How to Play the Ocarina Flute
The ocarina is a wind instrument with ancient roots that can be traced back several thousand years. It is a relative of the modern flute, but differs in shape and how it produces a tone. There are many sizes and styles of ocarinas. Some have as few as four holes while others can have as many as twelve. The simplest play only the notes of the diatonic scale (white keys on the piano), but many are capable of playing the chromatic scale (white keys and black keys of the piano).
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Instructions
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Position, Fingering and Breath Control
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1
Grip the ocarina with both hands. The palm of your left hand will be turned toward your face. The palm of your right hand will be turned away from your face. To get a feel for the ocarina, place the pads of your fingers over the corresponding holes and your thumbs over the holes on the underside of the ocarina.
The first notes you will learn will be the basic diatonic scale. After you learn this scale, you can continue learning and master the chromatic scale.
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2
Cover all the ocarina holes under your left hand fingers, but uncover the four top holes with your right hand. Both thumbs should still be covering the holes on the underside. Gently blow into the ocarina mouthpiece to produce the note. Start and stop the flow of air a few times.
This is the fifth tone in the diatonic scale, "Sol." If you were to blow into your ocarina with all the holes covered, it would produce its lowest pitch, or "Do" in the diatonic scale. However, the lower notes are the most difficult to play properly, so it's a good idea to start with "Sol."
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3
Learn to "tongue" your notes as you begin to blow into the ocarina. Your tongue should touch the front of your mouth in the same way you make the sound "tu" as you begin to play each note. This gives the note a crisp, distinct beginning.
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Play the next higher and next lower notes. Practice playing patterns such as "Sol-Fa-Sol-Fa" and "Sol-La-Sol-La" over and over again. With "La-Sol-Fa" you can play "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Continue adding higher and lower notes until you can play the entire diatonic scale. With just this scale, you will be able to play many songs. After you are comfortable with this scale, start adding the chromatic notes.
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Tips & Warnings
Lower notes require blowing more gently. When you lift your fingers off the holes, keep them just above the ocarina. This will make playing easier as songs require faster fingering.
Over blowing causes squeaks. Partially covered holes will cause notes to be out of tune.
