Ocarina fingering chart: 12 hole Alto C
On a 12-hole Alto C ocarina, low C uses the ten main holes: the eight finger holes on top and both thumb holes underneath. Adding the two small sub-holes takes the range down to low A, and this chart runs from that A to high F, with every semitone in between.
Fingering chart
On a 12-hole Alto C ocarina, low C uses the ten main holes covered; adding both sub-holes gives low A, the lowest note on this chart.
| Written note | Finger position |
|---|---|
| A3 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, S1, R1, S2, R2, R3, R4, LT, RT |
| A♯3/B♭3 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, S1, R1, R2, R3, R4, LT, RT |
| B3 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, S2, R2, R3, R4, LT, RT |
| C4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, R3, R4, LT, RT |
| C♯4/D♭4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, S2, R2, R3, LT, RT |
| D4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, R3, LT, RT |
| D♯4/E♭4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, S2, R2, LT, RT |
| E4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, LT, RT |
| F4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, LT, RT |
| F♯4/G♭4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, R3, LT, RT |
| G4 | Close: L1, L2, L3, L4, LT, RT |
| G♯4/A♭4 | Close: L1, L2, L4, R3, LT, RT |
| A4 | Close: L1, L2, L4, LT, RT |
| A♯4/B♭4 | Close: L1, L4, R3, LT, RT |
| B4 | Close: L1, L4, LT, RT |
| C5 | Close: L4, LT, RT |
| C♯5/D♭5 | Close: L4, R3, LT |
| D5 | Close: L4, LT |
| D♯5/E♭5 | Close: L4, R3 |
| E5 | Close: L4 |
| F5 | All open |
How to use it
- Check the instrument selector: this page opens with the 12-hole Alto C ocarina named in the title.
- Choose a note from the staff, the list or the note keyboard. A filled circle means cover that hole; an empty circle means leave it open.
- Use Hear the note to hear the sounding pitch; the microphone switches off before playback to avoid feedback.
- Select Turn on microphone, allow access and hold one note without accompaniment. The display shows the written note and the sounding note an octave above it.
- Set Reference A to 440 or 442 Hz to match your group, then use Print / PDF to save the whole chart.
Help and explanations
The labels follow Ototama’s 12-hole chart. L1–L4 are the left index to little finger, R1–R4 the right index to little finger, S1 and S2 the sub-holes beside the right index and middle fingers, and LT and RT the left and right thumbs. Notes are written the way Alto C music is usually printed, with low C on the first ledger line below the staff; the ocarina sounds an octave higher.
From low A to high F, step by step
The three lowest notes add sub-holes to the low C fingering. Low B♭ adds S1, low B adds S2, and low A covers both, so all twelve holes are closed. The sub-holes are small, so a slight leak makes these notes weak or sharp. Play them with gentle breath: on an ocarina, more air raises the pitch rather than making a low note stronger.
From low C, the right hand lifts from the little finger upward. D removes R4, E removes R3 and R4, F keeps only R1 on the right hand, and G uses the left hand and both thumbs. Then the left hand opens: A lifts L3, B keeps L1 and L4 with both thumbs, high C keeps only L4 and both thumbs, high D drops the right thumb, high E is L4 alone and high F has every hole open.
Sharps, flats and differences between makers
Most chromatic notes add R3 to the fingering of the note above. F♯ is G plus R3, G♯ is A plus R3 and B♭ is B plus R3; high C♯ is high D plus R3, and high D♯ is high E plus R3. In the low octave the sub-hole S2 does that job instead: C♯ is D plus S2 and D♯ is E plus S2.
Ototama points out that hole layouts vary between makers. If one note stays out of tune with these fingerings, compare it with the chart supplied with your ocarina. This page covers the 12-hole Alto C system only; pendant ocarinas with 4 or 6 holes and double or triple ocarinas use different fingerings and are not included.
Tips
- Learn C, D, E, F and G first: each step lifts one right-hand finger while the left hand and thumbs stay down.
- Warm the ocarina in your hands before checking pitch, because a cold instrument usually plays flat. Then compare long notes with the ocarina tuner.
- Use soft breath for low A, B♭ and B, and a little more air for high D, E and F.
- Keep the printed chart with your music so the hole labels match the diagram you practised with.
Frequently asked questions
How do I play low C on a 12-hole ocarina?
Cover the eight top holes, L1–L4 and R1–R4, and both thumb holes. Leave the two sub-holes open.
What are the two small holes on a 12-hole ocarina for?
They are sub-holes. With the low C fingering, S1 gives low B♭, S2 gives low B and both together give low A. S2 also produces C♯ and D♯ in the low octave.
What notes can a 12-hole Alto C ocarina play?
This chart covers written A3 to F5 with every semitone, which sounds A4 to F6. Notes above high F are not included.
Why does my ocarina sound an octave higher than the written note?
Alto C ocarina parts are usually written an octave below sounding pitch, like soprano recorder. Written C4 sounds C5, about 523 Hz with Reference A at 440 Hz, and the page shows both.
Does this chart work for 6-hole or double ocarinas?
No. It is for the single-chamber 12-hole Alto C system. Pendant ocarinas with 4 or 6 holes and multi-chamber ocarinas use different fingerings.