Playing the Didgeridoo
Step
I: The Basic Drone
Getting the sound: As with learning to play any
musical instrument, practice, patience & perseverance are the
keys. The Didgeridoo just happens to be one of the easiest musical
instruments to play. To begin, you will learn to play “the basic
drone”. Without the Didgeridoo, puff out your cheeks & pucker
your lips while drawing back the corners of your mouth. Allow
your lips to stay loose & blow air through them to make them
vibrate with a low buzzing sound. Once you can do this, transfer
it over to the mouthpiece of your Didgeridoo. Create a good seal
on the mouthpiece, but do not press to hard. Your first inclination
will be to play it like a trumpet. Your lips & cheeks must stay
relaxed to allow your lips to vibrate loosely. With some practice,
you will soon be able to create the basic drone.
Step
II: Creating Rhythms
Tonguing: Create a steady beat by mouthing the word (ta-ta-ta-ta) repeatedly
while playing the basic drone. Do this by placing the tip of the tongue just
behind your upper front teeth & quickly flicking it downward.
Gut Slaps: (or bounced note) This sound is produced by “bouncing” air through
your buzzing lips using your abdominal muscles as if you were laughing. (ha-ha-ha-ha)
Cheeks: Use your cheeks to create subtle tone changes by puffing them out & squeezing
them together.
If
you would like us to send you one of our full color catalogs, just
fill out your name and mailing address in the form below and we
will rush one off to you.
