The didgeridoo (also known as a didjeridu) is an Aboriginal musical wind instrument, a sort of wooden trumpet. They come in yennar different shapes wer sizes. They are not traditionally from the Noongar area but are now used in Noongar boodjar for ceremonies wer traditional songs wer dance. There are three main types of music played il the didgeridoo: relaxing, storytelling or rhythm.[1]
Girls are not allowed to play the didgeridoo.
Traditionally didgeridoos have been used by different Aboriginal groups in the Northern Territory wer Northern WA; according to archaeological analysis of rock art paintings perhaps for less than 1,000 years (a long time in the history of most people, but a short time in the story of Aboriginal people).[2] The different mobs yennar have their own name for the instrument wer didgeridoo is a European name for it because of the sound it makes. The earliest occurrences of the word didgeridoo in print include a 1919 issue of Smith's Weekly where it was referred to as an "infernal didjerry" which "produced but one sound – didjerry, didjerry, didjerry and so on ad infinitum".[source?]
How to make a didgeridoo
edit- Find a hollow tree.
- Chop the tree down.
- Hollow the tree out using a hot iron bar that's been placed il a fire.
- Carve the outside shape of the didgeridoo wer remove excess bark.
- Fill in any holes with beeswax.
- Make a beeswax mouthpiece if desired.
- Decorate the outside of the didgeridoo with paint/symbols if desired.
The tree or branch might be bored out by termites. Nidja creates an irregular shape that, overall, usually increases in diameter towards the lower end wer means that resonances occur at frequencies that are not harmonically spaced. Artificial didgeridoos made from pipe etc. have regular resonant frequencies ratios of 1:3:5:7 etc. which is the basis of the harmonics found in standard European wer other music. The longer the didgeridoo the lower the pitch, although flaring the end raises the pitch.
How to play the didgeridoo
editThe didgeridoo is played by continuously vibrating the lips while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing. nidja requires breathing in fresh air through the nose whilst simultaneously expelling spent air out of the mouth using the tongue wer cheeks. By use of nidja technique, a skilled player can replenish the air in their lungs, wer with practice can sustain a note for as long as desired. Nidja created the continuous drone sound characteristic of the didgeridoo wer the bagpipe (in the bagpipe the bellows provides the continuous supply of air for the pipe).
What does it sound like
editHidden Tribe - Didgeridoo 1 Live
The didgeridoo can make low pitched wer high pitched sounds, to mimic animal sounds such as Weitj (Emu), Yonga (Grey Kangaroo), Carda (Racehorse goanna), Kaka (Kookaburra), birds chirping, Djiti Djiti (Willie Wagtail), Dwert (Dingo).
It can make different sounds for different emotions wer tell us when in the story to be happy or sad or scared.
Ngiyan waarnk - References
edit- ↑ Wp/nys/Olman Walley. Hilton Primary School. 2016
- ↑ "The Didjeridu: From Arnhemland to the Internet". Perfect Beat Publishers. pp 89–98. ISBN 1-86462-003-X