How to Make a Sweet Potato Ocarina
The ocarina is a member of the instrument family called "vessel flutes." Unlike the open-ended flute found in orchestras, the ocarina has an enclosed air chamber. The ocarina has existed for thousands of years, but what we know as the "sweet potato" ocarina was first created in Italy back in the 1850s. The sweet potato is named after its distinctive shape, and it is also notable for its protruding mouthpiece. Easy to play and with an infinite number of variations, an ocarina can be made out of clay by anyone with some familiarity with the medium.
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Things You'll Need
- Clay
- Water
- Plastic bags
- Access to a kiln
- Clay working tools:
- Cut-out tool
- Clean-up tool
- Basic tool
- Fettling knife
- Optional:
- Ocarina mold
Instructions
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Making a Sweet Potato Ocarina
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1
Make a ball of clay (or roll it into the traditional "sweet potato" shape). Cut the ball in half, and hollow out each half. Reattach the two halves. Do not press too hard on the hollowed-out ball, or it may cave in.
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2
Form a small rectangular block and attach it to the ocarina body. This will be the ocarina's mouthpiece. The top of the mouthpiece should be even with the top of the ocarina body.
Use the basic tool to create an airway through the length of the mouthpiece. Then, using the cut-out tool, make a rectangular opening in the top of the ocarina body. One side of the opening should be vertical and exactly at the point where the mouthpiece enters the body of the ocarina. The opposite side of the opening should be at an angle. Experiment with the degree of the angle and the width and length of the opening.
The ocarina should now make a single tone when blown into. If not, check the placement of the opening at the top of the ocarina and the angle of the mouthpiece.
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3
Punch holes in the side of the ocarina with the basic tool. This will allow you to play different notes on the instrument. Again, be careful to not let the walls of the ocarina's body cave in.
The number of holes in an ocarina can vary. Four holes is common, but ten or eleven is not unknown. Experiment with the number and size of the holes, or try adding a slit in the ocarina to use as a slide.
Remember that all clay shrinks while being fired or drying, and this will affect the ocarina's pitch. To achieve a specific pitch it is best to create the body of the ocarina by using a mold instead of hand shaping it.
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4
Embellish the instrument as desired. Glaze and fire the ocarina.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Remember that clay must not dry out while the project is in progress. Keep the ocarina damp and covered with plastic bags when you are not working on it. Experiment with different clay working tools; you may find that you have your own preferences.
DO NOT use a kiln unless you are qualified to do so! They can be extremely dangerous. Contact your local craft store or community college art department if you are looking for a place to have your project fired.
