The didgeridoo, or drone-pipe or Yidaki, is the only wind instrument actually made by the
Australian Aboriginals, as opposed to the conch-shell trumpets which are an adaption of a natural article. The didgeridoo was used only by tribes of Northern
Australia and was made from a length of hollow wood, usually a tree eaten out by
termites or
bamboo. Their length varied from 1.5m-5m. The sound made by these instruments varied from a deep
resonant tone to a higher note which sounded more like an echo. The range of music played varied considerably with the ability of the player, but a skilled artist had the ability to play both a melody and an accompanying beat concurrently with the one instrument. Traditionally the finest didgeridoo players began training as children. The sound is also affected by the size and shape of each instrument.
It is quite possible that the didgeridoo is the world’s oldest
wind instrument. The instrument was originally found in
Arnhem Land in Northern
Australia. It was used as an accompaniment to chants and songs and in some tribal groups they were only played by men. The first didgeridoos were thought to be made of
bamboo, which was abundant in the
Northern Territory where observations of strange
trumpets were first made by
R. Etheridge Jr. in 1893.
It has been claimed that the instrument can be used to produce a wide range of sounds including those similar to the calls of
animals and birds, but it is best know for the complex rythyms it can produce. To get a sound, you need to
vibrate your lips by loosely holding them against the mouth and blowing air over them much like playing a
brass instrument of today.
The didgeridoo is thought to have had many purposes to the
Aboriginals over the years. They are thought to have used it for bird and animal decoys, casting spells, basic musical entertainment purpose, for traveling songs, and ceremonial performances.