October: Ocarina Awareness Month

[Slegengr]

This is not LEGO related at all, just something I find interesting. I thought I would share with this community, since it is October, which is ocarina awareness month: a month where people interested in ocarinas share their interest with others.

The ocarina is not a commonly known instrument, though that is gradually changing. Most people I have met that know what an ocarina is usually believe it originated from the Nintendo game "Legend of Zelda", but it is actually an instrument that, in some form, is as old as ancient civilizations.

Three years ago, I was introduced to the ocarina as a real instrument. I had heard it as a sound effect on an electronic keyboard, but had never known what the actual instrument was like. I started out by buying a cheap one that ended up being pretty decent quality for the price. While learning to play, I found a video on how to make ocarinas. They are simply glazed clay chambers. My first one made sound, which was enough encouragement to continue on. I ended up getting my own kiln and making a small hobby business out of ocarina making by selling them at a local farmer's market. This hobby, much unlike my LEGO hobby, has provided more return than I have invested (not counting my time playing and practicing the ocarina, which I do because I enjoy).

Here is what my ocarina (an alto C transverse) looks like:

It is played by covering and opening the holes with your fingers and thumbs while blowing down the neck or "fipple".

For more information, check out the Wikipedia article on ocarinas, which is quite accurate.

Since I have never recorded my playing sessions, I cannot show you myself what it sounds like, but I can point anyone interested in the direction of the ocarina player that I learned a lot from (due to tutorial videos) and was inspired by his expertise: David Erick Ramos or docjazz4 on youtube.

I have truly come to enjoy playing the ocarina, and, due to its simplicity, I highly recommend it for anyone interested in music. The basics are simple, but practice can lead to some amazing music from this little clay chamber.