The best first ocarina for most people is a 12-hole Alto C in durable plastic, such as the Night by Noble or the Focalink Osawa, both well under $50. Choose ceramic once you know you will keep playing, because it sounds warmer but cracks if dropped.
This guide replaces our older ocarina shopping articles.
Best beginner ocarinas
| Ocarina | Material | Type | Why it’s good |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night by Noble | Plastic | 12-hole Alto C (also Soprano C) | Cheap, durable, widely recommended first ocarina |
| Focalink Osawa 12H | ABS plastic | 12-hole Alto C | Flat right side helps cover holes; light and sturdy |
| STL plastic or Brio models | Plastic / ceramic | 12-hole | Good value from a well-known US seller |
| Songbird 12-hole Alto C | Ceramic | 12-hole Alto C | Smooth breath curve, warm sound |
| Focalink ceramic Alto C | Ceramic | 12-hole Alto C, A4–F6 | Consistent tuning, a long-term instrument |
Check current prices: Night by Noble, Focalink Osawa, ceramic Alto C ocarinas.
Why a 12-hole Alto C?
A 12-hole Alto C covers about 13 notes, typically A4 to F6, including sharps and flats. That is enough for most melodies, and almost all tabs and songbooks are written for it. Smaller 4- and 6-hole pendant ocarinas are fun and portable but have a narrower range. Alto C is also comfortable for most adult hands.
Plastic vs ceramic vs wooden
- Plastic: survives drops, unaffected by temperature, easy to clean. Best for beginners, kids and travel.
- Ceramic: the classic warm, round tone. Fragile, so keep it in a padded case.
- Wooden: handmade wooden ocarinas look beautiful, but sound and tuning vary between makers. Buy from a maker with demo recordings of the exact instrument.
Cheap plastic ocarinas that still sound good
A good cheap ocarina stays in tune when you play softly and loudly. Avoid unbranded sets with no tuning information. Brands that publish their range and tuning, like Noble and Focalink, are safer.
Buying ceramic online
- Look for the key (Alto C), range and number of holes in the listing.
- Check that the seller packs ceramic ocarinas in protective boxes.
- Read return terms in case it arrives cracked.
- Look for a demo video of the model to hear its tone.
Getting started
- Hold the ocarina with both hands, mouthpiece towards you, fingers covering the holes lightly with the pads, not the tips.
- Blow gently. Ocarinas need much less air than a recorder; high notes need slightly more.
- Learn the low notes first, then move up the scale one hole at a time.
- Use tablature: most beginner songbooks show filled and empty holes instead of notes.
Ocarinas became popular through the Legend of Zelda games, and game themes are a fun first goal.
Common questions
Are 6-hole ocarinas easier?
They have fewer holes but a smaller range and less common fingering systems. A 12-hole is more useful long-term.
Can kids play an ocarina?
Yes. A plastic Soprano C fits small hands, and plastic survives drops.
How do I clean it?
Wipe the outside, and let condensation dry by leaving it out after playing. Plastic models can be rinsed; never soak ceramic ones.
