Didgeridoo

Didgeridoo
A, B and C: traditionally made didgeridoos.
D and E: non-traditional didgeridoos
Other namesDidjeridu, yiḏaki, mandapul, mako, etc.
Classification
Hornbostel–Sachs classification423.121.11
(end-blown straight tubular natural trumpet without mouthpiece)
Playing range
Written range: fundamental typically A2 to G3
Didgeridoo and clapstick players performing at Nightcliff, Northern Territory
Sound of didgeridoo
A didgeribone, a sliding-type didgeridoo

The didgeridoo (/ˌdɪəriˈd/), also spelt didjeridu, among other variants, is a wind instrument, played with vibrating lips to produce a continuous drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing. The didgeridoo was developed by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia at least 1,000 years ago, and is now in use around the world, though still most strongly associated with Indigenous Australian music. In the Yolŋu languages of the indigenous people of northeast Arnhem Land the name for the instrument is the yiḏaki, or more recently by some, mandapul. In the Bininj Kunwok language of West Arnhem Land it is known as mako.[1]

A didgeridoo is usually cylindrical or conical, and can measure anywhere from 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) long. Most are around 1.2 m (4 ft) long. Generally, the longer the instrument, the lower its pitch or key. Flared instruments play a higher pitch than unflared instruments of the same length.

  1. ^ Garde, Murray. "Bininj Kunwok Online Dictionary". njamed.com. Bininj Kunwok Regional Language Centre. Retrieved 12 August 2020.