There are many different types of ocarinas that come in many shapes and sizes.
Tranverse - This is the best known style of ocarina. It has a rounded shape and is held with two hands horizontally. Depending on the number of holes, the player opens one more hole than the previous note to ascend in pitch. The most common versions of theses are the 10 hole and 12 hole versions English Pendant - These are usually very small and portable, and use an English fingering system (4–6 holes). Peruvian Pendant - Dating from the time of the Incas, used as instruments for festivals, rituals and ceremonies. They are often seen with designs of animals. They usually have 8– 9 holes. Inline ocarinas - These are often called a "fusion" of the pendant and transverse ocarinas. This style is known for being very small and compact, with more holes than the pendant. This allows one to ascend in pitch with the linear finger pattern rather than finger combinations. Multi-chamber ocarina - exist within the three broad categories of ocarina. These ocarinas overcome the ocarina's usual limited range of notes. A transverse double ocarina typically plays two octaves plus a major second, and a transverse triple ocarina plays with a range about two octaves plus a fifth. Double ocarinas for pendant and inline ocarinas also exist. Double inline ocarinas are specially designed to play chords, for harmonic playing. |