How to Get Basic Sounds From the Didgeridoo

The didgeridoo is considered the world's oldest a wind instrument. Typically made from termite hollowed eucalyptus trees, it originated from the Australian Aborigine about 40,000 years ago. Follow these steps to get the basic musical sounds from the didgeridoo.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Practice vibrating your lips and mouth. Push air out of your lungs past your lips and let it vibrate the middle of your lips. Try to keep the sides of your lips and mouth still. You need them to be loose and relaxed to play the didgeridoo.

2. Put your lips to the mouthpiece of the didgeridoo and blow air out through your vibrating lips as in Step 1. You can start with a higher pitch sound and slowly lower the pitch until you lock on just one note. This is the basic didgeridoo sound.

3. Feel the vibrations that occur when you play the basic didgeridoo sound, called the drone. You will feel your face, lips, hands and the didgeridoo vibrate when you play the drone.

4. Play the didgeridoo and use breathing techniques at the same time. You will want to breathe in through your nose for five counts and try to hold onto the drone for that amount of time. Then breathe out of your mouth for five counts. You will need to practice this technique to improve your skill.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to have a good seal between your lips and the didgeridoo. You don't want any air to escape when trying to play the didgeridoo.
• It can sometimes help if you extend your bottom lip out more than your top lip while playing the didgeridoo.
• After you have locked in on the basic didgeridoo sound (the drone), try to tighten your lips a little bit to increase the sound's pitch.
• Be careful not to tighten your lips too much, or else the sound will cease.