Review: New Bass Ocarinas in G and F — Sound, Comfort, and First Impressions

STL Ocarina recently released two new bass ocarinas in their baseline lineup, and they arrived for hands-on testing in beautifully protective hard-shell cases. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at these new bass ocarinas in G and F, how they sound, how they feel to play, and what surprised me most about them.

If you’ve been curious about lower-pitched ocarinas—or wondering whether a bass ocarina might be too large or difficult to manage—this review should help answer some of those questions.

First Impressions: Packaging and Build

Both ocarinas arrived in well-padded, hard-shell cases with soft interiors designed to protect the instrument during storage and transport. The cases feel sturdy and substantial, offering peace of mind for travel or long-term protection.

Visually, the two ocarinas share a similar ceramic design and finish. At first glance, they may look like simple clay ocarinas—but the key difference is in their lower tuning. These models are pitched in G and F, placing them noticeably lower than standard C ocarinas and giving them a deeper, warmer tonal range.

Recording Setup: Hearing the Natural Sound

To capture the most natural sound possible, the recordings were made using a ribbon microphone with light room treatment to reduce reverb. This setup allows you to hear the true tone color of each ocarina rather than an overly processed sound.

Tone Comparison: G vs. F Bass Ocarina

One of the most interesting discoveries was how different the tone colors of the two instruments felt in person.

• The Bass G ocarina has a cleaner, purer tone

• The Bass F ocarina feels slightly breathier, with a more percussive articulation

Neither tone is “better” than the other—they’re simply different flavors of sound. Because these instruments are handmade, small variations between individual ocarinas are normal, even within the same model. That handcrafted character is part of what gives each instrument its own personality.

The Bass F model is physically larger, and as expected, it requires slightly more air to sustain notes. This is typical for lower-pitched wind instruments, where more air is needed to energize the larger air chamber.

Fingering System: No Subholes, Cross Fingerings Instead

One design note worth mentioning is that these bass ocarinas do not include subholes for extending the lower range or accessing certain half-steps. Instead, accidentals and chromatic notes are achieved through cross fingerings.

If you’re used to sliding fingers over subholes on other ocarinas, this will feel a little different at first. However, cross fingerings are a standard and effective technique on many ocarina designs and can be learned quickly with practice.

Comfort and Ergonomics: Surprisingly Easy to Play

One of the biggest concerns going into this review was whether these bass ocarinas would be too large or heavy to handle comfortably. Larger instruments can sometimes feel unwieldy, especially during longer playing sessions.

This turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Despite being lower-pitched, these bass ocarinas are:

• Not significantly heavier than expected

• Designed with a longer, flatter body rather than an overly bulky shape

• Comfortable in hand, with finger holes that are not oversized or awkwardly spaced

In fact, they felt much easier to manage than anticipated. For players who have hesitated to try bass ocarinas because of size concerns, these models may be far more approachable than you might expect.

Who Are These Bass Ocarinas For?

These bass ocarinas in G and F are a great fit for:

• Players who want to explore lower-pitched ocarina sounds

• Musicians looking to add warm, resonant tones to their collection

• Ocarina players who enjoy variety in tone color

• Those curious about bass ocarinas but concerned about size or weight

They offer a satisfying entry point into the lower register without feeling intimidating to hold or play.

Final Thoughts

The new Bass Ocarinas in G and F offer a refreshing expansion of tonal options for ocarina players. The differences in tone color between the two keys add expressive variety, and the comfortable ergonomics make these instruments more approachable than many players might expect.

If you’ve been thinking about exploring lower ocarina registers, these models are well worth checking out. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments—feedback helps guide future reviews and comparisons.

Happy playing 🎶