ClayZ Ocarina Making "The Voice"

[SpeedyOwl17]

Im planning on buying one of these ocarinas but do you guys ship to Canada?

[Aleksei5055]

THANK YOU SO MUCH... after a few tries and watching this video I just made my first working ocarina!

[Clayzflute]

@Aleksei5055 The most honorable profession is TEACHER! Glad you found this useful :)

[PaperMario700]

how did you get the clay hollow and can an ocarina sound great if its on any kind of clay

[alakazam4849]

@Clayzflute could you make a video like this with commentary?

[Clayzflute]

@alakazam4849 Hopefully someday soon. Thanks for your interest.

[alakazam4849]

@Clayzflute :D yay a reply, been three months thought i wouldnt get an answer XD

[GrahamCrackers94]

@Clayzflute I was in Pike Place Market a few days ago and saw your Ocarinas! They looked awesome! But I w

[Clayzflute]

@GrahamCrackers94 Thank you!

[theflyingfatpig]

is it possible to make a ocarina out of play doh?

[SHADOWFREAK33]

@theflyingfatpig i dont think so play-doh starts falling apart once it dries it gets crusty and starts shrinking

[supersarah454]

How did you get it to be hollow?

[SHADOWFREAK33]

@supersarah454 i was wondering the same thing i think when she put the popsicle stick in the front it made an inside

[Lemiscus]

You blantantly had an sound over for when you played the ocarina. Why is this?

[Clayzflute]

@Lemiscus No sound over. Really!

[andresderasfriend]

@frecklespec experiment!

[92rachh]

Brilliant :) is it the positioning of the holes that determines which notes are created? i.e. that it's in the correct tuning?

[andresderasfriend]

@92rachh the size and positioning.

[Meltedsnake4]

I made a sweet potato in my ceramics class today, but only the notes played by the right hand work, any idea why?

[HarmlessBystander]

How did you get the hollow ball to hols shape so well, and yet remain workable? It's hollow on the inside, right?

[HarmlessBystander]

Was this ball of clay already hollow before you began cutting into it? It must have been, right? I don't see any seams, though.

[legalink1]

Do you know how to make sweet potato ocarina? perferably like the ones in the video game "Legend of zelda Ocarina of time" im Just curious

[Clayzflute]

@legalink1 We have 3 sizes of replicas of the "Ocarina of Time" in our line of ocarinas. You can find two of them on our website and the largest, occasionally, at our stall in the Pike Place Market (Seattle). They are very popular. Even the tiny wearable "Zelda Ocarina" plays a 15 tone scale.

[teeoffat8]

Pro on adjusting voice tone..! Thank you for showing.

[ADudeToRemember]

@pikminfreak12 I was thinking the same thing >_>

[takingyouwithme]

so that is stoneware clay? do you have to put that in a kiln to dry it or does it air dry?

[Clayzflute]

@takingyouwithme It is high fired stoneware.  We believe they will last for many centuries! :)

[takingyouwithme]

@Clayzflute i just got some polymer clay at a craft shop and am tryin to make a flute...i can shape it well but i cannot get it to make a sound. I cant figure out what im doing wrong. Im assuming that my windway is not directed at the splitter corectly but as much as ive shaped it and tried so many different times im trying to figure out if theres something i dont know about

[mehisthegratestLAWLS]

@Clayzflute How did you get it hollow?!!?!?!? plz reply!

[PenlericFacePainting]

what was the tools you were using to cut the holes? I've looked for them but I havn't been able to find them. Do you have a suggestion where online i could get them?

[Clayzflute]

@PenlericFacePainting I get most of my tools at Seattle Pottery Supply. They are called hole cutters in their catalog. Google them, they are a great company. I have shopped their for 30 years :)

[Clayzflute]

Oops... I mean "there"...

[ishouldplayzelda]

so kewl. i bought an ocarina but it was from a different website. i'm pretty sure they made it the same way though

[birdbrainxzx]

im assuming that u made that hollow pre-video......right?

[Clayzflute]

@birdbrainxzx

Yes. See our Zelda Ocarina video to watch the slip casting proceess for our hollow vessels.

[brprice199]

thats cool

[Clayzflute]

We do all our shopping for clay, kilns, glazes and tools at Seattle Pottery Supply. they have an online store. Google the name. I can't leave a link in the message replies.

[pickelou]

Where do you get your clay? store, or do you order it?

[Fragacide]

I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, but I can't get my voicing and mouthpiece to line up. I'm working on a 10 hole, and I've tried different ways of making the ocarina, but when it comes to the voicing I always screw it up. What's the easiest way to shape the ocarina before making the voicing? Is there anything like a video or site that has detailed instructions on how to add the voice? I've spent hours and all I've ended up with is a lump of clay :(

[Clayzflute]

Google (image) Ocarina diagram. There It is all in the precise geometry. There are several diagrams that show line drawing of the voicing geometry.

[darklink594]

i found out why people use molds its because that mold is tuned in a key other wise its hard to tune that's what i think

[noahlankford1]

Thats amazing, even the testing sounds beatiful, it has such a ring to it! Amazing

[Clayzflute]

@noahlankford1 Thank you, kindly. If the sound is pleasing to you, we have achieved our goal! :)

[TheNintendoGalaxy]

I have a question.

Is the inside of the english pendant hollow or do all of the holes lead to the narrow airway that goes through the ocarina?

[Clayzflute]

@TheNintendoGalaxy The vessel is hollow.

[TheNintendoGalaxy]

@Clayzflute Thankyou for the help!

[TheNintendoGalaxy]

@Clayzflute Thankyou, however I do have one more question.  Does the sound have to be on the same side as the holes or can it be on the bottom?

[Clayzflute]

@TheNintendoGalaxy It can be on the top or the bottom! Google (images) "ocarina" and you will find ocarinas in many shapes, sizes, and designs.

[TheNintendoGalaxy]

@Clayzflute thankyou very much! Now I'm gonna buy some immitation clay and make an ocarina!

[Shithra]

I took my clay home from school today to make my ocarina for a pottery project, Teacher gave us a packet that includes making the mouth piece, openings, etc. I followed it on the piece I now call the practice piece because I made it the size I wanted it when all processes are done. Ofcourse it shrinks when it's fired, so I made a booboo. The packet confused me, really, but this video cleared alot of things up. I think my mouth piece opening was too big.

[Clayzflute]

We are glad it helped. You can still add clay back if the piece is not to dry. Can you close the mouthpiece and re-open it? If it seems too dry, wrap it with a semi-wet paper towel and store it overnight in a plastic zip lock bag. I sometimes dunk the whole "too dry" ocarina in water and stick it in a bag. 

Good luck!

[Shithra]

@Clayzflute Eh, I messed that one up, remade another and got it working, then when I put the holes in for the different tunes it stopped working. I tried to contact my teacher by email and she never responded, so when I got back in class she said the chamber holes were too big.

At any rate, I've made a third attempt and it's doing well. The only issue I'm having now is 2/4 holes won't work, they're the two highest pitched ones. I'll have to wait until Tuesday, though.

[Shithra]

@Clayzflute Secondly, my teacher said wetting it will cause stress cracks or somethin' on it. I don't really see how that's the case though, 'cause I dampen dryer areas while I'm working on something and it's fine. :/

[OMGcoke11]

Hey guys next year I'm doing ceramics and I always wanted an ocarina but they cost too much so how long would it take to make it in ceramics class? (One hour per day then after school ceramics)

And, is there any good vids on how to make ocarinas out of clay yet look cool?

Thanks

[Clayzflute]

It will take as much time as it takes. There are lots of videos about ocarina making now. Good luck with you class. Intention is half the battle! :) Clues: I can make an ocarina from a lump of clay, and tune it to play 15 notes, in one hour, now. The first one I made (30 years ago) took me 3 days working 9 or 10 hours each day, and I got one tone on the 4th day and it was one of the sweetest notes I ever heard. :) I still remember it.

[linksta9111]

no matter how hard i try i cant make a succsfull sounding ocarina i cant make it make noise

[Clayzflute]

@linksta9111 Most important: Note the angle of the stick. Then keep it at the same level when cutting the voice hole. Keep trying... It took me 4 days at 10 hours a day to make the first sound.  It is worth it.. You are learning from your mistakes, guaranteed.

[paragonshadow]

So at my school i am making a sweet potato Ocarina the clay its self is leather hard. Should i be able to play it right now or after its fired?

[Clayzflute]

@paragonshadow

It must work before it is fired. You can still whittle some while it is leather hard. You can add a tiny bit of wet clay to leather hard clay too. Just wet the leather hard side with a bit of white vinegar.

[legalyzefreed0m]

i finally understand how to make the voice hole... for a while now I've been trying to make a flute out clay but it didnt make any tone. thanks

[Gtchy1230]

Wow! This is great! You've inspired me to make one =D

However, my question is: How did you hollow it out? Did you make the shape, then cut it in half and then hollow out both sides and put it back together?

[TheYowasap]

and that was the coolest thing ive ever seen.

[Clayzflute]

@TheYowasap

Thank you for such kind words. Making music from mud has amazed us for 30 years now. We are glad you liked it. :)

[Clayzflute]

@KENT4114

Thank you. We are very old and we think you have very good taste. :)

[trucomanx]

I liked the video.

but I have doubts about the "airway", because, I have not succeeded, making good sound for the notes "B" and "C".

I have achieved, obtain the notes:

CDEFGA

but "B" and second "C" no.

could give me some advice.

thanks

[Clayzflute]

Perhaps if you slightly push the sharp edge down while looking in the airway, you will get the two highest notes. Shine a light in there so you can see that the edge is a bit lower than the middle. :)

[101507Rj]

how did you get up to the point where you started in the video?

[eceptico84]

muy buen video, gracias!

[McSpaz626]

hey, umm i was jus wondering if the inside was hollow or not because i have wanted to make one just like this and what type of clay did u use? and can it dry without a kiln/oven.

[Umbreon47]

ok.... i have see this, i don't know, like 20 times, over and over, trying to grasp the voicing concept. and not until right now, a half a year later from watching it 19 times, did i see how you did it. I think you have given me the power to create an ocarina. Thank you so much!

[darklink594]

and how do you know the size of the finger holes cuse im using the ocarina i have for the holes

[darklink594]

i got it to wistle but when i open one of the finger holes the wistle goes away

[domdis566285]

How thick do you think the wall should generally be? I tried this and had a very very faint noise. Mostly blow though.

[domdis566285]

I am guessing that is a basic hollow shape? I have tried many ocarina guides and all i have ended up with are ocarinas with the voicing not working. this seems very much less complicated. Although, is the round bend near the top of the voice necessary?

[Clayzflute]

Yes, that is a basic hollow vessel.

I guess I am not sure what round bend your are talking about. I push the clay down to make sure the wind way takes the exact shape of the stick. (inside)

[Cmark002]

i followed the video but i'm still having trouble making the voice sound. is there something i need to pay attention to?

[Clayzflute]

Make sure the airway is clear and that the sharp edge lines up when you look down the airway.

Note that I leave my stick in and it is level with the board where I work.

[Cmark002]

oh i see, thanks a lot :)

one more thing, you poked inside the voice after you pulled the stick out, what was that for? how big should the voicing mouth be?

thanks again :)

[Clayzflute]

It must be completely lined up where the stick enters the hollow. I am removing clay from under the stick (or where the stick was) so that the entrance is flush.

[Cmark002]

thank you so much:)

[ObsessionChange]

I've just started trying to make an ocarina and I'm quickly finding out they're not as easy to make as it looks! But this video has been such an inspiration to me and I want to thank you very much for putting it up.

[Clayzflute]

Thank you, kindly, for saying so! Good luck. Chasing the music in mud has been a 30 year obsession for me!

[RandomXv]

What cone of stoneware would you recommend?

[Clayzflute]

We use cone 4-6 stoneware.

[flippyrock19]

what clay would you recommend in making ocarinas

[Clayzflute]

We use Stoneware. It fires to cone 6. We get it at Seattle Pottery Supply,

[flippyrock19]

thanks

[asitakka]

Since it has achieved that it sounds so well?

I have constructed one but it does not sound badly might it say to me how it has done in order that such a perfect ball stays?

[mushroomcat401]

this makes a very beautiful sound.your very good at this.how long have you been making them?

[Clayzflute]

Thank you. This is my 30th year as an Ocarina Maker. :)

[kathrynhansen1]

I am a ceramic teacher, this is the very best video. NOW I have learned how to place the holes correctly, thank you. KATHRYN SEE MY VIDEO HERITAGE BOX AND CANOPIC JAR

[Clayzflute]

Thank you! I love your videos. You are a middle school teacher, I bet! :)

[mebetter1234]

how did you get hollow

[Clayzflute]

See our Zelda Ocarina Video. It shows you our slip casting method.

[vidboy95]

is it holow when you start?

[Clayzflute]

Yes! It is a slip cast hollow vessel.

[lukasej]

wow that great

[GeneralJay18]

I'm doing a physics assignment on the ocarina and could not get the voicing right until I watched this video.

Thanks heaps Clayzflute! :D

[Clayzflute]

Yay! A good teacher does him/herself out of a job!

[jomagic327]

u good at it

[darklink594]

i ceep try but it dosent work

[patrycastillo1]

bello!!!!!

[MrCollecteur]

i just made one and it sounds!!!!!

[Clayzflute]

Does that make me your teacher? :-) Isn't it fun to get that FIRST sound!!!?

[MrCollecteur]

dude, your a great teacher, but next time, you should talk and explain how to make the holes and stuff like that!!!

clayz rules!

[evanjeffries]

can you make a responses video

[noodlemac]

Did you cut and hollow out that peice and then slip it back together?

It looked very strong and not so flimsy, did you let it sit wrapped up for a day or so?

I've been working on mastering the technique of making an ocarina but i have been having some trouble with it being flimsy or inconveniently shaped.

Great video by the way, It is Inspiring and helpful. I wasn't expecting such a beautiful sound when when the clay is wet.

[Clayzflute]

We slip cast our ocarinas now.  You can see the method in our Zelda Replica video. For many years we used the pinch pot method. Good luck with your ocarinas!

[armisis]

I just made one using your methods here to the best of my ability got a good sound then got impatient and tried to speed dry it, WRONG, learned yet again you must be patient hehe, it looked so good and had a full 6 holes and was quite well tuned and all, ah the fish that got away hehe, crushed it up and blended it into my slip bucket... will try again another day... I think I should try to make a mold and try slip casting...

[Clayzflute]

I have heard that to be a potter (in days of old) in Japan, the apprentice would need to make 1000 pots and put them back in the clay bucket before one could send a pot to the to the fire.

[armisis]

I can see the point of that!! I have fallen in love with working with clay, I have found a pottery in North Yorkshire that offers classes even has a school where you go spend a week or two there for the classes! I have emailed them telling them what my end goal is for now and see what they say! (GRIN) there is something very relaxing about working with it all i could see doing pottery when i retire maybe hehe...

[Clayzflute]

My teachers are my heros! Alan Albright, Brian Ransom , F. Carlton Ball and Paul Soldner. I have no idea who I would be without them! (Of course there have been many others along the way)

[3aiz3rbi]

Hey! Do you know if theres a problem if i use black clays to make ocarinas? Because i cant cut perfect holes on my ocarina like you do, it's sticky, yknow?

[Clayzflute]

Perhaps you need to let the clay set up a bit before you cut the holes. I love the black stoneware clay!

[thewishmaster87]

clayz you're the best....!

I want a pendant ocarina but I can't find them! (I live in Italy).

If you can help me,contact me!

[Krazete]

I spent a long time studying videos and websites trying to figure out how to get a sound out of the clay, and you're the only one that actually helped me.

Thanks.

[Clayzflute]

You are very welcome! Glad it helped!

[IWishIWasAVampire]

Wow that is actually amazing and you have nice nail polish ^_^

[Clayzflute]

My dirty hands! heh heh! Nail Polish helps, eh?

[IWishIWasAVampire]

well you are useing clay ^_^

[nodvick]

hey clayz, me again.. Im considering buying a pendant ocarina from your site, since this video shows that they are of such good (much better than this korean plastic thing I bought) quality... do you guys ship to APO (US overseas)?

[Clayzflute]

We are happy to ship to APO. Thanks for your interest in our work! Where are you?

[fruitsbasketissweet]

what was that you were using? was it clay? it looked like it.

[Clayzflute]

It is clay.  The type of clay is "stoneware".

[hourglassdeity]

Im getting the one with the tri force pendent which i ordered last week

I hope it gets here soon! = ]

peace

[Clayzflute]

Did you learn a couple tunes yet? Glad it finally got there!

[hourglassdeity]

i got it 2 days ago and its awsome!

Thank you! = )

[hourglassdeity]

are those ocarinas the same sizes

as the one with the triforce on it or are they different?

[pyscobrand]

do the holes need to be identicle to the ones in the video?

[Clayzflute]

The ratio is the same. The size of the holes is determined by the size of the ocarina.

[kingocarina]

man, you make it look so easy

[FlyingKiger]

I miss the hollowing part, too bad. :) 5/5

I assume you used clay which you can bake?

[Clayzflute]

Watch our video "Clayzeness Makes A "Limited II" Zelda Replica Ocarina " ...it shows you how we make them hollow. You can also handbuild two halves and score and slip them together, or make a pinch pot and close it off. Another way is to make a solid shape, cut it in half , scoop out the center and atach the two halves. :-) Peace!

[DrakoxProdigy]

can you make a video showing how to make the voicing up close a little more? i didnt see how to do very well.

[moneycouchman]

Clayz, can you make a video that shows how to make the hollow part?

[Clayzflute]

Most of our ocarinas are slip cast as per our YouTube video "Clayzeness Makes A "Limited II" Zelda Replica Ocarina".

[Randysk22]

is tht ball in the beginning hollowed out or is it solid and then carved as shown?

[Clayzflute]

It is a hollow vessel. The walls are about 1/8" thick.

[Umbreon47]

can u play it to test it before u get it bone dry or fired?

[Clayzflute]

We test wet, and bone dry and after oven bisque! You can even tweak it a bit with a diamond file after the fire. :-)

[Umbreon47]

cool thanks much ive been trying 2 find out how to make the voicing properly..... and u gave it! :p thanks!

[vanhalenfreek]

that is so amazing!

[2Raphaelrs55]

Very nice job!!

I bought an ocarina from some Equatorian indians here in Brazil, I'll send you a photo of it! ;)

Thank you for the video!! =D

[ThievingSeven]

i am a HUGE fan of your work.

[Clayzflute]

Thank you! :-)

[metalrosepetal]

i made a couple but they dont whistle!plz help

[metalrosepetal]

Im kinda confused my ocarina doesnt sound tht well...and is tht ball in the beginning hollowed out or is it solid and then carved as shown?

[armisis]

Nice sound think the flimo clay i use is too soft... will have to get the orginal firmer version. Thanks for posting this!!!

Dave

[binhoservice]

make one for me pleaseeeee

[Clayzflute]

Yours is already made! :-)

[boringbugz]

jeez! good job!!

[Clayzflute]

Thank you! :-)

[ziberteck]

that's not fired and it already sounds amazing.

[Akitoluvswaffles]

I can make them just fine, it's the tuning part I have a hard time with...

[Clayzflute]

Start with small holes and increase the size gradually after testing them. It is much easier to make a hole larger than to make a hole smaller after you punch it.

Hint: A little roll over with a pencil will make a hole, in wet clay, a bit smaller.

[Akitoluvswaffles]

Thank you very much this will definitely help me :D :D :D

[ousligger]

im definitely making one

[greenjedimonkey]

5:44??? there's little kids in south america pumping one of these out every 30 seconds! pick up the pace! lol

[Clayzflute]

You made us laugh! :-)

In our collection, we have some WONDERFUL ocarinas from South America. We have also come across many that were BEAUTIFUL, but did not play so well. Practice, and patience helps to make a good ocarina.

[greenjedimonkey]

lol, yeah i know. im just givin you a hard time, hehe. i went lookin for an ocarina at my local music store and all they had were the cheap ones that just look pretty.

[nodvick]

wow.. that sounds beautifully made, and it's not even fired yet :o...

[Clayzflute]

Thanks! :-) Yup, they have to work before they go into the fire!

[nodvick]

I am now on a quest to find an art shop in South Korea and buy some clay :S

[Clayzflute]

Did you find clay?

[nodvick]

no, unfortunately I have not.. I can't believe you checked up on that.. you must be some kind of amazing :o

[ohyeahmans]

you kno. you can use white clay too.merry christmas to Sandi and Richard.

[Clayzflute]

Merry Christmas to you, too!

[Shmengo101]

What kind of clay?

I just know its not Play-Doh.

[Clayzflute]

We use stoneware for our ocarinas. It makes them less fragile than earthenware.

[Shmengo101]

Maybe you can make a football ocarina!

its a brownish colored Clay so it has a good color.

[ohyeahmans]

I am making you 2 questions;what kind of clay do you use,you let it dry or what?,why does it doesnt sing?send me some tips

[Clayzflute]

We use stoneware for the ocarnas.  It makes them more durable. It sings because of the Golden Ratio. Magical math.

[OcarinaTycoon]

I still make a separate mouthpiece for my ocarinas. it just seems easier, being that I don't have the experience to accurately make the mouthpiece while it's still attached to the body. Yet another thing I can learn from you, Clayzflute. Thank you!

[svamp8905]

any one know what size or diameter the holes should be ?

[OcarinaTycoon]

It depends on the size of the ocarina. You can use a set of punches designed for a smaller ocarina, but that same exact set wouldn't work for a larger ocarina, such as a bass. The possibilities for hole diameter varies rather widely between makers.

[wariokid244]

wait do you have to make an angle when you insert the stick into the mouthpeice?

[nickzero77]

yes

[wariokid244]

dang...

[Clayzflute]

I pretty much insert the stick at no angle...

It is level with the back.