How to Play the Didgeridoo Without Stopping

The didgeridoo requires a different technique from other wind instruments and uses a unique method to create its characteristic droning notes. Many musicians can master the basics but get stuck when they try to play a constant sound. Adapt your technique and practice these tricks to play without stopping.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water

1. Relax your face and mouth so that your lips hang loose. Place the didgeridoo with the mouthpiece positioned over the side of your mouth. Blow down on the tube to create a vibration with your lips until you run out of breath.

2. Repeat the motion again, but this time concentrate on expelling your breath more slowly in a steady stream. You need only enough air to vibrate your lips to create a sound, so focus on limiting the air coming out so that you can hold the note longer.

3. Stand over a sink or in the shower and fill your mouth with water. Hold the water in your mouth for a moment and create an "O" with your lips. Release the water in a steady stream from your mouth, but use your cheek muscles and tongue to propel the water.

4. Practice the exercise a number of times until you can release the water without using any lung power. Just the muscles in your mouth. After a while, you’ll realize that making the motion purely with your mouth means that your lungs and nose are free to take in more air.

5. Substitute the water for air so that you are blowing out the air slowly and steadily and breathing in with your nose and lungs. Do this as many times as necessary until it feels comfortable and you can do it without thinking.

6. Position yourself over the mouthpiece of the didgeridoo and use the circular-breathing technique to blow out to make a note while simultaneously taking in more air. With practice, you should be able to hold a note and change notes to play continuously without stopping to intake new breaths.