Tuning
Many ocarinas made these days are "in tune with themselves" (relative tuning). This means that the intervals between the notes are correct, so a melody can be played on the ocarina and sound right. The ocarina's notes may be flat or sharp when checked with a tuner, but all of the notes would be equally flat or sharp. These ocarinas can only be played solo or with instruments whose tuning can be adjusted to the ocarina's tuning.
Concert pitch (absolute tuning) is when an ocarina's notes are tuned to a reference pitch, usually A440 (the A above middle C that vibrates at 440 times per second). Instruments in concert pitch actually are "in tune with themselves" also, but that term usually refers to instruments not in concert pitch. Ocarinas that are in concert pitch can be played with other concert pitched instruments. They, of course, may also be played solo and with instruments with adjustable tuning (like the guitar).
This ocarina will be "in tune with itself," but not in concert pitch.
Even though the ocarina has had finger holes cut, the chances are that they will need size adjustment to play a scale accurately. I use a chromatic tuner for this.
Before you can use a tuner, you need to at least know the Major Scale and the intervals between the notes. I took a basic music theory class to learn about scales. An easier (and less time-consuming) way to learn scales is with the book "Scales at a Glance." by Clea Saal. You also may want to check out my chart of musical keys and the corresponding ocarina fingering patterns for the Major Scale.
Start tuning the ocarina with all the finger holes covered. Sound the note (blow into the mouthpiece). This is the lowest note the ocarina can play. All the remaining notes are calibrated from this one.
Once the lowest note (the fundamental) is determined, you will know what the next note should be. This type of ocarina will play the Major Scale when the finger holes are uncovered one at a time. Tuning is done from the lowest up to the highest note. For example, my tuner indicated this ocarina's fundamental note (all finger holes covered) was an E (slightly flat). When the first finger hole was uncovered, the next note should be an F sharp (#), also slightly flat, because the fundamental, the E, was. The third note will be a G#, and the fourth note an A. All the notes needed to be slightly flat, like the first note (E) for the ocarina to be in tune with itself. For full tuning instructions, go here.
This is the full 10 hole fingering pattern (including chromatics) that I used for this ocarina. This is a commonly used fingering.
(Click on pictures for a larger view) |
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If the note is too flat (not high enough) the finger hole needs to be made larger. The first adjustment to try is to under cut the finger hole. Under cutting is trimming the finger hole's wall so it isn't as deep. (thick) Use tool #8. Insert the blade into the finger hole, hold at a slant, and cut as close to the top edge as you can. Doing this in effect enlarges the finger hole without increasing its diameter. This is especially useful with larger finger holes. Test the ocarina. If the note is still flat, use a drill bit or fettling knife to make the hole bigger. |
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 | The finger hole may be too big, causing the note to be too sharp (high). To make a hole smaller (1) bevel the finger hole's edge. (2) Moisten with slip or water and press on a small coil of clay. (3) Partially smooth with finger. (4) Smooth and flatten with the fettling knife (tool #4). (5) Complete the flattening by rolling a round-sided pencil over the hole. (6) To round the hole, use a sharpened dowel (tool #12). Test ocarina, and under cut hole if necessary. |
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