Best Ocarinas for Beginners: How to Choose Your First Ocarina

Choosing your first ocarina can feel overwhelming. There are different hole systems (6-hole vs 12-hole), different materials (plastic vs ceramic), and a wide range of designs and keys. If you’re new to the instrument, it’s easy to feel unsure where to start.

This beginner’s guide breaks down the best ocarinas for beginners, explains the differences between popular options, and helps you choose the right ocarina based on your background and goals.

All of the beginner-friendly ocarinas mentioned here are available from STL Ocarina.

6-Hole vs 12-Hole Ocarinas: Which Is Better for Beginners?

One of the first choices you’ll encounter is whether to start with a 6-hole ocarina or a 12-hole ocarina.

6-Hole Ocarinas (Great for Absolute Beginners & Kids)

6-hole ocarinas are:

• Simpler to learn

• Easier for small hands

• Less intimidating for first-time musicians

If you’ve never played an instrument before or you’re buying an ocarina for a child, a 6-hole plastic ocarina is an excellent starting point. It lets you focus on breath control and basic finger coordination without worrying about a large number of fingerings.

12-Hole Ocarinas (Best for Long-Term Learning)

12-hole ocarinas offer:

• A wider range of notes

• Access to more advanced music

• Better long-term growth

If you’ve played another musical instrument before—or if you want an ocarina you won’t outgrow quickly—a 12-hole ocarina is usually the better choice. Most tutorials, sheet music, and learning resources are written for 12-hole ocarinas.

Best Material for Beginner Ocarinas

Plastic Ocarinas: Best First Choice

Plastic ocarinas are often the best option for beginners.

Why plastic is great for beginners:

• Very affordable

• Durable and lightweight

• Well-tuned and consistent

• Easy to travel with

• Low stress if dropped or bumped

Plastic ocarinas are perfect if you want to start learning without worrying about damaging your instrument. They’re also excellent for practice, travel, and casual playing.

Plastic models are available in both 6-hole and 12-hole versions. There are also themed options, including Zelda-themed plastic ocarinas, which many fans love.

Ceramic Ocarinas: Step Up in Sound Quality

If you’ve played another woodwind instrument before, or you want a more refined sound right away, ceramic ocarinas are a great step up.

Why choose ceramic as a beginner:

• More resonant and focused tone

• Wider variety of designs, colors, and keys

• A more “traditional” ocarina sound

Ceramic ocarinas are more fragile than plastic, so they require a bit more care. However, many beginners prefer ceramic because of the richer sound quality and visual appeal.

One popular beginner-friendly option is a tenor ocarina in the key of C, which works well with most tutorials and sheet music.

Recommended Beginner Setup

For most beginners, the easiest and most flexible starting point is:

✅ 12-hole plastic tenor ocarina in the key of C

This setup gives you:

• Full access to most beginner tutorials

• Durability and affordability

• The ability to grow into more advanced music

If you want something simpler:

✅ 6-hole plastic ocarina for kids or absolute beginners

If you already play another instrument:

✅ 12-hole ceramic tenor ocarina in C for better tone quality

What to Do After Choosing Your First Ocarina

Once you’ve chosen your ocarina, the next step is learning how to play it. Beginner-friendly lessons typically start with:

• How to make a good sound

• Proper breath control

• Basic fingerings

• Simple songs

Starting with a solid beginner instrument makes learning far more enjoyable and less frustrating.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “perfect” beginner ocarina—only the one that best fits your experience level, budget, and goals. Whether you choose plastic or ceramic, 6-hole or 12-hole, the most important thing is that your ocarina is well-tuned, comfortable, and fun to play.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, feel free to ask questions. Getting the right first instrument makes a huge difference in how enjoyable your ocarina journey will be.

Happy playing 🎶