Yidaki and Aboriginal Instruments

Yidaki

• The yidaki (also called didgeridoo by Europeans) is a long tube made from eucalyptus wood.
• It is hollowed out and the bark is removed.
• A ring of wax or resin is applied around the mouthpiece.
• It can be plain or decorated.
• Playing involves placing lips against the wax and vibrating them.
• Air is blown down the tube to produce a low-pitched drone.
• Players may puff out their cheeks and store air in the mouth for other sounds.
• The yidaki is played with other instruments or alone.
• Aboriginal Australians have played the yidaki for over 2,000 years.

Other Instruments

• Clapsticks are pairs of sticks, 8 inches (20 cm) long, that are clapped together.
• Clapsticks are often used to keep time for songs and dances.
• Bull-roarer is a flat, leaf-shaped piece of wood attached to a string.
• The bull-roarer is whirled to create a low-pitched roar.

Playing the Yidaki

• Playing involves a bit like playing a tuba or trombone.
• Players place their lips against a wax seal.
• Players vibrate lips as they blow down the long tube to produce a low-pitched drone.
• They puff out their cheeks and store air in their mouth, breathing through their nose
• They can mimic animal sounds.

Yidaki in History

• According to First Nations Australians the first yidaki was discovered by a man named Burbuk Boon.
• Burbuk Boon found a hollow log that was warmed by the fire.
• He used it and created sounds with it.