Didjeridu for Dummies
The didjeridu is an ancient instrument of native Australian cultures.
It's easy to learn to play, yet it can produce subtle timbres and
complex rhythms. It demonstrates basic principles of acoustic
physics, but it can also be a powerful tool for meditation,
breathwork, and shamanic states of consciousness.
I like to teach didjeridu in two sessions. Our first session will
teach basic musical technique and circular breathing. Our second
session will teach more advanced musical techniques and construction
methods. (In between sessions, you can take some time to practice the
basics, especially circular breathing!) Didjeridus will be provided.
No experience necessary, all you need is lungs and lips.
Preparation
You don't need to do much to prepare for this class. It may help if
you can whistle, play a jaw harp, or do overtone singing (hoomi), because
the didjeridu uses a similar technique for tone control.
We will use some basic musical terminology. It will help if you know
what an octave is, and what the basic intervals (major fourth and
major fifth) sound like.
Men with moustaches may have difficulty playing the didjeridu. Try it
and see what happens. If you don't want to shave it, or wax it, maybe
side blowing will be easier, I will demonstrate it.
Basic Lesson Plan
- physics
- quarter wave resonator [diagrams]
- overtones and the picket fence
- F2 resonance (as in whistling) and spectral shape
- beginning musical technique
- ground tone (keep those lips loose)
- high tone
- tongue stop (useful for getting started)
- circular breathing
- squeeze air from mouth, while sniffing in through nose
- use straw in glass of water for practice, squeeze the straw to reduce airflow
- work on keeping airstream steady
- intermediate musical technique
- overtones (overblowing or bugle sounds)
- dingo (yelping) and bull (growling)
- cheek slap (or "wok wok")
- jaw drop (or "pull back")
- tongue trill ("kookaburra")
- practice rhythms
- doo - wok wok - doo - eee
- too - ta ka - too - eee
- how to build one
- materials - PVC or ABS pipe, golf tube, bamboo
- length - 45" to 60" best (see table)
- width - 1" to 1.5" (wider is louder but takes more air)
- mouthpiece dimensions (opening about 1" by 1.25")
- breathwork and meditation
Discography
- Outback
was a seminal band, one of the first outfits to incorporate didjeridu
into a pop/rock combo.
- Baka, 1990, Hannibal CD HNCD1357
- Dance The Devil Away, 1991, Hannibal CD HNCD 1369
Graham Wiggins was their lead didj player and co-founder, who did
research as an undergrad at BU on the acoustics of the didjeridu, and
went on to get a doctorate in physics at Oxford. He now has his own
band, called Dr Didj. Other members of this band have reformed under
the name Baka Beyond.
- David Hudson
is a native Australian who plays traditional didjeridu music as well
as some great contemporary jams.
- Woolunda (solo didjeridu)
- Rainbow Serpent (didj and percussion)
For more information
- Daniel Orlansky
teaches private lessons in the Cambridge area. Call him at (617)354-6169.
-
Dreamtime is an excellent Web site for all kinds of didj information.
- American Bamboo Society
is a great resource for bamboo, which is good for making didj's.
- Giving Tree Rhythms
sells beautiful didj's of PVC or bamboo.
Construction tips
To make a didjeridu, you need a tube about 4 to 5 feet long, and a
mouthpiece of some sort. I generally use PVC pipe (the white plastic
pipe used for drains) in 1", 1.25", or 1.5" inside diameter.
The mouthpiece should be about 1.25" in diameter. For 1" pipe, a
standard coupler works fine. For the larger sizes, I use a "trap
coupler" which makes a nice mouthpiece, make sure it's the 1.25" size.
Here's a table of lengths for musical notes. Assumptions: quarter
wave resonator, typical room temperature and humidity, with no
correction for end effects.
| Note | Freq | Wave | Tube | Tube |
| | (Hz) | (cm) | (cm) | (in) |
| A1 | 55 | 624.54 | 156.13 | 61.47 |
| A#1 | 58.27 | 589.47 | 147.36 | 58.01 |
| B1 | 61.73 | 556.36 | 139.09 | 54.76 |
| C2 | 65.41 | 525.12 | 131.28 | 51.68 |
| C#2 | 69.3 | 495.63 | 123.9 | 48.78 |
| D2 | 73.42 | 467.79 | 116.94 | 46.04 |
Wil Howitt
25 Fairmont Ave #3
Cambridge, MA 02139-4422
(617)868-6270
This page maintained by
Wil Howitt
Last updated 13 August 2001