Kid's Instruments

[Dionysus]

Looking at some super-cheap kid's instruments to add organic, performed sounds to some recordings, rather than being stuck in the sequencer.

Anyone with experience with such TOYS here, who might advise if such garbage in the sub $15 range generally sound the correct notes, in tune ?

At the moment I'm looking at a cheap Yamaha Recorder - I have never played wind instruments before, but I'm sure I'll be able to get something basic out of it.

Also a 15-key Xylophone / Glockenspiel. Seems like they are all in C scale, so no flats - but I'll keep digging as there are some pricier models also in D Major scale.

This is a small, fun project that won't have much $$ thrown into the instruments. I'll probably give them to my nephew or donate them to a thrift store when I've finished with them.

Any other suggestions ? Ocarinas are pretty cheap (and nasty by the looks of them).

[client6]

If you can use decent sampler or kontakt, check out https://www.pianobook.co.uk/--they have some free samples of the things you just mentioned (if you want to forgo the sampling part).

[TritoneAddiction]

I’ve played ocarina for little over a year now. My first wind instrument. I really like it. But I’ve spent quite a bit of money on my ocarinas. And I’ve actually practised, so for me it’s way more than a toy at this point.

Even though they are cheap compared to most instruments, I would recommend paying a little more if you’re gonna buy one. We’re talking like 30-50 dollars to get something decent. So still cheap. Anything under and you’re likely gonna get something not in tune. You’ll get a ”toy”, not something that can be used as an instrument.
Also don’t buy from amazon if you’re actually gonna buy one, unless you’ve done some research into brands. Amazon is apparently well known in the ocarina community to sell garbage ocarinas.
Thomann is a good place to start.

Other than that maybe kalimbas or tongue drums? Or different kinds of percussion instruments?

[Dionysus]

If you can use decent sampler or kontakt, check out https://www.pianobook.co.uk/--they have some free samples of the things you just mentioned (if you want to forgo the sampling part).

haha, I think you've misunderstood my intention. I want to try something different other than MIDI & Sample-based sounds. I guess I'm hoping to capture the essence of performance, and all the micro imperfections that comes with recording a played instrument.

On kid's instruments (simply because they are cheap, and I live in poverty)

and

On instruments I don't know the first thing about playing. (disclosure, that includes every instrument in the world - I'm not much of a 'muso')

Thanks so much though, I'm also generally becoming more interested in older western instruments to use samples, and looking forward to browsing through the website you suggested. If I can find some decent Mellotron and Marimba samples, that would make my day.

[Dionysus]

I’ve played ocarina for little over a year now. My first wind instrument. I really like it. But I’ve spent quite a bit of money on my ocarinas. And I’ve actually practised, so for me it’s way more than a toy at this point.

It just dawned on me .. although I know what an Ocarina is, and what they look like, I have NEVER actually heard what they sound like ! Just back from a Youtube exploration, and whoa boy, love the sound. It might even be more perfect for the track I'm working on, instead of Recorder. My first thoughts are that it has a kinda traditional Chinese music vibe. Don't ask me what genre of trad. Chinese music, I don't know the first thing about that either.

The form factor is appealing to me as well, instead of a flute-style instrument. Mostly because its a bit quirky. I think you have sold me on the idea, dear friend.

Looking at my local reputable music shop to see what they have... just one cheap and nasty one, translucent plastic. Looking at elsewhere options, there's a lot that are ceramic, porcelain or similar material. They seem to have a cottage-industry look to them, so how would you know they are built in-tune ? For a <$50 instrument, it's not possible that they are made by a master craftsman.

Maybe I will see if I can come up with a short cut of the WIP song intro to share here, and you can tell me if you think it's possible to play on Ocarina. No doubt I will need to reconsider the song's key / scale, but also probably the speed of the movement. Can't imagine blowing out out an Eddie Van Halen solo on that thing.

[TritoneAddiction]

I’ve played ocarina for little over a year now. My first wind instrument. I really like it. But I’ve spent quite a bit of money on my ocarinas. And I’ve actually practised, so for me it’s way more than a toy at this point.

It just dawned on me .. although I know what an Ocarina is, and what they look like, I have NEVER actually heard what they sound like ! Just back from a Youtube exploration, and whoa boy, love the sound. It might even be more perfect for the track I'm working on, instead of Recorder. My first thoughts are that it has a kinda traditional Chinese music vibe. Don't ask me what genre of trad. Chinese music, I don't know the first thing about that either.

The form factor is appealing to me as well, instead of a flute-style instrument. Mostly because its a bit quirky. I think you have sold me on the idea, dear friend.

Looking at my local reputable music shop to see what they have... just one cheap and nasty one, translucent plastic. Looking at elsewhere options, there's a lot that are ceramic, porcelain or similar material. They seem to have a cottage-industry look to them, so how would you know they are built in-tune ? For a <$50 instrument, it's not possible that they are made by a master craftsman.

Maybe I will see if I can come up with a short cut of the WIP song intro to share here, and you can tell me if you think it's possible to play on Ocarina. No doubt I will need to reconsider the song's key / scale, but also probably the speed of the movement. Can't imagine blowing out out an Eddie Van Halen solo on that thing.

Yeah I wouldn't rely on the one ocarina you found at your local music shop. And I don't trust that your local shop knows anything about ocarinas either. The instrument is too unknown in many places.
With ocarinas you have to know what brands/makers are reputable, otherwise it can be a gamble.

Since you seem to be interested I'll try my best to add some info and clips that can act as quick guide.
Ocarinas come in many different sizes and keys. Soprano, alto, bass, contrabass. The standard is to have a single chamber alto in C. I actually prefer ocarinas with lower tuning myself. They are more soft sounding and not as piercing as the brighter ones. But that's a matter of taste and context of course.
Single chamber ocarinas can play about an octave and a half. But there are multichamber ocarinas out there as well that adds more range. Double, triple, even quadruple ocarinas exist.
Even though the fingering on ocarinas makes it easy to play notes from a major scale, it is good know that ocarinas can play chromatically too so that opens up a lot of possibilties.

I don't know what clips you found, but here's two clips that show off the ocarina well I think. And hopefully can put the "kids instrument" impression to go away.
Both clips are with ocarinist Zhao Fang.

Watch from about 2:50 and forward. You can get quite technical on the instrument. I believe she is playing a triple (chambered) ocarina here.
This is one of those clips that made me realize that it's serious instrument if you just know what the hell you are doing.

The next clip is a childrens song I believe, so it's a bit silly, especially in the intro. Maybe not the best example to show that it's not a kids instrument. Oh well. I think the clip shows off that the ocarina can be quite expressive with the ability to play vibrato, bends etc. The instrument is excellent for more folky type of melodies. The ocarina she's playing in the clip can be ordered from Thomann for 47 dollars (if I convert from SEK).
https://www.thomann.de/se/thomann_12h_o ... is_red.htm
But if that one is not to your taste Thomann sell a wide variety of ocarinas.
She starts playing at 0:38.

Another good source except Thomann is the maker Imperial City Ocarina, ofter shortened to ICO.
https://imperialcityocarina.com/
The company consists of two people, the maker who makes the ocarinas in China and the other person who is from the US who handles the business side and customer service. I've ordered from them 3 times and I can tell you the customer service is one of the best I've ever seen. Responds very quickly to any questions and are very helpful.
ICO makes a wide range of different ocarinas. But they are known for making high quality ocainas for a low price compared ro other makers. They are not the most flashy and beautiful ocarinas but they get the job done.
You do have to wait I bit after placing an order though. Around 2-4 weeks. They don't have anything in stock. Instead they make the ocarina once you order. And of course the shipping takes some time.

If you're from the US there's STL you can check out. I have never ordered from them myself, but from what I've heard they're ok. I don't think they sell bad quality.
They do sell some that has more of the toyish look though.
https://www.stlocarina.com/

Anyway I hope that gave you a quick run through of some basic stuff.
Let me know if you have more questions.

[selig]

I’ve played ocarina for little over a year now. My first wind instrument. I really like it. But I’ve spent quite a bit of money on my ocarinas. And I’ve actually practised, so for me it’s way more than a toy at this point.

It just dawned on me .. although I know what an Ocarina is, and what they look like, I have NEVER actually heard what they sound like ! Just back from a Youtube exploration, and whoa boy, love the sound. It might even be more perfect for the track I'm working on, instead of Recorder. My first thoughts are that it has a kinda traditional Chinese music vibe. Don't ask me what genre of trad. Chinese music, I don't know the first thing about that either.

I always think of Wild Thing by The Troggs when someone mentions the Ocarina!

[esme]

zelda

[mcatalao]

OK, let's get stuff straight, ORFF is not kids instruments, ok?

ORFF are cheap small versions, and were reused for kids thought, you can have a 1 octave 15 eur xilophone or a 500 eur 5 octave with accidents. Same for a recorder. A 10 eur Hohner molded soprano is quite tuned and sounds quite nice, but a moeck starts at 200, 500 for an alto recorder. These are serious instruments and can sound great in our productions. Shakers, maracas, eggs, triangles, tamborines, all can produce nice sounds!

Good luck!!!

[joeyluck]

I know you mention wanting things that produce notes, but thunder tubes are really cool and cheap. I've used them in several ways for designs. Cool on their own but also with effects.

And you also mention not being stuck in the Sequencer, but one of my favorite things to do is use a sampler, like Mimic and sample tapping on something like a glass, then it's an instant chromatic toy instrument. I use Koala sampler on my phone to sample and play with random stuff when I'm out and about