Top 5 tips to play the ocarina LIKE A BOSS! (Eng. subtitles)

Introduction

This tutorial provides essential tips for playing the ocarina like a pro. Whether you are a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, these practical advice and techniques will help you improve your ocarina playing and unleash your musical potential.

Step 1: Master Your Breathing Technique

• Understand Breath Control: Good breath control is crucial for producing a clear sound.
• Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing:
  • Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your diaphragm to expand rather than your chest.
  • Exhale slowly and evenly while playing to maintain a consistent airflow.
• Experiment with Breath Pressure: Adjust the pressure of your breath to achieve different dynamics in your playing.

Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with Fingering Charts

• Find a Fingering Chart: Use a reliable source, such as StlOcarina, to locate fingering charts for your specific ocarina model.
• Practice Basic Fingerings:
  • Start with simple notes and gradually move to more complex scales.
  • Ensure you’re covering the holes completely for a clean sound.
• Memorize Fingerings: Work on memorizing the fingerings for common notes and songs to improve your fluency.

Step 3: Develop Your Ear for Music

• Listen to Ocarina Music: Immerse yourself in ocarina performances to understand different styles and techniques.
• Play Along with Recordings: Find tracks you enjoy and play along to improve your timing and pitch.
• Use a Tuner: Practice with a tuner to ensure you are hitting the correct notes and to develop your pitch recognition skills.

Step 4: Incorporate Vibrato and Expression

• Learn Vibrato Technique:
  • Use your breath control to create vibrato by subtly varying the air pressure while blowing into the ocarina.
  • Practice this technique slowly and gradually increase speed as you become comfortable.
• Add Dynamics: Experiment with loud and soft playing to convey emotion in your music.

Step 5: Practice Regularly and Set Goals

• Create a Practice Schedule: Dedicate specific times for practice each week to build consistency.
• Set Achievable Goals: Focus on specific skills or pieces of music to work towards during your practice sessions.
• Record Your Progress: Occasionally record yourself playing to track improvements and identify areas for further development.

Conclusion

By mastering your breathing technique, familiarizing yourself with fingering charts, developing your musical ear, incorporating vibrato, and practicing regularly, you will significantly improve your ocarina playing. Start applying these tips today and enjoy your musical journey with the ocarina!