Any Didgi Players out there?

[warwick.hoy]

Just Curious,

I'm okay at it at the moment; until I can get that circular breathing thing down. Any pointers? I get a good tone but can't keep it going for longer than 30 or 40 seconds, and by then I'm ready to pass out.

[Audiophage]

Didgeridoo was technically my first instrument, unless you consider plunking around on the piano. I could get the sound, but I could never get the circular breathing.

[Thunderitter]

I've been playing the didj for 9 years now and have taught quite a few folks how to play and then circular breathe.

Circular breathing is one of those things; you can practise and practise and then it suddenly comes! I found that I learned it visually/aurally - from a busker - rather than technically from a book; all those cups of water and bent straws didn't do it for me at all!

I find the key to c.breathing is to break it down to the two basic functions: the intake of air through your nose via a sharp 'sniff' and the 'mechanical' expulsion of air through your mouth. I say 'mechanical' as you are using you cheeks as bladders.

Start the process by imagining that your mouth and cheeks are full of water - think Dizzy Gillespie, but not quite that extreme!. Now with your lips pursed spit out the imaginary water, creating a flow. That gives you the basic 'exhale' of c.breathing.

Now imagine you are doing the exhale over a count of 1-2-3. On the count of 2 is when you take that 'sniff' to inhale air to the lungs. Now at the 3 is when you transition back to your lungs. Before you run out of lung air you repeat the exhale and sniff and that should keep you going.

It will take practise to get this process smooth, especially the transition back to your lungs. As with playing the didj a lot of folks blow too hard - remember it is not a trumpet you are playing! I found that practising on the back of my hand when I didn't have a didj nearby was a great way to 'feel' the continuous flow of air.

Good luck!!

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by Thunderitter

I found that practising on the back of my hand when I didn't have a didj nearby was a great way to 'feel' the continuous flow of air.

My Mind fell instantly into the gutter

Thank you so much, I will do this

[Andrew.Glose]

Thunderitter has a good outlook on it.

It's a pretty quick transition. I just 'did it', if you know what I mean. Didn't bother with the straws and water.

Edit: Oh, and try humming some notes as well. You can harmonize like this. When you learn to bend your didge pitch up and down, you can pull off full harmonic changes. Pretty neat as well. Haven't heard or seen many cats doing it, though. Then again, I don't play Didge very often.

[djsteiner]

my dad is a trumpet player, as am i. anyway, he does it quite well and explained it to me. anyway, one time in fifth grade science class i was really bored and i just started working on it and it just sort of happened, now i find it quite easy.

yay me!

i would love to be able to play a didge, that would fulfill my life.

[Thunderitter]

Anyone looking for a cheap start to didj playing should have a look at the "Didjbox" http://www.didjbox.com/p_didjbox.php

These are good starter instruments with a good back pressure (makes circular breathing easier) and not a bad sound at all. You won't get the harmonics/bends/bells and tone of a real eucalyptus didj but then the price you can't beat it!

Didjboxes travel well and are virtually indestructible!

[Matt Till]

Interesting, I was going to post a "circular breathing" thread because my bro has a didgi and I mess with it. I can produce a tone for about 6 seconds. Ha. How do you do all those cool squawks and tonal changes.

[Thunderitter]

'Squawks' are done by vocalising down the didj - everything from speaking, humming and screams.

The different tonal changes are a mix of breathing, diaphragm, tongue and cheek movement/shape. Oh, and a fair bit of practice!