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Post by Bluesonic1 on May 3, 2015 3:06:50 GMT -5
So do any of you play any musical instruments? If so, which one(s)? If not, what would you want to be able to play and why? I play the recorder, alto saxophone, ocarina and a bit of piano. Despite my affinity for woodwinds, I would love to learn to play the drums, or the timpani  |
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 15:20:44 GMT -5
I played Piano when I was a kid but as an adult, I play the Ocarina! WHOO! Out of curiosity Blue, what kind of ocarina(s) do you have? Pictures perhaps?  |
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SmaugTheGolden
Racer In Training
A great HERO makes a story interesting... But a great VILLAIN makes it a legend.
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Post by SmaugTheGolden on May 6, 2015 17:54:48 GMT -5
I play the Clarinet, I've just started learning the guitar and I know how to play the piano, even if I'm not that great at it.
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Post by Bluesonic1 on May 7, 2015 2:18:18 GMT -5
Yay woodwinds! I have 2 friends who play clarinets, the embouchure looks intense haha! Guitar is also a really cool instrument to learn~ @ AM: A 10 hole long bodied one (I have no idea if there's a technical term for the shape haha). I picked it when I stopped over in Chile, it's a handmade handpainted one.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2015 13:22:13 GMT -5
First off, the picture don't work, 2nd of all, I'm just a hair skeptical of the quality of your ocarina if you got it in Chile.
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Post by Bluesonic1 on May 8, 2015 5:21:35 GMT -5
Hmm weird, I can see it just fine o.o Try a hard refresh? (Ctrl + F5). Chile's not known for good ocarinas?  I wouldn't know, I don't have any other ocarina to compare it to either as I've long lost the teeny one (which wasn't very good anyway). For the most part it sounds ok, I'm just still adjusting my embouchure and getting used to the large range of notes I can play and how to play them (sharps and flats mostly). What are some points to look for in a good quality ocarina? |
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2015 10:02:58 GMT -5
Well, for 1: only buy from a reputable vendor and 2: you get what you pay for. *looks over your ocarina* Yeah, now I really suspicious. There's no differentiation between hole sizes. Is it at least tuned correctly? Here's what (and I don't mean to be rude) quality ocarinas look like. On the left, a traditional Italian "Sweet Potato" 13 hole made in Austria. *extremely high quality* On the Right a fine example of an english 6 hole Pendant made by an American maker. Please take note that almost all the holes are of different diameters so as to facilitate proper tuning.   Here are a few exceptional makers I can recommend. Songbird Ocarinas. (Los Angelas California) www.songbirdocarina.com/collections/transverse-style-ocarinas Some ocarinas Songbird carries are their own and some are imported from the maker below. Their own ocarinas are really great and at good prices. They're the guys who made that pendant up there.  Focalink (Tiwan) www.steinocarina.com/ If you'd rather buy directly from Focalink then here you go. One of the more outstanding makers for quality. Noble Ocarinas (Korea) nobleocarina.com/ On the Higher end of the quality and price range you have the immortal Noble Ocarina. Happy shopping. Hope I could help. |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on May 9, 2015 3:10:19 GMT -5
My photo doesn't show it well at all, and I hadn't really noticed myself but now that I look closer at mine, all the holes are actually different sizes o__0 Very slightly though- only noticeable if you're really looking at it. For example the hole at the end is much smaller, and on the bottom the left hole is bigger than the right one. Also, the last of the first 4 holes is bigger than the last of the second 4 holes... normal?? As far as I can tell by ear, it's in tune but the higher notes tend to go sharp (I find I need more air the higher up I go, is that weird??) but I think that's my embouchure again because if I play around I can get it sounding right but requires a bit of effort (not sure if that's normal). And yeah, not rude at all- I appreciate the information! Mine wasn't made as a high quality ocarina, more a folklore-ish one by a local artist It's just something to get me started I guess! It's the first time playing a transverse style as well as something that small with that much note variation haha! The more I practice, the better it's starting to sound so I think it was a good one to start on. Thanks sooooo much for linking me to those sites but omg I want to buy them all now!!! That one in the first picture looks STUNNING! I don't know why but that particular shape is just so attractive to me! The Dragontooth shaped ones are so beautiful too <3333 Do you have any links to note charts for 10 holed ones? Also, how can I work out what key my ocarina is (from videos I've heard I think it's an Alto C)? I didn't realise you could get them in different keys but it makes sense really |
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 0:10:03 GMT -5
1- Yes, the hole differentiation you describe is correct.... as near as I can tell. 2- What you describe is call a "rising breath" and yes, for some makers, it's normal. 3- The only difference between a 10 and a 12 hole is that you have 2 extra subholes. If you find 12 hole tablature, just excuse the 2 lowest notes. 4- Yeah, that particular Zelda Replica is no longer made. Not sure why but I made sure to grab a 2nd one to be on the safe side. 5- As far as finding the key your OC is in, I'm sure if you look around the internetz, you can find Online tuners that can help you. If you're looking for some beginners tutorials, I Highly recommend this fellow. www.youtube.com/user/docjazz4/videos I've been subscribed to him for years. |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on May 12, 2015 23:45:50 GMT -5
Ooh, I thought those 2 sub-holes could be used in combo with other finger patterns to create other notes, my bad 12 hole tablature is very easy to find haha! You're lucky to have gotten one of those Zelda replicas- that mix of gloss and matte blue is just stunning! I did not know there were online tuners- this makes things a whole lot better Thanks for pointing this out to me!! (Turns out I was right, mine's in Alto C but tuning isn't awfully good as you suspected.) And those tutorials will really come in handy <3 I've decided once I finish moving overseas, I'm definitely getting a Dragontooth OC from Songbird. They are just too beautiful not to, and knowing that it comes from a quality seller is even better <3333 |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 0:44:48 GMT -5
You can use the subs to achieve certain sharps and flats. If you have a dry mouth then the Dragon Tooth is good but I'll be fair and point out it's only major flaws. -Some people find the ergonomics a little uncomfortable. -Out of all the Ocarinas in my collection, the DT suffers the most/only condensation issues. Warming it for a few minuets helps. Once it cools, the condensation comes back and you need to blow out the airway. Just a warning. I can't speak for the quality of their newer DTs. Mine is one of their older "Numbered" Ocarinas that have their production number engraved on them. Kinda rare these days. The pros: -Well textured range with deep, resonant low notes. It's high notes require what's called "Acute Bend" but when done right are sweet and light. Can suffer a little airiness if played incorrectly. I'm pretty sure Docjazz covers that technique in one of his Tutorials. Here are some sound samples of my DT in action. Enjoy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIF6v48XZtcwww.youtube.com/watch?v=VPA_RbBMA5Ywww.youtube.com/watch?v=76xjqbEuhi0 |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on May 14, 2015 3:57:00 GMT -5
Thanks for highlighting the issues with me! Hmm that doesn't bode well as I'm very far from having a dry mouth, that said I'm well used to clearing/blowing out instruments as a result so I guess it won't be much different to my current situation. This current ocarina I have is clay yet it has condensation issues too... again though, I get condensation issues with every woodwind I've played so far It's annoying yeah but I can live with that. I am worried a bit about the shape but I have some confidence there too as I'm used to handling a lot of different shaped woodwinds. Definitely love the fact that it can hit lower notes That's the main reason I love the larger woodwinds- if it were up to me I would have originally played a Baritone Saxophone but I was very young when I first started and being very short, the Baritone's size didn't work too well with me .... And thanks for the video links, it sounds so beautiful!!!!! That's what I hope to sound like someday <3 And I didn't know you had a cockatiel too They really seem to enjoy the flutey sounds of ocarinas and recorders don't they? |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 12:30:45 GMT -5
I'm just glad I could help. And yeah, she can can get pretty irked if she hears me playing and I'm out of sight. I also do filming with my dog and my horse but sometimes things are too nippy for outdoor playing. Do you have a pet bird too? Hope things work out well in your future purchasing. Feel free to check out theocarinanetwork.com/index/ which is were I hand out too. Later! |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 8, 2015 7:55:45 GMT -5
Yup, have a cockatiel and a dog myself And thanks, you might see me on those forums later on down the track Edit: So I would have posted on the Ocarina Network but the email validation isn't working for me so until that gets sorted... I got my ocarinas and I'm not too impressed with the quality to be honest. The Dragontooth for some reason becomes extremely airy on A and B notes (and their subsequent flats); I have to blow really hard just to get them to sound somewhat normal, and this is more force required than the higher notes that follow it so it's not a rising breath thing. Also they forgot to send the chain for it.... I also ordered the Star Key and one of the notes does a strange trill on its own, completely out of my control- I presume there's something wrong inside with it? On the bright side, the Spearhead ocarina is fantastic and I have no problems with but yeah, quite sad about the other two. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2015 13:36:04 GMT -5
Okay, here's your help. In hindsight though, you should've waited for a DT. 1: Dragon tooth Ocs are for more advanced players. You need to use what's called the "acute bend" for the high notes. for the sub holes you do need to blow a little softer. That's just how it's designed. I use one, it works and I love it. 2: You Should send an email to Songbird (or phone them) about your purchase. They are always happy to help a customer in need. If they forgot the chain, they should send one. Have any other questions or think your Ocarina is defective, they should replace it. I've never had to do things like that because I love their quality but everyone else I've spoken to regards Songbird as having some of the best customer service around. 3: The star key is CRAP. You should return it for a refund. Everybody on the network who had tried it completely abhors it. Hope this was a help. I'd hate to see Songbird's rep tarnished because of my inadequate advice. |
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I wouldn't know, I don't have any other ocarina to compare it to either as I've long lost the teeny one (which wasn't very good anyway). For the most part it sounds ok, I'm just still adjusting my embouchure and getting used to the large range of notes I can play and how to play them (sharps and flats mostly). What are some points to look for in a good quality ocarina?
