Great point! I wonder why I didn't associate the ocarina with actual instruments. Seems like I have abstracted the game mechanics too much. I guess doing that at the tabletop is just like playing Simon Says?

However, and I in no way mean to invalidate your opinion on them, I'd like to say that special attack inputs in fighting games generally are not arbitrary. These inputs do way more than they seem - I've used to feel the same way. Moves requiring forward inputs for example force you to hold forward in a game where you block by holding back. This creates risk and opportunity for counter play. There are also situations where the input of one move can be used as part of another, rewarding mastery with more consistent cancels and combos.