Any suggestions on technique, perfect execution of cuts/rolls etc, tunes that go particularly well on it, well-known ITM didgeridooists I should listen to, or just anything that might be helpful?
Also some advice on session etiquette regarding this instrument would be well appreciated.
All I know is how to make the sound come out of it (blow yourlips together like a raspberry...but I'm assuming you knew that since you didn't ask...I just had to show off my extensive knowledge...)
Circular breathing and getting a good low whistle sound out of the didge will be your biggest challenges, but at least you won't have to worry about someone hurling a pint glass at you at a session--you'll have the biggest stick! You did get a "D" tuned didge, right?
The digeridoo was used a couple of times on a couple of recordings as a novelty. That hardly quallifies it as an ITM instrument. The bouzouki on the other hand has been well adapted.
Hey, lighten up Button, this is clearly a wind up! I mean "perfect execution of cuts/rolls etc, tunes that go particularly well on it, well-known ITM didgeridooists I should listen to" ........ come on!
What, are you telling me you thought this was a serious thread?
I've got a didge too, but don't play it 'cos I'm a gentleman
It currently resides in a remote corner of my house and could conceivably be a home for a colony of Latrodectus hasselti, so I'm not touching it - no way. Well, I mean, you never know with these strange things from Australia, do you?
Steve Cooney plays some mean didgeridoo on Sean Smyth's The Blue Fiddle.
Best didge player I ever heard accompanying Irish music is Alex Fyfe from Glasgow - living in Clare now; his is a D contraption.
Aye Conan, & the one & only 'Dougie MacLean' is actually featured on Pete Clark's new CD 'Now & Then' but all he plays on it is a - Didgeridoo ........... ooops, sorry, I dared to mention a Scottish CD on an ITM forum!
Ha Ha Button, ... those Star Wars dudes must have stumbled into Harry's - "Pan Galactic Multi Dimensional Mega Fleadh"
But joking aside guys, I hardly expect the Didge to become a serious part of ITM, but as long as established ITM players with a track record, like Steve Cooney & Sean Smyth are using it in their ITM concerts & recordings, I don't think it'd be right for us to snobbishly just turn our noses up at it here.
We all know how slow CCE are to accept change, but just look at some of the unusual instruments that they accept in competition today, & which therefore, it can be said, are accepted now as a part of ITM & try to picture them being carried into the hall say, back in a '50s Fleadh!
We had an Australian dude arrive at one of our sessions with a piece of plastic downpipe under his arm, who proceeded to join in, every now & then, to our D tunes.
It wasn't exactly my cup of tea, if I'm being honest, but it was an open session & it was kind of fun as a one off & he did only play now & then - not all night.
Another well known guitarist in this area is a dab hand too with a Didge, but any time I've seen him bring it to a session, it only gets played now & then, which I have no objection to.
Now, in my experience, a Djembe can be a different matter, especially if the player is not subtle in their approach, for I have seen one of those things being played so loudly, & so badly, that it totally destroyed a session, but that’s another story!
Now after all, young Joe is only 16 & to give him the benefit of the doubt for a moment & imagine that he was being serious, I think it isn't such a bad idea.
He already plays a number of recognised ITM instruments & is clearly being influenced by people like Lunasa & Mike McGoldrick, who let's be fair have been known to play some pretty funky stuff in their time.
So, according to his bio, he's waiting for a Flute so if a Didge fell into his lap, why shouldn't he learn how to play it & who knows, learning the breath control for that might just help him wind-wise when he does finally get his 1st Flute!
By his own admission he is also into Klezmer, Jazz, plus Rock & Blues Guitar too, so he's obviously not like any of the old ITM purists around here who can't see past 'pure' ITM.
Sounds to me like he has a healthy, open minded approach to music & I'd say good luck to him, go for it.
If, on the other hand, it was a wind up, then he's probably wet himself by now!
It's the same as any other instrument,it all depends upon who's playing it.I played a gig once with a didgerdoo player who had a slide didgeredoo,a sort of trombone affair,and one with keys on it.We hadn't played together before,and I must admit he fitted in well with the jigs and reels.He played a solo and in contrast to traditional players who imitate dingos and the sounds of the Australian outback,he did cars on the motorway,jet planes, bombs exploding,trains,speedboats etc.I really enjoyed it.I wish I could remember his name.
It's not exactly ITM, but the Levellers have a didge' playing roadie, who they bring on for the finale.
Also, they had a good player selling them on one of the stalls at Towersey, and when I picked up a couple of claves and started doing the "..two, three" beat ala "Sun Arise" to his demo playing he gestured for me to comtinue - they obviously can be used, under the most skilfull lips, to make music with other instruments, not just as a gimmicky sound.
Re: The Jews Harp found a niche in ITM, so I dare say the Didge can.
It needn't be (much) more outlandish than the Jews Harp, which has featured on the odd traditional album over the years: you hear an undifferentiated twanging, look at the sleeve notes - and think, "Heavens above, he really IS playing..." (The Trip To Durrow, or whatever tune is listed). To what extent you're hearing a tune and to what extent you're kidding yourself I wouldn't know, not having heard such a recording for a long time.
I did a bit of busking in Canterbury (UK) with others including a didge player. I'd describe our idiom as Celtic Subway; it went down well enough.
I just came to see how my little thread was getting along, and yes Ptarmigan, I have most definitely wet myself!
I mean, thanks for giving me the benifit of the doubt and all, but you needn't have - this was, indeed, a wind-up. I wasn't lying, I have just got a didgeridoo, and I am trying to learn how to play it, but come on, do you really expect me to go into a session with it, or try to play The Wind That Shakes the Barley on it?
Honestly, some people....
I'm still laughing at my computer screen.
We knew it was a "wind-up," but Dick introduced the topic of the didg as a possible ITM instrument. Did you honestly start a thread and think that couldn't happen?
I'm not long back from Irishfest where in the Summer School sessions, Simon O'Dwyer http://www.prehistoricmusic.com played one of his ancient bronze horns that had been elongated to be in D.
It was a didjeridu of course to all intents and purposes and actually worked quite well. We also engaged in some Tuvan overtone singing which also worked but I'd not want to listen to either all night.
Ifest Blog at http://www.bodojo.com - including some great video footage of the aforementioned Mr O'Dwyer commenting on the symbiotic relationship between bodhran players and melody players.
I paraphrase "drive the b*****ds, drive them!! LOL
Laitch, some interesting sounds there, thanks for that. They remind me of those Irish bands that have used the Saxophone in their line-up, or that old CD with Smallpipes & Saxophone by Dick Lee & Hamish Moore.
I just got a Didgeridoo!
I just got a Didgeridoo!
Any suggestions on technique, perfect execution of cuts/rolls etc, tunes that go particularly well on it, well-known ITM didgeridooists I should listen to, or just anything that might be helpful?
Also some advice on session etiquette regarding this instrument would be well appreciated.
Thanks!
Joe
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Joe CSS
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
All I know is how to make the sound come out of it (blow yourlips together like a raspberry...but I'm assuming you knew that since you didn't ask...I just had to show off my extensive knowledge...)
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by possumawesome
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Maybe these will help you Joe:
‘HOW TO PLAY THE DIDGERIDOO’
http://aboriginalart.com.au/didgeridoo/dig_background.html
David Blonski's Didjeridoo Pages:
http://www.timelessproductions.com/didjeridoo/tutorial/
Who knows, with a bit of practice, maybe you’ll soon be making sounds like these:
http://www.didgeridoostore.com/soundsrhythms.html
Good Luck
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Circular breathing and getting a good low whistle sound out of the didge will be your biggest challenges, but at least you won't have to worry about someone hurling a pint glass at you at a session--you'll have the biggest stick! You did get a "D" tuned didge, right?
Peace...
--gw
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by gw
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Thanks for posting. I just got one too, and I'm just going to tag along here.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by normshaw
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Hey Joe, here are a few options for your next step.
Once you learn how to play it, you’ll be able to attend your first Didgeridoo Session:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Z97-XcJEI
Or move up to the 'Electric Stringed Didgeridoo':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wyS2CH6_rI
Or the 'Orchestral Keyed Didgeridoo':
Check this one to see what your lips should be doing while you are playing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVn_60ps8yM
Or become a 'One Man Band', like this dude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_Hw8l01LI
Or amaze your friends with a 'Didgeridoo & Bagpipe' duet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eza5AzbK010
Or form your own 'Beat Combo':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYV4NyOB8nU
Whatever you do, enjoy your music!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Wait... what happened... how'd I get on a website about Australian music?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
..... & I bet they said Johnny Moynihan was crazy too Button, when he first introduced the Bouzouki into ITM!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
The digeridoo was used a couple of times on a couple of recordings as a novelty. That hardly quallifies it as an ITM instrument. The bouzouki on the other hand has been well adapted.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Give it time Button, ... how long, I wonder, before we see one of them in the miscellaneous section at the All Ireland?
What would 'Colonel Frazer' sound like on a Didge?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
God I wish Jeremy would make a rolling eyes emoticon.
heh
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Hey, lighten up Button, this is clearly a wind up! I mean "perfect execution of cuts/rolls etc, tunes that go particularly well on it, well-known ITM didgeridooists I should listen to" ........ come on!
What, are you telling me you thought this was a serious thread?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
I've got a didge too, but don't play it 'cos I'm a gentleman
It currently resides in a remote corner of my house and could conceivably be a home for a colony of Latrodectus hasselti, so I'm not touching it - no way. Well, I mean, you never know with these strange things from Australia, do you?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Yea... I saw that. My first comment was in keeping with the fun, but then you got me into the serious side of things.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
We have a homemade one at school, made from 1 3/4 inch PVC pipe. I tell the kids that since I can't play it well, I call it a
Didgeridon't.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
What about an alarm clock emoticon to symbolise a wind-up?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by dafydd
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
The best advice I've ever heard about didgeridoos and sessions is... didgeridon't.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: I just got a Didgeridoodoo!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Arse. Shove.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by LastToFinish
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Well, Jack - it might as well cover Australian music. It covers every thing else these days. <yawn>
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by kris
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Heh
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Just imagine the scene in Star Wars where they go into the pub and there's an intergalactic band playing, but re-do it as an intergalactic session.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Steve Cooney plays some mean didgeridoo on Sean Smyth's The Blue Fiddle.
Best didge player I ever heard accompanying Irish music is Alex Fyfe from Glasgow - living in Clare now; his is a D contraption.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Aye Conan, & the one & only 'Dougie MacLean' is actually featured on Pete Clark's new CD 'Now & Then' but all he plays on it is a - Didgeridoo ........... ooops, sorry, I dared to mention a Scottish CD on an ITM forum!
Ha Ha Button, ... those Star Wars dudes must have stumbled into Harry's - "Pan Galactic Multi Dimensional Mega Fleadh"
But joking aside guys, I hardly expect the Didge to become a serious part of ITM, but as long as established ITM players with a track record, like Steve Cooney & Sean Smyth are using it in their ITM concerts & recordings, I don't think it'd be right for us to snobbishly just turn our noses up at it here.
We all know how slow CCE are to accept change, but just look at some of the unusual instruments that they accept in competition today, & which therefore, it can be said, are accepted now as a part of ITM & try to picture them being carried into the hall say, back in a '50s Fleadh!
We had an Australian dude arrive at one of our sessions with a piece of plastic downpipe under his arm, who proceeded to join in, every now & then, to our D tunes.
It wasn't exactly my cup of tea, if I'm being honest, but it was an open session & it was kind of fun as a one off & he did only play now & then - not all night.
Another well known guitarist in this area is a dab hand too with a Didge, but any time I've seen him bring it to a session, it only gets played now & then, which I have no objection to.
Now, in my experience, a Djembe can be a different matter, especially if the player is not subtle in their approach, for I have seen one of those things being played so loudly, & so badly, that it totally destroyed a session, but that’s another story!
Now after all, young Joe is only 16 & to give him the benefit of the doubt for a moment & imagine that he was being serious, I think it isn't such a bad idea.
He already plays a number of recognised ITM instruments & is clearly being influenced by people like Lunasa & Mike McGoldrick, who let's be fair have been known to play some pretty funky stuff in their time.
So, according to his bio, he's waiting for a Flute so if a Didge fell into his lap, why shouldn't he learn how to play it & who knows, learning the breath control for that might just help him wind-wise when he does finally get his 1st Flute!
By his own admission he is also into Klezmer, Jazz, plus Rock & Blues Guitar too, so he's obviously not like any of the old ITM purists around here who can't see past 'pure' ITM.
Sounds to me like he has a healthy, open minded approach to music & I'd say good luck to him, go for it.
If, on the other hand, it was a wind up, then he's probably wet himself by now!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
It's the same as any other instrument,it all depends upon who's playing it.I played a gig once with a didgerdoo player who had a slide didgeredoo,a sort of trombone affair,and one with keys on it.We hadn't played together before,and I must admit he fitted in well with the jigs and reels.He played a solo and in contrast to traditional players who imitate dingos and the sounds of the Australian outback,he did cars on the motorway,jet planes, bombs exploding,trains,speedboats etc.I really enjoyed it.I wish I could remember his name.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by dafydd
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
One more thing.Most ITM players of my aquaintance are friendly,tolerant people."Arse and " shove" are not what we expect on this enlightened forum.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by dafydd
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
It's not exactly ITM, but the Levellers have a didge' playing roadie, who they bring on for the finale.
Also, they had a good player selling them on one of the stalls at Towersey, and when I picked up a couple of claves and started doing the "..two, three" beat ala "Sun Arise" to his demo playing he gestured for me to comtinue - they obviously can be used, under the most skilfull lips, to make music with other instruments, not just as a gimmicky sound.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Why not get an Anglo-Didgeridoo? - they have different notes on the blow and suck.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by geoffwright
Re: The Jews Harp found a niche in ITM, so I dare say the Didge can.
It needn't be (much) more outlandish than the Jews Harp, which has featured on the odd traditional album over the years: you hear an undifferentiated twanging, look at the sleeve notes - and think, "Heavens above, he really IS playing..." (The Trip To Durrow, or whatever tune is listed). To what extent you're hearing a tune and to what extent you're kidding yourself I wouldn't know, not having heard such a recording for a long time.
I did a bit of busking in Canterbury (UK) with others including a didge player. I'd describe our idiom as Celtic Subway; it went down well enough.
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by nicholas
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
<quote>Why not get an Anglo-Didgeridoo? - they have different notes on the blow and suck.
They also have a beer can holder and a rifle sling ;)
Honestly, an anglo-digeridoo?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Joze
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Didgeridooists?
Didgeridoers, surely!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by RockyRoader
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Hi! Joe here.
I just came to see how my little thread was getting along, and yes Ptarmigan, I have most definitely wet myself!
I mean, thanks for giving me the benifit of the doubt and all, but you needn't have - this was, indeed, a wind-up. I wasn't lying, I have just got a didgeridoo, and I am trying to learn how to play it, but come on, do you really expect me to go into a session with it, or try to play The Wind That Shakes the Barley on it?
Honestly, some people....
I'm still laughing at my computer screen.
Joe
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Joe CSS
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
We knew it was a "wind-up," but Dick introduced the topic of the didg as a possible ITM instrument. Did you honestly start a thread and think that couldn't happen?
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Joe - You'll just have to prove or disprove the (possibly unfair) notion that anyone can play "The Wind That Shakes The Barley", on anything..!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by nicholas
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
luap ekrub, I really enjoyed your Father Jack impression. ;>]
# Posted on September 8th 2006 by mickray
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
I'm not long back from Irishfest where in the Summer School sessions, Simon O'Dwyer http://www.prehistoricmusic.com played one of his ancient bronze horns that had been elongated to be in D.
It was a didjeridu of course to all intents and purposes and actually worked quite well. We also engaged in some Tuvan overtone singing which also worked but I'd not want to listen to either all night.
Ifest Blog at http://www.bodojo.com - including some great video footage of the aforementioned Mr O'Dwyer commenting on the symbiotic relationship between bodhran players and melody players.
I paraphrase "drive the b*****ds, drive them!! LOL
# Posted on September 8th 2006 by powerhaus
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Hi Paul,
Yes, I remember reading that one of those ancient side-blown Horns was actually found near Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
So I guess it'd be OK to bring one of those along to a session
# Posted on September 8th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
You mean a conch horn? When I see people playing those I cant help smell them drying out. You cant get the mollusc out you see.......
# Posted on September 8th 2006 by Joze
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
There's some tunes here that you can try with your didg, Joe.
http://fiddledrone.free.fr
# Posted on September 8th 2006 by joesmith
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
No Joze, a 'side-blown Horn':
http://www.causewaymusic.co.uk/images/MANDRAGORA/INSTRUMENTS/sideblownhorn.jpg
# Posted on September 9th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: I just got a Didgeridoo!
Laitch, some interesting sounds there, thanks for that. They remind me of those Irish bands that have used the Saxophone in their line-up, or that old CD with Smallpipes & Saxophone by Dick Lee & Hamish Moore.
# Posted on September 9th 2006 by Ptarmigan