Plastic Ocarina vs Ceramic Ocarina - Which Is Better?

Compared to ceramic‑made ocarinas, plastic ocarinas (so‑called “pla‑ocarinas”) have the reputation of having worse sound. But what is the reality? We examined it.

■ Instruments used in the test

For the test I used ocarinas from NIGHT. Both were Alto C tuning (AC) and from the same manufacturer, but the shapes are quite different. The plastic ocarina cost around 1,000 yen, and the ceramic ocarina was purchased for about 6,000 yen at the time of purchase. That’s six times the difference in price — just how much difference will there be in sound and feel?

○ Plastic Ocarina

NIGHT / Pla Ocarina AC CLEAR

○ Ceramic Ocarina

NIGHT Standard AC Ivory

■ About the weight

The plastic ocarina weighs 95 g, while the ceramic ocarina weighs 225 g, which is about twice as heavy. Perhaps due to its texture, the plastic ocarina feels very light when actually held. For long periods of playing, the lighter plastic ocarina is easier to use.

■ How about the texture

○ Plastic Ocarina

Since ocarinas are held with both hands while playing, texture is also an important point. The plastic ocarina is made of plastic, so it feels hard to the touch, but this particular model has fine bumps on the surface, so it doesn’t feel like cold, inorganic plastic.

Additionally, the bumpy texture acts as a non-slip surface, allowing for a firm hold.

○ Ceramic Ocarina

The ceramic ocarina feels colder than the plastic one when first held, but it warms up as it absorbs the temperature of your hands. It feels softer than the plastic ocarina and, being heavier, gives a solid, substantial feel in the hands. The surface is slightly bumpy, which also helps prevent slipping and gives a sense of luxury.

■ About the sound

○ Plastic Ocarina

The main point: the sound. Even the plastic ocarina produces a proper sound. If you use the correct form and cover the holes properly, it can surprisingly produce a warm tone.

○ Ceramic Ocarina

The tone is softer and gentler than the plastic ocarina. Personally, I prefer the sound of the ceramic ocarina. However, unlike the plastic model, which is industrially manufactured, there are individual differences in the precision of the holes. If the holes don’t match the size or shape of your fingers, it may take some time to get used to playing it.

■ About the pitch

Pitch was measured using the smartphone tuner app “Tuner & Metronome (Tuning Meter)”. Measuring pitch with an ocarina is difficult because the pitch changes depending on how strongly you blow, but I gave it a try.

I used a breath that would not tire me out and it naturally came from the mouth. It may be hard to visualize, but imagine blowing softly like a quiet whistle.

○ Plastic Ocarina

The pitch is almost correct. High notes are also relatively easy to produce. When I blew harder into the plastic ocarina, the pitch rose by about a semitone, so if you try to play loudly, the pitch may shift. It’s perfect for practicing at home, but on stage or outdoors when playing loudly, the pitch may fluctuate too much.

○ Ceramic Ocarina

There may be individual differences between instruments, but in this case, the pitch was down by a whole tone to a semitone. However, if you blow harder, it reaches the correct pitch. The sound becomes quite loud, though, which might be a bit too noisy for home practice. It would be suitable for playing loudly on stage.

■ About the appearance

In terms of looks (design), the ceramic ocarina is better. It visually fits the image of playing an ocarina in a meadow, blending naturally with nature. This ceramic ocarina has a simple design; models like AKETA or Ti Amo with color variations or bumpy surfaces gives an even more natural impression.

■ Ease of maintenance

Since you blow directly into an ocarina, saliva tends to accumulate inside. Occasionally, you’ll want to clean it, but ceramic ocarinas absorb moisture, so washing them with water may alter their sound quality.

In this respect, plastic ocarinas have the advantage that washing them with water does not easily affect the sound. However, the mouthpiece of an ocarina is delicate, so even with a plastic ocarina, you should avoid scrubbing it harshly.

When cleaning a plastic ocarina, gently rinse it with water and pay special attention to the mouthpiece. For ceramic ocarinas, avoid washing with water; it is recommended to clean them using tools specifically designed for ocarinas.

■ Portability

Regarding portability for carrying and using outdoors, plastic ocarinas clearly have the advantage. Ceramic ocarinas will naturally break if dropped. In contrast, plastic ocarinas often do not break when dropped. Of course, if they are slammed hard or dropped from a high place, they will break, but under normal use, they should remain intact.

Plastic ocarinas are light enough that carrying them in a bag or backpack is hardly noticeable.

Straps are essential for ceramic ocarinas

For ceramic ocarinas, attaching a strap can prevent accidental drops. The NIGHT ceramic ocarina used in this article comes with a fitting for attaching a strap, so it should be attached there. Straps also come in various colors, which can be used as a design accent.

■ Recommended ocarina strap

NIGHT Ocarina Dedicated Strap

This is the strap that I use. It features a vinyl shock-absorbing coil, so even if it slips from your hand, the impact is absorbed.

■ Conclusion: Plastic ocarina recommended as the first instrument

After testing, I was surprised at how good the sound of the plastic ocarina is. In terms of warmth of tone, ceramic ocarinas are superior, but regarding pitch stability and portability, plastic ocarinas are not so inferior. For those starting out with the ocarina, a plastic ocarina is recommended as the first instrument.

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