The didyeridoo, also known as the "didj", is an Australian woodwind instrument that used to be made using trees hollowed out by termites. Today, you can find didyeridoos of various styles that produce a deep and calming sound. To learn to play the didyeridoo, you need to find a comfortable place to practice, work on your lip vibrations, and perfect your breathing techniques. You can also refine your skills further by recording yourself while you play or taking classes with a person who is an expert on this instrument.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create the Right Environment
Step 1. Get a didyeridoo
Plastic didyeridus are used by many beginners as they are cheap and you can easily get them online. Others prefer to start directly with a wooden one, in which case you should consider your budget and the type of wood you want, such as agave. Wooden didyeridus are harder to break and produce a deeper, more intense sound.
Some music stores offer didyeridus for rent, and you can also borrow one from the place where you take classes. However, most people who are serious about this instrument recommend that you have your own to make it easier for you to practice regularly
Step 2. Find a quiet place
It is best to practice the didyeridoo in a place where you will not be disturbed, especially if you are going to practice breathing techniques. Practicing in a quiet place is also important because you have to listen to yourself, which is more difficult than it sounds. The vibrations of the didyeridoo reduce your ability to hear, making it difficult for you to identify specific notes or sounds.
Some people claim that the best place to practice didyeridoo is in the bathroom, as the tiles magnify sound and amplify acoustics
Step 3. Determine the position where you want to play
You can stand or sit on a chair or on the floor. People often prefer to be seated, as this makes it easier to play for a longer time. If you sit on the floor, you can rest the didyeridoo on your feet, but avoid resting it directly on the floor so that the sound is clear and does not distort.
Regardless of the position you choose, make sure you maintain good posture. Keep your back straight and your shoulders back, as slouching makes it difficult for air to move effectively from your lungs to the didyeridoo
Step 4. Position your hands
Regardless of whether you decide to play the didyeridoo sitting or standing, you should hold it in the same way: with the palm of your dominant hand facing up. Your index finger should point away from you, while your thumb and other fingers should wrap around the didyeridoo. Slide this hand down the instrument until your arm is extended but relaxed. If necessary, you can balance the didyeridoo by placing your other hand near the mouthpiece.
Step 5. Maintain a calm attitude
Playing the didyeridoo is often compared to meditating or having spiritual experiences. To reap the full mental benefits of playing the didyeridoo, you need to clear your mind and focus solely on playing the instrument. Before you start playing, repeat to yourself: "Stay calm." If you have intrusive thoughts, put the didyeridoo aside until you can focus.
- If you feel distracted, it may help to say out loud, "This is my time to play." You can also ask your classmates to keep you focused if they see you start to lose focus.
- A good suggestion is to dim the lights and light candles or incense to create a calmer environment in which you can play the didyeridoo.
Method 2 of 4: Learn the Basics
Step 1. Develop and practice your base drone separately
The base hum is the sound from which all the sounds that the didyeridoo produces are created. You should continue to produce it even after you start producing other sounds. Relax your lips and blow so that they vibrate, as if you were making a trumpet or imitating the way horses blow air through their mouths.
- This is similar to how brass players prepare, but your lips should be looser than a trumpeter's, for example.
- It may help to practice in front of a mirror.
Step 2. Press your lips against the didyeridoo
When you think you will be able to produce the base hum for about 20 seconds, you can press your mouth against the mouthpiece of the didyeridoo. Your lips should be firm but not stiff, as they should be able to move without letting air escape.
- Your lips do not need to be directly aligned with the mouthpiece. For example, some people prefer to touch on the side of their mouth.
- You can apply beeswax to the mouthpiece to soften it and to set your lips more firmly. Heat the wax until it is pliable, apply it to the edge of the nozzle and work it until an opening is created. Keep in mind that the larger the opening, the more air you will need to play. Most people learn to play the didyeridoo with a central opening 3 cm in diameter. You can continue to accommodate the wax as you play.
Step 3. Squeeze or loosen your lips depending on the sound you want to produce
When you start producing the base buzz, you can modify it by varying the tension on your lips. The sound will also produce coupling. For example, if your lips are too tight, the didyeridoo will produce a higher-pitched sound, like that of a trumpet. Therefore, you can open your jaw and reduce the distance between the corners of your lips to produce a more deep and relaxing sound.
Step 4. Also involve your tongue and cheeks
Touch your tongue to your teeth, then quickly press it against the roof of your mouth. Make the double "r" sound and move your tongue from one side of your mouth to the other. Inflate your cheeks with air and alternate between puffing one and then the other to produce changes in the sound.
- Make sure to keep producing the base hum while doing these movements.
- Perform these movements quickly and methodically, as if you stay in one movement too long, you could stop producing the base hum by stopping the airflow.
- Puffing up your cheeks will produce a more even sound, while tightening your cheeks will produce a higher, piercing sound.
Step 5. Also involve the diaphragm
The diaphragm is a powerful muscle that helps draw air into and out of the lungs and can create small bursts of air that, in turn, will produce pulses of sound in the didyeridoo. For this, try to make a laughing sound (like "ha ha ha") with your own voice. You can do it in a gentle or energetic way.
Step 6. Experiment with unique vocalizations
It produces a consistent base hum and then produces more creative sounds and tones. Position your mouth as if you were going to pronounce a letter, such as A, and then continue producing the base hum to see how this position of the mouth changes the harmony. You can repeat various combinations of vowels, such as "A, O, E". For this, you must pay close attention to your breathing.
It is also common to produce animal sounds with the didyeridoo (for example, the barking of a dingo or the more complex "cuckoo" that kookaburras produce)
Method 3 of 4: Mastering Circular Breathing
Step 1. Pay attention to your breathing patterns
Take several deep breaths and focus on the way the air flows through your body and the way you exhale. Do you usually inhale through your mouth? Do you usually exhale through your nose? This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as you master nose-centered breathing techniques.
Step 2. Understand how circular breathing works
Your goal should be to play the didyeridoo with a continuous, uninterrupted supply of air. For this, you must inhale through your nose and simultaneously blow air through your mouth towards the mouthpiece of the didyeridoo. You should continue to produce the base hum at all times.
- In circular breathing, the air you inhale and the air you exhale are considered two different entities. Both airflows should always feel full and be in constant motion. Therefore, it is important to establish a rhythm.
- One trick is to avoid blowing the air out of your mouth in one go. This will empty your lungs and stop the base hum. Instead, you should let the air out through your mouth slowly, in the same way as you would spit out water.
Step 3. Use water to practice circular breathing
Before you start playing the didyeridoo, you should practice circular breathing. Press your lips against one end of a straw and place the other in a glass of water. Inhale through your nose as you blow through the straw so that bubbles form in the water. Don't stop producing bubbles at any point, as this will reflect whether you can produce a consistent base hum. Repeat this exercise several times a day until it becomes easier for you.
You can also practice drinking water and holding it in your mouth until your cheeks puff up. Then let the water out through your mouth, inhaling through your nose as you do so and being careful not to swallow it. You can easily practice this exercise in the shower
Step 4. Practice circular breathing by puffing out your cheeks
Practice the breathing movements without the didyeridoo. Inhale until your cheeks are puffed up and continue to inhale through your nose as you let the air out through your mouth. Perform these movements in a controlled manner.
Step 5. Establish a breathing rhythm
When you finally go to play the didyeridoo, apply circular breathing techniques. Maintain a constant rhythm of simultaneous inhalations and exhalations while producing a continuous base hum. Avoid making other sounds until you have mastered the breathing techniques. If your breathing is steady, the didyeridoo will also make a steady, air-filled sound.
Don't expect to immediately master circular breathing techniques, as this is often the most frustrating thing when learning to play the didyeridoo. Keep working on your breathing, although you can still play the didyeridoo without holding the notes for long
Step 6. Increase your lung capacity
Inhale in a controlled manner until your lungs are full. Hold the air for a second and then exhale slowly until your lungs are completely empty. Pause for a second and repeat. Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 minutes a day and you will start to see results.
You can also increase your lung capacity by quitting smoking and exercising regularly
Method 4 of 4: Honing Your Didyeridoo Skills
Step 1. Don't stop practicing
As with any instrument, practice is key to learning to play the didyeridoo. Play it as often as possible and experiment with new positions and sounds. Play for an audience and ask for feedback. As you gain confidence, you could even perform at an open mic night at a local bar or coffee shop.
Step 2. Record yourself
If you are not comfortable with the idea of playing for other people, you can record yourself and post it on a forum for people who play the didyeridoo. You can find one by searching online for "didyeridoo forum." By posting an audio clip, you can get feedback from other people playing the didyeridoo. You can also record yourself as a way to criticize yourself.
Step 3. Take classes
To go deeper into your learning, you can enroll in an online class or take a class at a local institution, if there is one. Some of these classes are free while others may have a cost, so do your research before signing up. These classes typically also incorporate a bit of didyeridoo history, adding more nuance to your experience with the instrument.
Advice
- If you suffer from sleep apnea or snore, playing the didyeridoo can help, as it improves your ability to breathe deeply and freely.
- For a more creative experience, you can combine the didyeridoo with some forms of vocal percussion, such as beatboxing.
Warnings
- Do not forget to breathe! Be careful not to get dizzy or pass out. More experienced musicians sustain the base drone by blowing as they inhale instead of blowing without breathing.
- Check to see if your didyeridoo is cracked or damaged in any other way. Some mass-produced models can be of poor quality and break easily. This will have a negative impact on the sound quality.
- Some people find it difficult to touch the didyeridoo if they have a beard or mustache. If so, try trimming your facial hair to make contact with the nozzle easier.