The Didgeridoo

In instrument terms didgeridoos are ancient, most probably the oldest instrument in the world in fact

. Yet it is still one of the best sounding and is one of the most fun to play. Modern technology and materials mean that you can buy one easily and you can get a good one cheaply. Studies are now also showing that if you drone away on your didgeridoo then you might find improvements to sleep apnea and a reduction in snoring.

Drawings in caves that are around 2,000 years old have been found that show the didgeridoo being played but most experts agree that the didgeridoo has been around a lot longer than that - probably more like 40,000 years. Aboriginals have been using the didge at ceremonies for many thousands of years and for them the instrument is inextricably linked to their shamanistic belief system.

The traditional Aborigine didgeridoo is made from eucalyptus branches that have been hollowed out by termites. It can take many months for termites to hollow out a branch so that it is ready to be made into a didgeridoo. The thickness of the walls is important as they have to be right to make a good sounding drone. The length is also an important factor as the longer the length the lower the pitch.

There is an Aboriginal legend as to how the first didgeridoo came to be. One cold night three men were camping by a small fire. To fight off the growing cold one of them grabbed a eucalyptus log for the fire but when he picked it up he was surprised as to how light it was. As he was about to throw it in the fire he was once again surprised to note that it was covered in termites. His friends told him to throw the branch onto the fire but as he didn't want to kill the termites he gathered them up and put them inside the hollow branch. With the termites inside he put one end of the log to his lips and started to blow so that the termites would be away from the fire. The didgeridoo was born and those termites that were blown into the night sky became the stars.

Today termites are not a necessity and a number of other materials have been found to make excellent didgeridoos. Synthetic materials like PVC have seen a surge in popularity and mature bamboo remains a good choice. Teak is favored by many for the great sound that it produces.

A didgeridoo is a wind instrument, but you play it differently to how you would other wind instruments. You breathe down the tube while your lips remain loose making a vibration that will echo as it travels down the tube. At the other end, it comes out as an amplified drone. It is somewhat similar to playing a tuba, but the lips are more relaxed. If you are unsure how to create loose lips, think of what it is like to blow a "raspberry". Once you have got the hang of creating a drone it is time to have some fun and make some cool sounds. Creating different sounds can be achieved simply by moving your cheeks and tongue about when you blow.

If you want to play the didgeridoo like a real pro though then you have no choice but to learn circular breathing. This is where you simultaneously inhale through your nose whilst breathing out through your mouth. This is not easy but it can be achieved with practice, and when you have mastered it you will be able to produce a non-stop drone.

If, however, you do put in the effort to learn the didgeridoo then it appears that there may be some unexpected benefits. An interesting study in Switzerland is looking at how playing the didgeridoo can help stop snoring and sleep apnea. The study following people who are learning to play has found that those mastering the art are, after a few months, experiencing fewer incidences of these conditions. It is thought that the breathing required to play the didgeridoo is actually training the upper airways to function better.

by: Baz Waters

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