How to Make a Ceramic Ocarina

Start with pottery clay.

A ceramic ocarina is a clay instrument with a mouthpiece which makes musical sounds through a hollow air chamber. The ocarina originated in Africa thousands of years ago; however, this simplistic instrument can still be found in use worldwide.



This flutelike vessel is modeled with at least one air chamber that produces a range of whistling tones. A traditional ocarina has four to six airway cut-outs into the top of it, giving it the ability to create distinctive tonal sounds.

Things You'll Need

• 16 o. clay
• Sponge
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Thin blade knife
• Craft stick
• Ruler
• Square unsharpened pencil
• Glaze
• Small paintbrush
• Kiln

Instructions

1. 

   Roll the clay well to remove air pockets

   Squeeze 14 oz. of the clay into a ball about the size of an orange and set the remaining clay aside. Using the palms of your hands on a flat surface, roll the clay into a smooth ball.

2. 

   Mold the clay into two equal bowl shapes.

   Cut the clay ball into two equal halves. Hold one half in your palm and use your thumb to push the clay into a bowl shape. Gliding the clay between your thumb and forefinger, continue shaping the walls of the bowl evenly.

3. Place the clay bowl upright on a flat surface and use the 1/4-inch drill bit to punch out the base of the bowl with four to six finger holes in a circle pattern (these will create different tones). Use the thin blade knife to remove any excess clay. Dampen your sponge, smooth out the entire piece and set it aside.

4. 

   Mold the second half of your ocarina symmetrically

   Hold the second piece of clay in your palm and use your thumb and forefinger to create a second bowl shape. Mold the clay bowl until it is the same thickness and size as the first piece. Use a dampened sponge to smooth it out and set it aside.

5. Pick up the first bowl with the hole cutouts and gently place it on top of the second bowl. Inspect the seam where the two pieces meet and see if they are symmetrical. If the rims do not line up correctly, use your fingers and knife to smooth out the rims so that they join up evenly.

6. Separate the two halves and place them on a flat surface with rims facing up. Using the knife, score the surface of the rims with slits to help them join. Wet your paintbrush to dampen both rims until the clay becomes soft and pliable.

7. Pick up the two halves with both hands and gently push them together. Slightly twist one hand so that the rims join and seal. Use your fingers and a damp sponge to create a tight, smooth seam.

8. Hold the ocarina vessel in the palm of one hand with one seam side upright. With the thin blade knife, cut a 3/4-inch oval shape into the seamed edge for placement of the mouthpiece. Rough up the edge of the circle with your knife and moisten with a wet paintbrush to soften the clay.

9. Wrap the remaining 2 oz. of clay around the craft stick. Leaving the stick poking out on each end, roll the clay out into a smooth log about 2 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Press the log lightly with the palm of your hand so that the log circumference is slightly oval shaped.

10. Mark the length of the clay log at 2 inches. Angle the square pencil at 45 degrees and push it into the log until it hits the craft stick. Use the thin blade knife to remove the excess clay. This forms a windway which creates the sound.

11. Shimmy the craft stick out to form the airway and use your fingers to contour one end into an oblong mouthpiece. Push any excess pieces of clay out from the airway with the knife. Use the tip of the knife to ensure that the square hole is still angled at 45 degrees, and smooth the outside of the mouthpiece with a damp sponge.

12. Score the end of the mouthpiece (which will be attached to the ocarina vessel) with the knife. Wet it with a paintbrush and push the mouthpiece up to the opening of the vessel. Use your fingers to pinch the two pieces securely and smooth out your finished ocarina with a dampened sponge.

13. Let your clay ocarina rest for about 24 hours. Then paint at least two coats of glaze onto your ocarina while avoiding getting any glaze directly near the mouthpiece. Once glazed, your ceramic ocarina is ready to fire in the kiln for completion. Kilns differ, so no set firing time can be prescribed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want the convenience of carrying your ceramic ocarina, punch a loop-ring hole into the end of it and add a lanyard strap.

• To reduce chances of your ocarina pottery cracking, make sure the clay is completely dry before putting it in the kiln.

• Cut in the underside wind holes not too close to the chamber wall for optimal sound performance.

References

• Ceramic Arts Daily; Making Music with Clay: How to Make a Ceramic Ocarina; Barry Hall
• Coyote Clay & Color; Glazing and Firing Tips, Suggestions, and Images