Didgeridoo - What Do You Do with a Didgeridoo?

Didgeridoo
by Marie C. Dimino

A Didgeridoo is a wind instrument with its origin dating back over 20,000 years. It can be used in drum circles, trance dance and meditation sessions.

The didgeridoo is a long, wooden wind instrument used traditionally by the Aboriginal people of Northern Australia. You can also find them made of PVC pipe. The mouthpiece is made of beeswax.

History of the Didgeridoo

The history of the didgeridoo dates back at least 20,000 years and is the world’s oldest and very first wind instrument. It has the form of a long tube which can be made into various lengths anywhere from three to ten feet. They are usually painted with Aborginal designs tracing Australia back to its roots.

Sounds and pitches may vary depending on the length, width and material it is made of. They can be constructed of either hard of soft wood, with hard wood being the best sounding and most expensive.  Some didgeridoos are even made from a PVC pipe, which can be store bought or homemade using a long plastic tube.  

Authentic didgeridoos from Australia are made by termites hollowing out the center or by using hot coals. The native artist must first harvest an appropriate piece of wood, either the trunk of a tree or a branch, then carefully blow out the termites. This is a tedious and sometimes dangerous task. It then must be cleaned up and shaped into an instrument. Designs are painted on or hand-carved by the artist.

Many years ago women were prohibited from playing didgeridoos in public and in ceremonies. It is considered sacred and traditional in Aborginal spiritual beliefs. Though this has changed over the century, there are still some societies that hold true to this restriction.

A didgeridoo player must first learn the basic drone. Once understanding the technique and sound produced, the player can go on to learn the skill of circular breathing.

Circular breathing involves squeezing the air out of the cheeks and using the tongue and throat while taking very short breaths through the nose. The need to gasp for air is what makes the didgeridoo a challenge. It takes a while and a lot of practice to make the correct sound.

Didgeridoo in Culture

The didgeridoo is starting to catch on and can be seen at Drum Circles which is fast becoming a popular way to meet people in a social gathering. Drum Circles are usually held in neighborhood parks, local schools, music stores and art galleries. Djembes and other types of African drums are played in unison or sounds are improvised by those in the group. The larger the Drum Circle, the deeper and more interesting vibration is produced.

Some Circles include Trance Dance, where people will dance to the beat and become enchanted by using yogic techniques. This hypnotic beat is also used as a form of meditation. Adding didgeridoos to a Drum Circle increases the potential of magnetic sound and rhythm to the music.

Doctors are now recommending playing the didgridoo for people who suffer from sleep apnea.

It is helpful to take a didgeridoo class, if you can. There are also instructional didgeridoo DVDs and CDs available to help you learn the proper, essential technique. Do your homework and explore the many types of didgeridoos on the market before deciding which one will work best for you. Have fun and don’t be discouraged with your new instrument. Practice makes perfect and whatever you do, just keep playing your didgeridoo.