The Worlds Oldest Wind Instrument
Didgeridoos are the bomb.
The Didgeridoo:
I have always liked world music. I especially remember a CD my mom had which featured this crazy instrument. I never knew what it was, but one day it clicked. While many sound projects involve electronics of some sort, the didgeridoo is an aboriginal instrument that is considered the world's oldest instrument.
Usually constructed from hollow wood whose sound is unique due to termite holes, didgeridoos hold great importance to the aborigenes. Not only can men only use them, but they are the focal point of ceromonies and dance. I set out to recreate my own.
How I made a didgeridoo:
1. Buy PVC Pipe (40 mm internal diameter) and cut to 104 cm for E and118 cm for D.
2. Make the mouthpiece.
About the mouthpiece. The MOST important part of the instrument. Easily took me the most time and the most experimenting. SO, I'll save you the time.
WAX- Natural Bees Wax......DO NOT USE CANDLES
They sell bees wax at art stores, so go to any art store. If you can't find one there, try a design store or even Home Depot.
WITH MY HANDS
Mine came in a bar. Boil water, let the wax get loose in it. Then mold the wax around the top to create a mouthpiece. There are plenty of better website to explain the specifics, but basically you want a flat mouthpiece that fits tightly around your mouth.
To Play-Simply Blow. Practice makes perfect. The author was not able to achieve circular breathing and thus does not feel qualified to teach it.
My Thoughts
Before I begin with my conclusions on my individual project, I would like to talk about the real range of sound. A didgeridoo shows how sounds can have very different meanings, especially in a global context. To the aborigines of Australia, the didgeridoo is like the American guitar. While means of production also vary, ultimately the physics stay the same.
In creating many, many mouthpieces I came to understand how a smaller vibrating mouthpiece creates a resonance in a much larger tube. Shaping sound with my hands was a very interesting proccess that I recomomend everyone try.
When I was done, I painted both my didgeridoos and personalized them. If you can go through the whole process of building your own instrument, decorating it, and mastering it (should be some time in the future), than sound doesn't seem like an abstract idea from a textbook.
Ultimately, create the sound you want to.