Ocarina (app)

Ocarina (2008) is an app by Smule. It was followed by Ocarina 2 (2012). Both apps were designed by Smule's Co-founder Ge Wang.[1]

Background

The app "lets users create their own 'music' by blowing into their iDevice’s microphone and then creating different tones by holding fingers". Ocarina 2 has new features including dynamic harmony and a 'Whistle Mode'.[2]

Critical reception

Wired rated it 7/10, though noted "There’s a thin line between “spirit stirring” and “annoying droning.”"[3] Appstruck gave the app 5/5 stars, writing "Granted I have access to a wonderfully astute and adept guitar player (hello, boyfriend), I’ll still try to wear callouses on my fingers and learn to play a live acoustic, but on my own time, the Ocarina is a fun and pleasant-sounding instrument that allows even the talentless, the musically-deficient, to produce harmonious melodies all on their own."[4] 10TopTenReviews said "Ocarina is a worthy addition to your iPhone’s app library. It won’t be an application that you’ll quickly tire of like the simplified drums, piano and guitar apps littering the App Store on iTunes. You can actually create and perform real music."[5] Macworld gave it 4.5/5, writing "If you'd like to help in the effort to make more accomplished Ocarina players, start by dropping the $1 necessary to pick up an Ocarina of your own. If you have even the slightest interest in making music with your iPhone, this is a must-have application."[6]

QuickAppReview rated Ocarina 2 a 9/10, describing it as "innovative" and "authentic".[7]


Ocarina 2

While the original version of the app let people create their own songs, the new, Ocarina 2, allows them to recreate well-known tunes. The application's interface can guide users on which buttons to press and how long to hold them for in order to recreate the right melody. The app features a certain degree of gamification, allowing people to see how many notes they have played, how many "breath points" they have earned and what their progress looks like. Users who have mastered more than 100 songs can reach a Jedi status.

The Ocarina 2 offered users four free songs to start with. In order to unlock more tunes or premium songs, users needed to buy premium packs. An 18-tune pack costs $2.99 and premium packs start at 99 cents per 2 songs. [8]

See also

References
  1. Wang, Ge (2014). "Ocarina: Designing the iPhone's Magic Flute". Computer Music Journal. MIT Press. 38 (2): 8–21. doi:10.1162/COMJ_a_00236. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  2. http://www.technologytell.com/apple/98278/smule-releases-ocarina-2-for-ios/
  3. https://www.wired.com/2011/12/ocarina-app/
  4. http://appstruck.com/2009/08/iPhone-App-Review-ocarina/
  5. http://iphone-apps.toptenreviews.com/music/ocarina-review.html
  6. http://www.macworld.com/article/1137199/ocarinaiphone.html
  7. http://www.qappreview.com/2012/review-ocarina-2-music-entertainment/
  8. Kim, Ryan (2012-06-19). "Ocarina 2 app teaches people to play songs for a price". gigaom.com. Retrieved 2019-07-01.


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