Reinventing the Didgeridoo
For thousands of years the Australian didgeridoo has undergone very few changes in its traditional design and playing technique. In recent years a handful of players and designers seeking to go beyond the limited monotone sound of the didgeridoo, have used technology to greatly extend the sound and scope of this ancient instrument. Electronic synthesisers, the face bass, the slide didge, the keyed didge and the cello didge are a few examples. In contrast to the many TECHNOLOGICAL advances that have been made, didgeridoo PLAYING TECHNIQUES have lagged far behind. DR BRUCE COPLEY a South African player who has recently made his appearance on the international didge scene has in the space of only 9 years, pushed the didge where few if any have taken it before, pushed it into its wildest edge of edges and literally EVOLVED AND REINVENTED this ancient wind instrument. What follows are a listing of some of the extraordinary skills and applications that have emerged from Bruce’s ongoing playful and serious exploration of the didgeridoo which he describes as the greatest teacher he has ever had. While strongly encouraging players to continually push their own boundaries, Bruce makes it clear that some of the techniques described below are potentially dangerous and only mastered after hundreds of hours of practice. For further information you can contact him at : bruce@aahalearning.com
MUSICAL DIDGE
A FOUR OCTAVE RANGE(A1 to C5) with around 20 different musical notes on a conventional wooden didge with controlled CIRCULAR BREATHING and OVERTONES through this entire range. What this means is the ability to play at least 6 sustained TOOT notes above the fundamental drone tone. In this way a variety of tunes and melodies can be played that sound like a combination of a trumpet, flute and French horn.
FIRE DIDGE
Using the ancient fire stick technique a coal ember is created from the didge wood and placed with kindling into the end of the didgeridoo. By playing a very rapid rhythm, the ember ignites and becomes a fire that sounds out of the didge.
DUAL DIDGE
Playing TWO DIDGES SIMULTANEOUSLY AND CONTINUOUSLY using circular breathing and matched or unmatched didges. Done over a THREE OCTAVE NOTE RANGE and combined with clear overtones and vocal harmonies.
HEXAGONAL RHYTHM DIDGE
Using a special stand to play 2 didges simultaneously(different rhythm on each) and at the same time playing another 4 different rhythms using both hands (drum and marimba) and both feet (bells and shakers).
TALKING DIDGE
Clear and concise speaking and storytelling through the use of ventriloquist skills while maintaining both DRONE AND OVERTONE sounds
HARMONICA DIDGE
The creation of drone and toot notes by SUCKING air up the didge and alternating this with conventional BLOWN notes down the didge. Using the harmonica method of blown and drawn notes on the didge, a continuous sound is created without having to use circular breathing
LIGHTNING DIDGE
A rhythmic and continuous playing frequency of 6-8 PULES/SEC and a circular breathing rate of 185 BREATHS/MIN for extended periods of time.
RAINBOW SINGING DIDGE
Using conventional singing, overtone singing, circular singing, whistling and Mongolian and Tibetan chanting to create no less than 8 TO 10 SIMULTANEOUS SOUNDS AND OVERTONES.
MONEY DIDGE
Creating sufficient backpressure to be able to PICK UP BANK NOTES on the floor and place them on a table while playing a sustained and very high-pitched note.
WHISPER DIDGE
Complex rhythmic playing with very soft whisper or AIR SOUND NOTES overlaying a delicate drone tone. Requires amplification to be fully appreciated.
CROCODILE DIDGE
Using a high pitched frequency the didge can instantly move large crocodiles who are resting or moving on land to dash for the safety of nearby water……….a very effective crocodile repellent.
RUNNING DIDGE
Continuous single or dual didge rhythmic playing with circular breathing while running distances of 4 TO 8 KM AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 12KM/HR.
SPORTING DIDGE
A great deal of fun and mirth can be experienced by playing the didge while swimming breaststroke, cycling, exercising, walking, spinning, doing aerobics, dancing, playing squash, bathing and taking a steam bath or sauna.
UNDERWATER DIDGE
By placing the end of the didge under the water in a swimming pool and playing high frequency notes, it is possible to create a mystical sound effect and a powerful liquid sound massage for anyone in the water.