All About
The Didgeridoo
DIDGERIDOO FACTS
The didgeridoo is an ancient instrument
created by the aboriginal, or native
peoples of Australia.
A deep sounding wind instrument
One of the oldest musical instruments
still in use today
A wooden tube made from specially
chosen small trees
The tube is hollowed out by termites,
who eat the middle of the wood.
The smaller end of the tube has beeswax
on it.
The wax is used for the mouthpiece for
the player to blow through.
The pitch (high & low) is determined by
the length of the tube.
The longer the tube the lower the pitch
The shorter the tube the higher the pitch
The pitch is also determined by how
thick and wide the tube is.
Many are painted with bright
decorations and carvings.
HOW TO PLAY THE DIDGERIDOO
It is a fairly simple instrument and can
play a variety of sounds.
The player places his or her mouth
tightly on the smaller end.
The player buzzes their lips loosely in the
mouthpiece.
Playing a didgeridoo is similar to playing
a trombone or a tuba.
THE DRONE
One important part of didgeridoo
performance is producing a drone, or a
very long sound.
To play a drone you use a special
technique called circular breathing.
In circular breathing the player breathes
through his nose while still playing with
air from his lungs.
This takes much practice and it allows
the player to play on for a long time
without running out of air.
OTHER DIDGERIDOO SOUNDS
The sound of the didgeridoo is changed
in many ways, like by humming, singing,
or talking while playing, or tapping on
the instrument.
The sounds are used to imitate animals
like kangaroos, dingos, kookaburras,
and frogs.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT
THE DIDGERIDOO
In most tribes, only the men and boys
play the didgeridoo.
Boys are taught to play from an early age.
Girls can play it too.
Traditional styles are different from tribe
to tribe.
Many people from around the world play
the didgeridoo.
The didgeridoo is used in every style of
music such as rock music, jazz music, folk
music, and concert music of all types.