ABC Wednesday, M for Music on the Didgeridoo by David Hudson

 Some Australian posts among the entries about Israel and my own country will be used to make one of my students familiar with the English speaking world, which is so rich in cultural and musical details. Here you see the Australian didgeridoo player David Hudson, who teaches us to play this fascinating instrument, which originates from this  continent.


David Hudson: "Well here you see a finished product. You see me cut the didgeridoo, scrape all the bark back. Digeridoo is one of the world's oldest wind instruments. What is so unique of a digeridoo is : you don't have a reed, you don't have fingerholes. It's up to you to do the sound. But use the twine of your tongue,your lip and the sound in your voice box. I can show you how to play the didgeridoo, but it's up to you to put the time and effort in practising every day. One hour, two hours..."

 David tells us not to blow on the wooden instrument like you blow on a trumpet. With a shake of his head, he adds:" it sounds pretty terrible". David shows how you can imitate the dingo by doing five short calls and a long one. He also demonstrates how to imitate the kookaburra, the kangaroo and the little joey. He also says that you need to practise circular breathing. That is continuous blowing while you are breathing. I can assure you that this is very difficult. 

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, and to Roger. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with M.