Subject: wood or stone? Date: Fri, Feb 4, 2000, 1:20 am
>Hello, I'm going to purchase an ocarina, but need to know, which type is most ancient, wooden or ceramic? I understand from the website that ceramic is 12,000 years old, but it seems like they would have made a wooden one first. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Alan R.
Ui.
Its possible that gourds or nuts could have established the principle of the globular flute prior to them being made of clay.More recent history [since 7,000 years ago]they were made of clay in China.It is certain that the principle of the blok-flut was understood in medieval times although no wooden ones survive from that period and are unknown to have existed.The rest is on our History pages
From: James & Laura
> Hi! I've recently purchased an ocarina from our local trade aid.
>However, it has 6 holes on top instead of 4 like the ones on your web
>site. Also, it only sounds anywhere near decent when I cover all the
>holes. The sound is either very weak, or its squeaky. My ocarina ( if
>that is what it is!) is made of clay. Could you please give me some advice
>as to how to play my instrument better? Thank you very much,
>Yours, Laura McLauchlan
Hi,
Sorry
in all probability your ocarina is not pitched and has random (modal) tuning with no resemblance to our scientific Western modality
- additionally such usually have roughly hacked out oversize fipples (wind channel,window,blowing edge and wind table)-you likely have one of the 99.9% of ocarinas made as trade goods and souvenirs which are often sold as real musical instruments.
Usually their tone-holes are not arranged for comfortable playing but to look good in the designs-which are [frequently] beautifully and distinctively painted in abstract forms in the trade-mark style of a particular area or village.
Peruvian recording groups such as YAWAR INKA however often use ocarinas of similar limited compass in groups for short accompanying passages or, (in other SAm village groups)for extended pieces with ostinato (attractive to this western ear) which can only be described as 'free-form wailing'.
These ocarinas are never used as a solo or melody voice as we know it.
The indigenous culture having been trampled on, the locals have a massive and lengthy struggle to recoup their ancient glories.
We offer free ocarina-making tuition to continental american descendants of pre-Columbian peoples to assist this process.
There is a quantity of information on our Legend, History and ocarina Links pages (Native American) and some ocarina featuring CDs are on offer at sites linked to ours.
If you want tips on selecting an ocarina,the ideal blowing technique is
described on our 'Easy' (playing) page.
There are many different 6-hole systems and you omitted to say what range,key etcetera yours is.
6-holes is also the normal octave pattern of SA ocs. If you have found some well tuned examples they are to be treasured.
As far as the tablature goes,try "Isoka". On my links maybe another maker has published some playing patterns for the tuning style you have.
The pan-pipes are also blok-fluts and are the same principle as the okarina.Our ocarina "Legend" is just an entertainment,though meant to be thought-provoking. Hope this is helpful