My ocarina arrived in the mail today! Yes!!! I’m already making toot noises that confuse the dogs to no end!
I’m very impressed with how quickly it arrived. And judging by the other stuff, all in perfect condition and well made, the company seems to know what they’re doing.
It’s a very intuitive instrument, especially as I’ve played piano before, and done a bit of recorder. I can get into the proper position instinctively, but it’s pretty easy to do the notes right even if I’m slouching. Yeah, bad habits, blah blah blah. But I know I’ll get better at it with practice.
The only tricky parts are flowing from one note to the next, and hitting the really high notes well. I tend to play them very loud–the ocarina is not quiet, nor is it meant to be–but it does take quite a puff of air. I’ll have to work on my breathing techniques. But I can already do the beginner songs well, no problem there, and I can understand the notes themselves perfectly. My favorite tune is “Au Clair de Lune,” because it’s the only one with a decent melody that I’ve tried yet. Of course, I’ve only tried three so far…I’ll have to keep challenging myself to progress.
I like how the chromatic scale is so intuitive. I’ll get to the sharps and flats later. For now, I’m doing the C scale, again and again until I can get it perfect. I like how my fingers naturally curve onto the holes, even though the instrument is so tiny.
I feel a little faint, because I’m not well used to the breathing needed. In fact, I want to take a nap, but I get the feeling that’s just the depression talking.
Anyway, about the rest of my day…I only had two classes, and both very easy ones, yet I’m still pretty tired. I think it’s a combination of the orthodontist appointment this morning (ick), the doctor’s appointment and blood test (ugh), and the fact that I didn’t really do anything in study hall. I had planned to work, honestly I did, but I wound up in the library while another class was in there, didn’t want to leave even though I was supposed to, and wound up hiding behind a bookshelf and trying not to worry. Attempting to read a novel while constantly looking over your shoulder in case you get caught, and not being able to even move from your hiding spot, is NOT good for productivity. The fact that I stayed up to eleven last night (I’m supposed to go to bed at 9:30) also probably helped me feel awful.
Anyway, right now I need to do my exercises and shower. My hair feels really clean and soft today; I think it’s because I actually showered two days in a row for once. I ought to do it more often.
But maybe I won’t shower JUST yet; I’m still a little faint from the ocarina.
But I love my occy anyway.
