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The Kid Should See This

Can you carve an ocarina from a butternut squash?

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Can a butternut squash be carved into a proper musical instrument? In this video, Despacito ft. Daddy Yankee (Squash Cover), musician Toni Patanen carves an ocarina from a gourd and demonstrates how it works. Will it sound right for a musical performance?

testing the ocarina

The ocarina is an ancient wind musical instrument—a type of vessel flute. Variations exist, but a typical ocarina is an enclosed space with four to twelve finger holes and a mouthpiece that projects from the body. It is traditionally made from clay or ceramic, but other materials are also used—such as plastic, wood, glass, metal, or bone.

Also: Vegetables. In addition to the squash and potato ocarinas found on his YouTube channel, Finland-based Patanen makes and sells real ceramic ocarinas, a craft he learned after making one in a high school ceramics course.

squash song covergourd ocarina
See another ocarina in action: Three performances with A Música Portuguesa A Gostar Dela Própria.

Plus, learn how to make a carrot clarinet and watch more DIY instrument videos.

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