Silent Night on the ocarina

Updated 2026-10-27

Silent Night in C major runs from C up to high F, the very top of a 12-hole ocarina, so it is a 12-hole song. It is slow and gentle, with one high climax near the end.

What are the notes for Silent Night on the ocarina?

Silent Night in C major, 6/8 time, bar by bar: G, A, G, E | G, A, G, E | high D, high D, B | high C, high C, G | A, A, high C, B, A | G, A, G, E | A, A, high C, B, A | G, A, G, E | high D, high D, high F, high D, B | high C, high E | high C, G, E, G, F, D | C. Press Play to hear the tune.

  1. G
  2. A
  3. G
  4. E
  5. G
  6. A
  7. G
  8. E
  9. high D
  10. high D
  11. B
  12. high C
  13. high C
  14. G
  15. A
  16. A
  17. high C
  18. B
  19. A
  20. G
  21. A
  22. G
  23. E
  24. A
  25. A
  26. high C
  27. B
  28. A
  29. G
  30. A
  31. G
  32. E
  33. high D
  34. high D
  35. high F
  36. high D
  37. B
  38. high C
  39. high E
  40. high C
  41. G
  42. E
  43. G
  44. F
  45. D
  46. C

What is the tricky spot in Silent Night?

The climb to high F in the ninth bar, the highest note on the ocarina, with every hole open. On a 12-hole, from high D to high F you lift the left pinky and right thumb.

With every hole open there are no fingers holding the ocarina, so set up the grip before the phrase: STL Ocarina suggests pivoting the right thumb so the ocarina rests on its inner knuckle. High F also needs the most air of any note. Breathe in before the bar, give the F a firm, fast airstream and come straight back down to D and B, easing the breath as you go. In the next bar comes high E, held for a long beat: keep the air up so it does not sag. If high F only squeaks, practise high D, high E and high F slowly, one after the other, raising the breath a little each time.

Which ocarina can play Silent Night?

Silent Night in this key fits a 12-hole ocarina in C. It goes beyond the range of a 6-hole or 4-hole ocarina. On an ocarina in G or F, use the same fingerings and it sounds lower. Every fingering is in the 12-hole fingering chart, and you can check your notes with a chromatic tuner (our own ocarina tuner is on its way).

Is Silent Night public domain?

Yes. Franz Xaver Gruber wrote the tune in 1818 and died in 1863; Joseph Mohr, who wrote the German words, died in 1848. Our tabs are arranged from a 1909 printing. We show the melody only. Music: Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863), words by Joseph Mohr (1792-1848).

More ocarina songs

More: easy ocarina songs and all the songs.

Sources