Best Ocarinas In 2023 – Top 6 Picks

The ocarina is best known for its use in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. But, the instrument has actually been around for a very long time. Trace of this ancient instrument can first be found 12,000 years ago. Instruments that look similar to the ocarina can be found all over the world. Places with ocarinas include South America, Central America, and China.

With such a long and varied history, it makes sense that there are so many different styles and sizes of ocarina available today. You may be looking to learn more about this amazing little wind instrument. Or, you could want to play Zelda ocarina tabs. No matter the cause of your interest in ocarinas, you should read this article.

This article gives you all of the information you need to choose your next best ocarina. Plus, we give you the reviews of our picks for the top six products available today. So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading.

Here is the best information about our picks for the top six best ocarinas available in 2023.

Top 6 Best Ocarinas of 2023

1 Songbird 12 Hole Dragon Tooth Ocarina

Songbird is an instrument brand dedicated to the design, production, and selling of ocarinas. They have been around long before Zelda made the instrument popular. In fact, Songbird was first begun in 1989. This company is dedicated to providing the best ocarinas available anywhere. And, the owner has traveled around the world. So, he definitely knows what makes a great instrument.

Songbird’s 12 hold Dragon Tooth Ocarina is the best of the best. But, it is still a great instrument for beginners. It comes in the design of a dragon’s tooth and has a beautiful color scheme. The tone is wonderful. And, the range is over an octave in the alto range—A to F. Plus, your purchase of this instrument includes The Legend of the Dragon Tooth book. There are even many Zelda ocarina tabs for you to learn.

But, that’s not all . . .

The easy ocarina songs included with the Songbird 12 hole Dragon Tooth Ocarina comes with their own tabs and tutorial. Thus, beginners will not have a problem picking up the instrument. Also, the songs come from many diverse genres and styles.

2 Night By Noble Plastic Ocarina

Night and Noble are two separate manufacturers. Night is a Japanese company that produces ocarinas. And, Noble is a Korean manufacturer. Night by Noble is an ocarina that was produced by both Night and Noble. Thus, you have the Night by Noble Plastic Ocarina.

Also . . .

The Night by Noble Plastic Ocarina is made from plastic. That will be a turn-off for many people. However, the instrument still has a decent and mellow sound. Plus, it is extremely easy to play and is quite cheap. So, anyone in a school or on a budget will love this instrument.

3 Songbird Ocarina Of Time Replica Kokiri Edition

Another great product by Songbird is the Ocarina of Time Replica Kokiri Edition. Songbird has been producing quality ocarinas since 1989. Obviously, this is long before the popular Zelda game was released. Therefore, you know that the people at Songbird are in the industry because of their passion. Not because of a fad. That is how you make lasting, quality products.

And . . .

The Songbird Ocarina of Time Replica Kokiri Edition is as durable and easy to play as you might want. In this ocarina, Songbird weds their production of great instruments with the game that popularized the ocarina for the masses. This product is a replica of the ocarina shown in the game.

But, it also has a lot of other great features. There are only six holes on the Ocarina of Time Replica Kokiri Edition. Yet, it will still play the same number of ocarina notes as the 12 hole version. Therefore, you will be able to play 6 hole ocarina songs and 12 hole ocarina Zelda songs. The ocarina itself is in the key of C. And, it is extremely affordable.

4 Ocarinawind “Forest Whisper” 12 Hole Ocarina

OcarinaWind specializes in handmade and very high-quality. The manufacturer takes the time to pick out and sell only the best ocarinas of any bunch. OcarinaWind creates a number of different instruments, including 12 hold ocarinas, 6 holes ocarinas, wooden ocarinas, hand pans, and thumb pianos. Their wooden ocarinas especially are unusual and very special instruments.

Keep reading . . .

OcarinaWind’s “Forest Whisper” 12 hole ocarina is a ceramic instrument. It has an alto range of A to F. Plus, you can even play sharps and flats with this instrument. The size is great for a beginner and advanced ocarina player. But, it may be a little large for children.

Also, with your purchase of the “Forest Whisper” ocarina, you will receive the instrument, Chinese Jade neck strap, OcarinaWind songbook and finger chart, and an ocarina pouch. The songbook includes Zelda ocarina tabs. And, the pouch is padded to protect your instrument. Essentially, OcarinaWind gives you everything you need to get started playing the ocarina.

5 Ocarinawind 12 Hole White Ocarina

OcarinaWind is a such a great brand of unique ocarinas, that we have included another of their beautiful instruments on our list. The company specializes in ocarina production. And, they create 12 hole, 6 holes, and wooden instruments. Plus, you can find hand pans and thumb pianos for sale by the brand.

Plus . . .

OcarinaWind’s instruments do not look like the traditional ocarina. Yes, they have a classic shape. But, their design and color are made to stand out. Just take the 12 Hole White Ocarina for example. This instrument is made from white ice-crack ceramic. It will stand out in any room.

Also, the 12 Hole White Ocarina by OcarinaWind is not just for show. It has a beautiful tone and is easy to play. Beginners will love the included finger chart. And, Zelda fans will get a lot out of the twenty included songs and Zelda ocarina tabs.

6 Cheffort 12 Hole Ocarina

Our final pick for the six best ocarinas is Cheffort’s 12 Hole Ocarina. This manufacturer does not sell many products. In fact, two of their four are ocarinas. You will also find ergonomic crochet hooks and kitchen knives and peelers sets on their website. But, varied product offerings have not stopped Cheffort from creating a wonderful sounding and durable ocarina.

That’s not all . . .

Cheffort’s 12 Hole Ocarina is kiln fired. It is another alto sized instrument with an A to F range. The tone is clear. And, it is very responsive to your breath. Plus, this instrument comes with a songbook, finger chart, and strap. The strap helps you carry the Cheffort 12 Hole Ocarina around. Also, the songbook and finger chart is perfect for beginners. For an affordable and decent instrument, try the Cheffort 12 Hole Ocarina.

Best Ocarinas Buying Guide

If you are new to ocarinas, you may need a little more information before you find your next instrument. Below we’ve listed the top three considerations to take into account when you are shopping for an ocarina. Read on to find out more.

Material

Modern ocarinas come in three different material types: plastic, ceramic, and porcelain. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons.

No surprise, plastic ocarinas are the most affordable option for most people. Plastic ocarinas are great for beginners because they lower the bar of entry into ocarina playing. Plus, you can easily use them with easy ocarina songs. Just don’t expect plastic ocarinas to have a professional sounding tone. You may need to upgrade to another material for that.

The most common material for ocarinas is ceramic. Ceramic is made of heat hardened clay. Think of ceramic dishes or glasses. But, ceramic works great in ocarina construction because it vibrates very well. And, ceramic ocarinas are always handcrafted. This increases their visual as well as sonic appeal. If you plan on taking ocarina lessons, you want a ceramic instrument.

Finally, there are the porcelain ocarinas. Porcelain is the gold-standard ocarina material. This is the material professional players choose, i.e. the best ocarinas are made from this material. The sound of a porcelain ocarina will be clear and project very far. One thing to keep in mind, a porcelain ocarina will cost you a lot more.

Pitch Range

Pitch range essentially tells you what pitches you can play on the ocarina. Like many wind instruments, there is a finite number of pitches that any given ocarina can play. And, these pitches are directly related to how many holes the instrument has.

There are some 6 hole ocarina tabs available. However, 12 hole ocarina tabs are more common. In fact, most beginner players will want to stick with a twelve hole ocarina. The 12 hole ocarina finger chart is linear and easy to remember. Plus, there is a lot of 12 hole ocarina sheet music available.

Advanced players will want to purchase an instrument with a larger range. In this case, you will want to find a double or triple ocarina. These instruments will open up the number of pitches that you can play.

Size

The size of the ocarina also matters a lot for its overall playability and pitch. Ocarinas come in a family, just like many others. Like saxophones or viols, the members of the ocarina family are named based on their size. They also have the names of the vocal ranges. Thus, you will find soprano, alto, tenor, and bass ocarinas.

Depending on the size of the person using the ocarina, you may need a certain size instrument. Small ocarinas are better for small hands and vice versa. For this reason, the smaller ocarinas are generally better for children. Adults may want a larger instrument.

Additionally, the larger the ocarina, the deeper its pitch. So, size is also a personal decision. If you like a low tone, then you will want to choose a larger ocarina. But, keep in mind that the larger instruments will have larger holes. This can be a problem when trying to cover them correctly. You may need an ocarina tutorial.

Also see: Top 10 Best Clarinet Brands in 2023 & Buying Guide