Méditation from Thaïs on the ocarina
On a 12-hole it starts F♯, D, low A, D. Hard, 35 notes, in D major.
Goes up to high D, so it does not fit a 4-hole. Goes down to low A, so it does not fit a 6-hole.
Méditation from Thaïs
Bar 1 of 8
What are the notes for Méditation from Thaïs?
On a 12-hole. Read left to right, a line at a time.
- F♯Dlow ADF♯Bhigh C♯high DDEF♯Alow Alow BC♯D
- F♯EGD♯ETricky spot:F♯GABBlow BC♯DEDC♯DEF
This is the main theme of the Méditation from Massenet's opera Thaïs, the slow violin solo played between two scenes of the second act. Here are its first eight bars, bars 3 to 10, in D major and the printed rhythm, from A up to high D: a long F♯ that climbs to B, C♯ and D, then winds down and ends on the F♮ that leads the tune back to its start. One printed flourish, a quick five-note turn around F♯ in the third bar, is played here as a plain F♯.
What is the hardest bar in the Méditation from Thaïs?
The end of the sixth bar: the line climbs F♯, G, A, B in quick notes, then drops a whole octave from B to the low B. On a 12-hole, Méditation from Thaïs goes from B to low B: you cover the left ring, left middle, right index, right middle, right ring, right pinky and right sub-hole.
Keep the four rising eighths light and even, give the high B its full beat, and let the low B speak softly; on an ocarina the low note needs less breath, so ease off as you drop. The next bar has four sixteenths, E, D, C♯, D, which turn around D just as the printed five-note turn in the third bar turns around F♯; that turn is shown as one F♯, so add it by ear once the tune is secure. The piece is marked Andante religioso, slow and singing, so hold every long note its full length.
Which ocarina can play Méditation from Thaïs?
A 6-hole ocarina cannot reach low A and low B, and a 4-hole ocarina cannot reach low A, low B, high C♯ and high D, so play Méditation from Thaïs in this key on a 12-hole ocarina in C. On an ocarina in G or F, use the same fingerings: the tune sounds in a different key, which is fine when you play alone. The linked chart has every fingering, and you can check your notes with a tuner such as our free ocarina tuner.
The 13 notes here, on a 12-holeHoles in words, with a picture
| Note | Holes to cover | Picture |
|---|---|---|
| F♯ | Cover every main hole but the right index, right middle and right pinky | |
| D | Cover every main hole but the right pinky | |
| low A | Cover every main hole, plus the left sub-hole and right sub-hole | |
| B | Cover the left pinky, left index, left thumb and right thumb | |
| high C♯ | Cover the left pinky, right ring and right thumb | |
| high D | Cover the left pinky and right thumb | |
| E | Cover every main hole but the right ring and right pinky | |
| A | Cover the left pinky, left middle, left index, left thumb and right thumb | |
| low B | Cover every main hole, plus the right sub-hole | |
| C♯ | Cover every main hole but the right pinky, plus the right sub-hole | |
| G | Cover every main hole but the right index, right middle, right ring and right pinky | |
| D♯ | Cover every main hole but the right ring and right pinky, plus the right sub-hole | |
| F | Cover every main hole but the right middle, right ring and right pinky |
Drawn as you see it while playing: mouthpiece towards you, left hand on the left.
Where does the Méditation come in Thaïs?
The Méditation is an instrumental entr'acte played between the scenes of Act II of Massenet's opera Thaïs, first staged in Paris in 1894: a moment of reflection after the monk Athanaël has urged Thaïs to give up her life of pleasure. Our tabs follow the violin part of the transcription for violin and piano by Martin Marsick, published by Heugel in Paris; the cover of this copy reads copyright 1894 and 1898. Marsick, a Belgian violinist, died in 1924 and Massenet in 1912. We show the melody only. Music: Jules Massenet (1842-1912), the Méditation from his opera Thaïs, 1894.