Hal Leonard Ocarina Method by Cris Gale | Beginners Guide with Video Lessons | Learn Ocarina Techniques, Songs and Music Theory | Includes Fingering Charts and Classic Folk Songs Paperback – June 1, 2016

I’ve seen Cris Gale in concert and it is my opinion that she is one of the best Ocarina players around. When I found out she was releasing an Ocarina Method book through Hal Leonard, the world’s largest music print publisher, I knew this book was going to be top notch! Being a beginner in music in general I was pleasantly surprised to see that the layout of the book is perfect for myself as a beginner and also the intermediate musician. The first several pages are dedicated to a quick history of the instrument, types of ocarinas and music theory. Then immediately I’m playing my first note by page 12. The instruction is not overly difficult to understand and the graphics are very easy to follow. I was a little surprised by the price breakdown of the book. Half of the price goes toward the book itself and the other half toward online videos. I used the access code in the book to quickly pull up the videos and I was floored to see 21 videos dedicated to each chapter in the book! These can be viewed online or downloaded to watch later. This is FULL ACCESS to one-on-one instruction with Cris Gale! It’s very professional and does not disappoint. I’m pretty sure I’d be paying much much more than 12 bucks to get this kind of private one-on-one instruction. Each video mirrors what is in the book and I can see how she plays the instrument so I know instantly if my technique is wrong. What a great product! It will take me a while to master this instrument but Cris makes it extremely easy to jump in and get started right away.

This is the best method book available for ocarina. It is well-organized and the included videos are great. The videos actually don't stream particularly well, but the option to download them which allows for easy playing.Sometimes method books have too much information for the beginner, and get confusing very quickly. This is definitely not the case with this book. In fact, if there is any err this book has made, it is that while the content is very well researched and accurate, there is not a whole lot of it.For example: the fingering chart does not provide any alternate fingerings, and as such, some ocarinas may not work with the fingerings provided. For example, the fingerings for high C#/Db and D#/Eb are not suited to smaller ocarinas because of several factors. Of course, these are the standard fingerings for the size of ocarina it is geared towards, so it's not that big of a deal.Overall, while it's not perfect, it's minor imperfections can be readily supplemented by a teacher. Great job, Cris!

Having used Hal Leonard method books while in school to learn various instruments, I have to say I have a fondness for them due to how easy they are to read and the fact that they are truly for absolute beginners who know nothing about music. This book is no different as it is very helpful with learning how to read music, how to form a proper embouchure, includes a brief history of the ocarina, and allows beginners to play songs after learning how to play certain notes.I only wish that this book covered the double and triple ocarinas and the 4 to 6 hole ocarinas as it is written for the classic 12 hole ocarina.But this book is excellent for beginners as this book covers techniques (tips on how to easily change fingering), how to properly breathe and create the embouchure for the instrument which ocarina tabs cannot teach.

I've never played a music instrument and I found this guide easy to understand and I have almost completed it. I would definitely suggest it and I haven't even watched the videos that come with it yet.

As a beginner, this has been immensely helpful! They instruct you very well and even have access to voice guidance. I thought learning to read music would be hard, but it happens right alongside learning the instrument. Wonderful! If you hear random Zelda songs in the middle of nowhere it might be me!

Excellent item, great experience and wonderful seller. A+++

Amazingly fun and easy to understand and learn. Especially if you have learned some music theory in the past. Great refresher.I don’t know how beginner friendly it really is though.

step by step. add note to note and review rhythm with some familiar songs.(ps you can play other songs in those keys it is designed; i have not yet done any sharps or flats.)