The Genuine Italian Ocarina

This is a genuine terracotta ocarina made in Budrio, Italy, the same town where the ocarina was believed to have been modernized in 1853 by Guiseppe Donati for use in ensemble works. Its design is thought to have originated from earlier Mesoamerican and Asian cultures from 12,000 years ago. Known as "little goose" in Italian, the transverse instrument--technically a woodwind--has eleven holes (eight on the right side and three on the left) and is held by both hands vertically. Played like a recorder, the pitch varies when you cover or uncover one or more of the holes while blowing into the fipple. When all the holes are covered, it plays a warm middle C; when completely open, it plays a shrill F. It can also play all the sharps and flats in between, and you can bend the pitch of any note by changing the strength of your breath. 6 3/4" L x 3 1/2" W x 2" D.