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Ocarina playing

DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdooryou're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
edited July 2009 in Artist's Corner
I've been learning to play the ocarina, as in the wind instrument best known for its appearance in the Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time.

the Ocarina I use primarily is a Focalink Double Alto C ocarina
Duet%20AC.jpg

this is a video of me playing My Heart Will Go On, from the Titanic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqx8aVgRank

I've been playing about a month. My youtube channel has all my earlier videos aswell, and I'll post my new ones here as I record them.

EDIT: checked with the chat thread as to whether musical art had a place here, was assured it did, so, enjoy! :)

Dhalphir on

Posts

  • nakirushnakirush Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Definitely a good start, and you picked a nice piece for the instrument.

    My only critique is that your breathing seems too shallow during sustained notes giving it an odd quaver and your releases could use a little work (try using your tongue to stop the flow of air quicker).

    nakirush on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    the quaver is my beginner attempt at vibrato
    unless you mean something different?

    Dhalphir on
  • crawdaddiocrawdaddio Tacoma, WARegistered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    Usually the music arts posted here are on the compositional end, but I've got no objection to a little performing arts, if you don't mind that, not having played any wind instruments, I'm a bit out of my element, critique-wise (one of these days a cellist will post here, and then I'll finally be in my game...).

    I agree with nakirush about the sustained notes, though to me, it sounds more like an issue with diaphragm control, which will get better steadily with practice. Your vibrato's got the same sort of control problems; right now, everything feels a bit forced, I'd say that's probably coming from your being tense somewhere. Remember that tension anywhere will lead to tension everywhere when it comes to music, and that tense muscles can't make smooth movements. I'd suggest breathing exercises if I knew any, but like I said, I'm no wind-instrument player. As a matter of taste, I'd also suggest a bit of a faster, and maybe slightly narrower, vibrato.

    I also agree about the releases; right now, you're letting the airflow die out gradually, and that's causing all the pitches at the ends of your phrases to fall.

    You start to drag in the second chorus (around 2:25); that's kind of a pitfall you want to watch out for, especially with slower music.

    Overall, I'd say you're doing well for a beginner; you've got some classic beginner-mistakes to work through, but for a month on the thing, it's not too shabby. Out of curiosity, have you got any other musical experience under your belt, or is this your first instrument? At any rate, keep playing and practicing.

    crawdaddio on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    I played piano and violin as a child, but it was more a thing I was forced to do by my parents, not something I took up because I wanted to, so I never really got into it...practise was considered a chore.

    Dhalphir on
  • ubernubeubernube Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    wow very nice haha. its 4 am over here and it was really soothing.... i may fal asleep soon haha

    great job! keep it up

    ubernube on
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  • NotASenatorNotASenator Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    yeah, to be honest, the vibrato attempt is selling as just weak notes.

    NotASenator on
  • UsagiUsagi Nah Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Hooray wind instrument!

    Very nice work for someone who's only been playing a month, but I have to agree with the general thinness/waveryness of some of the longer held notes. As someone who played flute and other recorder type instruments for many many years, it sounds to me like you need to develop your embouchure to improve your control (though I have no idea exactly how you can go about that other than practicing).

    And out of curiosity, are you trying to produce the vibrato with your throat?

    Usagi on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    diaphragm vibrato was the general idea
    sort of a "ha ha ha" sound only without the vocal chords making any noise

    Dhalphir on
  • CellarDoorCellarDoor Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    i used to play the ocarina to when i was younger, it was a pretty fun experience and i wish i still played it, but meh. Good work though i was a fan.

    CellarDoor on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    haven't made a recording for a while, but this is one I did last night

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzI80MRCP8E

    and this is one which I dug out because i found myself listening to it, it actually sounds better than I thought it did at the time

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FwEeE_fzlU

    Dhalphir on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited May 2009
    This is kind of a necropost, but i think its justified. I've been practising all this time, and this is a more recent recording.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDdDg-jLbyo

    Dhalphir on
  • FoodFood Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    There's a big improvement between your first recording and this one. Nice.

    Food on
  • ManonvonSuperockManonvonSuperock Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    can you play rainbow in the dark?

    'cause i love me some dio.

    ManonvonSuperock on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    another necropost, but i finally got a decent microphone and I've recorded a few more tracks

    Houki Boshi from Bleach
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6DKhobmyw

    Re-recording of From the Beginning Until Now from the Winter Sonata Korean drama.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfH30eE4C0k

    and Apologize, One Republic
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Ewf9y-UwU

    Dhalphir on
  • NightDragonNightDragon 6th Grade Username Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Well, your vibrato technique has definitely improved. It doesn't come off as "weak note" anymore - it comes off as vibrato to me. There are times when you seem to be juuuuuust behind the beat with a note or two every now and then, but as far as I know, that could just be you trying to breathe in between, heh!

    Definite improvements though, good work. A bit more polishing and you'd get yourself a crazy ocarina record deal, yeeeeeeah*

    [tiny]*probably not, but with a little more polish they'd be real nice.[/tiny]

    NightDragon on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    thanks! very nice to hear hard work has paid off :)

    Dhalphir on
  • RubberACRubberAC Sidney BC!Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Can you just redo Stones over and over again please

    RubberAC on
  • DhalphirDhalphir don't you open that trapdoor you're a fool if you dareRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    why's that? :D

    Dhalphir on
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