Super Ocarina Progress!

Getting my ocarina was such a great investment–and now I’m starting to be thankful for all those piano lessons I used to take. I’m already up to chapter 7 in the book, and I’ve only had it 24 hours. I heard that the ocarina was easy to learn, but damn! I haven’t even looked at the accompanying rhythm exercises and audio instruction I’m supposed to use.

I’m highlighting all the songs in the instruction book that are actually pretty good. Most of them are lame exercises disguised as songs, though I can’t complain, as the exercises are decently helpful and good practice. But there are a number of songs I really want to memorize.

The ocarina, which I have named Occy, just gets easier and easier to play. I haven’t once needed to refer back to a fingering chart to reference how to play a note, and it’s not very hard to play a note right unless I’m trying to do a tricky song for the first time. I can get all of the songs down within three or four run-throughs. That’s why I’m progressing so quickly. I’m very, very pleased, even though my fingering still needs some practice. But I know that good finger-work will come naturally with time and practice, as will breathing properly.

I love my Occy.

I Got My Ocarina!

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.