Ocarina History

What is the history of the ocarina?

The ocarina, or vessel flute, first appeared approximately 10,000 years ago. Different versions are found around the world and in almost all cultures. Ocarina is the modern term for any type of vessel flute.

10,000 B.C. to 1300 A.D

Ancient vessel flutes were made from gourds, seedpods, bones, and clay. The Chinese Xun and pre-Columbian 4-chambered vessel flutes developed as early as 500 B.C.

1300 Medieval Europe

The Gemshorn first appeared in Scotland and England. This flute was made from the horn of the Gem, a type of goat, hence its name.

1853 Budrio, Italy

Italian musician, Giuseppe Donati, invented the modern 10-hole ocarina. The first Ocarina Orchestra (7 people playing 7 different sizes of ocarinas) began to tour Europe. They played only classical and opera music. Budrio has been the home of a succession of ocarina-makers since the 1850s as well as a succession of Ocarina Orchestras. Fabio Menaglio is the current Budrio ocarina-maker. He, like each of his predecessors, has built upon Donati’s benchmark style of ocarina. The current Ocarina Orchestra continues the tradition of playing 7-part classical and opera music on tours across the globe.

1900 United States

The ocarina became popular in the United States and was sold through the Sears catalog. The ocarina was given its American name, Sweet Potato, because of its shape and sweet sound.

1928 Japan

Ocarinas became popular in Japan when a Japanese ocarina-maker began production. This company, Aketa Ocarina, still produces high quality instruments today. The ocarina is currently used in Japan to teach children music in school. Ocarina Societies are also common in Japan.

1940s United States

American army troops were issued plastic ocarinas as a morale booster. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour played ocarinas and sang the song, When the Sweet Potato Piper Plays in the hit movie Road to Singapore.

1950s United States

Ocarinas were used to teach music to children in US public schools. In the movie Stalag 17 the character Joey played an ocarina.

1960s England

A British mathematician invented the 4-Hole ocarina, which plays a 13 note chromatic octave. The song, Wild Thing featured an ocarina solo, as did the soundtrack of the Italian-made Clint Eastwood movie, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

1970s-present

The ocarina continues to be popular in England, Japan, and Italy. American craftspeople make ocarinas in wood and clay in a wide range of styles. Hand-made ocarinas are commonly sold at Renaissance Fairs and Arts and Crafts Fairs in the United States. Ocarinas are also made by craftspeople in Central and South America as well as across Eastern Europe and Asia. The ocarina is gaining popularity with modern recording artists. And, it has been featured recently in a Nintendo game called Zelda, Ocarina of Time.