FocalinkAlto C 12 Holes Ceramic Ocarina - Easy to Learn, Good for Beginner & Great Gift. Linn's Arts! (Brown)

I had wanted an ocarina for a very long time as a hobby, and I did a ton of research (involving brands, videos, crafters, forum lurking, etc) before I finally got this one. I have to say, for this price, and from Focalink/Stein (a great maker), this ocarina is an absolute steal to be ceramic. I ordered it from amazon because of shipping costs and ease of ordering since I already have an account here. It ranges from A4-F6 and has a great tone and sound quality. The last 3 high notes are tough to hit properly but this can fixed with some practice and proper breathing. The acute bend technique commonly used for high notes isn't needed, surprisingly, after a fair amount of practice. It actually seems to increase the airiness of high E and F from what I can tell with mine.From what I've researched (since I do not physically have the other models to compare it to) the tone/sound/playing quality is not all that much different than the A, B, or the newly released D styles that Focalink offers in alto C (other than the physical shape that people will have personal preferences for). The reason why it is so much cheaper than the others is because it has a simpler glaze finish and the holes are supposed to not be as smoothed out around the edges. Not a big deal in my opinion, I barely notice it.UPDATE: It has a beautiful sound after having practiced for some time now and having learnt the appropriate breath control. I would mark it as about a lower-medium on breath requirement. Not as low requirement as a soprano, but I'm not having to force any breath (quite the opposite).This is my first ocarina so I'm still learning to play, but it is not hard to pick up. Great for a beginner to learn on, and for someone not willing to spend a fortune on something they may never play. Roughly 7 inches long with small to medium holes and spacing; easy for people with small hands and still quite nice for large (me) hands. No probs on that either; great design.I'm glad I found this ocarina, a real ocarina, and was able to get it at this price. Quite an upgrade compared to a plastic, which I would not recommend for anything other than a travel companion, an extremely restricted budget, or for kids (unless that's what you prefer). Although there are some nice plastic ocarinas out there, a ceramic/wood/porcelain is usually the better choice. Splendid ocarina, definitely recommended, and definitely worth more than what its offered at.In regards to the seller, Linn Arts is a wonderful vendor. My ocarina came over a week before the ETA (4 days from order to my door). It was very well packaged. Took me just as long to finally get through the packaging to the ocarina as it did for it arrive haha. It came with a padded brown holster/pouch (which I prefer over the purple pouch Focalink/Stein offers on their site). Also came with the fingering chart, a few little random songs, and a little plastic channel cleaner. As I mentioned before, the shipping price is much cheaper here than the international directly from Focalink's site (Steinocarina.com for the english site). Also had tracking. The box it came in was exactly as pictured as well.Overall, wonderful purchase experience and a superb ocarina. I highly recommend it.Also, the he ocarina network forum site is a great website to lurk around to find out about different ocarinas. The members of that site have lots of experience and provide first hand information you normally won't find many other places.

This ocarina sounds so lovely. I've had it over a year now and enjoy playing it so much. It plays well through the range. From the subholes all the way up to the hightest note it sounds amazing. The crackle pattern is really pretty too! Focalink ocarinas are fantastic instruments. I highly reccomend them!Thank you, Linn's Arts!

I ordered this to replace a night by Nobel that refused to hit high notes and pitched out sounding like a dog whistle. This one sounds amazing I was sceptical of the price seeing that other focalink ocarina. After playing it the sound is beautiful so if it is a knock off it's a good one. It ceramic so dont drop it I'd say is about a durable as a stoneware dinner plate from holding. It's a pitch bending instrument so the tuning seems to be in order only a little flat or sharp once you count voice control. I also just ordered the matching soprano c that how good this thing sounds.

First of all, it arrived a week before it was supposed to. From the moment I unpackaged it, I was amazed by its beauty. Mine is darker than the one in the picture, which is I prefer. Then I played it. It is smooth, easy on the high notes and tuned to perfection. I can now play knowing that I can hit those usually empty, silent high notes. I am now super motivated to continue learning this ancestral instrument.

Excellent 12 Hole Ocarinas. This is professional quality made in Taiwan. It is used by Chinese and Japanese musicians to play traditional Asian music.Focalink also go by Feng Ya Pottery, you can look them up to see they make all kinds of Ocarinas and not just 12 hole.

I have big fingers and hands and had to squeeze them together to cover all holes. Did not work for me so I gave it away. Don't know about returning something that people put their mouths on this day and age. Maybe a file showing actual hole size and spacing would have been nice. Decent sound quality well made.

The media could not be loaded.  Beautifully crafted and plays so well. I love mine.

This item arrived intact (expertly packaged), was exactly as described, & was just what my nephew wanted. It was very nice quality & arrived even earlier than was promised, even though it was close to Christmas. It contained chord instructions and a couple of songs. I thought the sound quality was very nice, even though my nephew was new to the ocarina. I couldn't have been more pleased.