Do Ocarina Materials Really Change the Sound?

A Real, Unedited Ocarina Sound Comparison

Before you buy an ocarina, there’s one important thing to understand: the material an ocarina is made from plays a major role in how it sounds, feels, and responds when you play it.

Plastic, ceramic, wood, and metal ocarinas may look similar, but they produce very different tones and playing experiences. To make those differences clear, we recorded the same melody on four ocarinas made from different materials using real, unedited sound samples, so what you hear is exactly how each instrument sounds.

In this article, we’ll explore how different ocarina materials affect sound, and help you decide which type of ocarina may be right for you.

Ceramic Ocarinas: Warm, Expressive, and Traditional

Ceramic ocarinas are often considered the classic ocarina sound. Their tone is warm, rich, smooth, and deeply expressive, the sound many people imagine when they first think of an ocarina.

The nature of ceramic contributes strongly to this character. The material naturally enriches and softens the sound, creating depth and warmth that lends itself beautifully to expressive playing. This makes ceramic ocarinas especially appealing for melodic music and emotional phrasing.

If you care about tone quality, musical expression, and tradition, a ceramic ocarina is often where players truly fall in love with the instrument.

(Ceramic Ocarina in the Video:  12 Hole Tenor Ocarina with Zelda Songbook)

Metal Ocarinas: Bright, Powerful, and Modern

Metal ocarinas produce the brightest and most powerful projection among the four materials. Their sound is focused, clear, and direct, making them easy to hear even in open spaces.

Because metal reflects sound rather than softening it, each note comes out crisp and strong. This gives metal ocarinas a bold, modern voice that stands out easily.

Metal ocarinas are a great option for players who perform for others, play outdoors, or prefer a strong, cutting sound with maximum presence.

(Metal Ocarina in the Video: 12 Hole Metal Ocarina in C Major)

Wood Ocarinas: Earthy, Intimate, and Personal

Wood ocarinas have a rich, earthy sound that feels natural and organic. Many players describe the tone as intimate, almost as if the instrument is leaning in to speak directly to the listener.

Wood naturally softens the sound, giving notes a gentle, warm character that works especially well for quiet and expressive playing. This makes wood ocarinas ideal for reflective music, close-up practice, and soulful melodies.

If you enjoy music that feels personal, introspective, and expressive, a wood ocarina often feels like a natural match.

(Wood Ocarina in the Video: 12 Hole Zelda Wooden Tenor Ocarina)

Plastic Ocarinas: Bright, Clear, and Beginner-Friendly

Plastic ocarinas are known for their bright, clear sound and easy response. They tend to feel more forgiving while you’re learning breath control, which can make the early learning process smoother and less frustrating.

One of the biggest advantages of a plastic ocarina is durability. Plastic ocarinas are lightweight, weather-safe, and built to handle everyday use. You can take one traveling, practice outdoors, or toss it into a backpack without worrying about damage.

Because of this, plastic ocarinas are an excellent choice for beginners, students, and travelers, or anyone looking for a stress-free first ocarina that’s easy to live with.

(Plastic Ocarina in the Video: 12 Hole Plastic Ocarina)

Which Ocarina Material Is Best?

Now that you’ve heard how different ocarina materials shape sound, one thing becomes clear:

There is no single “best” ocarina material.

The best ocarina is the one that fits your sound preferences, your playing style, and your musical goals. When you find that match, playing feels more natural, more expressive, and more enjoyable.

Everyone connects with a different material for a different reason. Please let us know if we can help to find yours. You can contact us at service@stlocarina.com