Reddit mentions: The best ocarinas

Which ocarina is it? If it's one of these, you're going to need to upgrade if you want to actually learn to play the instrument. The cheap OoT replicas you find all over amazon are notorious within the ocarina community for their bad quality. Focalink/Stein makes two very good plastic (link 1, link 2) ocarinas that make great starter ocarinas and will provide a much more pleasant learning experience should you find the need to upgrade.

As far as advice for beginners, I'd say these are the most important things for a beginner to practice:

1. Breath control
   
   It's very important to develop good control of your breath for any wind instrument, but especially for ocarinas (and any type of vessel flute for that matter). Ocarina pitch is quite unstable compared to a tubular flute type instrument (flutes, recorders, but also reed and brass instruments since they produce resonance by the same mechanism). You have to pay close attention to how hard you're blowing because if you don't it's easy to play out of tune. It's a good idea to get yourself a chromatic tuner so you can practice intonation since ocarinas don't really do much to give you a clear indication of when you're not blowing correctly. If you're completely new to wind instruments, I'd also recommend dabbling a bit with a recorder since you can easily tell when you're blowing wrong because it sounds like this. The skill of breath control goes hand in hand with ear training.
   
   
2. Articulation
   
   Listen to an experienced wind instrument play and you'll notice that they never start a whole new breath for each note. They don't huff and puff into their instruments. Instead, they play a series of notes on one breath, breaking it up as needed. This is called note articulation and it's an essential skill for nearly all wind instruments. This is done using the tongue to interrupt your air stream with a motion like you would when pronouncing the syllable "tu" or "du". This might seem simple, but synchronizing your fingers and your tongue is actually quite challenging once you start trying to play faster pieces of music.
   
   
3. Scales and pitch intervals
   
   Whether you're a hobbyist or a trained professional, it's important to practice your scales. Knowing your scales is important because it makes it easy for you to play in different keys. Likewise, your life will be much easier and if will be much less effort to figure a lot of stuff if you know what the different note intervals are (e.g. major second, minor third, perfect fourth).
   
   As for repertoire, despite the ocarina having a rather limited range compared with most of the more mainstream instruments out there, you cam play quite a lot of songs on it. A lot of traditional folk songs and pop songs fit nicely into the ocarina's range. In general, music for voice tends to work well on ocarina. This includes many classical songs, such as Schubert's Ave Maria and Ständchen, as well as some opera songs like O Mio Babbino Caro (All three are good songs for beginner-intermediate players, Ave Maria and O Mio Babbino Caro need to be transposed to fit the range of a 12 hole C ocarina). You can even play songs like Bach's Badinerie in B minor (if you transpose it to D minor) once you get more skilled. It's really a matter of finding music you like and trying it out.

1.) Something that is grey: Sculpy! From my cosplay wishlist! :D

2.) Something reminiscent of rain: This hair accessory from my Silly Fun list! I don't know if they're meant to, but the blue bits remind me of raindrops. <3

3.) Something food related that is unusual: Food picks from my Silly Fun list! Maybe not super unusual in Japan, but here in America I doubt you'd see them often.

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself: This book off my Books wishlist of course! It's for my husband, who's a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls games. I like them, too, but I doubt I'd ever read this.

5.) A book I should read: The Invisible Gorilla, again, off my Books list. I read almost a third of this book while hidden in a book store one day. It's an absolutely fascinating study (or rather, collection of studies) about how much trust we place in our own faulty intuitions.

6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related: Barely, but this nautical star decal! Unfortunately, it's not on any of my lists.

7.) Something related to cats: Another from my Books wishlist! I'm pretty sure I already know my cat wants to kill me, but this book looks funny anyway.

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it: Stationary, from my Silly Fun list. I have no one to write to, but I have an obsession with pretty stationary and cards and things. I'm usually too afraid to write on it, even, because nothing ever seems worthy of the pretty paper...

9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life: From my Movies/TV list: Braveheart! Because FREEEDOOOOOOM!!!!!

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain: Survival knife from my Adventure wishlist! Secluded, unpopulated areas are best for hiding from zombies, and this thing even comes with a firestarter! HOW CAN YOU SAY NO?

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals: This book which is, strangely, on my Semi-Practical list. I'm a Math/Physics major, but I haven't been in school in quite a while. I'm about to go back very soon, and I'm a little petrified of failing out.

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items: Red Heart yarn from my Crochet wishlist!

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item: The PS4 from my Video Games list. I'm an avid gamer. Video games are how I relax. It's one of the few things that, no matter how crappy my day was, always manages to raise my spirits and help me forget about it all.

14.) Something bigger than a bread box: Apparently bread boxes are way bigger than I thought, so I'll go with this desk off my Semi-Practical wishlist. Surely that's big enough! XD

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball: Turtle earrings off my Silly Fun list! THEY'RE SO CUTE!

16.) Something that smells wonderful: Teavana's Blueberry Bliss tea off my Silly Fun list (yet again). If you've never been in a Teavana store, go this second and just...inhale. <3

17.) A (SFW) toy: Frog mitt from my Practical list. I'm fairly certain this isn't supposed to be a toy, but I get the feeling I'm going to spend more time using it as a puppet than as an oven mitt.

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school: This backpack from my Semi-Practical list! I want it so badly!! IT'S STUDIO GHIBLI HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be: 12 Hole Ocarina from my Ocarina wishlist. It's so beautiful and it comes with a Lord of the Rings songbook and I just LOVE IT SO MUCH.

20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand: Shark sleeping bag from my Silly Fun wishlist! You need me to explain it's awesome?? REALLY? IT'S A SHARK SLEEPING BAG. It looks like the shark is eating you!! Plus it's called the "Chumbuddy" and that just makes me laugh way harder than it should.

Fear cuts deeper than swords!

I actually got that same one as my first ocarina as well. It's… Not the best. It's a good replica, don't get me wrong, but it definitely isn't meant to be seriously played.

This is the one I have right now.

It sounds pretty great, and won't break the bank. I've been playing on this one for about two years and I'm only just now considering upgrading to a nicer one. I'd definitely recommend it.

Edit: If you really want a Zelda ocarina that also plays well, I've heard good things about STL Ocarina.
I've never personally bought anything from them, so I can't tell you with 100% certainty if they're good, but I'm heavily considering them for the next one I get.

Oh no :( Sorry you were sick. Get some halls defense Vitamin c drops. Yummy and have worked great for me I think!!

Something that relaxes me is essentials oils in oil diffusers!! I have an orange essential oil diffusing through the room now. If I was sick I think I'd prefer something more minty.

Might not be best for the flu since you'd probably contaminate it with flu particles everywhere haha, but an instrument you can play even when you are sick because it doesn't require much effort!! Ocarina You could play some relaxing melodies even in bed!. Just sanitize it after your flu! I personally think the zelda songs are gorgeous and I already play them on the piano for fun. Zelda's lullaby is one relaxing song! :)

Here is a video from Kissing88 about OcarinaWind instruments

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I would recommend either one of the following ocarinas as a beginner instrument. They are plastic but still have an excellent sound and will be more durable than a ceramic ocarina. These are also demonstrated in the video I linked above.

Night By Noble Plastic Ocarina AC Black - $36.86

Legend of Zelda Inspired 12 Hole Ocarina – Alto C by Focalink - $24.95

The NIGHT by Noble requires less breath and will therefore be easier for a beginner to get started on.

I would go for a ceramic 12 hole ocarina. That's what I've got (not sure what brand though, I got it forever ago), and I've been pretty happy with it. They go for $14 on amazon like this one: https://smile.amazon.com/Ohuhu-Ocarina-Textbook-Display-Protective/dp/B0148EQYA8/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1497737339&sr=1-3&keywords=ocarina

On 6 vs 12 holes, it really depends on what you want to play on your ocarina. 6 holes cover 10 whole notes whereas 12 holes gives you 13 whole notes. And learning isn't any harder either. You learn the same way on a 6 hole or a 12 hole as you would a any instrument. You learn three notes and play a simple song like hot cross buns and then slowly add more notes.

And if you end up sticking with it, you'll find that a lot of songs need those extra notes. Like if you wanted to play the Legend of Zelda main theme, you'll need all 13 notes.

The problem is, virtually all of those are unusably out out of tune. The best cheap one I've run across is this one. It's not a OoT replica, but it's inexpensive, has fantastic intonation, feels good and grippy in the hand, has a great tone, and is going to be a little more resilient than a ceramic for someone who might not treat the instrument so gingerly.

$13 is tough. If you could, raising your budget to $20 would increase the available selection (and not to mention quality significantly).

I recommend the aforementioned [TNG Alto 6h pendant] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GRN4LSG/ref=mp_s_a_1_45?qid=1411705041&sr=8-45&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70). TNG is distributed here in the US by STL Ocarina, which is pretty well known and frequently recommended brand.

As for the two ocarinas you are considering, I would go with the ceramic Zelda one. I doubt that at such a low price the material would make a difference (one of the best transverse ocarinas I have ever played is plastic). The dolphin one seems like it would be awkward to hold. The Zelda one seems to have larger holes, this will make tuning the instrument a lot easier. Tuning is usually not that good in cheaper ocarinas, so having enough space to work with your fingers and alter the amount of air flow is pretty important.

I highly recommend this one:


http://www.amazon.com/Bravura-12-Hole-Ocarina-Focalink/dp/B00E8KAX1E/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1452386118&sr=1-2&refinements=p_4%3AFocalink


Edit: The Focalink is certainly very playable, and is nice and easy to get a good tone on.


I really like my Focalink (I got it in this color too!). It is inexpensive, and has a nice mellow timbre.

Is there some limited availability in Canada or shipping restrictions or something?


Something like this perhaps?
https://www.amazon.ca/Night-Noble-Plastic-Ocarina-Black/dp/B008WYNVAW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=night+by+noble&qid=1574313098&sr=8-1


The Night by Noble is good for most levels of play, I believe. It is really good quality and has great sound.
I have one and use it myself.

I bought this one awhile back from amazon that sounds and looks pretty nice for a friend who wanted to get into it and not spend a lot of money at first, it’s a pretty basic 12 hole ocarina, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MJLZIDW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Vi2QCbQ2KK3F6

Unfortunately quality control on Amazon is shotty at best, but if you’re cool with buying from other places online, stlocarina and songbird ocarina are great shops to buy from with a really big variety in a range of prices.

Yeah i have this one https://www.amazon.com/Thrush-Ocarina-Pottery-Protective-Songbooks/dp/B071XHJXZF people said its pretty good and sounds almost exactly like a night by noble one. I used a tuner on my computer. I spent about an hour trying to get it to play right and couldent. Peple say with all holes covered you should get a C and i was getting like usually G. I tried all diffrent breath pressures and could not get a C. No matter what I did. So if you know this ocarina let me know if its like defective or the ocarina or its just me. Thanks for the reply

https://www.amazon.ca/Night-Noble-Plastic-Ocarina-Black/dp/B008WYNVAW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1492671434&sr=8-7&keywords=ocarina

This Night Ocarina is universally regarded as one of the best starter Ocarinas. Easy to play, durable, and has very good sound.

This picture shows the complete range of a standard 12 hole ocarina:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/28/4e/9f/284e9f297206f84309296b20fa56273a.jpg

If you want higher you will need a Double or triple ocarina, which adds additional chambers and mouthpieces to increase the range

Well i must have the Ocarina of Time because i absolutely love The Legend Of Zelda. That or the PSP
I made my username Black-Rabbit because i like rabbits and it's like the opossite of Alice in Wonderlan's White Rabbit, so mine is calm and in no hurry. like me.

Please don't buy that. It's a knock off that doesn't play in tune at all. If you want a Zelda replica, buy one from STL, Songbird, Spencer, or Tenrai. If you want a good sounding ocarina and don't mind it not being Zelda-themed, then the Night by Noble is a really good plastic ocarina. They can be bought on Amazon and eBay. Songbird, STL, and Focalink also offer good quality ceramic ocarinas.

Yay, Red! Artsy extraordinaire! Happy early birthday!

Baby, the Water Temple isn't the only thing that's hard right now. ;D

And this is a pretty cool Hylian Shield ocarina!

Link has twinkle toes!

Category List:

1. Cake or birthday related (It is my cake day after all)
   
   
2. Simon Pegg
   
   
3. A book you are eager to read
   
   
4. Eating Utensils
   
   
5. Animal
   
   
6. Purple~NSFW
   
   
7. A game
   
   
8. A guilty pleasure
   
   
9. A Tool
   
   
10. Something from your childhood
    
    
11. An organizational item
    
    
12. Hobby
    
    
13. Nerdy/ Geeky
    
    
14. Something Natural
    
    
15. Green
    
    
16. Something you wear
    
    
17. Funny
    
    
18. Beads, Bees or Beans
    
    
19. Gardening
    
    
20. Your absolute favorite item on your wish list no matter the price.
    
    Bonus
    
    This contest was soooo fun. Happy cake day!

Since his favorite is MM, You can either get him a majoras mask replica (you can find a Lot of them on etsy and some are really good like [This] (https://www.etsy.com/listing/185904814/majoras-mask-replica-set?ref=pr_shop))

or get him an ocarina, I personally have [This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007W33TI8?cache=75bb8bfe1499899df91702c426f3f6d5&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1409648485&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1) one, and it is really good.

Or get him the Hyrule Historia book if he doesn't have one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MJLZIDW/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_track_package_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 it's this ocarina, it was reccomended to me by a friend, but idk if it's any good lol. And also it doesnt get quiet when I play what's supposed to be c, but when I bend it down it does

Oh thank you so much for taking the time to answer! I've made my choice, to be honest I think I just want it to fool around and try to learn mainly the Zelda songs, so based on many reviews including yours, I think the best one for me would be This one, What do you think? :)

It did feel heavy handed, at first, but I get it man. That’s why I responded in a dickish way, at first, so I apologize for that. Here is the amazon link if you want to get that ocarina. Even if you don’t want to learn to play it, it’s just kind of a neat memorabilia thing to have. Ocarina of time is probably my favorite game of all time :)Ocarina Link

I believe that one is: http://www.amazon.com/12-Hole-Ocarina-Legend-Zelda/dp/B0018GR9VI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323134136&sr=8-1.

It looks really nice, but I'm not sure if I could shell out 85 dollars on an ocarina. I'm pretty satisfied playing them on my flute though.

I loved this Valentine and gave it this year. ;P

I also found this one and it made me smirk. "I think I need a Parlyz Heal, 'cause you're stunning."

I have always wanted to learn to play the ocarina! Link has twinkle toes!

Thanks for the contest!

Edit: Oops! Forgot the link!

I wouldn't really recommend starting out with a soprano C anyway, unless you were desperate to spend less money. Here is the alto version from Amazon. I'm not sure if that will help you out.

Osawa Alto C ocarina

With a little looking you could find the soprano one on Amazon as well.

Amazon also has the Night by Noble

Night by Noble

You can also buy the Focalink/Stein ocarinas from Songbird Ocarina if that will help with shipping.

The single chamber plastic ocarinas from STL Ocarina are also some of the cheapest decent twelve hole ocarinas you can get.

I don't know how shipping from these various US ocarina stores will work out for you.

Are you wearing the Pegasus Boots? Because you've been running though my mind all day. Link has twinkle toes giggle I think this Is super awesome.

I'm not sure how far out you're willing to go, but I'd bet she'd love the bundle:

http://www.gamestop.com/wii-u/consoles/the-legend-of-zelda-wind-waker-hd-wii-u-limited-edition-bundle/111373

[EDIT: More ideas]

Does she play a musical instrument? How about an ocarina with a Zelda music booklet?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018GR9VI/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

Also found a few neat results for "navi necklace zelda" on Google images.

I noticed on a few of the amazon ocarinas there's a guy that's posted mini-review videos in the comment sections. He really liked the Noble.. I'm just iffy about spending $30 on a piece of plastic (or 25 on the bravura). Did you look at the noble one too?

I've purchased two, one is a plastic Night by Noble:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008WYNVAW/

which is the one I'd recommend over the other, a clay one, some dragon-tooth shaped thing that sounds OK, not as good as the plastic one.

If I had to buy another, I'd go with clay, though. The plastic one collects moisture faster, requires draining much faster.

The ocarina. I recommend the Night by Noble plastic and my wife's ocarina method book.

Together they come in for about $50.

EDIT: oh yeah there's also /r/ocarina

Cajon (percussion)

Melodica

Ocarina

Kalimba

Beginner violin

Tin Whistle

Recorder

A lot of these may seem simple to play (or not "real" instruments), but proficiency in even these type of instruments is good. And as someone has already said, buying used opens up more possibilities.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0148EQYA8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best purchase i made on amazon

"Joy of Wood Thrush" by Awef has 4.5 stars at Amazon. It's a quality Alto C ceramic for $19.95 currently. See https://www.amazon.com/Thrush-Ceramic-Ocarina-Exquisite-Craft/dp/B071XHJXZF/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=12+hole+ocarina&qid=1574060750&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-7

You can buy very nice ones on Amazon for less than 20$. Ceramic and everything. There's like a bunch of different versions and makers and they all come with song books

Here's a Link (wink wink) to purchase one :)

Courtesy of reverendwaynard.

I have a 12 hole, it is amazing. I've been working on the Clocktown theme.
[Pic] (http://imgur.com/CoHgu) I got it off Amazon for $85. here is the link [Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Hole-Ocarina-From-Legend-Zelda/dp/B0018GR9VI)

I got the "Forest Whisper" 12 Hole Ocarina Classic Strawfire Masterpiece Collectible https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MJLZIDW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yDqSCb87JFB14

Imladris! This is so generous of you! Thanks for the contest! Here's some Zelda ocarina/sheet music!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004D0S690/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_r9yqub0WMPGP0

I bought it a year ago, and it's a beautiful instrument.

So my word was time.

This was the result, but just one above it was this which would have been so much cooler =P

Try this.

It's a cheap ocarina that sounds decent, is easy enough to learn because the included instruction book includes finger positions, and A simple internet search can find new songs

Is this it? It's the only one that I can find like it on Amazon.

12 Hole Plastic Tenor Ocarina with Zelda Songbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006KSM7ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3mBtzbFE23KZT

Link has twinkle toes

I'd better buy a bigger bag, because you are the BOMB!

Edit: Forgot the Zelda item. Oops. An Ocarina

I must say that Night by Noble seems to be very interesting. I am reading about it and can only find positive comments. I will calm down before moving to more advanced stuff :p

Is there any site (except Amazon) where I can purchase it?

PS.: I am excluding Amazon because we have a weird tax policy here in Brazil. Taxes are huge but products below $100 are not taxed. Amazon always consider an importing fee even if the price is below $100.

For example, this ocarina:

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Noble-Plastic-Ocarina-Black/dp/B008WYNVAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495573040&sr=8-1&keywords=night+noble

Will cost for me $81.60 => 33.50+ 8.32(ship) + 39.72(estimated import fee)

Such a pain!

http://www.amazon.com/12-Hole-Ocarina-Legend-Zelda/dp/tags-on-product/B0018GR9VI

I know its expensive but i am sure you could find one cheaper if you looked

It is also possible to get a Zelda songbook for the ocarina.

That's a different ocarina. This is the one I bought, and it got good reviews.

Well, that was easy.

And the bonus picture of me and Herman.

Obligatory amazon link.

If anyone has the sudden urge to buy an Ocarina here is a link to the Amazon page.

SUATMM

Fully working Ocarina is my vote!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Zelda-Link-Cosplay-Green/dp/B002UQM0PA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1382152782&sr=8-6&keywords=zelda

http://www.amazon.com/Global-Holdings-Zelda-Plush-Link/dp/B005OEDZI6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1382152814&sr=8-16&keywords=zelda

http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Zelda-Tenor-Ocarina-Songbook/dp/B006KSM7ZM/ref=sr_1_42?ie=UTF8&qid=1382152848&sr=8-42&keywords=zelda

left you some money for a link between worlds

en el foro de ocarinas me recomiendan esta https://www.amazon.es/Night-Noble-AC-Ocarina-pl%C3%A1stico/dp/B008WYNVAW, pero es de plastico :c

Have you tried amazon ? They have quite a few selections with different shapes and made of different materials. Most seem to be alto but there were a few tenor.

OcarinaWind ocarinas are extremely inconsistent as far as quality; some are virtually unplayable. Get this one instead; you won't regret it.

A ceramic ocarina of this quality would probably cost you upwards of 80-100 USD. You won't find better value for money, I've paid a lot more for worse sounding instruments---Like STL's Water Ocarina; beautiful instrument but mediocre low and high notes and awkward to cover holes