Getting an ocarina (or any small, portable instrument, really)

[Kizyr]

(Not sure if this is the right forum; apologies if it needs to be moved)

I got to thinking that I'd really like a smaller, portable instrument that I could play and, as a bonus, seemed befitting of a video game nerd. An ocarina seems like the perfect choice (incidentally, not because of Ocarina of Time, but Alex in Lunar: Silver Star Story). My only problem is, I don't have any experience spotting quality with this.

Anyway, first of all, I'm wondering if this is a good choice to begin with. I played alto sax and piano for years, so reading music, learning notes, reading music, etc., is no problem. I can't see a down-side, but... there might be something I'm missing.

Second of all, like I said, I don't know how to spot quality considering I'm not that familiar with this instrument. I'm basically looking for something that's:

- Under $100 (and worth the expense)

- Meant for music and not just decoration (although if it's both, that's a plus)

- Has at least a 2-octave range (willing to bend this rule)

After some searching, first two things I found that looked promising were:

http://www.songbirdocarina.com/sweet-potato-ocarinas?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=71&category_id=12

&

http://www.stlocarina.com/ocarina-by-type-12-hole.html

But, I'm wary of purchasing something more than $50 without some guidance beforehand. Any help? KF

[Nabeel Ansari]

http://www.songbirdocarina.com/zelda-ocarinas?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=34&category_id=13

This is a replica of the Ocarina of Time and has a 21-note range. It has a video under so you can listen to what it sounds like.

It's 100$, but hey, it looks like the Ocarina of Time and it sounds neat.

[Kizyr]

I suspect the higher cost of the OoT ocarina is due to the platinum on it. It does look and sound fantastic, but it's really only worth the extra expense if you're a Zelda fan. Since I'm interested in it more because of Lunar than Zelda, it doesn't hold as much value for me.

That being said, everything I've heard about Songbird since starting to look into this has been really positive. I'm probably going to end up ordering this one this weekend:

http://www.songbirdocarina.com/sweet-potato-ocarinas?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=67&category_id=12

Alto, close to the range I want, key of C, and $72 (the 'forte' version sounds interesting enough to try out). KF

[Nabeel Ansari]

I suspect the higher cost of the OoT ocarina is due to the platinum on it. It does look and sound fantastic, but it's really only worth the extra expense if you're a Zelda fan. Since I'm interested in it more because of Lunar than Zelda, it doesn't hold as much value for me.

That being said, everything I've heard about Songbird since starting to look into this has been really positive. I'm probably going to end up ordering this one this weekend:

http://www.songbirdocarina.com/sweet-potato-ocarinas?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=67&category_id=12

Alto, close to the range I want, key of C, and $72 (the 'forte' version sounds interesting enough to try out). KF

Really?

Jeez, that looks like a pretty ugly Ocarina to me. xD

You should get one of those Dragon Teeth Ocarinas.

And the Ocarina of Time one is actually an inaccurate replica, the band on the Ocarina of Time is silver, not gold.

[Kizyr]

The Dragon Teeth ones are a bit too expensive. Otherwise I would splurge for that, but I can't justify the expense. Maybe much later.

What do you mean ugly? Do you mean the shape, or the color (as they're available in different glazes/finishes)? It looks fine to me from either perspective. KF