How to Make Clay Ocarinas

Dolphin Ocarina from St. Louis Ocarina.

Ocarinas are whistle-type instruments that serve a decorative purpose as well as a musical one. They have been around for centuries. Ocarinas can be carved from wood or other materials, but one of the most popular and easiest ways to make an ocarina is with clay. With a little practice you can make your own ocarinas and even turn your hobby into a profit-making venture.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic clay Ceramic paint Glaze Knife Stick Access to a kiln

Instructions

1. Make the body of your ocarina out of ceramic clay by starting with two pinch pots. The ocarina body does not have to be round. Depending on your artistic ability, you can make the body of your ocarina any shape you want it to be.

2. Attach a small block of clay to the top of the body of your ocarina. This will be the whistle nozzle. Mold it to the body by pressing it into place. Shape the whistle nozzle any way you like. When you're finished, the nozzle should extend half an inch or so from the top edge of your ocarina body.

3. Insert a thin stick into the whistle nozzle to create an open airway. Push the stick in so it enters the body of the ocarina. Cut a 45-degree angle in the top of the ocarina at a 45-degree angle, bringing the edge of the angle down until it meets the point where the stick enters the body. The angled cut produces your whistle hole.

4. 

   Cut holes into your ocarina. You can use a small X-acto knife or similar tool to produce the holes. Use a small piece of light-grit sandpaper to ream the hole and smooth the edges. There can be anywhere from four to ten holes in your ocarina. The size of the holes varies the sound produced. Larger holes tend to produce a richer sound.

5. Tune the ocarina with a pitch pipe or some other reference tone. Blow into each hole, making adjustments until you have the general "do re me fa so la ti do" scale. This will tune the instrument to itself, though it may not match the actual key of C.

6. You will need to fire your ocarina in a kiln to harden it. Unless you know someone with a kiln, the best way to find one is to consult the Internet or phone book for a local business that has a kiln. These places will have someone available to fire your ocarina for you. You can also check your local paper or community college for weekly ceramic classes.

7. Paint and decorate your ocarina with ceramic paint, and finish it with ceramic glaze. There will be another round of firing in the kiln when you've finished, so you may want to look for a ceramic or pottery shop that offers lessons with the cost of materials and kiln rental included.

Resources

• How to Make a Clay Whistle
• St. Louis Ocarina