The Pure Ocarinas community seeks to promote in-depth discussions about ocarinas as serious performance instruments. We also wish to offer a supportive environment where people can learn, get feedback on their playing, and ask questions.
In order to support this the following rules are in place. Posts which violate these rules will be removed without warning.
Product advertising in the form of 'I have these things for sale' or 'go look at my shop', are not permitted. Representatives of large-scale ocarina manufacturers and distributors are also not welcome here. Such business already have extensive marketing systems. I wish to support independent ocarina players and makers.
Independent ocarina makers are welcome to share things they are working on in the ocarina making section. This includes 'works in progress', showing manufacturing processes, and guides for other makers. Offering help to other makers is also welcome.
It is OK for makers to offer instrument suggestions if someone asks for instrument suggestions, however this is under the condition that it does not result in people being flooded with suggestions. Follow up questions should be handled in private correspondence.
Ocarina performers are welcome to share performances for feedback, and non-commercial reasons in the 'performances' subcategory.
The above rules have been set because direct advertising can very easily turn into a flood of people shilling their work, at the expense of productive conversations. Also, many people may wish to join the community for no other reason than advertise, and give nothing back to the community.
The ocarina has become widely known due to its inclusion in the video game The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina of Time. Following this, many ocarinas have been produced which mimic the instrument shown in the game. Many people obtain ocarinas as fan-objects, often with no intention of learning to play well. Such people are typically unaware of the instrument's history and potential.
In actuality, the ocarina predates these games by more than 100 years. It is a 19th century Italian creation with a tradition of virtuosic septet performances. The instrument also has an established and extensive playing culture in Japan, which got started around the 1930's. It is from this lineage the creators of the Zelda games were aware of the instrument.
I am concerned that the ocarina's own history has been burred by the popularity of the Zelda games. Many ocarina communities spend more time discussing the lore of the games, and collecting ocarinas for novel visual designs, in place of actually playing and learning music.
Because our community is focused on ocarina as a performance instrument, I feel it necessary to disallow discussions of the Zelda games, their lore, and the place of the instrument within them. If you would like to discuss ocarinas in those contexts, there are other ocarina communities which cater to this.
You are welcome to use our community to discuss any video game and anime music in the context of performance. Seeking advice on improving your musicality or playing style, or the creation of unique takes on these pieces of music is perfectly OK.
However, I would also encourage members to explore the applications for ocarinas within other genres of music, and to research the instrument's existing music and history.
People can hold differing views and debates are a great way to explore a topic from multiple people's perspective. We welcome debates, however:
Our community believes that the human species is innately neurodiverse, and that individual differences are normal.
Our community exists to promote healthy discussions around ocarinas as performance instruments. Please interact with other members kindly. Swearing or aggressive behaviour directed towards other members is not OK.
Our community welcomes people of all religions and cultures, however preaching religious ideals and / or attempting to convert people to your own religion are not welcome here.