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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 8, 2015 23:09:39 GMT -5
Oh I should have mentioned that I know about the acute bend (read about it on the SB site), and I do it and while it works for the higher notes, those 2 notes still come out quite airy. All the higher notes above it are fine though (there's a slight very slight airyness but I think I'm just too sensitive and it doesn't bother me as much). And cheers for the advice on the sub-holes, I've never played an Oc with sub-holes so I'm new at at and didn't know that  It's hard to explain it in words, but this DT just doesn't sound smooth, crisp or clean. It sounds like it's got something blocking the airflow, I can feel the air just doesn't run through all of it like it should on any other Oc. The Spearhead one works beautifully, it's quickly become my favourite just for the sharpness and quality of the notes. With that one, I can definitely feel the amazing quality that everyone has been talking about when it comes to SB; it just feels amazing. I presumed that the DT would have that kind of a feel but it feels blocked up somehow, I don't know if that makes sense... I've noticed a lot of similar-ish comments, in that the ocarina requires practice but that the higher range notes sound a bit airy anyway. Hopefully it will get better the more I practice but the airy sound on those 2 notes really irks me. And yeah I'm going to send them an email about the chain and Star Key too. I've noticed they're a love-hate instrument, either you love it or hate it. I personally love the high pitch sounds it makes, it's just that this one note does that weird trilling sound. That, and another certain note then only plays in one chamber, with the other chamber being completely blocked off despite blowing in both (this is the same chamber where the trilling sound comes from). But I can definitely see why some people wouldn't like the sound of it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2015 10:33:10 GMT -5
Try a pipe-cleaner down the airway of the DT. There could be something blocking it but other than that, it's meant to be a more warm/softer tone ocarina. If you wanted crispness you should go with one of these. www.songbirdocarina.com/collections/transverse-style-ocarinas Even their plastic models are quite something. The reason you love the spearhead so much (and I did say this before) is because many of the ocarinas that Songbird carries are imported from a company called "Focalink/Stein" That Spearhead is made by them as are these 12 hole models. I have both a "Sonoro" and Allegro" models but for a beginner, I would recommend the Allegro for bright, crisp notes. |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 10, 2015 1:48:38 GMT -5
Yeah the SB website said to use a toothpick to clean the mouthpiece- after doing that, the airflow has improved quite a bit. So I'm going to get myself a pipe cleaner and have a go with that at a later stage and hopefully that will help even more, seems there was something in there. That and I've been practising more on it and I've noticed (having quite small hands) that my left pinky only just covers the hole and that certain movements will cause air to be leaked from it so I'm going to try playing with gloves on, hopefully that will help with that. And yeah, the rest is just practice I presume, my friend was telling me it took him nearly 2 weeks to get used to a new flute when he upgraded his so it's going to be a natural progression. I think I was a bit harsh with my initial reaction, now with the mouthpiece cleaned and noticing the pinky hole thing, it is a good sounding instrument in its own right. I do love how loud it is without going out of tune to reach such a volume, but that also requires more breath which I'm still getting used to XD So I sent them an email about the Star Key and apparently that trilling noise is normal, and is the result of the high pitch combined with dissonance from playing D & D# at the same time. That said, I reeeeally do wish they included more instruction and details on how to use this ocarina correctly- they don't even give you a notes chart, only directions for the Major Scale and Parallel Fifths. That and they also included one song, Zelda's Lullaby, which is actually missing the last part that's featured in the sound sample- I wish they included more songs for this but I also recognise that they don't really see this as a musical instrument, I just think it would get a lot more people on board with this ocarina. And it's also very hard to play, wow. When they say it's not for beginners they mean it, but even professionals would struggle I think. After much practice, only now I'm starting to recognise how Durian got to make the sounds he did in the sound sample, because if you play the song as it is when first starting, it sounds NOTHING like the sample (something I read someone else commented). There's an embouchure technique I'm still working on to get air to blow through just one chamber to get this really beautiful note he does in the sample. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't... I'm also yet to work out how he makes the whistling effect on it too. I just so wish they included more songs with this ocarina, because when used properly it can sound really beautiful as an instrument, and I feel like there's a lot of untapped potential for it. And yeah, I'm going to check out more Focalink/Stein ocarinas because I just adore the Spearhead but get frustrated at the lack of note range And I'm more of a fan of lower notes rather than soprano stuff. And yeah I know you've mentioned them before, I'm pretty sure I have a direct link to their site in my favourites somewhere. I've also started eyeing some of STLs range, in particular the 12 hole Elf ocarina o___o You started all this AM, I blame you for my excessive spending haha! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 10:39:44 GMT -5
I'm sorry.  I should've warned you, Ocarinas are like Goats and chips: You can't stop at just one.  But remember to play within your limit.... wait..... 0.0 I'm glad you're giving the DT a 2nd chance. Good luck with the star key. STL may SAY they have Tenor ocarina but that's just how they market their Altos. Their customer service has improved over the last while from what I hear but..... I would stick with Focalink. |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 11, 2015 22:47:03 GMT -5
I wish the Ocarina Network would approve my account already- are any of their admins still active at all??
And SB's customer service is fantastic, I've been talking to them about the Star Key in particular and they've given me a lot of advice on it. I'm thinking of posting my own review of the Star Key once I get more practice in (and get my account on TON activated).
Ohhh but STL's 12 hole Elf ocarina is just too beautiful T__T That said, Focalink have beautiful hand-painted ocarinas too.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2015 10:46:10 GMT -5
As near as I can tell, the Elf ocarina is the exact same in pitch and tone as a DT. Same for the Aria but I think the Aria can hit the highs better than a DT. Yes, there are active admins. Can you PM anybody on TON? If so, then PM a dude named Stephen Bobchin. He's the head Admin and will help you. [EDIT] Do you have FaceBook? if so, Look me up (Anna-Maria Goodwill) and I'll send you to one of the admins and they can help you.  Just leave me a PM |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 14, 2015 5:52:31 GMT -5
Hmm that's a shame, I really want to get the Elf ocarina but I really shouldn't if it plays like the DT; I saw they have a soprano one but it doesn't appear to have the same glazing or elf writing the alto/tenor one has. And I didn't realise I could still PM while validating, thanks! I've sent him a message, if that fails then I'll send you a message via Facebook  Edit: Nevermind I was right, you can't. You can get to the message screen and type everything up but when you click to send, it doesn't work T__T Sending you a message now! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2015 23:38:09 GMT -5
Just leave me a PM and I will give you the contact info you require. Since we both live in drastically different timezones, I will get to you as soon as I can on FB. Okay? |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 15, 2015 4:09:05 GMT -5
Just leave me a PM and I will give you the contact info you require. Since we both live in drastically different timezones, I will get to you as soon as I can on FB. Okay? Sounds good to me |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 16:40:44 GMT -5
Have you had any luck yet?
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 21, 2015 22:15:04 GMT -5
I got sidetracked with some other issues- just checked and looks like my account is active now Thanks for the help!! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 0:09:10 GMT -5
No problem! There's a contest running right now and I can vouch for you if they feel you're too new. What's your TON name? |
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Post by Bluesonic1 on Jul 23, 2015 0:36:11 GMT -5
Ooh I didn't know that, I might give it a shot just for the fun of it Same name as here, bluesonic1. Haven't gotten round to posting anything yet as I've been a bit busy with other stuff. Now that I've seen the topic for the video contest, I'm definitely going to enter... Not really to win, but because it's a brilliant idea to honour an amazing man who left us far too soon. |
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I should've warned you, Ocarinas are like Goats and chips: You can't stop at just one. 
But remember to play within your limit.... wait..... 0.0
Just leave me a PM
