DIDGERIDOO FUN!Students were totally fascinated today with this instrument native to Australia! We enjoyed touching, hearing and learning about the didgeridoo. Our friends learned these interesting facts about this instrument, which is believed to possibly be one of the oldest known to man!
- The didgeridoo was originally made from Eucalyptus branches that were hollowed by termites and used by the Aborigines, a native people indigenous to Australia. They were often painted and used in ceremonies and for other musical purposes. Traditionally, men were the only ones to use the didgeridoo.
Many masters of the didgeridoo use "circular breathing", a technique that allows a constant stream of air to flow through the instrument as the player breathes through their nose, fills their abdomen, and releases through the mouth.
It isn't so easy playing the didgeridoo! I discovered that today! :) After playing a woodwind for the last 26 years, my mouth wasn't quite prepared for the relaxed "nicker" sound (like a horse making a vibration with it's mouth closed) and my "didgeridooing" sounded more like an elephant! Haha!
Check out this article for more interesting facts on the didgeridoo, and don't forget to watch our
video below along with the awesome Youtube performances I played for the children today. Keep your eyes out for a hallway display where you can see our didgeridoo and read more facts!
