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Thursday July 26th, 2007
SUBJECT: Didgeridoo
Digi-what??
 A
didgeridoo (Also didjeridu, didjiridu and didjerry.) is a hollowed out log that
is used to make a musical sound. Indigenous to northern Australia it is considered
as one of the first musical instruments, however I would argue that drums or
banging on something happened before someone blowing through a hollowed out log.
 After
finding a proper hollowed out log, usually hollowed out by termites a mouth
piece is often added by melting beeswax onto it. This allows for a better
seal between the mouth and the dideridoo. Finding a proper hollowed
out log is not as easy as it might sound. The length, the amount hollowed
and the overall size all effect sound quality.
To play a didgeridoo one blows in such a fashion as to keep their lips
constantly vibrating. A special technique to keep a constant tone is
called circular breathing. Circular breathing is basically breathing in
through the nose while exhaling through the mouth by using your tongue and
cheeks. Click Here to Listen to the sound it makes
Currently you can purchase or make a didgeridoo from PVC pipe. We got the
opportunity to play with a PVC made on on a recent camping
trip.
Didgeridoo's in modern life, taken from Wikipedia
- In the 2005 Dreamworks Pictures movie, War
of the Worlds, a didgeridoo was used (along with computers and
other sound-altering devices) to create the memorable war cry the alien
Tripods make.
- A 2005 study, published in the British
Medical Journal, found that learning and practicing the
didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and sleep
apnea, as well as daytime sleepiness. This appears to work by
strengthening muscles in the upper airway, thus reducing their tendency to
collapse during sleep.
Want to get your own? You can easily purchase one from The
Didjshop however they only sell authentic Didgeridoo's not the PVC
ones and the least expensive is over $100 US. PVC versions can be found
online for a little as $34 US.
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