DIY Didgeridoos

Playing the didgeridoo requires some serious lung power.

The didgeridoo is a woodwind instrument that originates from the musical tradition of the indigenous people of Australia. It consists of a single pipe which reverberates when the user blows through it. It is a popular instrument as the learning curve is pleasantly shallow and playing produces a very satisfying sound almost from the word go. PVC pipe, while lacking the aesthetic charm of the traditional, decorated wood, makes a very fine material for a didgeridoo. It has a nice resonance and is relatively cheap, hard wearing and easily available. So start doing your circular-breathing exercises, puckering your lips and getting ready to play!

Things You'll Need

• PVC pipe 50-inches long, 1 1/2-inch inside diameter
• Hacksaw
• Craft knife
• File
• 4-oz. cake beeswax
• Tin can
• Skillet
• Lightly-textured wallpaper
• Pencil
• Paints
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Strong adhesive

Instructions

1. Cut the pipe 50 inches in length if you have to cut it yourself from a longer section. Use the hacksaw to cut the pipe as squarely as possible and use the craft knife to cut away and burrs or sharp bits left by the cutting. Smooth the end over with the file.

2. Cut a one-half oz. lump off the beeswax cake and lay to one side. Roll the rest of the beeswax into a sausage shape in your hands. It will take a while to heat up to a temperature that you can work it at. Now work the wax into a doughnut shape that will fit onto the end of the pipe.

3. Fill the skillet with water, place the one-half oz. of beeswax into the can and place the can in the water. Heat on a low heat until the wax melts. Do not leave the wax unattended and remove from the heat if it starts to smoke. Keep the temperature low.

4. Dip the end of the pipe into the melted wax and withdraw. Allow excess wax to drip off, then place the ring of wax over the end of the pipe. Press it down firmly then quickly dip the end in the wax and withdraw it.

5. Press the end of the beeswax mouthpiece into a smooth, uniform shape, tapering away from the mouth of the pipe. Use your finger and thumb in a pinching motion to do this.

6. Measure the length and circumference of your didgeridoo. Draw a rectangle of this size on the wallpaper though with slightly greater width to allow some overlap when you wrap the pipe. Cut it out with the scissors.

7. Sketch out a design for the outside of your instrument on the rectangle of wallpaper. Animals such as lizards are the traditional choice of image but feel free to choose any design you like. Paint over the sketch once you are satisfied. Apply glue to the back of the wallpaper and wrap it tightly around the pipe. Lay the pipe down so that it's weight holds the paper in place along the seam while it dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Be very careful when heating beeswax. Avoid splashing it on your skin. If it does catch fire do not put water on it. Smother the fire with sand or a metal lid or fire blanket.

References

• Aboriginal Arts: HIstory of the Didgeridoo