Why do I get a lot of moisture in my ocarina?
You may get moisture in your ocarina as the air you exhale contains a lot of water vapour and 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, besides stopping and shaking the ocarina to get the moisture out.
- Condensation isn't normally a problem with ceramic ocarinas as they are made from earthenware, which is porous and absorbs this moisture as you play.
If you are having problems with moisture with a ceramic ocarina, it is more probable that you are getting saliva into 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 and cause problems. 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 of the mouthpiece in your mouth may pick up saliva. The mouthpiece should gently touch the outside surface of your lips and should be nowhere near your teeth.
If you are able to bite the mouthpiece or it otherwise touches your teeth, you have way too much of the mouthpiece in your mouth. See 'Blowing an ocarina correctly'.
