How to Play the Didgeridoo

One of the most interesting instruments is an aboriginal wind instrument from Australia, the didgeridoo. Known for its haunting and loud tones, the didgeridoo has captivated the imagination of numerous musicians over the years. Follow these instructions to learn how to play the didgeridoo.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Didgeridoo

1. Rent or borrow a didgeridoo to begin your practice. You won’t want to buy one until you are sure you can even play it.
2. Take the didgeridoo and place it up to your lips. Make sure the instrument is resting on your mouth in a comfortable way and the other end is propped up or lying gently on the floor (depending on size).
3. Put your lips together and press your mouth firmly against the instrument. There should be very little gap between your face and the instrument.
4. Blow into the didgeridoo with loose lips. If your lips are loose, you will create a vibration which will be amplified at the end of the didgeridoo.
5. Breathe steadily. You will ultimately want to make sound both on the inhale and the exhale.
6. Begin to tighten up your lips. When you tighten up you lips, the pitch of the didgeridoo will become higher. The instrument will also become louder.
7. Once you have mastered getting the instrument to drone, you can start incorporating other sounds by singing and speaking into the instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• When learning how to play the didgeridoo, make sure you do not tighten up your lips too quickly. If you tighten up too much, the instrument will stop.
• Always keep your lips buzzing. Even when using your voice through the instrument, it is imperative to keep your lips buzzing as opposed to keeping them stationary. All of the instrument’s sound is derived from the buzz.
• Once you have mastered droning the didgeridoo, you can step up to more advanced instrumentation such as circular breathing.