Learn The Ocarina 7: Learn How To Play Sharps & Flats On The Ocarina

by STL Ocarina September 14, 2022

As you continue your ocarina journey, you’ll eventually run into notes that go beyond the basic scale—specifically the lowest notes on the ocarina and notes with sharps and flats. These techniques unlock a much wider range of music and allow you to play more advanced melodies, including video game themes and contemporary arrangements.

This lesson builds on the earlier parts of the Learn the Ocarina series, so it’s best to be comfortable with basic fingerings and tone production before diving in. The demonstrations here use a purple clay tenor ocarina in the key of C from STL Ocarina.

Playing the Lowest Notes on the Ocarina

On a standard 12-hole ocarina in the key of C, the lowest note available is low A. These lowest notes are more challenging because they require precise finger coverage and stable breath support.

Low A Fingering

To play a low A:

Start with the fingering for low C
Slide your fingers to cover the two small sub-holes
Make sure all holes are fully covered

These notes can feel awkward at first, which is why they’re usually introduced later in the learning process.

Low B Fingering

Low B uses nearly the same fingering as low A, except:

Only one of the small sub-holes is covered
The other is left open

These lowest notes take practice, but they significantly expand the expressive range of the instrument.

What Are Sharps and Flats?

If you’ve ever looked at a piano, you’ve seen the black keys between the white keys. These represent sharps and flats.

A sharp (♯) is one note higher
A flat (♭) is one note lower

For example:

The black key between C and D can be called C♯ (C sharp) or D♭ (D flat)
Between D and E is D♯ / E♭
Between F and G is F♯ / G♭
Between G and A is G♯ / A♭
Between A and B is A♯ / B♭

Even though these notes have two names, they sound the same—what changes is how they’re written in music depending on the key.

How to Play Sharps and Flats on the Ocarina

The good news: most sharp and flat fingerings are very similar to notes you already know. In many cases, you simply add one extra finger to a familiar fingering.

Lower Register Sharps & Flats

Some accidentals in the low range use the small sub-holes near the bottom of the ocarina. These are introduced carefully because they require precise finger placement.

Upper Register Sharps & Flats

For many higher sharps and flats:

Finger the higher natural note
Add the third finger of your right hand

This method works for notes like:

F♯ / G♭
G♯ / A♭
A♯ / B♭
C♯ / D♭
D♯ / E♭

Once you become familiar with these patterns, accidentals will feel much less intimidating.

Practicing with the Chromatic Scale

A great way to lock in sharps and flats is to practice the chromatic scale, which includes every note on the piano—both white and black keys.

Practicing chromatic scales helps you:

Learn new fingerings
Improve coordination
Build confidence moving between notes

Start slowly, focus on clean finger placement, and aim for smooth transitions.

Why Sharps and Flats Matter

Learning sharps and flats allows you to:

Play music in more keys
Follow more advanced tutorials
Perform songs that include accidentals
Expand beyond simple beginner melodies

Many popular game themes and modern arrangements rely heavily on these notes, so this skill opens the door to much more repertoire.

Final Tips

Take your time—these fingerings feel awkward at first
Make sure small holes are fully covered when required
Practice slowly and cleanly before speeding up
Combine this lesson with real songs that use sharps and flats

Final Thoughts

Learning the lowest notes and accidentals is a big step forward in your ocarina playing. Once these become comfortable, you’ll find that many new pieces suddenly become playable.

If you’re looking for a fun way to apply these new skills, try learning a melody that uses sharps and flats, such as video game themes or modern arrangements. Keep building on the fundamentals, and your confidence on the ocarina will grow quickly.