How to Play a Didgeridoo

Perhaps the oldest musical instrument in the world, the didgeridoo is considered to be the sound of the earth if she could sing. Make from tree limbs or trunks hollowed out by termites, the didgeridoo is a flute-like instrument that creates complex rhythms through a droning background of sound. It may be a little difficult to get the proper sound out of your didgeridoo in the beginning, but with a little bit of practice you'll be able to recreate the sound of the earth just like the Aborigine tribes of the Outback.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Prepare your didgeridoo by making a mouthpiece. Roll out a coil of beeswax about 8-inches long and about 1/2-inch thick, and then connect the ends to make a circle. Place the circle of wax on the mouth of the didgeridoo, trimming if necessary. Press the wax down around the mouth of the didgeridoo so the wax tips inwards slightly.

2. Experiment with the mouth placement. You can place your mouth straight onto the didgeridoo or you can place it slightly to one side, whichever is most comfortable.

3. Sit up straight to allow the best possible air flow as you play your didgeridoo.

4. Buzz your lips loosely to begin the characteristic droning sound. Remember that the didgeridoo should be played with very loose lips, unlike a trumpet, which requires taut lips. It may help to stick your lower lip out further than your top lip as you blow.

5. Tap the roof of your mouth with your tongue as if you were saying the letter D to make the "kangaroo hop" sound. While continuing to drone, say the word "doing" to make the "boing" sound.

6. Create the growl sounds by barking into the didgerdoo while droning.

7. Tighten and loosen your lips to let the droning slip up and down the scale into a sharp and flat note. Didgeridoos are most often tuned to the key of C, but by altering your lips as you drone you can waver this note slightly as you play.

8. Pop air out of your cheeks quickly as you play. You can also try to use your tongue on the back of your mouth. This creates another classic didgeridoo note that sounds like a popping "wah" noise.

9. Create a blasting noise like a horn by tightening your lips and forcing air out quickly. This will break the droning noise, so learn to transition quickly between loose and tight lips to keep the rhythm going.

10. Learn the technique of circular breath to keep a steady drone going. An excellent explanation along with diagrams is available at the Didgeridoo Store website (see Resources below). Though learning how to use circular breath is not mandatory to play the didgeridoo, it is a valuable skill for any kind of wind instrument player.

Tips & Warnings

• To help you roll the mouthpiece wax, heat it up slightly with a hairdryer.
• Play your didgeridoo during normal waking hours. The sound carries farther than traditional instruments, and the barking or screaming noises can be quite startling to neighbors.

Resources

• The Didgeridoo Store circular breathing technique.