If you’re new to the ocarina, the different shapes, hole counts, materials and playing styles can make choosing one confusing. This complete guide explains what an ocarina is, how it works, the different types available, how to choose a good instrument, what to avoid, and how to start playing—giving you everything you need to understand the instrument and choose the right ocarina for you.
What Is an Ocarina?
An ocarina is a vessel flute which is a type of wind instrument built around a hollow enclosed chamber rather than an open-ended tube like a recorder. Air blown into the mouthpiece travels through a narrow windway and strikes an edge to create sound, while the hollow chamber resonates to produce the ocarina’s distinctive rounded tone. Ocarina-like vessel flutes have ancient roots stretching back thousands of years, including traditions in Mayan, Aztec and Chinese cultures.
China has its own ancient vessel flute tradition in the xun, while the modern transverse or Italian ocarina was developed in 1853 by Giuseppe Donati in Budrio, northern Italy. The name ocarina means “little goose” in Italian. Many modern players discovered the instrument through The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but its history extends far beyond the game. Finger holes are covered and uncovered to change notes.
The ocarina’s pitch is determined by the total area of the open holes rather than the effective length of a pipe, allowing ocarinas to take many different shapes while working on the same acoustic principle. Ocarinas are used for solo and group performance, ceremonies and traditional music, as well as genres including classical, folk, pop and video-game music.
Different Types of Ocarinas
There are two main types of ocarina: transverse and pendant. Transverse ocarinas are side-blown, use a linear fingering system and are known for their elongated “sweet potato” shape. Pendant ocarinas use a cross-fingering system and are typically smaller and rounder, usually with four finger holes and two thumb holes.
Ocarinas also vary in pitch: sopranos are the smallest and highest-pitched, altos offer a warmer tone, tenors produce a lower sound, and bass ocarinas produce the deepest tones but are larger and heavier. Choose based on the pitch, tone and playing feel you prefer. Other decorative designs include Nazca and Submarine ocarinas.
How Are Ocarinas Made?
Traditional ocarinas are commonly made from clay or ceramic, although they can also be made from wood, plastic, glass or bone. Clay ocarinas are formed into a hollow body with a mouthpiece, then finger holes are added before the instrument is dried and decorated. Wooden ocarinas can instead be carved into shape, with the holes created and the instrument tested as part of the making process.
Choosing the Right Ocarina
Choose based on how you want to play. Fewer notes simplify early learning, while a wider range gives you more options for playing songs as you progress. Look for a comfortable hole layout and clear tone. For casual playing and portability, a pendant works well; for better tone, range and control, consider a larger, higher-quality ocarina.
What to Avoid When Buying an Ocarina
Don’t choose on price, appearance or reviews alone. Poorly made ocarinas can have inaccurate tuning, uneven breath response, airy notes or uncomfortable hole placement. Novelty and replica instruments can be particularly variable when appearance is prioritised over playability. Look for clear tone, reliable tuning, comfortable fingering and consistent response from a reputable maker or specialist seller.
1. Ocarina Pendant (6-Hole)
The 6-Hole pendant ocarina is handmade in Peru from natural clay. It is a small, colourful introduction to the instrument. Its compact round body produces a bright, high-pitched whistle tone, while each ocarina is individually hand-painted and comes with a cord so it can be worn around the neck. With fewer notes to learn and an affordable price, it’s ideal for casual playing and discovering the ocarina for the first time.
2. Assorted Animal Ocarinas
Choose an Animal Ocarina for its character, unique tone and decorative appeal. Different animal shapes create subtle differences in sound, making each design interesting to play and collect. Available as dolphins, frogs, turtles and birds, they make playable ornaments and gifts for people who love animals and music.
Browse assorted Animal Ocarinas.
3. Llama Ocarina
The Llama Ocarina has six top finger holes with no thumb holes, allowing your thumbs to rest naturally underneath for a comfortable, relaxed grip. Its clay body produces a clear airy tone, while the hand-painted llama shape and detailing provides a lot of character.
4. Inca Ocarina (8-Hole)
The Inca Ocarina steps up to a larger clay chamber, producing a clearer mid-range tone with more spacious finger placement for comfortable playing. Choose from several colours, each decorated with hand-painted geometric patterns and presented in its own box.
5. Dorado Ocarina (12-Hole Alto)
The Dorado is designed for players who want more notes and musical freedom. Its 12-hole transverse design provides a wide A4–F6 range including sharps and flats, making it better suited to learning complete songs, tabs and more advanced melodies. The kiln-fired ceramic body produces a warm, smooth and resonant tone, and it comes complete with a protective case, wrist strap, songbook and microfibre cloth.
6. Ocarina Pro Mezzo-Soprano
The Ocarina Pro Mezzo-Soprano is our premium 6-hole ocarina, made in Germany for players who prioritise sound quality. It produces a louder, bright and exceptionally clear tone with precise tuning and a crisp response. Designed for professional playing, recording and performance, it’s the strongest choice when tone and clarity matter more than maximum note range.
View the Ocarina Pro Mezzo Soprano
How to Play an Ocarina
Play the ocarina by blowing into the mouthpiece while covering and uncovering the finger holes to produce different notes. Beginners should focus first on breath control and accurate finger placement, then practise scales before progressing to simple melodies. Breath speed and pressure affect pitch, while tonguing can be used to articulate notes and create staccato (short, detached) or legato (smooth, connected) playing.
To care for your ocarina, keep it clean by wiping away moisture and oils with a soft cloth and carefully cleaning around the finger holes and mouthpiece when necessary. Store it in a protective case or pouch, away from extreme temperatures and humidity, and protect clay or ceramic instruments from drops and impacts.
How to Read Ocarina Tabs
Ocarina tabs are visual fingering diagrams that show which holes to cover rather than requiring you to read traditional sheet music. Filled holes are covered and empty holes are left open; read each diagram from left to right to play the melody. Tabs show the fingering, but breath control still determines the pitch and tone, so use gentle, steady airflow and focus on clean finger transitions. The top row shows the 6 hole ocarina diagrams, the middle shows the letter notation and the bottom row shows the 12 hole ocarina diagrams.
Play Real Songs on the Ocarina
Once you’ve chosen your ocarina, start playing songs with our 6-hole and 12-hole Ocarina Songbooks, each featuring 74 song tabs. If you want to write your own music, scales or exercises, our printable Ocarina Tab Templates are available for both 6-hole and 12-hole instruments.
Explore Ocarina Songbooks & Learning Resources
Learn to Play the Ocarina
The Complete Ocarina Player teaches you the fundamentals of breath control, fingering, rhythm and playing technique, with practical exercises and songs designed around the ocarina's note layout.
