Ocarinas: Transverse or Pendant?

12 holes? 6 holes? 10 holes? 4 holes? Choosing between the sweetpotato transverse ocarina and the pendant ocarina is one of the most common things people ask me when they want to buy their first ocarina. Here, I share my thoughts about these two main types of instruments - showing you the pros and cons of each option. Spoiler alert: I love both of them.
Ocarinas featured in this video:
Focalink 12 hole SC
Focalink 6 hole SC
STL baby dragon tooth SG
Kevin Wright 10 hole SG
Unknown plastic 6 hole AC
Aketa Prima 12 hole AC
Alcorn 4 hole Sopranissimo F
Langley 6 hole bass G
Kevin Wright 9 hole bass A
Letu 6 hole sopranino F

[@OcarinaOwl]

I love 6 hole ocarinas. I have several tutorials for them and play them a lot. I'm glad to hear you talk about them on this video! cheers

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Cheers! I'm happy to see more love for pendant ocs! They are really under appreciated. Thanks for tuning in!

[@meddlesomemusic]

Great video! So much info presented in a digestible manner. Beautiful playing as well. Now I have to go find myself a pendant ocarina

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it 😁 I'd be happy to hear you on an ocarina too!

[@CurstSaden]

I am getting ready to start learning how to play the ocarina. This was very helpful! Thank you for the insight! I think I will start with a transverse for the linear progression, but maybe I'll try a pendant later.

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Welcome to the awesome world of ocarinas!

[@vendeta_3007]

Thanks friend, I wanted to buy an ocarina to play in my free time and I couldn't decide which one, with this video you helped a lot, thanks.

[@edi9892]

From my n00b perspective: I purchased both types: Max range pendant and the Zelda Ocarina. I find the latter absolutely beautiful, but my suspicions were quickly confirmed: I can't play it! Despite the easy finger system it's harder in practise as I can't change grips fast without risking to drop the instrument, while the pendant Ocarina stays firmly in my hand and allows for much faster transitions. Also, I don't need my pinkies, which are utterly useless to me anyway, as I can't move them independently of their neighbouring finger!

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

It just takes practice! Once you get accustomed to properly balancing the instrument, it becomes second nature. That said, the max range pendant is a great instrument :D

[@sadsquishedcookie]

Heyyyy I love the way you talkkkk It makes me not bored even when you tell the history of them. tbh I'm more interested in ocarina because of you lol. You got a new subscriber right here! Keep up good works

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you very much! That means the world to me :D I'm glad you enjoyed he video!

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

:3 Nice! It was founded in Italy, where I have DNA from.

[@alexnunn9880]

Super informative video! Thank you!

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you! I'm glad the video could help!

[@PhaethonCrafts]

I started out on a transverse and have been playing for years and pendant ocarinas are still hard for me to memorize.

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thanks for tuning in! Pendants are definitely not as intuitive as transverse, they take some getting used to.

[@terrenceseidel3054]

Thanks for the good information! Makes alot of since!

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you very much for tuning in! I'm glad it could help!

[@kureyaseladra6754]

Hello!new subscriber here.love the way u play those musical instruments.soothing to the soul!keep it up!

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you! The words of encouragement are very inspiring. I'm happy you enjoy my content!

[@bettaasmr4423]

here i am with an 8 hole totally freestyling the notes because i dont have a fingerchart. absolutely loving it tho because i play by ear. and i love your video. so much info

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Play from the heart! I have another video on "Unusual Ocarinas", I have a couple of 7/8 hole ocs there that might be like yours/

[@bettaasmr4423]

@@ReybenKimWoodwinds i know! i've seen the video before. mine looks like your bird ocarina but a bit different :D

[@olivererickson6138]

It's super cool to hear someone talk history and how to do so many different things about something I can be passionate about learning so thank you. Also where can I get one of those super small necklace ocarinas??

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you! I'm glad you appreciate the video :) and I'm really happy about your interest in the history of the instrument! Before Donatti, forms of ocarina have already existed across various cultures. Some of them can be traced as far back as the neolithic period. Now that you mention it, maybe I should make a video about the extensive history of the ocarina. It really is an interesting topic!

[@olivererickson6138]

@@ReybenKimWoodwinds I would love be to see a video like that!! You also make it easy to understand in the way you explain things. Also where did you get the super small ocarina on your necklace?

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

@@olivererickson6138 the little necklace is made by Jolene Alcorn of Alcorn Ocarinas! :D she makes amazing little instruments :)

[@olivererickson6138]

@@ReybenKimWoodwinds thank you!!

[@ivanrowe2880]

Wise advice Thinking that also applies to Guitars and Ukulele , it just depends on mood and what the song calls out for. That settles it one of each😎 Can you play some American Rock on pendants? That would be AWESOME

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

The guitar/ukulele difference would also be a great analogy :D I do have some rock music on the ocarina. Definitely nothing stopping you from using a pendant for one! I have one alt-rock video on a pendant - Green Day's Wake me up when September ends. I should do more :)

[@catalinadgallagher50]

Wide knowledge keep it up friend God bless

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you for the encouragement! I like to share as much as I can

[@saintburnsy2468]

My friend, are you Filipino? I swear you look and sound just like one of my old Army buddies, and he was Filipino. I think he was from somewhere on Luzon but I can't remember where exactly

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Indeed I am! I am also from Luzon. A long lost relative perhaps? :D Thank you for tuning in

[@theunknown1545]

Where could I find one of those super small ocarinas like the one you are wearing? Also, thanks for the video, I am thinking of starting ocarina and now I know a little more about both the types.

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

The smallest one is made by Jolene Alcorn of Alcorn Ocarinas :D

[@theunknown1545]

@@ReybenKimWoodwinds Thank you! A little update on my ocarina situation: It’s a little difficult to get one as of now. Other than that, I know the types better now.

[@omtarotangelicallakshmi6503]

What brands are better? I ordered a strawberry 🍓 Ocarina and I also want to buy a twelve hole Ocarina but people say Amazon ones are not good? Is it really the brand that matters? New Subscriber! ⭐️🙏🏻

[@R1D9M8B4]

...... so yea... the 12 hole one.. is the one that ill going with.

[@MamissPink]

I really want to learn Ocarina, because it sound so good. But I don’t know where to buy one especially in Shoppe/Lazada because it might be off tune😭

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

I do have a video on the subject of buying ocs in the Philippines!

[@Darthjarjar277]

I love it love it love it!

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you!

[@Kojirakage]

Where did you buy that pendant. I want it

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thanks for tuning in! It is from Focalink ocarinas in Taiwan.

[@MeganWoolworth1]

Hi! I'm a new subscriber. Thank you for your videos. I'd love to see more videos about how to play pendant ocarinas. Where can I buy the wooden pendant ocarina featured at 7:21 that has the same range as a 12-hole ocarina? Also, what ocarina would you recommend starting a 5 yr old playing? Small fingers but very interested in music! Thank you!

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

Thank you for tuning in! That one is from Letu ocarinas in China. I am not sure where to get them directly though, but it was acquired by a good friend of mine from Tao Bao. It would be best to start on an Alto C ocarina. Noble ocarinas make 11 hole ocarinas that are especially designed for beginners. If they can't manage the finger holes just yet, they also make a version with buttons to help cover the holes.

[@amesachinin7227]

Where did u buy those pendant ocarina's with additional subholes or lip thingy pls??

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

The one with the long stem is from Focalink. By lip thing, you mean extended range, that is from Tenrai Ocarinas :D

[@rustyholt6619]

just make a happy noise

[@manansalanathan9671]

Where you buy the 12 holes po kuya?

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

I have a video on the subject :D Just search "Where to buy Ocarinas in the Philippines" on KZbin.

[@manu-iman]

saan po makakabili

[@otakisenpai8377]

Shopee 7elibin elibin

[@ReybenKimWoodwinds]

May video ako on the topic :D Look up "Where to buy ocarina in the Philippines" :)

[@alanmerilshaji8386]

Nyc❤️

[@ocarinaudu]

Subtitle in Spanish, please