Ocarina

An ocarina is a portable wind instrument in the vessel-flute family. It consists of a hollow body with a mouthpiece and finger holes. When a player blows into the mouthpiece, the air inside the cavity resonates to produce sound. Pitch is determined by the length of the vibrating air column, which is altered by covering and uncovering the finger holes; the instrument’s size, shape, and hole configuration also influence tone and range.

Ocarinas come in a variety of shapes and sizes, most commonly globular or teardrop-shaped. They are made from materials such as ceramic, porcelain, plastic, wood, or metal. Common variants include four-hole soprano ocarinas and larger multi-hole models with six to twelve holes, which can cover two or more octaves. The timbre ranges from bright and flute-like to mellow and rich, depending on construction.

Historically, the ocarina’s concept is shared with other ancient vessel flutes found in various cultures, including East Asia and the Americas. The modern ocarina, however, originated in Budrio, Italy, in the 1850s, developed by Giuseppe Donati. The name ocarina is Italian for “little goose,” a reference to the instrument’s shape. The design was later refined and spread internationally, becoming popular in folk music, music education, and contemporary performances. It also gained broader recognition in popular culture through its association with games and media, notably The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

In summary, the ocarina is a versatile, easy-to-transport wind instrument whose pitch and tone are shaped by air flow, hole configuration, and the instrument’s overall size and material.