Ocarinas for beginners:
What age do you recommend children start to play the ocarina?
My ocarina has a different number of holes; how do I play it?
How does the ocarina compare with the recorder?

Ocarinas for schools:
Are all ocarinas suitable for school use?
Should I choose 4-hole or 6-hole ocarinas for my school?
Should I sterilise class sets of ocarinas?

Ocarinas for group playing:
Can all instruments play from the ‘Play your ocarina’ books?
May I photocopy the music books for use within my group?
Where can I hear ocarina groups?

Ocarinas for advanced players:
How many notes can you play on a Duet ocarina?
How is the Duet ocarina made?
Can two Duet ocarina players play quartets?

Our ocarinas:
Are ceramic ocarinas breakable?
Which sounds better, the plastic or the ceramic ocarina?
How soon can I play a 6-hole ocarina?

Music books and CDs:
Can I play beyond Book 1 on my 4-hole OC?
Can D and G ocarinas play together?
How will my children learn to read music?

Ocarinas for beginners:

What age do you recommend children start to play the ocarina?

Some children start to play the ocarina as young as 3 or 4. The age depends on the reading-readiness of the child. A 10 year old beginner ocarina-player will of course be able to progress further sooner. You can start to play the ocarina at any age.

My ocarina has a different number of holes; how do I play it?

If your ocarina has more than 4 holes on the top, or if the holes are all the same size, then you will not be able to use our books to play. All our ocarinas are precision-designed and tuned to play a full octave of notes following the methods shown in our books. Other ocarinas are not tuned in the same way and are sometimes not tuned at all. Where there is no method, just blow and hope!!

How does the ocarina compare with the recorder?

The ocarina plays at the same pitch as the descant recorder and sounds well alongside recorders in groups. Ocarinas are much easier instruments to play, with fewer holes and a more immediate range of notes. Reading from oc-pix™ and oc-box™ music, and handling just four holes, make the ocarina a more accessible instrument for any beginner. Its round shape means that it tends not to squeak, even if played badly, reducing the suffering of player, parents and audience in the early stages!

back to top

"Thank you for making music so accessible to all"
Infant School Head, Hampshire

Ocarinas for schools:

Are all ocarinas suitable for school use?

No. There are many cheaply imported ‘ethnic’ ocarinas that cannot be played safely or even in tune. All our ocarinas have been tested and certified as safe and our teaching resources guarantee their effectiveness in the classroom.

Should I choose 4-hole or 6-hole ocarinas for my school?

Most primary-age children prefer the simplicity of the 4-hole OC. The first 40 tunes in our books are just played on the top four holes. If your children are older, are very musical, or want to progress to Book 3 and Book 4, then thumb-holes are useful for the extra notes.

Should I sterilise class sets of ocarinas?

Ideally children should have their own ocarina for lessons. If the same ocarina is played by different children, sterilise it using Milton or any other type of sterilising liquid suitable for cleaning babies feeding bottles. Keep the string clear of the solution and make sure the ocarina is thoroughly dried.

back to top

"I can read very little music and didn't play anything until I was 35 . . . I am amazed I can teach ocarina-playing."
Primary Headteacher, West Yorkshire

Ocarinas for group playing:

Can all instruments play from the ‘Play your ocarina’ books?

Yes they can! Ocarina music is suitable for any instrument to play solo. D ocarinas can play together with any C instruments (flutes, violins, etc.) from the pages of each book. Clarinets, trumpets and other transposing instruments, including G ocarinas, can follow the written notes and charts and will need transposed parts to play with the rest of the group.

May I photocopy the music books for use within my group?

No! The books are copyright and contain copyright material. Each time you buy a book, we pay a royalty on your behalf to the songwriters. Sales of our books also fund new publishing so you will have even more music to play in the future. Your group will benefit from using original materials rather than loose sheets. Please keep legal by taking advantage of bulk buy prices and free delivery to fully equip your group with music books.

Where can I hear ocarina groups?

To hear a virtuoso group, listen to Michael Copley and the Chuckerbutty Ocarina Quartet on their CD 'The ocarina is No Trombone'. ‘The Sweet Potato Tooters’ CD is also great fun. See the Oc Shop (‘History and Kits’ section) for details.

back to top

Ocarinas for advanced players:

How many notes can you play on a Duet ocarina?

Twenty two! 11 on the left and the same 11 repeated on the right. Each set of 4-holes are positioned three on the top, and one underneath. This means that the full octave of notes, including semitones, can be played using only one hand.

How is the Duet ocarina made?

With huge amounts of time, patience and skill! John Langley positions a wall down the centre of the single-chambered instrument to create two separate ocarinas. Each side is fine-tuned to itself and its partner.

Can two Duet ocarina players play quartets?

Yes. It is best to choose two Duets an octave apart so the four sounds are varied in pitch – Soprano and Tenor (G) or Alto and Bass (C). We have yet to hear of an octet for four!

back to top

Our ocarinas:

Are ceramic ocarinas breakable?

Drop any musical instrument from a height and it will be damaged! These ocarinas are made and glazed to last. Wear your ocarina round your neck when playing and store it safely in its box at other times so that it will last for years.

Which sounds better, the plastic or the ceramic ocarina?

The plastic OC has a great sound for beginners. Older children and adults prefer the more mellow tone and sophisticated feel of the ceramic Alto. Both are great instruments and even the Card-oc produces a terrific sound!

How soon can I play a 6-hole ocarina?

Many players start with the 6-hole ocarina and just keep thumb-holes covered for their first 30 tunes in Books 1 and 2. We recommend 4-hole ocarinas for younger children and for class music lessons, where thumb-holes are not needed.

back to top

"Emma was given the chance to have flute lessons at secondary school and is enchanted with the instrument. I blame it all on having an ocarina early on! She still plays her ocarina, especially to try out unfamiliar music.”
Mum, Northamptonshire

Music books and CDs:

Can I play beyond Book 1 on my 4-hole OC?

Yes! Most of the tunes in the other books are completely ‘4-hole friendly’. Where the occasional 6-hole note appears, an alternative ‘4-hole’ fingering is usually given. The best method is to play each note as published, using a 6-hole ocarina when necessary, but don’t let that stop you from having a go at everything on your 4-hole OC.

Can D and G ocarinas play together?

Play all D ocarinas together or all G ocarinas together at the beginning. Ocarina charts are suitable for both D and G ocarinas to play in their own groups. Since many tunes are in the key of G, it is quite easy and great fun to play them on D ocarinas and harmonise by ear on the G instruments.

How will my children learn to read music?

Many children play all the tunes in our books by following the charts and go on to read music easily. This is because reading the charts gives them confidence and the music above the charts becomes a familiar friend. Teaching the reading of music at too early a stage can discourage children. Let them play 30 or 40 tunes following charts and they will soon be keen and able to read music as well.

back to top

“I’ve just seen 5 year old non-readers playing ‘Twinkle twinkle’ from your books and am amazed. You should add to your selling points that ocarina-playing promotes reading-readiness."
Early Years Advisor, Hampshire