12-hole ocarina fingering chart

Updated 2026-10-27

This chart shows every note of a 12-hole ocarina in C, from low A to high F: 21 notes. Filled holes are covered and hollow holes are open; the two circles below the body are the thumb holes underneath. Press Play to hear a note. The same fingerings work on a 12-hole soprano, alto or bass, and on ocarinas in G or F: only the pitch changes.

How do you read a 12-hole fingering chart?

The picture shows the ocarina from above, with the mouthpiece towards you. The four holes on the left are for your left hand, with the pinky hole furthest out and the index hole nearest the middle; the four on the right are for your right hand in the same order. The two small holes next to your middle fingers are the sub-holes. Your thumbs cover the two holes underneath.

What are the notes on a 12-hole ocarina?

A 12-hole alto C plays from low A to high F, which STL Ocarina lists as A4 to F6. The main scale starts on C with all ten main holes covered. Each step up lifts one more finger: the right hand from the pinky inwards for D, E, F and G, then the left ring, middle and index fingers for A, B and high C. Above that you lift the left thumb for high D, the right thumb for high E, and finally the left pinky for high F, the note with every hole open.

Pure Ocarinas describes this as the most common layout: "The Asian system is the most common". In the Italian system, Pure says, "Instead of playing the E on the right thumb (assuming a C instrument), you play it on the pinky."

How do the sub-holes work on a 12-hole ocarina?

The sub-holes play the three notes below C. Cover the ten main holes and the right sub-hole for low B; add the left sub-hole for low A; cover the left sub-hole alone, with the ten main holes, for low A♯. Pure Ocarinas says they are played "by sliding the finger forwards, covering two holes with the pad of one finger". Keep them open for every other note except the lower C♯ and D♯, which also cover the right sub-hole. (STL Ocarina's booklet prints the C♯ picture under low B as well; the low B here covers one sub-hole, the way Pure Ocarinas describes it.)

On most 12-hole ocarinas each sub-hole sits next to a middle finger. Pure Ocarinas calls a second sub-hole beside the right index finger the "Japanese" layout; if yours looks like that, check your maker's chart.

How do you play sharps and flats on a 12-hole ocarina?

Sharps and flats use cross-fingerings, where you cover holes out of order. Each sharp is also the flat of the note above it, so C♯ is the same note as D♭. Pure Ocarinas warns that "the best tuned fingerings vary from one ocarina to another". The sharps here follow STL Ocarina's chart; if one sounds off on your ocarina, check it with a chromatic tuner (our own ocarina tuner is on its way) and your maker's chart.

Why are the high notes hard on a 12-hole ocarina?

The high notes leave few fingers on the ocarina, so it is harder to hold, and they need more breath. STL Ocarina's booklet says: "When you reach the two highest notes you won't be able to support the ocarina with your thumbs covering the holes, so try pivoting your right thumb so that the ocarina balances on the inner knuckle." Pure Ocarinas adds that "pressure must increase as you play higher notes", so a high note that sounds flat usually wants a little more air.

Do G and F ocarinas use the same fingerings?

Yes. Pure Ocarinas: "the same fingerings apply to ocarinas in any key; just substitute the notes of that key, such as G A B C D E F♯ G for a G ocarina." STL Ocarina puts it the other way round: on a 12-hole in F or G, music written for C "will sound a fourth or fifth lower than written". So you can use this chart and any C tab on an alto G or alto F.

What can I play with these notes?

Ready for a tune? Start with the easy ocarina songs, browse all the songs, or learn the Ocarina of Time songs.