Didgeridoo

They take so much breath that guys who play well have learned to breath in while blowing out—very hard to do

-- Lizardhead---Yeah but it's a dry heat--Tempe, Az

That is great! I have a book I read my daughters called “Do you do a Didgeridoo?” by Nick Page. They love the book and I keep thinking I should get a didgeridoo. I usually just make “doo” with an empty wrapping paper roll. Kudos on such excellent craftsmanship.

-- If I can't make it, I probably don't need it.

I have helped a friend make one but never made one for me lol By the way your looks a lot better ,Nice work

-- Nimkee** Joe

It’s a beautiful thing! The artwork seems very appropriate – did you use a traditional design? How do you play it? Is it like a trumpet? How does it sound?

Sorry about all the questions; I love it and I’m really impressed. Thanks for posting it!

-- Mother Nature talks, I try to listen

Thanks everyone. I used some traditional colors: red, yellow and black are the colors for the Aboriginal flag. Geckos are a traditional motif. The dots are just something I wanted to do. I have seen this type of artwork on various sculptures. My facebook page (Michael Sweet) has a video of me trying to play it. My grandaughter just picked it up and started playing and it sounded pretty good and she is 11. If you go on to YouTube and type didgeridoo you can find some awesome playing. Another great looking one is square. just type in square didgeridoo. It is a beautifully crafted and sounding instrument. I blow into it like I’m making a rasberry. I am working on the circular breathing – you fill your cheeks with air to blow into the didge while breathing in through the nose. It is a fun thing to have around.

We use to live in Australia, and saw many an Aborigine play them. The breathing technique is, as you said, breathing in while blowing out…they call it circular breathing, if I remember correctly. We brought back a didgeridoo and have it by the fireplace. The story I heard was that they would get limbs that were eaten out by ants, and that’s how most of the hollowing out was done. Your artwork looks very good. The one I have has all of the “dots” to make different animals and designs, but it appears to be small burnings…your’s is prettier! At any rate, very nicely done. Let us know if you get the circular breating down.

-- Don, San Antonio, TX

I have been practicing all night and I’m getting the hang of it. Seems like you have to start off by not blowing so hard and storing air in your cheeks like a bellows. If I would have had termites I would have rather them take the inside out that’s for sure. I did enjoy making it though and if I find another piece of tree around I will certainly make another.

very kewl project!

-- The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.. Michelangelo

Can you play the didgeridoo mate? Yes and make them too! That is really beautiful.

That remains to be seen (or heard I should say). Nobody has taught me but I look at videos on youtube. I did record a video on Facebook of my first attempt. I have improved since a couple od days ago. You are welcome to view the video and pics I have that are public. Just look for Michael Sweet.

Wow, i dare say you spent more time and effort making this than the aboriginal people do, since they let the ants hollow out the logs for them! Nontheless this is a beautiful didg.

Thanks Dpetty. I did spend a lot of time on it. I am a retired draftsman so I can’t help but to be detailed.