An ocarina is a unique and ancient wind instrument, and in this where to buy an Ocarina buying guide, we explore the wide variety we offer, all sourced directly from Peru. Different types suit different styles and skill levels: Peruvian Pendant Ocarinas are small, hand-painted clay instruments worn as necklaces; the 12-hole ceramic Alto Dorado is perfect for beginners and advanced players seeking clear tones; the traditional Chinese Xun features a cone shape and unique fingering; and other styles include the Italian-invented Submarine Ocarina, playful animal-shaped versions, and large Inca ocarinas inspired by South American hummingbirds.
Choosing the Right Ocarina for You
To choose the right ocarina, consider your skill level, sound range, design, and portability. Beginners should start with easy-to-play models like Peruvian or Alto Dorado ocarinas, while advanced players might prefer Nazca or Inca ocarinas for their traditional, mellower tones.
Design matters too—vibrant hand-painted Peruvian or intricately patterned Inca ocarinas double as art pieces. For portability, pendant-style ocarinas are compact and wearable. Also, check for accessories like cases or straps to enhance your playing experience. Select an ocarina that suits your skill, sound preference, and style.
1. Peruvian Pendant Ocarinas
Pendant ocarinas, developed in the UK in the 1960s, are compact instruments with 4 or 5 finger holes using a binary-like fingering system to play an octave. While suitable for skilled performance, their limited holes make accurate tuning harder than transverse ocarinas, and some notes require precise partial hole covering to avoid "chirps."
Their small size allows higher pitches and unique musical possibilities, with the convenience of being wearable for spontaneous play. Production quality varies, and some may be poorly tuned. Peruvian pendant ocarinas, handmade from sustainable clay and hand-painted with traditional designs, reflect local culture and make eco-friendly gifts suitable for adults and supervised children over three.
Check out our Peruvian Pendant Ocarina here.
2. Alto Dorado Ocarinas
If you're looking for a professional-grade ocarina, the 12-hole Alto Dorado is an excellent choice as it is made from high-quality ceramic. This instrument offers a wide range of notes from A4 to F6. Its ergonomic shape and professional tuning make it comfortable to play for beginners and professionals alike. The Alto Dorado ocarina comes with a case, wrist strap, songbook, and a microfibre cloth, ensuring you have everything you need to start your musical journey.
Purchase the Alto Dorado Ocarina here.
3. Nazca Ocarinas
The Nazca ocarina is a stunning Peruvian instrument with a unique design. Hand-painted by skilled artisans in Peru, these ocarinas feature intricate geometric patterns that are a visual delight. This Ocarina is made from sustainable clay, the Nazca ocarinas are not only beautiful but also produce great sounds. Each Nazca ocarina is one-of-a-kind, as the handmade process creates slight variations in size and shape.
4. Inca Ocarinas
For those looking for a complete ocarina set, the boxed Inca ocarinas are an excellent choice. Handmade by skilled artisans in Peru, these ocarinas come in an attractive box, making them perfect as a gift. The boxed Inca ocarinas feature intricate hand-painted designs made from sustainable clay. They are suitable for adults and children over three years old. These ocarinas offer a unique playing experience.
Purchase the colourful Inca Ocarina here.
5. Submarine Ocarinas
The Peruvian Submarine Ocarina is a unique musical instrument that combines the shape of a submarine with the musical sound of an ocarina. The submarine ocarina is made from high-quality clay. This instrument is reflects the creativity of the Peruvian artisans. The submarine shape adds a distinctive touch to the traditional ocarina design, making it a visually appealing piece.
Buy the Peruvian Submarine Ocarina here.
6. Jungle Ocarina
The Jungle Ocarina is a delightful choice for musicians of all ages, offering a range of fun designs such as ladybirds, turtles, geckos, frogs, and parrots. This handmade ocarina is not only eco-friendly but also easy to play, making it suitable for beginners and advanced players. With its assorted animal designs and jungle theme, it's the perfect gift but remember it is a musical instrument and not a toy.
Check out the Jungle Ocarina here.
7. Assorted Animal Ocarinas
The Jungle Ocarina offers a unique and eco-friendly musical experience, handmade with natural clay in assorted animal designs such as turtles, toucans, birds, crocodiles, and ducks. With its 4 holes and mouthpiece area, it allows you to play many songs, making it a versatile woodwind instrument similar to a whistle flute. Handcrafted in Peru, each ocarina is one-of-a-kind in size, color, and design, making it a perfect and distinctive gift.
Browse assorted Animal Ocarinas here.
8. Llama Ocarina
The handmade fired clay Llama Ocarina from Peru, larger than typical animal ocarinas with 3 extra holes, offers a unique option. Other types include 19th-century Italian transverse ocarinas, held across the body with 9–12 holes for a strong, clean sound over an octave and a fourth, while Asian 12-hole versions add lower notes and accidentals.
Inline ocarinas, held straight with the mouthpiece at the end, help players with hand issues but can be unstable and screech under high air pressure. Sculptural ocarinas focus on visual art, often animal-shaped, but may sacrifice tuning and sound quality. The Chinese Xun uses a flute-like blowhole and unique fingerings for expressive yet less standardized tuning. Microtonal ocarinas have large palm holes to vary pitch through breath and hand position, enabling microtonal scales beyond Western 12-tone systems.
