Welcome to the Eidolove Ocarina tutorial! The Ocarina is one of the easiest musical instruments to learn in the world. You don't need complex musical training; just a few simple steps will allow you to play beautiful melodies in minutes.
This guide will provide you with all the basics needed to start playing with your Eidolove Ocarina.
I. 🌬️ Mastering Breath Control
The quality of the Ocarina's sound depends entirely on the strength of your breath. This is the most critical step in learning the Ocarina.
1.Relax and Blow Gently: The Ocarina is not a whistle! You should blow with a steady, gentle stream of air, like lightly cooling a hot bowl of soup. If you blow too hard, the sound will become sharp and squeaky (known as "Squeaking").
2.Pitch and Pressure: The lowest note (usually Low A on an Alto C Ocarina) requires the lightest air pressure when all holes are closed. As you lift fingers to play higher notes, you need to gradually increase the air pressure. This technique is known as "Breath Voicing".
The Core: A steady airflow is key to achieving a beautiful tone. Use Breath Voicing to control different pitches.
II. ✋ Correct Holding Technique
Correct holding is essential for ensuring stability and no air leakage during play. This guide uses the most common 12-Hole Transverse Ocarina as an example.
1.Hand Placement: Hold the Ocarina by "cradling" it with both hands. The left hand is on top, and the right hand is on the bottom.
2.Support Key: Keep the webs of your hands (the area between your thumb and index finger) pressed against the sides of the Ocarina for the main support.
3.Stabilizing Fingering: The two thumbs cover the two largest holes on the bottom of the Ocarina. The other eight fingers cover the eight holes on the top surface.
4.Crucial Tip: When lifting a finger, the other fingers must remain firmly and completely covering their respective holes to ensure no air leakage.
The Core: Firmly cradle the Ocarina with both hands; your thumbs are the main support for stability.
III. 🎼 Understanding the Fingering System
Most Eidolove Ocarinas use the standard "English Fingering" (or Sweet Potato System), which is an open-hole system, meaning:
- All Holes Covered: You play the lowest possible note (usually C4 or Low A on an Alto C Ocarina).
- Lift Fingers Sequentially: To play higher notes, you need to lift fingers one by one according to the specific fingering chart.
📚 Finding the Fingering Chart:
Your Eidolove Ocarina purchase usually includes a Fingering Chart. This chart clearly shows:
- Which fingers to lift corresponds to which note (e.g., C, D, E).
- How to use the sub-holes (usually controlled by the pinky or ring finger) to play sharps and flats (half-steps).
The Core: Always refer to the Fingering Chart while playing. Mastering the fingering is the foundation for playing tunes like Zelda.
IV. 🎉 Start Playing Your First Song
Once you've mastered steady breath and correct fingering, you can start playing simple melodies!
- Recommended Pieces: Start with simple nursery rhymes (like "Mary Had a Little Lamb") or the "Song of Time" from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, as their fingering is simple and the range is narrow.
- Pacing: Practice transitioning between single notes first, then move on to short phrases.
