FLUCARINA  

The ocarina has historically had a somewhat enigmatic fingering system. One on the left, one on the right, two on the left and one on the right etc. I wanted to design an ocarina with a fingering system more in accord with a native flute style. Because this instrument operates on the principle of partial pressure rather than tube length, the one-on-one fingering is global; it turns C# into C, B into Bb and A into G#, making those troublesome half hole fingerings unnecessary. There is a lute-like quality to its tone—and the cedar wood body is reminiscent of a violin crossed with the fish shapes that I have been working with. A very sweet little flute with a surprisingly low owl-like sound.