You know that feeling when you first step out of the Kokiri Forest? The world of Hyrule just opens up. It’s huge. But honestly, the real magic of the game isn't just in the sword swinging or the dungeon crawling. It’s the music. If you want to get anywhere, you’ve gotta memorize The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time all ocarina songs because, without them, Link is basically just a kid wandering in the woods with a stick.
Music is the engine of the game. It’s not just background noise composed by Koji Kondo; it’s a mechanical necessity. You play a few notes, and suddenly the sun rises. You play another tune, and a massive stone block vanishes into thin air. It’s wild how much power is packed into those C-buttons.
The Core Melodies You Learn as a Kid
Zelda’s Lullaby is the big one. You get it from Impa right after you sneak past the guards in Hyrule Castle. It’s the ultimate "skeleton key" for the game. Basically, if you see a Triforce symbol on the ground or a wall, just whip out the ocarina and play Left, Up, Right, Left, Up, Right. It triggers switches, heals signs you’ve accidentally chopped in half, and proves you’re "with the royal family."
Then there’s Epona’s Song. Malon teaches it to you at Lon Lon Ranch. It’s short—Up, Left, Right, Up, Left, Right. Honestly, it’s mostly for calling your horse later, but as a kid, it’s how you get milk from cows. Just stand in front of a cow, play the song, and boom, free Lon Lon Milk. It’s kinda weird when you think about it, but hey, it saves rupees.
Saria’s Song is how you talk to your best friend when you’re lonely in a dungeon. Down, Right, Left, Down, Right, Left. It’s catchy. Too catchy. It’s also the only way to get Darunia, the leader of the Gorons, to stop being so grumpy and actually give you the Goron Ruby. He starts dancing like crazy. It’s one of the funniest moments in the game.
Making it Rain and Changing Time
The Sun’s Song is a lifesaver. You find it in the Royal Family’s Tomb in Kakariko Village. Right, Down, Up, Right, Down, Up. If you hate fighting ReDeads—those creepy zombie guys that freeze you with a scream—this song is your best friend. It stuns them. Plus, it turns night into day instantly, which is great if you’re waiting for the market to open or trying to get a specific Big Poe to spawn.
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Don't forget the Song of Time. Right, A, Down, Right, A, Down. You get this after grabbing the Ocarina of Time from the moat. It’s how you open the Door of Time, but it also moves those blue "Time Blocks" that have the Temple of Time symbol on them. Sometimes they appear, sometimes they disappear. It’s a bit of a spatial puzzle mechanic.
The Song of Storms is legendary. It’s a paradox! You learn it from Guru-Guru (the guy with the music box in the windmill) as an adult, but you only learn it because he says a kid played it for him seven years ago. So you go back in time and play it for him. A, Down, Up, A, Down, Up. It summons rain, drains the well, and reveals hidden holes in the ground where you can find Gold Skulltulas or chests.
Teleportation and the Sage Songs
Once you become an adult and start hitting the Temples, the game shifts. You can't just walk everywhere anymore; it’s too slow. This is where the warp songs come in. Sheik shows up at the weirdest times to teach you these.
The Minuet of Forest is the first one. A, Up, Left, Right, Left, Right. It takes you straight to the Sacred Forest Meadow. It’s peaceful, but usually, you’re just there because you need to get into the Forest Temple.
Bolero of Fire is for the heat-seekers. Down, A, Down, A, Right, Down, Right, Down. This drops you right into the heart of Death Mountain Crater. Pro tip: make sure you have your Goron Tunic on before you warp there, or you’ll start a very short countdown to Link passing out from the heat.
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The More Difficult Warp Points
The Serenade of Water is... okay, the Water Temple is a nightmare for most people. But the song is pretty. A, Down, Right, Right, Left. It takes you to Lake Hylia.
Then you’ve got the Nocturne of Shadow. Left, Right, Right, A, Left, Right, Down. Sheik teaches you this in Kakariko Village while the town is literally on fire. It’s the only way to reach the Shadow Temple entrance up on the graveyard cliff.
Requiem of Spirit is essential for the desert. A, Down, A, Right, Down, A. You have to play this to get back to the Desert Colossus so you can complete the temple as both a kid and an adult. It’s one of the coolest sounding tracks in the whole game.
Lastly, the Prelude of Light. Up, Right, Up, Right, Left, Up. This is your "get me home" button. It warps you back to the Temple of Time. It’s perfect for when you need to swap between being a kid and an adult quickly.
Why These Songs Actually Matter for Your Playthrough
A lot of people think you just learn them and forget them. Nope. Using The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time all ocarina songs strategically is what separates the casuals from the speedrunners.
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For example, did you know playing the Song of Storms near a wilted bean sprout will make a fairy come out? Or that playing Zelda’s Lullaby near certain "Gossip Stones" (those one-eyed rocks) will give you a big healing fairy? Most people just hit them with a hammer to see them blast off into space, but the music actually helps you survive.
If you’re stuck in a dungeon, try Scarecrow’s Song. This one is unique because you make it up. You go to Lake Hylia as a kid, talk to the scarecrow, and play any eight-note melody. Just don't forget it. When you come back as an adult and play that same song in certain spots, Pierre the scarecrow appears, and you can Hookshot to him to reach secret chests.
Technical Nuance: The Pitch Control
You can actually change the pitch of the notes. If you hold the R-button, the analog stick, or the Z-button while playing, you can bend the notes. It doesn't change the game mechanics, but it lets you play actual songs like the Simpsons theme or Star Wars. It’s a testament to how deep Nintendo went with this system back in 1998. It wasn't just "press button, get result." It was a mini-instrument.
Common Misconceptions About Ocarina Music
- You don't need the Ocarina of Time for everything. You start with the Fairy Ocarina. It works exactly the same for the early songs. Saria gives it to you, and it’s honestly kind of sad when you "upgrade" and just toss her gift away.
- The songs aren't random. They are built on the pentatonic scale mostly, which is why they sound so "natural" and adventurous. Koji Kondo is a genius for making complex-feeling music using only five buttons.
- Warping isn't always best. Sometimes, riding Epona across Hyrule Field is faster if you’re already close, because the warp animations and "Sheik cutscenes" take forever.
How to Effectively Use Your Repertoire
To truly master the game, keep a mental checklist of which songs interact with the environment.
- Zelda’s Lullaby: For anything with a royal crest.
- Song of Time: For moving blocks or clearing path obstacles.
- Song of Storms: For uncovering hidden holes (Grottoes) or activating "Storm" pads.
- Sun’s Song: To skip the annoying night cycles or stun undead enemies.
- Epona’s Song: Not just for the horse! Play it for cows to get free health (milk).
If you’re playing the 3DS version, the songs are actually displayed on the bottom screen, which makes life way easier. On the N64 or Switch Online version, you’ve gotta memorize them or keep opening the sub-menu. Honestly, memorizing them is part of the charm. It makes you feel like a real musician.
Next Steps for Your Hyrule Adventure
First, head over to the Royal Family's Tomb in the Kakariko Graveyard to snag the Sun’s Song. It's the most underrated utility song in the game and makes graveyard exploration way less stressful. After that, make sure you visit Lon Lon Ranch before you finish the first three dungeons—missing Epona’s Song early on makes the mid-game transit a total drag. Once you have the basics down, try experimenting with the Scarecrow's Song at Lake Hylia; it’s the key to finding some of the hardest-to-reach Heart Pieces in the game.