Bass Ocarina Comparison: Plastic vs Purple Clay vs Ceramic vs Porcelain

If you’re considering a bass ocarina, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is how different materials affect sound and playability. In this comparison, we take a close look at four bass ocarinas made from different materials—plastic, purple clay, ceramic, and porcelain—and explore how each one feels and sounds in real playing situations.

All four bass ocarinas were recorded using a ribbon microphone with room treatment to reduce reverb. This helps present the natural tone of each instrument as accurately as possible in a video setting.

These bass ocarinas are available from STL Ocarina.

Why Compare Bass Ocarinas by Material?

Material can influence several aspects of how a bass ocarina behaves, including:

• Air requirements

• Tone color (pure vs breathy)

• Volume

• Weight and comfort

• Consistency across the range

While factors like windway design and chamber shape also play major roles, comparing materials gives a helpful starting point for choosing the right bass ocarina for your needs.

Plastic Bass Ocarina: Lightweight and Air-Efficient

The plastic bass ocarina stood out for how easy it is to play.

Key characteristics:

• Requires the least amount of air

• Easier to sustain long phrases

• Lightweight and comfortable for longer sessions

• Softer, quieter sound than the others

• Slightly breathier tone

One practical note: plastic ocarinas can be more prone to condensation buildup in the windway. A quick fix is to gently cover the sound hole on the back and blow air through the instrument to clear moisture—an easy trick borrowed from recorder and whistle players.

This model is also a Legend of Zelda–themed ocarina, making it appealing for collectors as well as players.

Ceramic Bass Ocarina: Breathier Character and Visual Appeal

The ceramic bass ocarina is visually striking and offers a distinctive tonal character.

Key characteristics:

• Slightly more resistance when blowing

• Produces a breathier, chuffier tone

• Not as loud as some other bass ocarinas

• Tone color varies across the range (breathier up high, purer in the middle and lower register)

If you enjoy a textured, airy sound and appreciate decorative finishes, ceramic bass ocarinas bring both visual and tonal character to your collection.

Purple Clay Bass Ocarina: Hollow, Pure, and Air-Hungry

The purple clay bass ocarina delivers a beautiful, hollow, and pure tone, but it also demands more from the player.

Key characteristics:

• Requires the most air, especially in the high register

• Harder to sustain long, in-tune phrases at standard pitch

• Larger body and finger holes

• Heavier feel in the hands

For players with smaller hands or wrist concerns, the size and air demands may feel more challenging. However, the rich, resonant tone makes this model very appealing for those who prioritize sound above all else.

Porcelain Bass Ocarina: Balanced and Consistent

The porcelain bass ocarina emerged as the most balanced all-around option in this comparison.

Key characteristics:

• Comfortable size and hole spacing

• More consistent tone color across the full range

• Balanced air requirements

• Even response from low to high notes

Unlike some instruments that sound dramatically different in various registers, the porcelain bass ocarina maintains a more uniform tone, which can be very satisfying for melodic playing.

Final Thoughts: Which Bass Ocarina Is Right for You?

Each material brings something different to the table:

• Plastic: Easiest to blow, lightweight, quieter, great for long phrases

• Ceramic: Breathier character, visually striking, more tonal variation

• Purple Clay: Rich, hollow tone, but larger and more demanding on air

• Porcelain: Most balanced and consistent across the range

It’s also important to remember that ocarinas are handmade instruments, and slight variations can exist even between the same model and material. Two ocarinas of the same type may still feel and sound a little different.

Which One Did You Prefer?

Did one of these bass ocarinas stand out to you in terms of sound or comfort? Your ideal choice depends on what you value most—ease of playing, tone color, projection, or ergonomics.

If you’re exploring bass ocarinas for the first time, this comparison should give you a clearer picture of what to expect from each material.

Happy playing 🎵