Basically there are two types of people; those that hate the Ocarina and those that love the Ocarina. Fortunately for me and my career I fall in the latter group. In the hands of Nancy Rumbel this potentially irritating little device can imitate a wide variety of styles and cultural genres.
My personal favorites are the lower tones that create images of the Irish landscape and it’s moods. And not that stuff the Irish refer to as fiddle dee dee music. Which is what they call the New Worlds penchant for that minute part of their music and not that of King Bono.
I am also a big fan of the Asian sensibilities that can be coaxed out of the ocarina such as in Spring Maiden from Leap of Faith. Now you musta heard by now about the huge ocarina culture and fan base that exists in South Korea. I don’t know about North Korea. I hava a hunch they are not allowed to have or play ocarinas. but they do have a missile shaped like one.
Then there is the Native American element that replicates the wooden flute of our First Nations People such as in Medicine Tree.
For many folk the Ocarina is a contextual sound and seems to be accepted with out question when it comes to holiday music. Having recorded 3 christmas albums I know first hand that it is a perfect fit.
And lastly with a little rapid tongue action it is the perfect substitute for the Peruvian Pan Pipe. Unfortunately this can also lead to a vocal part.
Alas the Ocarina does not sit well with country western music however we have had some success with the oboe in that regard.