How is the Didgeridoo (Dijeridu) Played?

Traditionally, only males play the didgeridoo in Aboriginal society. In fact, women are even prohibited in some Aboriginal clans from playing the didgeridoo at all. Many Australians (Aboriginal and European origin alike) believe that a woman will become pregnant if her lips ever come in contact with the instrument.

The Didgeridoo sound is essentially created by vibrating the lips. Constant air pressure is produced by a circular breathing technique which is maintained by breathing in through the nose and pushing the air back out through the mouth via the lungs and diaphram, resulting in uninterrupted sound. Click here for more information on instruction.

Increasingly, Didjeridus are included in music groups, rock bands, orchestras and in a solo capacity as atmosphere creators for seminars and workshops. The haunting music of a solo Didjeridu touches people's hearts and calls to remembrance our spiritual and earthly heritage." - Alastair Black

The lips, tongue, voice and breathing combine to create energetic rythmic patterns. From invoking these rythyms, drones and sounds, Aboriginal didgeridoo players are said to reach a trance-like state called Dreamtime.

What is Dreamtime?

Dreamtime is the creation of time. It symbolizes that all life to the Aboriginal people is part of on interconnected system, one vast network of relationships which came into existence with the stirring of the great archetypes, the spirit ancestors who emerged during the Dreamtime.

According to Aboriginal belief, all life as it is today - Human, Animal, Bird and Fish is part of one vast unchanging network of relationships which can be traced to the great spirit ancestors of the Dreamtime.

The Dreamtime continues as the "Dreaming" in the spiritual lives of aboriginal people today. The events of the ancient era of creation are enacted in ceremonies and danced in mime form. Song chant incessantly to the accompaniment of the didgeridoo or clap sticks relates the story of events of those early times and brings to the power of the dreaming to bear of life today.