Why do I get a lot of moisture in my ocarina?

It is normal to get moisture in your ocarina, as the air you exhale contains a lot of water vapour. This condenses inside the ocarina when the instrument is cold.

• In plastic ocarinas, condensation can accumulate inside the windway and may affect sound production. Very little can be done about this, except to stop and shake the ocarina to get the moisture out.
• Condensation is less of a concern with ceramic ocarinas, as they are made from earthenware, which is porous and absorbs this moisture as you play.

If you're experiencing moisture issues with a ceramic ocarina, saliva is likely entering the windway. This generally happens for two main reasons: looking down while playing and putting too much of the mouthpiece in your mouth.

• If you look down while playing, saliva may run into the windway. If instead you keep your head up, your saliva will pool in the bottom of your mouth and can be swallowed while taking a breath.
• Putting a lot of the mouthpiece in your mouth may pick up saliva. The mouthpiece should gently touch the outside surface of your lips and be nowhere near your teeth.

If you can bite the mouthpiece or if it otherwise touches your teeth, you have far too much of the mouthpiece in your mouth. See 'Blowing an ocarina correctly'.