ABOUT THE DIDGERIDOO
HOW TO PLAY
CIRCULAR BREATHING
DIDGERIDOO RHYTHMS
CHOOSING A DIDGERIDOO
CARING FOR YOUR DIDGE
ODDS AND ENDS
FAQ
HOW TO PLAY PRO NEW!
OTHER SERVICES
CONTACT
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WHY PLAY DIDGERIDOO?
Playing to make music
People play didgeridoo for all kinds of reasons. Of course, the most common reason why people take up the didgeridoo is simply to make some kind of musical sound.
The buzz-like drone of the didgeridoo has been associated with all kinds of colourful descriptors. It has been associated with the sound of 'mother earth' to that of spirits, animals, insects or the electronic effects of psy-trance and techno. These wide and varied associations have given the didgeridoo a unique, widespread and particularly personal appeal.
The didgeridoo offers a very versatile sound. It can be earthy or electric, fast or slow, frenetic or soothing or a variety of other contrasting sounds. This ability makes the didgeridoo suitable for many purposes.
Played well, the didgeridoo’s continuous, powerful drone has the ability to capture an audience and hold its attention. Furthermore, the didgeridoo’s intriguing method of playing with the lips and mouth, sustained through the impressive technique of circular breathing, is a constant source of fascination for viewers.
The instrument’s ability to transfix an audience has been utilized by many professional players the world over and the didgeridoo solo has emerged as an important part of contemporary didgeridoo playing. However, the didgeridoo is just as equally able to accompany other instruments in a group as it is in impressing an audience with its solo sounds. This uniqueness of sound and versatility has made the instrument a must have for many contemporary musicians.
Learning without learning
You won't need to read sheet music when learning to play didgeridoo.
Possibly the most attractive feature of the didgeridoo is its ability to be learnt without formal training in music theory. One does not have to be able to read music to be able to play. This is probably the best bit about taking up the didgeridoo: you can pick it up and start ‘playing’ straight away. You will be able to play an instrument without ever having to read music or learn to play notes! Finally, you can accomplish that dream of yours to play a musical instrument!
Indeed, you do not have to know anything about music to be able to play, save for having some basic sense of rhythm which everyone has. Even if you feel you have no sense of rhythm (which you don't - you can count in time while walking don't the street can't you?), this can be easily acquired as you practice.
The didgeridoo is learnt not by reading notes, but by observing and following the techniques of professional players, practicing these techniques, and then developing your own playing styles and rhythms.
To get started learning didgeridoo, all you need to do is to make the basic drone and eventually sustain this through circular breathing. Easy! Even this level of playing is enough to capture the attention of an audience. From there, it is up to you to learn further techniques and use these in your own didgeridoo rhythms.
Being a rhythm instrument the didgeridoo is very flexible and open for you to learn or devise all kinds of techniques and rhythms for your unique solos. Once you have a basic understanding of these techniques, you will finally be able to ‘play an instrument’ like you’ve always wanted to! Where you take it from there, and how you use your newfound skills will be up to you.
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In summary
The novel appeal and versatility of the didgeridoo means it is becoming more popular in modern contemporary music.
You do not need to know formal music theory to play the didgeridoo. You can start playing straight away without any training in music.
You can start learning right now by reading my sections on how to play and circular breathing.