Dr0sik's Ocarina Music (Amongst Other Things): 2010

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Q. What the hell is THAT?

A. This is an ocarina. It’s a musical instrument that has been around for centuries.

Q. Is that that thing from Zelda?

A. In The Legend of Zelda, they do have an ocarina. In fact, that’s how North America was introduced to the ocarina. However, ocarinas have been around for centuries; long before video games existed. Ocarinas are not from Zelda, but they are used in Zelda.

Q. Where did you get it?

A. I get my ocarinas off the internet. Most music stores do not sell ocarinas because they are such an obscure instrument in this part of the world. There are many ocarina makers in the US that sell their ocarinas on the internet.

I got my G pendant from Songbird Ocarinas.

I got my transverse alto C from STL Ocarinas, as well as my C pendant and my MaxDouble.

Q. Can you play me a song?

A. I’d be more then happy to play song, but not during school hours in the hallways, or in the middle of a room where people are busy. I don’t want to disturb people. Also, I’m a busy person. Please don’t try to stop me and request a song. I can’t stop and play my ocarina if I’m going somewhere or have things to do.

Q. Can you play me a Zelda song?

A. I do know quite a few Zelda songs, but I know other songs too… Most people that see my ocarina think it’s from Zelda, and therefore, can only play Zelda songs. That’s not how musical instruments work though, and ocarina’s have been around longer then Zelda. So yes, I can play a Zelda song, but again, not if I’m busy. I don’t have time to stop what I’m doing, so ask me to play a song when you see me sitting around or already playing songs.

Q. Do you know _____? You should learn to play that song!

A. I listen to very…different music. I listen to mostly rock instrumental, jazz instrumental, and basically music arrangements that have no vocals. I don’t listen to a whole lot of bands; I listen to individual artists/composers. The odds are, if you request a modern song, I haven’t heard of it. Usually people will say, “You should play (insert song name here)! That would be so awesome!” Well, usually I’ve never heard of the song they just requested. So I’ll tell them that, and then they’ll say I should learn it. That’s the thing though, I’m to lazy to look up a song that I’ve never heard of, listen to it, and then try to learn it. Especially since 90% of the time the song is garbage. So if I haven’t heard of your favorite song, you’re probably not going to hear me play it.

Q. How much did it cost?

A. My pendant G ocarina was about $40 if I remember correctly. My pendant C was a little over $10. My transverse alto C was about $80. My MaxDouble was about $130. I’m actually looking into three more ocarinas, one of them being a transverse bass C ($150), a transverse soprano F ($60), and a purple clay transverse alto C ($160).

Q. Why would you spend so much on them?

A. I’m a musician. Why would you spend $200 on a hockey stick?

Those are the most frequently asked questions that I get. Thanks you for taking the time to read this instead of asking me a question that I get all the time.