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. You’re free to ask about any of these rules if you would like clarification.
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.
Our community is focused on ocarina as an instrument. We seek to promote discussions of learning approaches, provide a space to seek advice on improving your musicality or playing style, discuss practice methods, repertoire, finding good ocarinas, music theory, and related topics.
The ocarina is a 19th century Italian creation with a tradition of virtuosic septet performances. They used to be widely known and played, however, mainstream awareness of the instrument within Europe almost completely died out over the 20th century.
Concurrently to this, the ocarina made its way to Japan around the 1930's. The instrument developed a playing tradition in the country, where it is widely played to a high standard today. Through this culture, the ocarina was known to the creators of a popular video game, The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina of Time.
The Zelda game reintroduced the ocarina to Europe and America in the guise of a video game prop, to an audience unaware of the instrument's history. Unfortunately, this has lead to the ocarina being widely viewed as a novelty or toy, with few people aware of the instrument's history and potential for virtuosic music performance.
We would like to keep discussions in the main channels as on topic as possible, as this forum is for discussing the ocarina as an instrument, not as a pop culture object.
I would also like to encourage members to explore the applications for ocarinas within genres besides video game and anime music, because there is a lot of untapped potential. The instrument's existing music and history is also worth a look.
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.