The Didgeridoo
1. The Origin of the Didgeridoo 8
2. Testing, Appreciating, and Buying a Didgeridoo 9
2.1. If You Are Looking For Your First Didgeridoo 10
2.2. If You Already Have a Didgeridoo 11
2.3. Maintaining Your Didgeridoo 11
2.4. Transporting Your Didgeridoo 11
2.5. Repairing Your Didgeridoo 11
3. The Musical Qualities of a Didgeridoo 13
3.1. Its Musical Quality 13
A. The Root Note 13
B. The Basic Harmonic or “2nd Note” 14
C. The Overall Harmonic Richness: A Polyphonic Impression 14
3.2. The Timbre 15
A. The Sound of a Tube 15
B. The Nasal Sound 15
C. Heavy Sound vs. Bright Sound 15
D. Clear Sound vs. Resonant Sound 15
3.3. The Acoustic Qualities of the Didgeridoo 16
A. Volume and Power 16
B. The Spaciousness of the Sound 16
3.4. The Playing Potential 17
A. Air Column Resistance (ACR) 17
B. Playing Speed 17
C. The Ability to Use Effects 18
D. Ease of Playing 18
3.5. The Types of Didgeridoos 18
3.6. Summary: Criteria for Choosing a Didgeridoo 19
PART II: PLAYING THE DIDGERIDOO 20
1. The Basics 21
1.1. Playing Position 21
1.2. Play from the Front or from the Side? 22
1.3. The Root Note 22
1.4. The Mouthpiece 24
A. What Type of Wax Do We Use? 24
B. How Do We Apply It? 25
C. What Shape Do We Give the Mouthpiece? 26
Some Forms of Mouthpieces 27
1.5. The Returning Sound 28
1.6. The First Tones 29
A. The “OO-EE” 29
B. Positions Between “OO” and “EE” 30
C. The Basic Rhythm Sounds 32
D. The “WOOAH” 33
E. The Jump of the Kangaroo 33
2. Playing 34
2.1. Circular Breathing 34
2.2. Abdominal Breathing 39
2.3. Rhythm and the Rhythms 40
2.4. The Main Effects 42
A. Singing 42
B. Shouts 43
C. High and Low Pressure 44
D. Overtones 45
E. The “Oof!” 45
3. Further Development 47
3.1. Some Advice for Advancing 47
3.2. Building a Piece (Composing) 49
1) Starting 50
2) Continuing 50
3) And Finishing 51
3.3. Playing with Others 51
3.4. Accompaniment with Clap Sticks 52
APPENDICES 54
I. Didgeridoo Rhythms: Transcriptions of Didgeridoo Music 55
II. Didgeridoo Discography 58