Pottery: Ocarina Clay Whistle

[@Redsnake_beats]

thank you and much love from Russia ) I did one Ocarina with your help and it sounds great. Now i'm tuning it.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Yay!!! I'm so happy to hear that. :)

[@kylereric9711]

I guess I'm kinda randomly asking but do anyone know a good website to stream new movies online?

[@gagnradr]

Clay ocarinas are traditional in many countries, In Denmark they were mostly made by apprentices who sold them as toys as a supplementary income. they was mostly made in the shape as birds with the tail as mouthpiece. Of this reason they was called (directly translated) "chirp in ass birds".

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I love the literal translation!

[@Lina-gd8xf]

I havent attempted to make one yet but your video is very inspiring. Thank you for being authentic and allowing your passion to show. You are a gem.

[@lunasills8031]

Thank you for this tutorial! I've had trouble with making the airway on my ocarinas. And you gave very clear instruction!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I'm so glad it helped! Thanks for your note.

[@Markeryy157]

I died at the "that's what she said"

[@spcrunchloves6954]

Sp crunch & loves👌

[@johnhasbrook1898]

Thanks for the demonstration. You made it look doable, other videos make it look so complicated. Thanks again for sharing.

[@coreycoffell6219]

Thanks for the tutorial very insightful for flutes and whistles in general.

[@noyouwu]

I know this video is old so you might not see this comment, but this video is a lifesaver!! I had knee surgery so I couldn't go to school in person, and for ceramics we needed to make an ocarina. This video helped me since I couldn't learn in person :) thank you!!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I'm so happy to hear this helped! Thank you for taking the time to leave me a nice note. 😊 I hope your knee heals fully and quickly.

[@noyouwu]

@@EvolutionStoneware Thank you! :)

[@notme5654]

I'm feeling the spirit of the turtle in your video great job

[@susancagle5711]

Love this! Informative with a nice dry sense of humor!

[@CJDolanART]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Was not expecting the that's what she said joke though 🤣🤣🤣 fantastic

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Hahah! It just sort of happened - me being me.... 😬

[@mikkiragn4850]

FINALLY I made something that works, thanks to your video! Thank you! I found a lot of how-to's online, but none of them made much sense to me. However, I only managed to make holes for two tones. No matter where I placed any other holes, I kept getting the same tone as with one of the other holes.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Yay! I'm so glad this worked for you. :) Sometimes you can only get a few notes, but perhaps if you make a couple more ocarinas you'll get one that can handle more notes. I'm happy to hear you had success, though!

[@chythediamond7146]

Your whistle playing is beautiful

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Thank you! I'm just randomly improvising. these are really fun little instruments.

[@6bonjour]

Outstanding demo, thanks

[@kleinerwiesenknopf6330]

Thank you so much for sharing your skills! Made my first Ocarina according to this tutorial and love the sound. Best regards from Germany

[@spcrunchloves6954]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnOQY6CcfNh7hw

[@NaturallyNaomi]

your whistles are so so so beautiful. thank you for sharing your craft!

[@wesleyjaywade]

Sometimes more than a 45% angle will produce more sound.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Thank you so much for the tip Wes! That's really good to know. I'll have to try it next time I make one. :)

[@jerelmani]

awesome ocarina tutorial many thanks. I'm going to give it a go at my ceramics class

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I hope it goes well! 👍 The main thing is to take great care with the air hole. Once you make it sing, it's easier from there.

[@jerelmani]

@@EvolutionStoneware i like your motivation. Let it sing!

[@cheo1414]

HI there, I love that you made this video. I actually am doing a class at the library with some students. I wanted to share my technique with you as an artist to artist share. I love sharing knowledge to make things easier, im big on easy. Not that you have to change your ways, its just a suggestion. So for the whistle hole, I have used a popsicle stick to cut the hole. Just cut the tip of a popsicle stick at a 45 degree angle (use a very sharp knife, like a razor blade). Once its cut and smooth, you can line up the stick in the blowhole as you go to cut the whistle hole! You can also press the stick on top along the other stick in the hole as a guide to know where you will cut into the clay. As you cut in, you will hit the stick in the whistle hole and adjust the size to make the sound, plus the edge will be smooth from the stick hitting each other. 1/4 inch is usually a good start. but i like how you start small and work up to the sound. Hope this helps, again you dont have to even post this, just add it or use however you want. i dont want any credit. Like i said, just sharing the experience with Ocarinas. thanks again!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Thanks so much for the tips Jose! I'm no expert on making these, so your information is appreciated. Thank you!

[@sophiaelizabethwolf]

Do you perhaps have a video demonstration on how to do this?

[@marceladiaz7790]

Hermoso gracias x compartir ya lo pongo a la practica😊 tu nueva suscriptora abrazo desde punta alta provincia de buenos aires argentina

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Gracias! 😊

[@tammyandkiki]

I absolutely love it!!! Thank you for sharing ❣️

[@quintavieja4465]

Thank you!!!! This video really help me! I am going to try it 😍

[@tammyandkiki]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you for sharing ❣️

[@deletedkneecaps]

i just made the chamber with the hole and omg it works. im excited to tune it!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Yay! It's so exciting when it sings, isn't it?! 🙂

[@antarahibnshaddad7725]

I needed one of these to access the temple of time!

[@pamperedpch]

Excellent tutorial

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Aw, thank you! 😊

[@reneevanzijp4864]

Very nice, Janice! I'll try to make one and maybe get some more for presents. Thank you for sharing.

[@chiefman3d]

Wonderful video and great idea to make with the grand kids to drive their mothers mad! Love it. Thank you Janis!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Hah! The grand kids will love them, and hopefully the moms won't be too upset. :) It's better than a set of cymbals.

[@rajendravyas2752]

Really innovative

[@karatefox]

Excellent demonstration, thanks for sharing :D

[@malenawells1737]

treasonous helpful!! love the work

[@galinadobrochasova7808]

if you make a hole larger at the input than at the output, the sound will be much louder

[@EvolutionStoneware]

That's a great tip! Thank you. Much appreciated!

[@k.b.9702]

nice video, thanks for posting it!

[@mint2bee]

That's what she said🤭🤫 can't wait to make one!!

[@robertazimmerman9596]

Very educational and fascinating! Well explained. Thank you so much.

[@ludouglas1]

oh bahahahahahah i was so engrossed watching your video and then out of the blue came a saying my kids and I say so much - that's what she said - you cracked me up thanks heaps for the video and the fun. We love ours and the class is making them like machines! Lu in Australia

[@elizdonovan5650]

Thank you for uploading this video. 🌲🌝☘️

[@dundeedell1960]

Thanks, this is an awesome video

[@marielossalazar]

Te comento lo practicaré con mis estudiantes también, muy agradecida😉

[@DonaldBarnett2014]

Looks like I'm very late for this party. I've just become interested in making Ocarinas and chanced upon your video. It's nice to see someone experimenting rather than the usual making it work first go. Hopefully you have made many more by now and your designs are really nice looking. Hope you don't mind if I borrow your design for one of my own. Thank you for sharing.

[@macknickelson4866]

I'm definitely making one of these... I will find a way to mix it with high gain electric guitar.

[@nastytater557]

Great tuturial...I managed to block out all other sounds in the house by folding my ears in and having my ear buds crammed deep inside my ear cavaity....Now,If i can manage to get these ear buds out,I'm going outside to work on a Whistle.

[@doubleaye23]

That happened to u too?

[@Ma-br5vx]

nice

[@nataliafernandez9600]

Hola me parece fantástico. Tu video me ha ayudado un monton para mi proyecto gracias

[@bruce7595]

As usual, another great video Janice! At 18:33 the tool is called a reamer.

[@evrimunalbalck254]

thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, it is wonderful.

[@Elwingish]

Excellent video! Very helpful, thank you!

[@huarwe1196]

Great video I've been wondering what to make with the clay I've just dug. Does it need to be fired?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

It would work for some time without being fired, but the moisture of your breath when blowing into it will build up inside and cause issues most likely. It tends to build up at the edge of the sound hole. If that edge becomes dull, it will diminish the sound. But it'll work for a while for sure.

[@huarwe1196]

@@EvolutionStoneware that's what I felt would happen.. thanks again. ☺

[@jasongannon7676]

Must give this one a try tonight

[@gabrielvalladoancajima5646]

Thanks my friend

[@SReeves337]

Thanks for sharing and making me laugh as well. Very good and informative I will be giving this a try soon.

[@TheKokanut]

really cool !

[@johncopas9093]

If you had a popsicle stick that was pointed, would that eliminate the clay chunks inside? haven't tried this yet but look forward to giving it a shot!!! Thanks!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

it's possible that could help. it's worth a try. if you try it, please post back and let us know how it goes. :)

[@tracymazza5431]

Hi There- I love this video! I'm planning to try this tomorrow. I'm wondering about firing and glazing. I'm assuming you shouldn't glaze these as the hole sizes will change... but it'll shrink in the kiln too. Did you fire yours twice?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I hope you have a ton of fun making yours! I used cone 6 clay which I bisque fired, applied engobe to highlight texture, then fired to cone 6. I don't recommend glazing unless you keep it out of the holes and out of the interior. If you get very serious with them, you can experiment with your specific clay and firing techniques to determine how much the pitch changes with firing and then build that into your tuning of the wet clay.

[@ALFARERIAYMANUALIDADES]

Es justo lo que estaba buscando, voy a hacer una 😁😎

[@Hipponotapus]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

You're welcome! I hope it helps.

[@hambone6910]

Did you put some sort of glaze over the fired ones? How did you give the clay that darker colour?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I used black engobe on the pieces to make the textured parts darker. It gives a similar appearance to using a wash or underglazes in the texture. This clay is rated for cone 5, and I fired it just a bit hotter so it is very vitrified. I didn't use any glaze.

[@hambone6910]

Great, Thank you!

[@morelldawn]

Can you throw a pot instead of a pinch pot? They are really cool!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

sure!

[@jenniferlynne10]

SO COOL...~!!!! I made two today, but had issues with adding the holes...once they went in...I couldn't get it to whistle any more...maybe I distorted it or something...Dunno....but gonna keep trying because I WANT ONE ~!!! :) Thanks SO MUCh for this video..... UPDATE *** Fixed the issues...came out AWESOME!

[@Magyar_David]

How did you fix it?

[@julieshen99]

Jennife

[@brooks.8711]

How'd you fix the issue? I'm having the same trouble in 2022 😂

[@datguitar361]

Hi. Is there a way for me to share my ocarina music with you? This is the music I recorded at home just for fun but it sounds decent.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I would LOVE to hear your ocarina music! Maybe you could upload some to youtube, soundcloud, or google drive and email me a link at [e-mail].

[@gun3562]

hello- I really enjoyed this tutorial, thank you. Is this air dry clay, or do you fire them after this process? Also I only have access to air dry clay at the moment, do you think it would work out of that? Or can you not do much with air dry? Thanks again.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Hey, I'm so glad to hear you liked the tutorial. 🙂 I work with stoneware clay which I fire to about 2200°F in a kiln. Unfortunately I haven't worked with air dry clay, so I don't know how that will work. If it hardens to a point where moisture won't affect it later, I think it would work. The main watch out would be that when you blow into the ocarina to play it your breath carries moisture, so it needs to be able to hold up to that.

[@lunasills8031]

Air dry clay can work, but they tend to be lower quality ocarinas

[@katiec.wingsnthingsstudio3203]

What type of clay are you using? Perhaps I missed that somehow?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

It's a midrange stoneware clay. I fire to cone 6 (2232°F).

[@katiec.wingsnthingsstudio3203]

@@EvolutionStoneware thanks!

[@louybee]

I wish the audio was louder...I had a quite a bit of trouble hearing. But, that said; it was still a wonderful demo and I can't wait to try it out! You are a very good teacher, even without sound!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Sorry it's quiet on your end.

[@cupcake11945]

Will adding glaze affect the sound after its first firing?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

+Lady Amyson If you get glaze in any of the holes, it will affect the sound because it will change how much air can go through them. I would stick to glazing only the outside.

[@lizardas]

+EvolutionStoneware Does the kind of glaze you use on the outside matter? Also, how do you attach a string?

[@garyk112]

I think it would be cool to refine it a little more to make it look like a hedgehog. They are about 90% there anyway!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Cool idea! Hedgehogs are cute :)

[@parkerlawton7887]

This is life changing! Question..do you think these frequencies represent our 12 note octaves and/ or are licks that are normally played on another instrument be translated to play on one of these?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Yes, you can tune them to different scales. Either a major or minor pentatonic scale would be a great choice. It takes some patience & experimentation. In my flutes the pitch changes about a half step with the clay shrinkage from firing. I haven't measured the change in the ocarinas.

[@parkerlawton7887]

@@EvolutionStoneware Wow thanks so much!

[@datguitar361]

I have a quick question: I know that the ocarina normally has the air hole position beneath the instrument, but does it still make the sound if you have the air hole position on top? I think if it does work, it would be so much easier to mic the instrument when playing live. Please let me know, I'd really appreciate that.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Hey, that's a good question. I think it will work perfectly if you put the air hole on top. I see what you mean about being easier to mic. Should work just fine as long as the top is flat.

[@johnbouwens2024]

I'm on my way to the studio right now let you know how it turns out

[@rosana.aramiz]

Very neat and clear instructions, thank you very much! I would like the volume was higher because it is very hard to hear your voice.

[@lextersasha7738]

How many days before it dries?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Probably a few days for it to be completely dry.

[@lextersasha7738]

@@EvolutionStoneware thank you

[@iiisssssss2661]

Does it have to have the holes on the top? Or will it sill whistle without them? Awesome video by the way!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

It doesn't have to have holes on top if you don't want to play multiple notes.

[@carolraedy]

Thank you

[@colecabo]

thanks for sharing this :)

[@jennypainter5057]

very nice video! can you explain how to add hooks for hanging if i plan on firing to cone 06?

[@MD-rl4ku]

What kind of clay to buy? Does the Ocarina dry over time or do you use a blow dryer or how do you dry it?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I used stoneware clay which I allowed to dry naturally and then fired to 2232 F in a pottery kiln. If you want to make a durable ocarina you will need to use clay that can be fired in a kiln. I don't work with air dry clay or Femo type clay so I don't know how this would work with a clay that is not fired. If you try that let us know how it goes!

[@stevenallen943]

Do you have to put your ocarinas in a kilm

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Yes. I fire mine to 2232 degrees F (known in pottery as Cone 6).

[@megatron3869]

Awesome! Does the firing usually raise the pitch or does it stay the same?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

That's an excellent question. It doesn't seem to change it very much - not noticeable to the memory without a comparison. I meant to make a little audio recording of one when it was green and compare it to after it was fired up to cone 6, but I never did it. When the one from the video is high fired maybe I can compare it to how it sounded in the video when I was making it...

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Just posted a video clip with a comparison of how it sounded when it was wet to how it sounds after it was fired. It is very, very close.

[@joyceli7860]

I don't understand. i'm able to make the voicing well and make my ocarina sing but, for some reason, my ocarina stops singing the moment I make a hole. I was carful not to make it to big, in fact, the holes I made were tiny. I also make sure that there aren't any lingering debris in my ocarina but it just won't sing unless I cover the holes. Could someone please tell me why?

[@joyhutchison266]

Hey! This is a awesome tutorial! But no matter what I do, I can't get my ocarina to play any notes. I'm using Sculpey clay, but I don't think that's the problem. Can you help me?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

jhutch I'm sorry! That sounds frustrating. If the body of yours is a lot bigger or a lot smaller than the one I showed, that could cause a problem. So shoot for about the size I showed. other than that the issue is probably with your air hole. make sure it isn't too big and also make sure it isn't clogged up with a blob of clay inside the air hole or the inside edge of the mouthpiece hole. Good luck! Try at least 3 before you give up. I bet you'll get it.

[@joyhutchison266]

I'll try it again...how big was the body of yours?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

jhutch I don't have one to measure. My hands are average adult woman size for comparison.

[@joyhutchison266]

Oh okay. Thanks anyways!

[@tristan-rice]

hey, I used sculpey clay and mine worked so it is definitely not the type of clay that's the problem.

[@miguelrojas3644]

Hay que ponerlas al horno ?

[@datguitar361]

Thanks for the reply. It's still a wonder to me that no one have designed an ocarina with air hole on top, always on the underside, it's so hard to get a good sound with the mic for the current design, maybe you should built your first ocarina with the air hole on top and do a video of that. Sounds cool?

[@svazquez714]

Hello, what type of clay did you use? I've never used that one before

[@themysteriouszane]

svazquez714 that's earthenware clay, terra cotta :) like what's used for potted plants (its able to withstand more water than stoneware)

[@svazquez714]

I could tell that thank you but is it just 'terra cotta" or is it like MCR or MCRG, named differently?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

This is a mid-range stoneware clay that I fired to cone 6 (2232 F). You could use whatever clay you like, though. My specific clay is Highwater brand Earthen Red clay.

[@jasonglenn90]

EvolutionStoneware how does boneware selfhardening clay work for this?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

+Jason Glenn I've never tried it, but it ought to work.

[@marielossalazar]

Excelente gracias

[@EvolutionStoneware]

de nada :)

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Are they tuned? They don't sound tuned. You could probably tune them by widening some of the holes.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Paul TheSkeptic These aren't tuned, but you can tune them like you said.

[@silviarosamaurino6910]

Excelente te felicito no se ingles asi q no se q paso con el agujerito q tapastes pero me encanto el instrumento yo tengo uno q compre en una feria de artesanos en la casta de mi pais Argentina tiene 6 agujeritos pero no tiene la nota SI y no se como tocar los temas

[@ElizabethHensleyomegasseekerr]

What do you charge for ocarinas?

[@mc-crafter8016]

do we have to wait for the mold to dry before me put the mouth part on?

[@mc-crafter8016]

MC-Crafter we not me

[@EvolutionStoneware]

you don't have to. just be careful not to distort it while it's wet.

[@glennfamilygardens]

Can any type of clay be used for this? I have low fire white clay but no terra cotta.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

CC Bear Fun - yes ☺

[@morelldawn]

Can I use trowing a pot? And not pinch?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

yes!

[@therealfourthhorseman6839]

did the ancient incans also use popsicle sticks./

[@ScottMarshallRocks]

Excellent video. You're funny. Can't wait to make a few of these. Like the texture of the ones on the table. They look like some sort of nut. Have you tried glazing these? inside and/or out?

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I haven't glazed any of mine. If you glaze the inside, it will likely change the sound, and you'll need to be careful not to block the airway or the note holes. I would probably just brush glaze on the outside to be safe.

[@ravindecavalier2912]

Do you make your own clay? I tried making one of these today out of clay I made n it kept breaking and cracking 😭😭😭

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I use professionally prepared clay. The materials you use are definitely important. So sorry your clay was not suited to this. Perhaps it was too dry.

[@sariefbalak]

Nice

[@thanasis1502]

Hello,nice tutorial video.I would like to ask,what clay are u using?Polymeric,air dry or some other type?Also,is polymeric clay a reliable clay to make a functioning and most importantly,durable ocarina?I'm asking because i'm a newbie in clay making and polymeric is the most accessible at stores in my country.

[@PossumPityParty]

I believe she uses earthenware clay. I'm not a potter but that's what her clay is called. I sculpt polymer myself. It would work. But might have a different sound, as the resonance of the material would be different. Only note on that: polymer is not approved for putting in the mouth FYI. (Not for use with foods etc...) might not be an issue, but a precaution. Hope that helps. :)

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Repent Harlequin! I use stoneware clay because that's what I work with in general, and I haven't personally used any other type of clay for ocarinas. other people have reported success with using Sculpy Clay, so you should have tons of options.

[@ninjaflyerdoeseverything9117]

is there a way I can tune an ocarina without a tuner please anyone

[@karatefox]

I typically tune my ocarinas using a piano. Basically, I'll play a note on the piano and change the sizes of each hoe on the ocarina until they sound the same. Feel free to check out my latest ocarina video if you'd like to see how it works.

[@spcrunchloves6954]

Sp crunch & loves 👌

[@SpencerRaybourne]

hi what kind of clay are you using. it looks darker gray than mine.

[@EvolutionStoneware]

S. Raybourne This clay is called 'Earthen Red', and it's made by Highwater Clays.

[@louiseabeel5081]

Hi Janice, I do some pottery myself but wanted to make an ocarina and found your video. Super! Thank you. I also found your video on the handPan and am fascinated. Can I ask you how you became interested in them and who your purchased yours from. Thank you!

[@EvolutionStoneware]

Hi Louise, sorry for the long delay. It will be easier to talk in detail about handpans on email. if you want, drop me an email at [e-mail]

[@johnnywilliams931]

What kind of clay are u using

[@EvolutionStoneware]

His is Highwater Earthen Red stoneware. Most clays should work.

[@TheRealMsMumbleBee]

i love this

[@EvolutionStoneware]

I'm so glad it helped!

[@jojoh265]

I've tried this several times and none of them are singing at all. What am i doing wrong

[@nuggetdealer2432]

I’m quite late but When making the ramp down near the mouth piece make it super thin