How to Play the Ocarina from Udemy

We know the Ocarina from popular figures like Link from the Zelda video game series. We also know it from Totoro the Asian anime movie. The Ocarina is a wonderful instrument to play and has a wonderful sound. If you have a 12 hole Ocarina you can play any note and aren't stuck in one key, this gives you the freedom to play many songs and with your friends no matter what they are playing.

This instrument in one form or another has been around for over 10,000 years. At times it was called the potato instrument because it can be made by carving out a potato. (that version doesn't last much past supper time, so make sure you aren't planning to jam with your friends after your meal.) It has a wonderful sound is easy to play.

In this course we are going to:

look at the instrument and how to physically play it.
Learn the notes on sheet music
Learn the notes based on the piano (helpful to find songs)
Learn how to play melody
Learn how to play an arrangment
Learn chords so you can play almost any song

Whether you know five instruments or this is your first this course will help you start playing and enjoying this instrument.

Thank you for checking out this course and feel free to try out some of the preview sections to see if my teaching style works for you.

Thanks

Micah

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to play the ocarina
Learn a basic scale

Learn two songs and ways to find many more
Learn about music theory and sheet music

Learn how to play the ocarina
Learn a basic scale
Learn two songs and ways to find many more
Learn about music theory and sheet music

Syllabus

Introduction

What we will learn

How it is set up (Notes Overview)

How to make the sound correctly

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the ocarina, which is known from popular media like the Zelda video game series and the movie Totoro, making it appealing to pop culture enthusiasts

Covers the notes on sheet music and the piano, which helps learners connect the ocarina to other instruments and musical concepts

Explores melody, arrangement, and chords, which provides a foundation for playing a wide variety of songs on the ocarina

Includes practice runs, intervals, and chords at different speeds, which allows learners to build their skills gradually and effectively

Features a monthly song to practice and record, which encourages community engagement and provides ongoing learning opportunities

Teaches improvisation and freestyle techniques, which allows learners to express their creativity and develop their musical skills further

Reviews summary

Ocarina basics for beginners

According to learners, this course is a highly effective positive introduction for anyone wanting to learn the ocarina from scratch. Students praise the clear explanations positive and step-by-step approach positive, making it easy to grasp the basics of playing the instrument, including fingerings and reading music. Many highlight successfully learning their first songs quickly positive, specifically mentioning the Zelda theme positive and Lavender Blue positive as motivating examples. The course is seen as providing a solid foundation positive, although some reviewers note the music theory section is quite basic neutral and may require supplemental study warning for those seeking deeper knowledge.

Theory section is brief.

"My only minor critique is that the music theory section is quite brief..."

"If you want to understand theory more deeply, you'll need to supplement this elsewhere."

"While it covers notes and sheet music, the broader theory isn't in-depth."

Good for skill building.

"The practice exercises were useful..."

"The included practice exercises are a good idea."

"These exercises really helped solidify my finger transitions."

Play simple melodies fast.

"I learned the scales quickly and was playing Lavender Blue and the Zelda theme within a week."

"It covers the basics well and gets you playing songs fast."

"Breaking down songs like Zelda was really motivating."

Explanations are easy to follow.

"Micah explains everything so clearly..."

"His instructions are easy to grasp."

"I found the lessons on notes and fingerings very straightforward."

Perfect starting point for new players.

"Excellent course for total beginners! Micah explains everything so clearly..."

"A very good introductory course. It covers the basics well..."

"As a complete novice, I found the step-by-step approach perfect."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Play the Ocarina with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of music theory concepts like scales, chords, and key signatures, which are essential for playing the ocarina effectively.

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Review the circle of fifths and key signatures.
Practice identifying intervals and chord qualities.
Familiarize yourself with basic rhythmic notation.

Explore 'Ocarina Songbook'

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Expand your repertoire by learning new songs from a dedicated ocarina songbook, which will help you apply the techniques learned in the course.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

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Select a few songs from the book that interest you.
Practice each song slowly, focusing on accuracy.
Gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable.

Practice Scales and Arpeggios

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Improve your finger dexterity and intonation by practicing scales and arpeggios in different keys, reinforcing the finger placements learned in the course.

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Start with the C major scale and arpeggio.
Gradually work through other major and minor scales.
Use a metronome to maintain consistent timing.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice with a Friend

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Learn from others and improve your playing by practicing with a friend or fellow ocarina enthusiast.

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Find a friend who also plays the ocarina or another instrument.
Practice playing songs together.
Give each other feedback on your playing.

Record Yourself Playing a Song

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Assess your progress and identify areas for improvement by recording yourself playing a song and listening back critically.

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Choose a song you have learned in the course.
Record yourself playing the song.
Listen back and identify areas where you can improve.

Read 'Complete Ocarina Method'

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Deepen your understanding of ocarina techniques and musical concepts by studying a comprehensive method book.

View Hal Leonard Ocarina Method by Cris Gale |... on Amazon

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Read through the book, paying attention to the exercises and examples.
Practice the exercises regularly to improve your technique.
Apply the concepts learned in the book to your own playing.

Compose a Simple Melody

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Solidify your understanding of music theory and ocarina technique by composing a simple melody, applying the concepts learned in the course.

Show steps

Choose a key and time signature for your melody.
Experiment with different melodic ideas.
Write down your melody using sheet music or a music notation software.
Practice playing your melody on the ocarina.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Play the Ocarina will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Private Music Instructor

Private music instructors work one-on-one with students to develop their musical skills. This course is directly applicable for someone wishing to teach the Ocarina. The course covers the basics of playing, reading sheet music, understanding chords, and playing melodies and arrangements, all essential for teaching others. Additionally, the course teaches two songs and ways to find many more. This enables instruction to extend to a larger understanding of the instrument and music in general. This course allows instructors to learn how to teach the Ocarina to students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Music Instructor

Video Game Music Composer

Video game music composers create the soundtracks for video games, often blending various musical styles to enhance the gaming experience. Given the Ocarina's association with video games, particularly the Zelda series, this course may be useful. The course teaches how to play melodies, arrangements, and chords, providing a foundation for composing original music for games. In addition, the course teaches two songs including the Zelda Melody, as well as ways to find many more. This course offers skills to integrate the Ocarina into video game scores.

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Street Performer

Street performers entertain the public in outdoor settings, often relying on their musical talents to attract an audience. The Ocarina is a portable and intriguing instrument that captures attention, making this course useful. The course covers learning scales, songs, and music theory, all essential for creating an engaging performance. The fact that the instrument has been around for 10,000 years provides a hook for audiences as it offers unique presentation possibilities. This course may make someone a more successful street performer.

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Music Teacher

Becoming a music teacher could be a future career after taking this course. Music teachers introduce students to the joy of playing musical instruments and understanding music theory. This course helps develop a foundation on the Ocarina, that may be useful for instruction or demonstration. The course covers a basic scale, melodies, arrangements, and chords, providing a fundamental understanding of music theory and performance on the Ocarina. All of these elements of this "How to Play the Ocarina" course may be useful when working with students.

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Online Content Creator

Online content creators produce videos, blog posts, or social media content on a variety of topics. This course might be very helpful for someone who wants to create content related to music, instruments, or DIY projects. Learning to play the Ocarina can be featured in tutorials, performances, or reviews. The course covers playing melodies, arrangements, and chords, providing a foundation for creating engaging content. The course's historical overview of the instrument also allows content to be even more interesting. This course may increase an online content creator's viewership.

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Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to address patients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. The course's focus on learning to play the Ocarina, understanding sheet music, and exploring chords may make someone a more versatile and effective music therapist. Additionally, the ability to connect with patients through playing makes this a valuable tool in therapy. This course helps someone learn a new instrument, which can lead to new methods of therapy. Please note that becoming a Music Therapist typically requires an advanced degree in the field.

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Songwriter

Songwriters compose original music and lyrics for songs. Learning to play the Ocarina through this course can provide a new perspective on melodies and harmonies. The course covers understanding music theory, scales, chords, and arrangements, all helpful for songwriting. The ability to play and experiment with melodies on the Ocarina can inspire new musical ideas. The course focuses on learning songs and ways to find more, and this exposure to diverse musical styles is useful to songwriters. This course may help with songwriting.

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Orchestrator

Orchestrators arrange musical compositions for an orchestra, assigning different instruments to play specific parts. Although the Ocarina is not a standard orchestral instrument, understanding music theory and arrangement is critical. This course helps develop skills in learning scales, chords, and arrangements, that may be useful for orchestrating music for various instruments. The course also provides insights into creating unique sounds via arrangements and freestyle, which is helpful for adding creativity to orchestral arrangements. This course supplements an orchestrator's skills and opens new possibilities.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers design educational materials, including lesson plans and instructional guides. This course may be helpful for someone developing a music curriculum or instructional materials for the Ocarina. The course focuses on playing, music theory, and arrangement, providing a solid foundation for creating learning content. The course includes an overview of the instrument, note reading, playing melodies and arrangements, and understanding chords. This comprehensive coverage of the Ocarina makes it useful for anyone in curriculum development.

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Session Musician

Session musicians are hired to play on recordings or in live performances, often in a variety of genres. This course provides the skills to play the Ocarina, which may be helpful to include it in musical arrangements and recordings. The ability to learn chords, melodies, and arrangements gives the flexibility to adapt to different musical styles. Playing the Ocarina at a more advanced level may differentiate you from other musicians. This course can help one explore the instrument and create new musical possibilities.

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Music Store Sales Associate

Working as a sales associate in a music store requires knowledge of various instruments and musical equipment. This course may be useful for someone interested in selling Ocarinas or other wind instruments. The course provides a practical understanding of how to play the Ocarina, its unique sound, and its appeal to musicians of different skill levels. This course covers sheet music and music theory, as well, which could be helpful for someone looking to sell musical instruments. This course may provide someone with the practical knowledge to effectively assist customers.

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Instrument Repair Technician

Instrument repair technicians specialize in fixing and maintaining musical instruments. Although this course focuses on playing the Ocarina rather than its construction or repair, familiarity with the instrument's mechanics and sound production is helpful. Knowing the difference between a properly functioning instrument and one in need of repair requires a deep understanding of the instrument itself. By learning to play, one may be better able to diagnose and fix problems with the Ocarina. This ability may translate to other instruments as well.

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Animator

Animators create moving images for various media, including films, television shows, and video games. Although this job isn't directly related to music, this course may be helpful for those interested in incorporating music into their animations. Learning to play the Ocarina and understand music theory can provide a foundation for creating synchronized animations. The course teaches how to play melodies, arrangements, and chords, all of which may be useful for matching animation to music. This may make someone a more versatile animator.

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Podcast Producer

Podcast producers are responsible for the creation and distribution of podcasts, which can cover a wide range of topics. Learning to play the Ocarina through this course may be helpful for producing podcasts related to music, culture, or history. The instrument itself has an interesting aural quality and an interesting history. The skills in this course may be helpful for incorporating musical elements into a podcast. This course helps producers create unique and engaging audio content.

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Arts Administrator

Arts administrators manage and coordinate arts programs, organizations, or events. While this career might not be directly related to playing an instrument, having musical knowledge is useful. This course can provide a basic understanding of the Ocarina, its history, and its cultural significance. This course may be useful for arts administrators working with musical organizations or events that feature the Ocarina or similar instruments. Learning to play the instrument and about music theory may provide insights into how to manage and promote musical arts effectively.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Play the Ocarina.

Hal Leonard Ocarina Method

Save

This method book provides a structured approach to learning the ocarina, starting with the basics and progressing to more advanced techniques. It's a suitable resource for beginners who prefer a systematic learning path. The book's clear instructions and exercises can reinforce the concepts taught in the course.

Hal Leonard Ocarina Method by Cris Gale |...

Paperback

Alter Ego

Save

This songbook provides a wide variety of songs specifically arranged for the ocarina. It includes popular melodies, folk tunes, and classical pieces. valuable resource for expanding your repertoire and practicing different playing techniques. It great companion to the course.

Alter Ego: A Novel

Paperback

How to Play the Ocarina

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Ocarina basics for beginners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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