Beginner's Lesson 2 for 6 Hole Ocarina

by STL Ocarina September 16, 2022

Welcome back! If you’ve been practicing your first lesson on the 6-hole ocarina, you should already be comfortable with:

Holding the ocarina correctly
Playing the first four notes: C, D, E, F
Using basic articulation
Playing your first song, Mary Had a Little Lamb

In this lesson, we’ll build on those fundamentals and cover:

Proper breathing technique for ocarina
How to care for your ocarina
The remaining notes of the C major scale
Another simple song to help reinforce fingerings

Completing the C Major Scale on the 6-Hole Ocarina

Let’s continue up the scale from where you left off.

You already know:

C – D – E – F

Now we’ll add:

G
A
B
High C

Practice slowly and make sure each hole is fully sealed. Scales are the building blocks of nearly all music, and learning them well will make every song easier to play later.

Why Scales Matter

Scales help:

Train your fingers to move smoothly
Improve muscle memory
Build confidence with note transitions

At first, moving smoothly through the full scale may feel awkward—but with a little daily practice, it will become natural.

Adjusting Airflow for Higher Notes

As you move higher up the scale (especially on A, B, and high C), you’ll notice that:

Higher notes need faster air,
Lower notes need gentler air.

If you don’t use enough air on high notes, they may sound weak or out of tune. The best tone on the ocarina is also the most in tune, so always listen carefully to your sound and adjust your breath accordingly.

A helpful habit is to:

Compare your pitch to a piano, tuner, or recording
Train your ear to recognize when your tone is centered and clear

Breathing Technique for Ocarina Players

Good breathing is essential for steady tone and pitch control.

How to Take a Proper Breath

Keep your shoulders relaxed and low
Breathe deeply from your ribcage and abdomen, not your chest
Feel your stomach gently expand as you inhale

Try practicing in front of a mirror to make sure your shoulders are not lifting as you breathe in.

Breath Control Exercise: The “Note Game”

This is a fun way to improve breath support:

Pick any note.
Take a deep, low breath.
Hold the note as long as you can.
Count how many seconds you sustain it.
Next time, try to hold it one second longer.

You can even turn this into a friendly challenge with friends. Over time, this will help improve both your breath control and endurance.

Playing a Song with Your Full Range

Now that you know more notes, you can play simple melodies like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. This song helps you practice:

Jumping between notes (like C to G to A)
Moving smoothly back down the scale
Controlling airflow on higher notes

A great practice strategy is to:

First finger along without blowing
Say the note names in your head
Then add air when you feel confident

How to Take Care of Your Ocarina

Ocarinas are easy to care for, but they do need a little attention:

Daily Care

Wipe the mouthpiece area with a soft cloth
Keep the airway clear

Storage & Safety

Store your ocarina in its case or box when not in use
Ceramic and clay ocarinas can chip or break if dropped
Using a neck strap adds extra protection while learning

Clearing Blockages

If sound becomes blocked:

Check the windway (air channel)
Gently clear it with a toothpick if needed

Overall, the ocarina is a low-maintenance instrument, which makes it a perfect choice for beginners.

Final Thoughts

By practicing your full C major scale, improving your breathing technique, and learning to care for your instrument, you’re building a strong foundation for long-term progress on the ocarina. With just a few minutes of focused practice each day, you’ll continue to gain control, confidence, and musicality.