The Didjeridu, also known as the Didgeridoo-Didscheridu-Yidaki, is a
traditional musical instrument used in the telling of the dreamtime stories.
The Didjeridu, a long wooden flute, is the oldest musical instrument on earth.
It has been used by the Aborigines of Australia for thousands of years as a
ceremonial wind instrument. The instrument was found in Arnhem Land,
Northern Australia. It was made from limbs and tree trunks hollowed out by
termites. The first didjeridu's were made of bamboo because of the availability
of bamboo in the Northern Territory. The termites create cavernous, maze-like
chambers that alter the tones when blown through properly. The Didjeridu's
are between four and five feet long and vary in diameter from five to sixteen
centimeters. The mouth piece is made of wax or hardened gum and is blown
into in a trumpet fashion. The Didjeridu produces a low-pitch used as an
accompaniment to chants and songs. There are three distinct styles of playing
the Didjeridu. West Arnhem Land uses quiet and uncomplicated patterns.
A feature of that style is that hummed notes are used in conjunction with blown
notes to produce slower patterns. North- East Arnhem Land uses the first
overtone. This may be heard as a long hoot or a short sharp "toot". Eastern
Arnhem Land styles use the second pitch as well as a variety of techniques
using manipulations of the tongue, lips and breath to create fast energetic
rhythmic patterns. The precision and variety of rhythm produced on the
didjeridu are very striking. Most Didjeridu's are painted by the Aborigine artists.
The paintings depict animals such as: snakes, lizards, kangaroos, and fish.
To the Aborigines, playing the Didjeridu is not only an art but also a meditation
and spirituality.
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composer of mine, click on this.
The Physics of the Didjeridu.
The history of the Didjeridu.
