


The Didgeridu

The didgeridu is the traditional musical windinstrument of the australian
Aborgiines. It is made out of a piece of eucalypt tree, hollowed out by
termites. The best size for playing is between 4 and 6 feet, with a mouthpiece
of beeswax to fit the mouth, becaus the diameter of the didgeridu is often
over 2 inches. The didgeridu that has been hollowed out naturally, has got
antchannels inside, that will give the didgeridu a particular resonans, and
make the tonal quality of the natural didgeridu superior to the manmade timber
or bamboo didgeridus, which produce often "cardboard" sounds. On top of that,
the bamboo can crack quite easily, but a natrual didgeridu, dried out properly
and sealed, will last a lifetime and has more musical and cultural value.

The didgeridu can produce a great variety of tones and sounds. The special
attraction of the didgeridu is the so-called "overtone". Bird-calls can be
imitated by "gurgling" with the vocal chords, and other sounds can be made by
manipulating the tongue and changing lip positions, complex rhythms can be
produced by "saying" or "singing" special words. The special breathing
technique of the didgeridu, the so-called "circular" breathing, is quite rare
and requires great concentration: one has to simultaneously snatch breath and
squeeze it out with the checks, while continuing the fundamental tone.
Instruction booklets and tapes will be available and also Boongar, the
director of Boongar Arts and Crafts will be at the Fair and perform every day
on the didgeridu.

The didgeridu was traditionally used as accompaniment to the songlines in
ritual and ceremonies. It was used in aboriginal Australia mainly in the
Northern parts, but became gradually restricted to Arnhemland. Nowadays it is
part of some sort of aboriginal cultural re-vival: some tribes are
re-introducing it to their ceremonies, other who never used it, play it now.
It is also used often in Pop Music, Rock, Folk, World Music and New Age Music,
where the overtone of the didgeridu has meditative and relaxing effects. Also
the circular breathing is incorporated in certain healing techniques, such as
re-birthing where the continous breathing brings one in contact with the inner
self. I play the didgeridu mayself, often with a bit of Blues. I hope to be
able to perform and tell more about the didgeridu in Frankfurt in March.

Stand: 8 0 P 60

Boongar Arts and Crafts
Pty. Ltd.
491 Varley St.
AUS-Yorkeys Knob Qld. 4878

Telefon: 0061-70-557-783
Telefax: 0061-70-557-783
