How to Make an Ocarina

Sound Born from Clay: How to Make an Ocarina That Truly Stays in Tune
(A report from Čertovina)

In Brief

Creating a functional ceramic ocarina requires precise mouthpiece alignment and accurate tuning using a mobile tuner app. The set from Relyef Pottery Tools allow both studios and individuals to produce truly tuned instruments thanks to specialized molds and a methodology developed with Janek Sedlář. We successfully tested this system at Ateliér Čertovina, and it also works beautifully for experiential workshops within the RSPP program.

Hello potters,

Every now and then, something exceptional happens in the studio. From a piece of wet clay, not only a beautiful object emerges, but something with its own voice.

Today, we want to show you how we “brought clay to life” at Relyef - and why an ocarina deserves a place in your studio.

🏺 Why an Ocarina?

Ceramics is often about silence and deep focus. An ocarina, however, introduces joy and playfulness into the workspace.

For a long time, we searched for a way to make this ancient instrument accessible to everyone - whether you are a professional ceramic artist or holding clay for only the second time.

Our goal was simple: to create a system that enables you to make an instrument that not only looks beautiful, but truly plays.

✨ What Makes an Ocarina Play?

Through testing, we discovered that approximately 80% of success depends on the correct mouthpiece angle. A deviation of just one millimeter can result in air noise instead of a clear tone.

That is why our set includes a calibration rod to help you set this critical angle with precision.

Another essential detail is separation foil. Without it, the clay adheres to the mold and the surface loses its smoothness. A smooth interior surface is crucial for producing a clean and stable tone.

Small technical details make a significant difference.

🛠️ Tested in Practice: Ateliér Čertovina

Theory is one thing - real workshop conditions are another.

We tested our sets at Ateliér Čertovina with Věra Luna to answer two key questions:

• Can participants create a functional ocarina within a single session?

• Will they genuinely enjoy the process?

The results exceeded our expectations. Within just a few hours, a small orchestra had formed. The moment when the entire studio plays its first tone together is difficult to describe.

Thanks to our collaboration with Věra, we also refined the instructions to ensure they are clear and accessible, even for children.

🎥 Watch the production process in a video by Ineoweb.

🎹 When Ceramics Meets Music

We did not want to create just a whistle, but a true musical instrument. That is why we collaborated with Janek Sedlář, who provided a clear and structured methodology for the entire process.

Using his system, you can tune the ocarina with a standard mobile phone tuner app.

The method is simple, yet precise: gradually enlarge the tone hole and observe how the pitch rises. When the display turns green, you know the instrument is properly tuned. It is physics in action - and at the same time, a deeply satisfying experience.

🌍 Heading to Detroit: NCECA 2026

We are excited to present this project at NCECA 2026 in Detroit.

For us, this represents an important milestone and confirmation that Czech ceramics has something valuable to offer on the international stage. The ocarina will be our main project, and we look forward to the reactions of American potters.

🤝 An Invitation for Studio Owners (RSPP)

Do you run a studio or organize workshops?

The ocarina is an ideal experiential project:

• It has a clear structure and can be completed in approximately three hours.

• It delivers a strong “wow effect” - participants leave with an instrument that truly plays.

• It is economically efficient - the molds help minimize waste and reduce mistakes.

Join the Relyef Studio Partner Program (RSPP).
Partners receive sets at a discounted price, access to detailed methodologies, and their students can receive discounts on their own tools.

Would you like to start with us?
Write to us and become a partner studio.

We look forward to hearing your first tones.

Your Relyef Team 🤍