How to Make an English Pendant Ocarina
The English pendant ocarina is a relatively new twist on the ancient instrument known as the vessel flute. With a fingering system designed by English mathematician John Taylor in the 1960s, the English ocarina uses only four holes to produce an octave of pitches.
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Things You'll Need
- Sharp knife
- 1/2 lb. clay
- Spatula
- Plunge stick or sharpened wooden dowel, about 1/4 inch in diameter
- Circle template (optional)
- Paring chisel, 1/4 inch tip
- Hairdryer
- Ceramic kiln (optional)
- Metal strip, about 1/4 inch wide
Instructions
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Making the Body
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1
Knead the clay thoroughly into a ball about 2 inches in diameter. Cut the ball exactly in half using a sharp knife. Knead each half into a hollow dome. The smoother and more uniform the inner walls of these domes are, the clearer the instrument's tone will be.
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2
Rub a moistened finger over the edges of the two halves to produce a joint. Press the edges together.
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3
Use the spatula to flatten the hollow sphere slightly so that it is roughly oval. Use the same piece of the spatula to press one side flat. Dry the flattened side of the sphere with a hairdryer so that the clay is easier to work.
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4
Push the chisel through the flat side at an angle until the end touches the opposite inner wall.
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5
Cut the lip of the window with the paring chisel. The edge of the opening must be very straight, or there could be unwanted surface noise. Remove the chisel and cut a hole under the lip with a sharp knife.
Making the Mouthpiece
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6
Form the mouthpiece by rolling a piece of clay into the shape of a short cone, slightly tapered. Make a narrow airway by pushing a sharpened metal strip, the same width as the window, through the mouthpiece so that the airway is aligned with the upper lip of the window.
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7
Push a large nail through the lower part of the mouthpiece to make a hole through which a cord can be attached later. Do this while the metal strip is still in place, or the pressure will tend to collapse the airway.
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8
Make four finger holes on the ocarina using the plunge stick or sharpened wooden dowel. Place these where your fingers rest most naturally on these surfaces, usually on top. Sizes to begin tuning the instrument include 5/16, 7/16, 15/64, and 19/64 inches. Hold the mouthpiece against the vessel to determine if it is possible to play an octave. If it is not, the finger holes should be enlarged. The larger the hole, the higher the pitch. This can be used to tune the vessel. Remove any leftover bits of clay through the window.
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9
Attach the mouthpiece using wetted clay. Hold the mouthpiece against the vessel and blow through the airway. The pitch of the can be determined by varying the position of the mouthpiece in relation to the vessel. Once you have found the correct pitch, attach the two parts permanently.
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10
Attach a small ring finger support opposite the mouthpiece with wetted clay.
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11
Allow the ocarina to dry thoroughly or fire it in a ceramic oven at 1000 degrees C.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Because ordinary potters' clay is too oily, it is best to use clay that contains chamotte powder or self-hardening clay, if you do not have access to a ceramic kiln.
Decorate the ocarina by sanding, glazing and/or painting before firing if desired.
For tips on tuning and playing the ocarina, see the websites in the Resources section.
Ensure the proper safety precautions when working with knives and chisels.
Before firing, ensure that the flute is thoroughly dry. A day left in the sun or on a radiator is usually enough. If moisture remains in the clay, the flute can collapse or explode in the kiln while it is being fired.
