The Didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia and is still in widespread use today both in Australia and around the world. Traditionally didgeridoos were made from eucalyptus tree trunks and limbs hollowed out, while still living, by termites,or from bamboo in the far north of Australia. Today didgeridoos are made from a large variety of materials such as glass, leather, hemp, ceramic, plastic, solid timbers carved out, logs drilled out, dried/hollowed cactus stems, aluminum and other metals. The average length of a didgeridoo is of 130 to 160 cm and is hollowed out with a stick or sapling. The technique on how to play the didgeridoo is unique among wood instruments. You blow down the tube with loose lips creating a vibration that echoes down the tube coming out amplified as a drone. Similar to a tuba but even looser and more relaxed. As you blow the air through the instrument it is important to stay relax so your lips can buzz while gently pushing air down the tube. Something that is not a requirement to be able to play but most players uses it is Circular Breathing. Circular breathing is a technique used by players to produce a continuous tone without interruption. This is accomplished by breathing in through the nose while simultaneously pushing air out through the mouth using air stored in the cheeks. The didgeridoo was traditionally used as an accompaniment along with chants, singers, and dancers, often in ceremonies of the Indigenous Australians. Today the didgeridoo is heard in almost every style of music, rock, pop,hip-hop , electronic, techno, funk, punk, rap. There are truly no limits to the use of this awesome instrument.
The first video is on how to make a didgeridoo out of wood.
Next is a video of a glass didgeridoo.
This is how to play the didgeridoo.
Next video is how to circular breathe.
The last video is 10 hours of non-stop relaxing didgeridoo music. Enjoy!!!!!
Sources:
"Didgeridoo Basics." Aboriginal Instruments. Spirit Gallery, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2016. <https://www.spiritgallery.com.au/didgeridoo-basics>.
I love this instrument so much! These musicians make it look so effortlessly. I tried and could never make the right sound.
ReplyDelete10 hours of Didgeridoo... I have no words... but other than that, The change in timbre that occurs in a glass Didgeridoo is really interesting. It adds a nice bright sound to the overall drone and base pitch of the instrument. Im glad you included a video of a nontraditional Didgeridoo.
ReplyDeleteThe circular breathing video is kind of insane (Specifically the very beginning). One of my first memories of music was my high school band director demonstrating circular breathing to my fourth grade science class. I find it interesting that the technique plays such an important role in playing the didgeridoo, as it's not necessarily required to play western wind instruments.
ReplyDeleteNot going to lie, I definitely tried to do the circular breathing thing while watching this.. wasn't successful at all. Still amazes me how thats even possible!
ReplyDeleteI also find it very funny that there is a 10 hour long video of the didgeridoo haha!