What is an Ocarina?
The ocarina is a simple whistle-type wind instrument, dating back thousands of years in many cultures around the world. The term “ocarina” is believed to have originated in Italy where the ocarina became popular as a folk instrument. Since it has no moving parts and has very simple fingerings, it is an instrument well suited to beginners. Practiced musicians, too, will enjoy the ocarina for its portability and earthy sound. Small ocarinas produce a high, bright sound; larger ones produce rich, quiet, mellow tones. What does an ocarina sound like? The range of notes produced depends upon the size of the instrument. For a sound file showing what a smaller ocarina sounds like, click here. How did I get started making ocarinas? Although I have been an artist for quite some time, it wasn’t until 1995 that I began taking more of an interest in clay as a sculptural medium, experimenting with the potential of adding clay to enhance the direction of my body of work. One of the unexpected result
