Possibly the oldest instrument on this planet, from the time of prehistory.
If the soul of the earth had a voice, it would be the didjeridu*
The most intriguing Aboriginal musical instrument is the didjeridu. The Didjeridu was originally only known to the indiginous inhabitants of the north and eastern areas of Australia.
The aboriginal name for the instrument is Yidaki or 'hollowed log' and is a hollow piece of bamboo or termite-hollowed wood between four and six feet long and two or more inches in internal diameter.Sometimes a mouthpiece is fashioned out of melted beeswax or tree gum which dries to form a soft cushion on which to place ones lips.
The didjeridu ( sometimes spelt didgeridoo ) is played by blowing down the tube whilst vibrating the lips which produces a drone pitched in relation to instrument length and internal diameter.
Harmonics can be played by variation of mouth cavity and tongue position, these harmonics can be extremely rich and varied dependant on the material and internal structure of the instrument.Overtones can be played by expelling more air whilst tightening ones lips and vocalisations can be added to the fundamental pitch in the form of shouts, noises or sung pitches.
The didjeridu is usually played rythmically with a continuous drone with no breaks in the sound just like a set of bagpipes, for the didjeridu the reservoir of air is maintained in the cheeks using a technique called circular breathing.This simple, but sometimes difficult, technique to master is achieved be taking sharp breaths through the nose whilst simultaneously expelling the air from the cheeks.
The popularity of the didjeridu is on the increase with instruments being made from widely different materials such as plastic, bronze, stainless steel and even glass.
Playing the didj. is a wonderfully satisfying experience, you actually produce and control the sound with an innate sense of 'being' that is totally unique which belies the simplicity of the instrument.
Phillip Conyngham (Didjeridu and Click sticks) and Simon O'Dwyer (bronzeage horn and bell)
presenting a workshop at the Didj Up North Event
Some of the Didj Up North '97 attendees including Alan Dargin, Stephen Kent and Shozo.
*Biondi, T, an Aboriginal student at Edith Cowan university, WA in conversation with Karl Wm. Neuenfeldt in 1993
