Didgeridoo-Online. Informationen about the didgeridoo.


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The Didgeridoo The didgeridoo is one of the oldest instruments in the world. The "blow pipe" of the Australian natives consists of an Eucalyptus trunk which has been hollowed out by termites. The length can vary from approximately 1,20 to 1,90 meters. After peeling the bark from the trunk, the didge is often painted for decorative purposes. Traditional colors are so-called earth colors: ocre, white, black and red. The motifs primarily stem from aboriginal mythology. On the tip of the narrow side of the didge a round mouthpiece made of bee wax is formed which completes the instrument production. In the meantime, didges are also made from bamboo, PVC-tubes, glass, metal and various indigenous woods. The aborigines refer to the instrument as a "yidaki". The name "didgeridoo" was coined by the immigrants who came to the Australian continent and the name imitates the sound of the instrument. The didge is played by blowing into the end with the mouthpiece. It is mostly played over a long period without interruption. This is possible due to a technique called "circular breathing". The air is pressed from the cheeks while simultaneously inhaling. The current holder of this record in the Guiness World Book of Records (whatever you might think of this) is an hour and is held by: Kenny G., an american saxophonist.	Each instrument can only produce one keynote as there are no holes as in a flute for example. By blowing over and singing into the didge it is possible to create some further notes. Most of the variations in playing the didge are of a rhythmic nature. By pressing the cheeks together and speaking silently into the instrument the sounds can be changed. For example, while blowing into the didge if you speak "Oa-ti-ki" you will produce an interesting rhythm. Very popular is the imitation of animal sounds (e.g., the Australian bird Kookaburra). Yell very fast into the didge : gu-gu-ga-ga-ga. The animal sounds are very difficult to write out. It is recommended to listen to Didge players on CD's and try to imitate the sounds they are creating. The didgeridoo has also become over the last few years very popular outside of Australia. More and more people are travelling to Australia as the travel time has been cut due to larger, faster airplanes as well as better connections. There are also continuous travel reports on TV highlighting Australia - all of which have didgeridoo music in the background! Also such Australian bands as "Yothu Yindi" have done much to grow the overall awareness of the didgeridoo outside of Australia. Copyright: Michael David