it's relevant if you're multracking an arrangement for RUclips.)
Ocarinas are dope
I live in Brazil do they ship?
Hi Gina,
Ive been meaning to get an ocarina that is not as loud as my STL Plastic C. Ive heard people say to get a Bass C, but im really just after an ocarina that is not so loud. I wouldnt mind getting a bass ocarina, but just as long as i have this range + lower volume, particularly for not overpowering singers, soft guitar and practicing in my room.
Thanks a lot
How do you blend alto c and soprano c any tutorial?
I need some help on the night by-Noble AC on how to learn the basics
can u do the lighting one pls i bought that one and i wanna see how it is
Asking once again to help beginners: Can you correct in the description or the comments the name used for “Tenor C” and “Alto G” in this video?
Those ranges are incorrectly named. All other ocarina makers and professionals call them Alto C and Soprano G.
Please help beginners, Gina! 🙏
I have a saprano ocarina and it makes my fingers cramp a lot when I try to use it is this normal, also my first time playing a wind instrument
If you have larger hands, it can be uncomfortable to play a smaller instrument like that. Alto models tend to fit most hands. You might want to pick up one of those.
is there a subbass ocarina, like the are of some other instruments?
Also, where could I find an inexpensive bass, just for my wishlist?
There are contrabass ocarinas. They are really big and really expensive. There aren't many making them. As for a bass, I don't know what you consider expensive. There are makers that sell them in the $100 range, but most are outside the US. STL and Songbird are closer to $200 for theirs.
@@CrimFerret i actually got a plastic bass about three months ago, and it's pretty good.
@@astridposey I prefer the sound of ceramic instruments though the plastic ones seem pretty decent. They are also lighter. My new bass G is right at 2lbs (1 kilo) which doesn't sound like much until you've been supporting it mostly on your thumbs for a lengthy practice session. It does make my other instruments feel feather light after playing it though.
@@CrimFerret i wish I could afford clay. But, being disabled means limited money
@@astridposey I get that. Better having one to play.
Bought one.
Which ocarina did you get
So cool! Have fun learning it!
Can you play the cromatic scale in each one of these four ocarinas?
You can
Omg my ocarina is the second one on the left side
Nice!
Wow
Guess what I’m getting the wind ocarina
Is that a G or C bass ?
HOW DO I LEARN TO PLAY???
so hard to find an alto c video in aus
Is the ocarina (namely the tenor) capable of chromatic notes?
I would ovevto find a stand for my ocarina
how sad is it that i have looked at the website so often that i see the ones in the background and i know the names of them and what they are tuned to. i want one so bad but the only way ill be able to get one is if i can convince my parents to buy it and i pay them but they wont even do that,........😭😭😭😭😭😭
Look on eBay. The latest 6 hole pendant style I bought was only $2.15!! That was with shipping too. I had to wait a few weeks for delivery from China but was worth it.
Hola, soy de méxico y me encantaría tocar "Air Soprano Ocarina" ¿
es segura la entrega ?
How can you know what type you have with out being able to compare
Why is the bass one so expensive
🎶🎵🎶🎵🎼 More Please. Just play notes and I am happy. 👸🏻💝💋
as a bari player i dont think the bass ocarina will be a problem
My air ocarina don't sound like yours :( (my tenor sound good)
im looking for alto and tenor ocarinas, any suggestions that are 12 holes, tenor (maybe alto idk), and cheap? lol
Alto C and Tenor C are actually the same range, it's just confusing that STL calls their ocarinas pitched between Soprano C and Bass C (Alto C normally) tenors... Tenor F and G ocarinas are actual tenors though 😉
"Most ocarinas you're going to find will be tenors." Really? because a quick amazon search of just 'ocarina' gives me a billion alto c ocarinas and nothing else XD. Also thanks for the vid!
Maybe she mean’t just on the STL site in general🤷🏽♀️
Alto C and Tenor C refers to the same. And yes, that’s how STL calls them.
do not buy the amazon ones they r rlly out of tune and arent good
I wouldn't recommend buying one on Amazon. Most are pretty badly tuned. There's a small chance that you'll get a good one. Most ocarinas that aren't out of tune are usually around 30 or 40 bucks. I have a ceramic one from Amazon that luckily wasn't poorly tuned because I got it for a cheap price.The Night By Noble Ocarina which can be found on Amazon is around 30-40 ish bucks and it's not bad for beginners especially. Which I recommend if you don't wanna take a gamble.
what is the web site you have your 10% offer with?
stlocarina.com
Oddly enough the cord was that damaged my ocarina. It once fell down and didn't get damaged, but my cat getting entangled with the cord and running off was too much...
Being a bass guitar player and a lover of the low-end, I wanted a bass ocarina starting out. Unfortunately it seems like basses are only made to professional standards. You can find a $25 Alto or Soprano, but if you want a bass you need to shell out like $125 minimum.
They are more expensive and usually not made of plastic. Still, $125 for a quality instrument of any kind is pretty cheap really. Spend that on a guitar and it's going to be pretty much garbage.
Wait wait I have a question, is Alto G is even lower that alto C???
If Saria was a live action person, you would be her.
Contrabass Ocarina has left the chat
why do you call alto tenor?
"The fire" more like "The lobster "
No baritone huh.... Sad i guess edit:im gonna assume that tenor is baritone
Calling all birds.
I made it 70 comments
That mumbo jumbo at the end is funny.
Aaaaa