Ocarina in C BY BRAS

Digital version available

You have a 3D printer? → This instrument is also available as a free STL file for self-printing.

Ocarina in C BY BRAS 

I’ve always loved ocarinas: unique sound and articulation, various shapes and tunings, and they fit into the pocket!
From an instrument maker’s point of view, it’s also a very fun instrument to design and build. The tuning process is very different from a pipe flute, and the hole positions allow much more freedom.

This ocarina uses a geometry optimized for support-free FDM printing:

• angled surfaces designed around printable overhangs,

• octagonal tone holes that print cleanly without sagging,

• an internal structure with clean bridges and simple wall geometry,

• a compact one-piece body that prints reliably on most printers,

• a simple and versatile parametric design that will allow me to easily explore new tunings and scales in the future.

A simplified instrument for musicians

I’m not a great ocarina player myself, and I don’t know how to play all the complex chromatic fingerings used on concert ocarinas.
While these systems are powerful in experienced hands, they can also make the instrument difficult to approach.

For this design, I intentionally chose a simpler layout.

The instrument uses a 7-hole fingering system covering one full octave with a smooth and balanced sound across the range.
The thumb holes on traditional concert ocarinas extend the range with two additional high notes, but they can also feel uncomfortable to play, and they often sound inconsistent depending on the craftsmanship of the instrument.

For this model, I chose to remove them, allowing a more comfortable playing experience, a more regular tone, and a more intuitive grip.

Even with this simplified layout, many additional semitones can still be discovered through cross fingerings and alternate finger combinations.

This makes the instrument easier to play while still leaving room for musical exploration.

A fingering chart is included with the download.

Designed by an instrument maker

I’ve been building instruments for more than 20 years now, mostly using recycled materials and adapting my designs to the objects and materials I could find.

3D printing is the first tool that truly gives me the power of an entire factory while still allowing an incredible freedom of shapes, acoustic systems, and experimentation.

I opened my workshop, La Fabrique, and created my brand and store, https://instrumentsbybras.com so I could share these instruments more widely and build a skilled team capable of taking on larger and more ambitious projects.

But 3D printing also comes with its own constraints. I find it fascinating to adapt my instruments specifically for this manufacturing process in order to optimize both the sound and the quality of the object itself.

This constantly pushes me toward new shapes, new ideas, and new acoustic possibilities. There is still so much left to explore.