4-hole - Great for young children just starting out. Not too many holes like the recorder, and easier to gain a sense of musical accomplishment with out too much frustration or confusion. The 4-hole ocarina is suggested for ages 5-8ish or 9ish. Bear in mind that the 4-hole only allows one to play about 70% of the songs out there.

5-hole - Four holes on top and one hole on the bottom - this one plays everything! You get an extra note into the next octave which is just enough to complete the scale needed to play any song. Accidentals (inbetween notes, like the black keys on the piano) are achieved by half-holing or covering half the hole to give you the sharp of the bottom note.

6-hole - Does it all the EASY way. Same as the 5-hole, but the extra small hole on the bottom gives you the accidentals the easy, accurate way… no more sloppy half-hole action. This is the Cadillac of the ocarinas.

Cloud McCleod