One of my favorite things about ocarinas is how small and portable they are—you can take them anywhere. Thus, you may consider bringing an ocarina on your next trip! If so, I have a few recommendations ⬇️
When traveling, unless you have a specific performance you’re bringing your instrument for, I’d recommend against bringing anything ceramic breakable, with one exception. So here are some fantastic plastic ocarinas… and some other stuff to help you bring ocarina music wherever you go!
If you purchase anything, using my Amazon affiliate links as well as code ANDY10 at Songbird are the best way to support my channel. All links and codes will be throughout this page as well.
1️⃣ First, Consider a Good Plastic Alto C
The 12-hole Alto C is the ocarinist’s bread and butter. If you’re traveling and want an ocarina on you, this is the range you probably want most.
Some fantastic options include the Night by Noble, Osawa AC, and Bravura AC. The Noble is on Amazon, while the Osawa and Bravura are available both on Songbird (use code ANDY10), Amazon (Osawa on Amazon, Bravura on Amazon), and Focalink/Stein’s stores. You’ll get just about the same sound quality and durability from any of these, so your main consideration would be form factor and other personal preferences.
The Night by Noble is slightly smaller than the Bravura, and it’s what I’ve personally taken on every trip I go on, but Bravura will equally get thje job done. Furthermore, the Bravura has a better designed neck strap, which on one hand is great for casually wearing, but for some people, it may get in the way. If you want a neck strap, the Bravura is your best pick, whereas the Noble’s neck strap doesn’t even come attached to begin with if you don’t want one. I don’t have an Osawa, but I’ve heard good things, though it doesn’t come in black like the Noble or Bravura.
𝄞 Going Smaller? Get a Tiny Soprano C
If I’m expecting to play ocarina while traveling, I generally want more than just an Alto C for more variety. Luckily, Songbird has a really nice little soprano C (use code ANDY10)!
I’ve taken it to many conventions, and it basically takes no space in your bag. On top of that, since soprano ocarinas are quite loud, they’re great for busking and otherwise playing outdoors. You really can’t get more portable musical power than this—the only caveat is that I wouldn’t recommend getting a soprano as your first ocarina, as they need a bit more precise breath control to play without squeaking.
💥 An Indestructible Inline Ocarina
Inline ocarinas tend to be a bit more compact than their transverse cousins—compare my Soprano G from Songbird to the Mountain Ocarina, which is also a soprano G. Inline ocarinas tend to be flat and extremely pocketable, so they’re a superb, though somewhat non-traditional option if you’re a traveling ocarinist!
My first recommendation would be the Mountain Ocarina, specifically in the key of G. I recently reviewed them, since they made a comeback and are available on Amazon!
It has a great sound, it’s super portable, and it’s quite affordable—not to mention made of durable polycarbonate. Watch my video on them for more if you’re curious!
I’d also recommend the Coda EDC Flute, made by the same maker as Mountain Ocarinas, Karl Ahrens, and also on Amazon.
It’s a double ocarina that can play just over two octaves. While it won’t feel like your typical ocarina, with some practice, it’s also an amazing pick for a traveler, especially because it comes with little mute plugs for playing silently, and playing quietly is a great way not to succumb to hotel noise complaints while on a trip. Watch my video on it for more!
👕 Wear your Ocarina too!
Small pendant ocarinas can look like a regular necklace but still pack a musical punch! If you want something more subtle than a whole ocarina in your bag or pocket, a pendant can tide you over musically.
If we’re talking pendant ocarinas small enough to be a fashion statement, I am a huge fan of the Soprano Bb pendants from songbird (use code ANDY10), either Triforce or Kokopeli designs. I used to wear one of these around and surprise people with the fact I was wearing an instrument around my neck.
🤫 Noise Complaints? Play Your Ocarina Quietly With Mr. Mute
I already mentioned that the Coda comes with mute plugs, but this accessory can mute almost any single chamber ocarina—Mr. Mute! Basically, it can cut your volume by up to 90% while maintaining natural breath pressure. It’d take far too long to explain how it works, but I conveniently have a video all about it if you want to learn more. Available on Amazon!
🧳 Really Need a Ceramic? Bring Your Favorite and Protect It
I’ve shared one school of thought, which is somewhat maximalist in ranges and accessories, but you can also simply bring your favorite ocarina and protect it. Have a ceramic triple? Make sure you have a great padded case for it, and it should be fine. I’ve brought my Songbird Triple Harmony on many a trip, and it has no damage whatsoever using just the padded case it comes with.
Obviously this is still a risk, but you can reduce that risk with some careful packing or craftiness! My friends in Ocabanda have bought customizable gun cases with hard shells and foam interiors and molded them to fit ocarinas, sometimes several. They have a hard shell and very padded interiors, so it could work for you!
That said, unless you have a specific reason like a performance for bringing an expensive ceramic ocarina, stick with one or two that are less breakable. You never know if the TSA will decide to inspect your bag and drop or crush your ocarina (I avoid putting ocarinas in checked bags). As someone who’s never broken an ocarina I liked, I am not ready for that heartbreak, so I may invest in a larger gun case to fit my ocarinas when traveling (expect a post on than in a month or so).
✈️ Travel With Music
One of my favorite things about ocarinas is that they’re portable—they’re perfect for travel! However, ceramic is breakable, so you probably wanna stick to good, portable plastics or ocarinas you can wear. Bring the music wherever you go!
Traveling with the ocarina is also a great way to popularize the instrument, since hardly anyone knows what an ocarina even is. If they see you playing, they may ask! So, check out my post on why ocarinas are so obscure and how we can fix it.
Andy Cormier 