An ocarina is an ancient instrument said to date back 12,000 years. It is a vessel flute that has from four to 12 finger holes. Ocarinas and similar instruments are found all over the world. The modern ocarina dates to 19th century Italy where Giuseppe Donati transformed the ocarina from a toy into the first classical ocarina. The Italian word ocarina means “little goose.”
Traditionally ocarinas are made from clay, but can be made from bone, horn, wood, metal, glass or plastic. Ocarinas are easy to learn but difficult to master. Correct pitch depends upon breath control.