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It seems that we all have been through similar learning processes.
The first we´ve done is try to get some sound, but once we can do
it for a while we find the eternal dilemma: what to do to get a
non stopping sound??
We know there is a technique called circular breathing, but can
happen that we don´t know how to mix together all those things we´ve
been told o that we´ve read on Internet (to close with the tongue
........to keep the air with your cheek.......)
There is some information, i hope you get some help in your process
Nevertheless i think the best way to learn is letting someone to
guide you in your path, specially at the beggining : is very different
to be with someone telling you what to do rather than trying to
learn in front of a computer screen.......
If you wish to learn in a workshop you can contact me at info@tribales.com
There are some tips:
1· Basic sound (Drone)
2· Harmonics
3· Shouts
4· Zup (Horn)
5· Circular breathing
6· Easy rhythms
1· Drone.
If you are starting from scratch the best you can do is to get
used to play in the center as aboriginal use to recommend. Otherwise,
if you start to play in one side, you´ll probably get bad postures
for your back. Put the didgeridoo by your lips and press (air shouldn´t
go out of the tube), then try to make an RRRRR with your lips (not
with your tongue). Lips have to vibrate. To get a good Drone you
have to be very relaxed and "drop" the air into the tube, like an
exhalation, without tension or trying to blow strongly
2· Harmonics.
Once you can do the Drone for about 20 seconds, you can start
working with the harmonics To do so you have to blow with tighten
cheeks and very slowly try to slip your tongue forwards (without
touching your teeth) It is a very subtle movement .
3· Shouts
When you start to control the drone and the harmonics you can try
to shout inside the didgeridoo. A simple method that can help you
to loosen your voice is to get your mouth close the didgeridoo and
shout : ku ku ku ku ku ku ku ....... You should shout gently if
you don´t want to loose your voice......once you´ve done it try
to do the same but doing the drone at the same time
4· Zup (Horn)
You don´t need the drone for this sound. It is done by tighting
your lips strongly and blowing. It will sound like one of those
trumpets people take to football matches, or like a truck horn
5· Circular breathing
If you wish to learn the circular breathing it´s important that
you control the sounds we already explained. If you can´t do the
drone for more than 20 seconds you´ll hardly learn the circular
breathing At the workshops i organize advanced techniques to learn
the circular breathing are taught.
Those techniques are simple and effective, specially if are explained
live Usually, in a begginers one day workshop, pupils learn the
circular breathing easily Another technique that can help you is
the well known straw method. I think it has some lacks because is
very different to blow through a straw from doing a drone with the
didgeridoo, but it can help to understand the way it works You need
a glass of water and a straw. Blow through the straw into the water.
Now you can try to blow at the same time the bubbles are in the
glass. It won´t take you long and once you are able to do it we
can technically say you are doing the circular breathing
6· Easy rhythms
Try to vocalize (without voice) at the same time you do the drone,
sentences as the ones below:
To- ri- lón/ to-ri- lón (breath) /to-ri-lón Repeat the same cycle
Ta-ka/ Ta-ka/ Ta-Ka-ton-tón (breath)- Repeat the same cycle
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