How to Make a Clay Ocarina

Are you tired of paying outrageous prices for a simple clay ocarina? Look no further! This tutorial will guide you through the steps to make your clay ocarina at home.

Crafting a clay ocarina intertwines the art of pottery with creating a musical instrument, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing and melodiously functional piece. This ancient wind instrument, with roots stretching over 12,000 years, holds a special place in various cultures worldwide. The process of making a clay ocarina is therapeutic and accessible, turning a lump of clay into a sonorous treasure.

This guide will walk you through the fundamental steps of how to make a clay ocarina, from preparing the clay to the final tuning, ensuring that even those new to pottery can enjoy the magic of creating music with their hands.

What are the Benefits of Making a Clay Ocarina?

Making your own clay ocarina has numerous benefits beyond just saving money. It allows you to tap into your creativity and create something unique that reflects your personal style. You can also customize your ocarina’s size, shape, and color to fit your preferences.

In addition, crafting a clay ocarina can be a meditative and relaxing experience. The process requires focus and attention to detail, which can help alleviate stress and improve mindfulness.

Furthermore, making your own clay ocarina allows you to connect with the instrument. You will have a deeper understanding of its construction and be able to appreciate its sound even more.

What Will You Need?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s gather all the necessary materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A block of clay
• A rolling pin
• A knife or clay-cutting tool
• A small straw or plastic tube for shaping finger holes
• Sandpaper or a clay smoothing tool
• Water and a paintbrush for moistening and smoothing the clay
• A small wooden dowel or reed for the mouthpiece (optional)

Once you have all these materials, it’s time to start making your clay ocarina!

10 Easy Steps on How to Make a Clay Ocarina:

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

The first step in creating your clay ocarina is to properly prepare the clay. Begin by kneading your clay to remove any air bubbles. This process, known as wedging, ensures that your clay is smooth and uniform, preventing imperfections in your finished instrument.

To wedge your clay, place it on a clean, flat surface. Use the palms of your hands to push the clay down and away from you, then fold it back over itself. Rotate the clay and repeat this process for about five minutes or until the clay feels homogenous and pliable.

Once your clay is thoroughly wedged, use a rolling pin to roll it out to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Ensure the clay is neither too thin, which could make your ocarina fragile and prone to breaking, nor too thick, which could impede the instrument’s ability to produce sound. A consistent thickness is key to creating a well-tuned ocarina.

Now that your clay is prepared, you can shape your ocarina!

Step 2: Shaping the Ocarina Body

The next step involves shaping the body of your ocarina. You can create either a spherical or a sweet potato-shaped body, both of which are popular styles. For beginners, the sweet potato shape (also known as a pendant style) is easier to handle and provides a good starting point.

Start by cutting out two equal-sized pieces of clay from your rolled-out slab. These will form the top and bottom halves of the ocarina. Using your hands, gently shape each piece into a semi-oval or rounded shape, depending on your preference for the final appearance of your instrument.

Once you have the basic shapes, carefully hollow out each half to create a cavity inside. Ensure the walls and the edge of each half are thick enough (about 1/4 inch) to ensure structural integrity and optimal sound quality.

Step 3: Joining the Halves

After shaping and hollowing out both halves of your ocarina, it’s time to join them together. First, score the edges of both halves where they will meet. Scoring is done by making small scratches or cuts on the surface of the clay, which helps to create a stronger bond between the two pieces. Next, apply a slight amount of water with a paintbrush to moisten the scored surfaces. This acts as a clay “glue” and will help to seal the halves securely.

Carefully align the two halves and press them together, starting from one end and slowly working your way to the other to ensure a tight fit. Use your fingers to smooth out any seams or excess clay that squeezes out along the joint, creating a seamless body. You can slightly reshape the ocarina if needed to ensure it has a uniform, symmetrical appearance.

Step 4: Creating the Sound Hole

The next critical step is creating the sound hole, also known as the voicing. This hole is where the air vibrates to produce sound, so its placement and size are crucial for the ocarina to work correctly. Start by determining the location of the sound hole on the top half of the ocarina’s body. A good rule of thumb is to place it near one end but not too close to the edge.

Using a small knife or clay tool, carefully cut a rectangular hole approximately 1/4 inch wide and 1/2 inch long. This cut must be precise, as the size and shape of the sound hole greatly affect the pitch and quality of the sound produced by the ocarina.

After cutting the hole, use a small straw or the edge of your tool to smooth the inner edges. This smoothing process helps to refine the airflow through the voicing, ensuring a clear, clean sound. If you have a small wooden dowel or reed, insert it slightly into the sound hole at this stage to help shape and fine-tune the voicing as the clay dries.

Step 5: Making the Finger Holes

After establishing the sound hole, the next step involves drilling the finger holes, allowing you to play different notes on your ocarina. Start by deciding how many notes you want your ocarina to produce, which will determine the number of finger holes you’ll need. A standard ocarina has at least four to twelve holes.

Using a small straw or plastic tube, carefully pierce the clay where you want each finger hole to be placed. The positioning is critical for comfortable playability, so you might want to simulate holding the ocarina and marking the best spots for your fingers to reach each hole easily.

The size of each hole will influence the pitch of the note it produces, with larger holes yielding lower notes and smaller holes with higher notes. Begin with smaller openings; you can always enlarge them slightly later to adjust the pitch. After drilling the holes, smooth the edges with a small tool or your finger to remove any sharp edges or burrs.

After this step, allow your ocarina to dry slightly, ensuring it remains sturdy as you work on fine-tuning the sound in the next steps.

Step 6: Fine-Tuning and Adjustments

Once the finger holes are drilled and the ocarina has been allowed to dry to a leather-hard consistency, it is time to fine-tune the sound. This stage requires patience and precision, as minor adjustments can significantly affect the instrument’s pitch and tonal quality. Use a tuner to check the pitch of each note produced by the ocarina. If a hole produces a too-high note, carefully enlarge the hole to lower the pitch. Conversely, if the note is too low, you can slightly cover the hole with additional clay to raise its pitch.

During this step, you may also carve decorative elements or shapes into the ocarina’s body to personalize your instrument. However, be mindful of the structural integrity and ensure any additions or modifications do not interfere with the sound production.

Step 7: Final Drying and Firing

After completing all adjustments for sound quality and finalizing any decorative elements, your ocarina must be thoroughly dried before it can be fired. Place the ocarina in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and allow it to dry slowly and evenly. This process can take several days, depending on humidity and temperature conditions. Once the ocarina is completely dry, it is ready for firing.

Firing the ocarina transforms the clay into ceramic, making it hard and durable. This process requires a kiln and should be done following the specific type of clay firing instructions you’ve used. The firing temperature and duration depend on the clay type – earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain. After firing, allow the ocarina to cool gradually inside the kiln to avoid thermal shock, which could cause cracks or warping.

Once cooled, your ocarina is complete and ready to play. The transformation from a piece of clay to a musical instrument is a rewarding process, offering a unique creation and the joy of music.

Step 8: Painting and Sealing Your Ocarina

Now that your ocarina has been fired and cooled, it’s time to give it a personalized look through painting. Choose acrylic paints for a wide array of colors, remembering that some colors might change slightly after sealing. Begin by applying a base coat and allowing it to dry completely before adding more intricate designs or patterns. Use fine brushes for detailed work, and use stencils or masking tape to create clean lines or shapes.

After the painting is complete and thoroughly dry, apply a clear sealant to protect the paint and the ceramic surface. A water-based varnish or a spray-on sealant works nicely, offering protection without affecting the sound quality. Apply the sealant according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically requiring a few coats for optimal protection. Allow the ocarina to dry completely between coats and before handling.

Step 9: Testing and Playing Your Ocarina

Once the sealant has fully dried, your ocarina is ready for the final test – playing it. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the finger placements for each note. You may want to start by covering all the holes and blowing gently to produce the lowest note, then lifting your fingers one at a time to hear the ascending notes. Be mindful of the breath pressure; different amounts of breath will affect the sound’s pitch and quality.

If you find that some notes are not sounding as expected, it might be necessary to go back and make slight adjustments by fine-tuning the holes or checking for any sealant that might have clogged them. Remember, creating an ocarina is as much about the art of crafting as it is about understanding the science of sound production.

Step 10: Caring for Your Ocarina

Maintaining your ocarina ensures it continues producing beautiful music for years. Start by storing it in a safe, dry place when not in use, ideally in a padded case to protect it from bumps and scratches. Dust it regularly with a soft, dry cloth to clean the surface. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity, as these conditions can damage the ceramic and affect the sound quality. If your ocarina gets wet, dry it immediately with a soft cloth and let it air dry completely before storing it.

Following these steps, you can create a unique and functional ocarina that reflects your creativity and musical abilities.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Use the Right Clay: Choosing the right type of clay is crucial when making a clay ocarina. Air-drying clay is the most commonly used and easily accessible option, but it can be brittle and prone to cracking. Polymer clay is a more durable alternative that requires baking in an oven for hardening.
2. Add Details and Designs: Once you have the basic shape of your ocarina, you can add details and designs to make it more visually appealing. You can use tools like toothpicks, needles, or carving knives to create intricate patterns on the surface of the clay. You can also use different clay colors to create a unique, eye-catching design.
3. Smooth Out Imperfections: It’s common for clay ocarinas to have imperfections or rough edges after shaping and baking. To smooth out these imperfections, you can use sandpaper or a nail file to gently sand down the surface until it is smooth and even. This will give your ocarina a professional and polished look.
4. Experiment with Different Shapes: While traditional ocarinas are oval or spherical, you can experiment with different shapes, such as square, triangular, or even animal-inspired shapes. Just make sure to keep the blowing hole and finger holes in the right place for proper sound production.
5. Practice Makes Perfect: Making a clay ocarina takes time and practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts don’t appear as expected. Keep trying and experimenting with different techniques until you find what works best for you.

With patience and dedication, you’ll soon be able to make beautifully crafted clay ocarinas.

5 Things You Should Avoid When Making a Clay Ocarina

1. Avoid Using Low-Quality Clay: The quality of your chosen clay is paramount. Low-quality clays can lead to cracking uneven drying and may not hold the shape well, ultimately affecting the sound quality of your ocarina.
2. Do Not Rush the Drying Process: Rushing the drying process by placing the ocarina in direct sunlight or near a heat source can cause the clay to warp or crack. Always allow the clay to dry gradually and naturally to avoid structural damage.
3. Steer Clear of Making the Finger Holes Too Big or Too Small: The size of the finger holes greatly influences the sound and pitch of the ocarina. Making them too big or small can lead to off-key notes and a less harmonious sound. Measuring and testing the sound multiple times during the creation process is crucial.
4. Avoid Over-Decoration: While adding as many decorative elements as possible is tempting, over-decorating can hinder the instrument’s functionality. Too much weight or improperly placed designs can affect how the ocarina is held and how it produces sound.
5. Refrain from Neglecting the Sealant: Failing to properly seal your ocarina after painting or decorating can result in the paint chipping or the clay absorbing moisture, which can alter the sound or even damage the ocarina over time. Use a clear, waterproof sealant to protect your artwork and ensure the longevity of your instrument.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your clay ocarina is a beautiful and functional musical instrument.

Conclusion

In summary, how to make a clay ocarina involves a blend of artistry, patience, and attention to detail. Starting with selecting the right type of clay, both air-drying and polymer options have their benefits. They can be chosen based on personal preference and the desired durability of the instrument. Adding personalized details and designs allows for creative expression, making each ocarina unique. Yet, focusing on precision is essential, especially when shaping and placing the finger holes, to ensure the instrument plays correctly.

The crafting process also requires careful drying and finishing, including proper sanding and sealing, to preserve the ocarina’s appearance and enhance its sound quality. You can craft a functional and aesthetically pleasing ocarina by avoiding common pitfalls, such as rushing the drying process or compromising on clay quality. Remember, making an ocarina is not just about following steps but also about enjoying the creative process and learning from each attempt.

Whether you are a seasoned crafter or a novice eager to explore the world of handmade musical instruments, the key to success lies in patience, practice, and a willingness to experiment.