Didgeridoo

Have you ever wondered what a didgeridoo is or what it does? If you like music this may be of interest to you. A didgeridoo is a musical instrument made out of bamboo that was invented by the Australian Aboriginals. It is classified as a wind instrument that was originally from Arnhem Land, Northern Australia.

It is unique amongst wind instruments in that the musician does not need to stop playing in order to breathe. Using a technique called circular breathing, the player can refill his or her lungs while maintaining continuous sound. http://aboriginalart.com.au/didgeridoo/what_is.html The didgeridoo is usually accompanied by other musical instruments and is rarely played alone.

Traditionally there are two ways in which the didgeridoo is played. The first is called the B-type where the player rests the end of the didgeridoo on the ground or inside of a box or bucket to create resonance. The A-type is where the player holds the end of the didgeridoo above the ground and moves it slightly from side to side while playing. http://aboriginalart.com.au/didgeridoo/trad.html

The Aborigines liked to mimic the sound of nature and their surroundings while playing the didgeridoo. The sounds that come from the instrument can be mixed with a droning to create a rhythm which is why the didgeridoo got to be known as a wind instrument. http://www.didgeridoostore.com/soundsrhythms.html

Some of the more unique sounds that can be made by the didgeridoo include:

• The Kangaroo Hop where the musician keeps the drone going and quickly says the letter D.
• The Dog Bark and Growl sound is when the musician keeps the drone going and screams into the didgeridoo. It should result in a loud and startling sound.
• The Kookaburra is distinguished by a gurgling, laughter type of call.
• To change the pitch, tighten and loosen your lips while saying the letter E or C while keeping the drone going.
• To change the sound of the didgeridoo, quickly expel the air in your mouth while making a popping noise.
• The Tongue Roll is done while keeping the drone going and roll an R with your tongue.
• The Hornblast or Toot is a loud blast that is done by pressing your lips together and blowing hard into the didgeridoo. http://www.didgeridoostore.com/soundsrhythms.html

1. May be the oldest musical instrument.
2. It is classified as a wind instrument.
3. It was originally found in Arnhem Land, Northern Australia.
4. It is made from the limbs and tree trunks that was hollowed out by termites.
5. It is cut to an average length of 1.3 metres.
6. It is cleaned out with a stick or hot coals.
7. It is used as to accompany chants and songs.
8. It produces a low-pitch, resonant sound with complex rhythmic patterns.
9. The Didgeridoo is the instrumental sound of Australia.