Double Alto G Ocarina

Pure Ocarinas double alto G ocarina with a plain finish

Sound Sample

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Reviews

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Technical Information

Playing range: F♯4 to G6

Tuning standard: A440 at 20°C

Weight: 350g

Finish Options

Orders are temporally closed due to too many orders

Description

The Pure Double Alto G ocarina. This ocarina uses the Asian fingering system with the highest notes on the index finger split (no right thumb hole).

Pure Ocarinas include many innovations designed to help you play better, including:

Improved Ergonomics

Pure Ocarinas were designed from the start as concert quality musical instruments, and great ergonomics is a key focus. They are carefully balanced to sit comfortably in the hand, with ergonomically placed and angled finger holes.

All Pure Ocarinas have a functional tail and cappello that make it easier to hold the ocarina on the high notes. They can be used in combination with the 3 point grip, a technique that keeps the right hand fingers close to their finger holes when playing the high notes. Using these support points allows large leaps to be played easily.

The physical weight of the ocarina has also been reduced, as it is easier to support a lighter instrument. Learn more about ergonomics --->

Great chamber balance

Our multichamber ocarinas place a great deal of attention on balancing the breath pressure requirements between chambers. The first chamber is tuned with a shallow linear breath curve, like the single chambers. The Second chamber is then tuned to begin from the pressure of the high end of the first chamber, and increases even more gently. Having a shallow and predictable breath curve makes it easier for you to play complex music with good intonation.

Tuning

The tuning of Pure Ocarinas are individually adjusted by hand to ensure an even breath curve over the entire playing range. All glaze is cleaned out of the holes before firing as stray glaze would mess up the tuning.

These ocarinas are tuned to play in a440 concert pitch at 20 degrees centigrade, with a shallow breath curve that is consistent over the instrument's entire range.

How the different finishes feel

It is important to note that different finishes feel different to play. I can summarise as follows:

  • Shellac. Natural shellac has been used to finish ocarinas for hundreds of years. It is durable and has a good feel, but can feel slightly sticky if your fingers are damp.
  • Plain. The plain surface of the ceramic. A plain finish is advantageous if you tend to have damp fingers as earthenware is porous. It will absorb finger moisture and keep your fingers dry, resulting in a more consistent feel. Though it does stain over time and can only be cleaned by re-firing to burn it out.

Sliding movements on shellac ocarinas can be made significantly easier by covering your fingers with talk or chalk dust. This serves to absorb any moisture present and prevents the gripping surface of the skin touching the instrument.

I personally prefer plain finished ocarinas as it has the best feel to me. The staining does not bother me as they age to a slightly yellowed appearance similar to old bone, a likeness frequently cited by people who have seen my instruments.

Reviews

Item Rating: 5 of 5

Truly a fine instrument

I received my Ocarina yesterday and I've had difficulty putting it down. The breath curve is incredibly even and the tone is crystal clear. The design is very ergonomic. The weight of a double Ocarina is something to get used to but the added range is so welcome. It's opening up the amount of repertoire I can play and the Chambers are tuned exquisitely. I don't think I can quite express just how beautiful and resonant the tone is. I fully recommend this to musicians who want a quality, capable instrument for their Ocarina!!


Item Rating: 5 of 5

Amazing DAG

I received my ocarina today, I played on it a couple of hours and I wanted to write a review tonight just because I wished I would have found more reviews here and got it sooner. :)
It is an amazing musical instrument in the way it looks, plays and sounds. I am very happy with it! The fact that it is not a high breath ocarina and that I do not need ear plugs when I play it makes it my dream ocarina. Looking forward to play a lot of music with it! Thank you a lot for such a fine instrument!


Item Rating: 5 of 5

A work of art and engineering

The tone on the DAG ocarina is clean and responsive. Breath pressure feels perfect throughout the range. This ocarina allows me to play expressively without issues like overblowing or breath cuts. The ergonomics are incredible and make me want to play this ocarina for hours. Perfectly in tune. Pure ocarinas are a work of ocarina engineering!


Item Rating: 5 of 5

Ideal Ocarina

I am very fortunate to be an owner of this ocarina. Perfectly crafted, perfect ergonomics, perfect balance between chambers and amazing tone. Highly recommended - these are serious ocarinas for the serious ocarina player.

Here is a video I made using Pure Double Ocarina in G: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8lWcc7JryM


Item Rating: 5 of 5

Nice sound, well balanced ocarina

I bought this ocarina last year and had the chance to experiment with it for a while. It is a perfect ocarina for practice and play in a closed ambient. It has many features that I like. Ergonomics is very good, it is easy and intuitive to reach both chambers with the fingers, without pivoting the thumb to position properly. The angle of blowing has a thin direction, you need to get used to it at first but this is very good, because you can play legato passages, switching back and forth the chambers fast and very easy, without inserting wonky noise by blowing in both chambers.

The ocarina does not require acute bend on any note, but contrarily the acute bend might worsen the sound. This makes it flexible, you can easily play in tune, standing up, sitting on a chair or laying in bed. Characteristic is soft blown, sound is nice with any breathing technique, for beginners might create bad reflex to blow without proper breathing down the diafragm to create the round sound.

You can also play loud if needed, by overblowing with up to a semitone without becoming airy on high notes.

I recommend this ocarina, it is surprisingly comfortable, it has its own mood and 'personality' and I will be interested in a potential double C in the future.


Item Rating: 5 of 5

Double Alto G Ocarina

This is an amazing functional work of art! The tones are so pure I cant imagine how Robert accomlished this. My husband and I both own some nice ocarinas from other makers but this one is my most favoret, it blows me away how simple it is to change chambers and the harmony from both chambers at once is out of this world pure, true and oh so BEAUTIFUL!
It's real music!

I love how smooth the unfinished surface is, I got my lip part only lacquered but as smooth as the body surface is I didn't need to, but still my lips move effortlessly from one chamber to the next. The finger holes are just right, not too big and not too small.

The distance between the holes are perfect for changing both notes as well as chambers.

I am in love with Roberts work!
It is pure joy to play my PureOcarina, thanks so much Robert!


Item Rating: 5 of 5

Wonderful Double Alto G

Hello Robert, I wanted to wait til I had a chance to give this ocarina a really good workout before I emailed you. I'm soooo glad that I opted for the unshellacked mouthpiece! I absolutely LOVE how easy this is to change chambers! This has now become my favourite double ocarina!

Thank you!
Robbyn


Item Rating: 5 of 5

Another great creation from Pure

I purchased this ocarina at the International Ocarina Festival in Budrio, in 2017.

I always admired Robert's work, and i was looking forward to try out his new DAG. I found out they were even better than what i thought! The ergonomics of this ocarina are great and it feels really comfortable, way more than another double i bought at the same festival from another maker. The sound is deep and dreamy. It has become my new favourite!

I'll be waiting for the DAC!