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A Story On How The Didgeridoo Came To Be...

Three men were camped out on a cold night in the outback. One of the men told another to put a log on the fire, it was getting low and it was very cold. So, this man turned and grabbed a log, which was awfully light to the touch, for it was hollow. As he went to drop it into the fire, he noticed the entire length was covered with termites. He did not know what to do, for he could not throw the branch into the fire, because it would kill the termites, and his friends were telling him to do so because it was so cold. So, he carefully removed all the termites from the outside of the log by scooping them into his hand, and he deposited them inside the hollow branch.

Then he raised the branch to his lips and blew the termites into the air.

The termites blown into the air became the stars, and the first didgeridoo was created.

What is a Didgeridoo?

The didgeridoo is believed to be the worlds oldest wind instrument, dating back thousands of years. The didgeridoo originates as a musical instrument of the North Australian Aborigine. The didgeridoo is traditionally played accompanied with clap sticks and/or the clapping together of boomerangs in Corroborees (ceremonial dances). A didgeridoo is traditionally made from one of many species of eucalyptus branches or saplings. The eucalyptus is naturally hollowed out by termites whose nests abound in the millions in Australia. It takes at least a year for the termites to hollow a tree out. Harvesting the didgeridoo has to be timed so that the wall thickness of the instrument is not too thin or not too thick. It has to be "just right". Making for the perfect instrument! The varying length of the wood that is sawed off and its thickness and shape will determine which key the didgeridoo will be in. Shorter lengths yield higher pitches where as longer lengths yield lower pitches. Didgeridoos generally range in keys from a high "G" to a low "A". A common "C" didgeridoo will be two steps below middle "C" of a piano. The keys of C, D and E are the easiest keys to learn how to play on the didgeridoo.

Can anyone play a Didgeridoo?

Sure! Anyone who wants an easy to play intuitive percussion instrument can play a didgeridoo. You don't need a musical background to enjoy it. The technique of how to play the didgeridoo is unique among wood instruments.

How is the Tone Created on a Didgeridoo?

You blow down the didgeridoo with loose lips creating a vibration that echoes down the tube and comes out amplified as a drone. Similar to a tuba but even looser and more relaxed. It is important to stay relaxed, trying too hard will tighten your muscles which contradicts the need to create loose lips and face. Buzz your lips while gently pushing air down the didgeridoo.

Circular Breathing on the Didgeridoo

The toughest part of didgeridoo playing is learning to circular breathe. Circular breathing allows a player to be able to continually blow air down the didgeridoo without ever stopping for breath. While circular breathing is great to know it is NOT a requirement to be able to play and enjoy this instrument. You can build breathing into rhythms you create when you snatch air between beats. It is best to master the other techniques of playing first and learn circular breathing last. Circular breathing is what allows players to perform continuously without stopping for breath. Many great wind instrument players such as Miles Davis and Kenny G use circular breathing. Practice exercise: fill your mouth with water and push a stream of water out using only your tongue and cheek muscles. Make sure not to use any pressure from the lungs to help. Stay relaxed and breathe in and out with your nose while making the stream. Keep trying until it feels very comfortable. This is a good exercise to do in the shower!