CHOOSING A DIDGERIDOO

Materials

Didgeridoos can be made from a wide range of materials. The following describes some of the materials and their qualities.

Eucalyptus wood

The traditional didgeridoos from the northern parts of Australia are primarily made from the hollow branches of eucalyptus trees, including Eucalyptus tetrodonta (Stringy Bark), Eucalyptus miniata (Woolybutt) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Red river gum).

In other parts of the country, other eucalyptus species are used such as Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box), Eucalyptus paniculata (Grey Ironbark) and Eucalyptus gummifera (Bloodwood).

 

A bloodwood and woolybutt didgeridoo

Above is a Eucalyptus miniata (Woolybutt) didgeridoo while below is a Eucalyptus gummifera (Bloodwood) didgeridoo.

The majority of non-traditional instruments are made from eucalyptus wood because of its perceived connection with 'authenticity' as an aboriginal instrument. Good eucalyptus didgeridoos in general produce the warm, earthy, natural drone that is most associated with the sound of the didgeridoo.

The random nature in which eucalyptus branches are naturally selected and hollowed out by termites can lead to imperfections in the didgeridoo which affect its acoustic quality. These imperfections provide an inherent uniqueness in the didgeridoos acoustic character.

However, these imperfections can also mean that many eucalyptus didgeridoos, if poorly made, don't have the correct internal shaping for crisp and clear sounds. It can be a frustrating experience for players to choose a didgeridoo but then be limited by the natural flaws of the instrument.

While you will be on the right track buying a eucalyptus didgeridoo, just because it is eucalyptus and hollowed out by termites doesn't mean it will produce a great sound.  Ensure that you assess other selection criteria to help you choose a good quality instrument.

Other woods

Didgeridoos can also made from other tree branches such as those from  oak and ash trees. The branches can be bored, but are typically split in half, hollowed out with a gouge or a router, then glued back together. Didgeridoos can also be made by gluing strips of wood together.

These woods will produce natural, earthy tones similar to a eucalyptus didgeridoo. However, the sound will vary depending on the density of the wood. Harder woods, like the eucalyptus, will produce a bright, crisp drone. Softer woods will produce a softer, more muffled drone.

Bamboo

While bamboo is a very versatile material used in the production of many products, the common bamboo didgeridoo is generally not of a high quality. Bamboo didgeridoos are typically mass produced and imported from other countries to be sold in souvenir stores to the undiscerning buyer.

While they are lightweight and convenient to carry around, bamboo didgeridoos generally have poor acoustic qualities. Particularly, bamboo didgeridoos have soft walls that are full of air holes which absorb sound waves and reduce the resonance of the instrument, creating a hollow, muffled drone that is not ideal. Bamboo didgeridoos are also not as durable as wooden didgeridoos.

Plastic

A simple length of PVC pipe from your local hardware store can be a popular makeshift didgeridoo for beginners wishing to learn didgeridoo before purchasing a more serious instrument. Didgeridoo suppliers often make starter didgeridoos out of PVC pipe.  

PVC pipes have an even bore, wall thickness and wall density, all of which allow sound waves to evenly bounce down the didge to create a good, resonating drone. They are also light, durable and easily transported. While PVC didgeridoos create a hollow, 'artificial' sounding drone that is not exactly earth shattering, they are a reliable instrument to begin on and offer enough range to start exploring the variety of didgeridoo sounds.

If you want to try a PVC pipe didge, just look for any piece between one and two metres with a diameter of about 25-30mm. You may be able to pick it up and start playing straight away. If the pipe is too wide, you may have to use a mouthpiece. Visit my page on making a mouthpiece for more information.

PVC pipe can be a makeshift didgeridoo

A piece of PVC pipe can act as a make-shift didge to help you get started.

Other materials

Didgeridoos can be made out of other organic or non-organic materials such as agave stalks, clay, glass, fiberglass, hemp and metal. In fact, any hollow object with the same dimensions as your average didgeridoo will most likely have some playable quality. The sound and quality of these instruments will depend on a number of factors. These are described on other pages.

Decorations

Traditional Yidaki and Mago are usually always painted with pigments from the earth called ochres. The paintings will be done according to the style and cultural traditions of the aboriginal community and reflect stories, animals or important figures in Aboriginal dreamtime. Non-traditional didgeridoos are generally either decorated or left with a natural appearance.

Whether a didgeridoo has been painted or left natural will not affect the inherent sound of the didgeridoo. It may however affect the how the didgeridoo needs to be maintained over the long term, although this should not be a cause for concern. See the section on didgeridoo maintenance for more information. 

Something you should look for though with regards to the decoration of a didgeridoo is whether you are paying too much for a decorated didgeridoo that claims to be authentic.

Non-traditional didgeridoos are often made to appear 'authentic' with carvings, burned impressions and traditional-like paintings. These may not be authentic aboriginal decorations, but the price of the didgeridoo may be elevated because the supplier claims that they are. The sound quality of the didgeridoo may have been neglected in the process of decorating the instrument and asserting authenticity.

Consideration should be given as to whether you are paying for the sound quality of the didgeridoo or how it looks on the outside. Unfortunately, many distributors place more importance of the appearance on the didge than its sound quality or playability, and therefore sell didgeridoos that look good (to the mass market), but sound terrible.

Be aware of didgeridoos that claim to be 'authentic'

Be careful about paying more for didgeridoos with apparently 'authentic' decorations. Unless you carefully source your instrument, it is most likely they will not be authentic and you will be wasting your money on shockers such as these. I mean, a tiger striped didgeridoo. Really!

Many of these didgeridoos are sold to tourists as souvenirs. Be very aware that you may be paying more for an 'authentic' look even though the artwork is not authentic. Just because it looks good, doesn't mean it is authentic or that it will sound or play good. Always ensure you are happy with the sound and playability of the didgeridoo before you make a selection.

If you are not looking for a traditional, painted didgeridoo, a good way to help avoid the problem mentioned above is to look for a didgeridoo that has a natural finish. Non-traditional, wooden didgeridoos are often left undecorated to show the natural wood grain of the original tree. The wood grain and natural colour, knots and patterns on these didgeridoos are very unique and attractive.

Didgeridoos with natural finishes have a good look

Didgeridoos left unpainted allow the natural features of the wood to show, giving it personality and character.

These didgeridoos are a much safer choice for beginners.  You will not be paying for any artwork, so the seller will be relying more on the quality of a didgeridoo's sound to sell it, rather than its appearance. You will be left to assess more important factors such as playability and sound to determine the best didgeridoo for you.

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In summary

Didgeridoo tipDidgeridoos can be made from all types of materials, but are typically made from eucalyptus wood.

Didgeridoo tip An old piece of PVC piping can be used as a makeshift didgeridoo until you are ready to buy a better one.

Didgeridoo tip Be careful about buying a didgeridoo with 'authentic' looking artwork. It may not be authentic at all and you might be paying a higher price for it.