Multitool for the Soul

Outback in Idaho · **on:** December 25, 2013, 11:35:18 AM

Every year I like to get myself something a bit extra for Christmas. This year I got me another something that I had wanted since was a younger lad and just never got around to it - mostly due to shipping costs. So this year was contemplating on picking up a teak wood version... but I just did not like what I was finding on research. So...

Talked with Ben at Didgeridoo Breath on facebook & emails, and though would of much rather had a long didgeridoo I ended up getting a louder medium version that he picked out.

Medium Didgeridoo from Katherine NT (short clip)

Got me one of these Medium Natural Finish Starter Pack A that came with a Stringybark Didgeridoo, extra Aussie beeswax mouthpiece kit, an instructional DVD, and comes with free 30 day online coaching too.

Contemplating painting it later on with ochre colors and designs of an earthy tone stain, put some bands on it, and my hand prints - like traditional Aboriginal personal design. Was also considering making a leather carry sling, or out of paracord (if I ever get good enough). Have all winter to toss about some ideas for carry & design.

Here she is on the futon

Not only is a didgeridoo one of the oldest ancient musical instruments, it also has been found to cure/lessen sleep apnea. One can make a PVC version fairly cheap, but ... I like wood. And I like Australia too.

Ordered it last Monday, and it departed on its journey from Perth Australia to Hong Kong, then over to Cincinnati Ohio, and arriving at Salt Lake City. Then was a day's travel to the Boise, Idaho area.
Would of been here in 3 days if it wasn't for fog. Still, 4 days for $100 is perty gosh darn impressive from the other side of this great rock! Package weighed in at 3.1 kg / 6.84 pounds (5.2 pound didgeridoo)

Is strange that I can order a rabbit fur hat, even a coat, and now a musical stick from Australia ... yet cannot get any of that red dust.

Wonder if can get ocher pant from over there? That would be the next best thing and can fancy up my didge too.

Did do a search for local US didgeridoo and found a few crafters make them from fruit trees in the range of $500+! There are some collectable didgeridoo in the $1,400 ~ $3,000 range too. Who knew??

Extra: Have read that one can turn their Christmas trees into a didgeridoo.
Mine was hollowed out naturally by termites, then an Aborigine maker bore out the rest of the junk with hot coals and a chisel. ~ David Hudson has a three-part series on YouTube for making a didgeridoo if you are curious on a more simpler method.

gregozedobe · **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2013, 08:45:45 PM

Have fun with your latest piece of Oz

(and playing a didge will definitely improve your breathing and lung function if you get into the proper "circular breathing" technique the experts seem to use).

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2013, 02:15:59 PM

That looks like a very interesting new toy! I think, like you, I'd rather have one from Australia than a locally sourced one- it just doesn't make sense to get a US made didgeridoo. That sounds a lot like getting a Ferrari made in Bolivia.

I can't wait to see photos once you've personalized it!

Def

Gareth · **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2013, 05:06:14 PM

Cool idea mate.

PTRSAK · **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2013, 09:44:35 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on December 26, 2013, 02:15:59 PM

... I think, like you, I'd rather have one from Australia than a locally sourced one- it just doesn't make sense to get a US made didgeridoo. That sounds a lot like getting a Ferrari made in Bolivia.

Or a SAK made in China.

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:17:52 PM

Well... I did find this Traveling Didge Box recently, and at a local guitar store of all places. Go inside and ask for the Didge Box and get blank stares. Get sent to the percussion department, waited, then the fella says, "a what?" After I explain it, "Oh, that!"

Looks like this, and not overly big.

Resonance is not like a real didgeridoo, in the key around C. Bought this for $40 to take with me when carrying a large stick might not be a welcoming sight. (Will have to get me a case made for my Aussie Didgeridoo.)

Was jamming to music on the way home, a 1.5 hour drive. Starting finding myself circular breathing better. So the didge box has a place as a trainer - when multitasking, or out and about.

Edit: This 'Niels de Lang de Lang' fellow really knows how to play one!

ryan1835 · **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:38:43 PM

I honestly have no idea how people manage circular breathing - very talented!

ducttapetech · **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2014, 09:59:53 PM

that is cool! dont know how i missed this. how do you like playing it?

Quote from: ryan1835 on January 22, 2014, 07:38:43 PM

I honestly have no idea how people manage circular breathing - very talented!

I have been trying that, but not much luck. I guess you dont really need so much for the drums and the harmonica.

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2015, 06:15:12 PM

Gave up on decorating the plain stick. Instead I scraped and sanded the varnish off leaving the wood exposed for over a year. Had some ideas... then one day I grabbed a can of Kamar finish and sprayed a few light coats over it. Now the grain stands out lots more.
Stringybark Eucalyptus is not the most beautiful wood. Perhaps that is why the wood is varnished without leaving the wood out to season for so long.

If you want to get high, play a didgeridoo - no matter what it's made of.

Then about 4 months ago I contacted the world renowned Aboriginal Didgeridoo musician, David Hudson. In case no one knows of him am sure a few of you know Yanni - right?

Had sent many inquires about having David Hudson making me a didgeridoo.
Dave had actually come Wyoming about that time, and headed to Yellowstone. So close to my neck of the woods, yet too far away to meet without notice. Over a period of 3 months we exchanged emails of what I liked and wanted in a didgeridoo, and other things. Had no idea that he was taking notes all this time.
David was also creating this massive hand-painted mural on a restaurant in Australia that soaked a lot of his time. Seemed like getting a didgeridoo was going to take longer, though I waited (im)patiently.

Then last month an email comes across asking if I'm still interested. Figured if did not do it now I'd probably not get a chance later - though the cost stung. Shipping was $250.

Yet what I got was definitely worth the funds. Have recently been able to get circular breathing down though I have yet to prefect it when using vocal & effects. Playing along with songs on radio or MP3 is super easy now as long as it's not too fast. /pant pant pant

High notes still take work cause I can't scream like a girl. My voice box goes into WTF mode when I'm trying high pitch vocal effects.

So, here's a photo or two of David Hudson's 'Didgereys' in the note of C. This one is of Bloodwood Eucalyptus harvested from a year ago then kiln dried. Much more sexier!

PS: Remember how I've been after some Aussie red desert sand? Well... David mixed the local ochers with soil he got from Uluru in with the paint on the large red band where Dave's hand print is - and the two smaller bands.

Dave had gone to meet up with a mate Shane Howard of the band Goanna and he picked up some red soil from over that way. Though I cannot touch the sand, it's on my didgeridoo!

David Hudson & Shane Howard at Uluru - 2010

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2015, 06:34:32 PM

Oh, here's David Hudson with my Mutlitool for the Soul, in Cairns, NT. Then me in Idaho.

gregozedobe · **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2015, 04:25:24 AM

Cool looking didge !

And you got some red desert sand too

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2015, 11:10:51 AM

Have joined a few Facebook didgeridoo groups, one more recently is a 60 Second Didgeridoo Challenge.

The Game/Challenge:

Quote

Hello, hi, salut, ola ... Here is the 60 second Didgeridoo Challenge Group !
The game : if your are nominated, create a video of 60 second and ask to 3 persons to do it also (in 48h hours, if it is not possible try to do it as soon as you can.

Here, this is the place where didgeridoo players nominated can post their video.
A cool way to share music on our favorite instrument, to discover all the possibilities of this crazy stick, to meet new players, new styles, new riddims, and just to have fun in the didgeridoo community.

Interesting game, and there's women players from the world over too - and they rival a lot of us male players.

Sharing my introductory video, though my style is more traditional & meditative. I do add a few things here and there if it fits me. Still have a long ways to be a really good didge player.

Sea Monster · **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2015, 11:39:55 PM

Quote

in Cairns, NT

Nooooope.

Cairns is approx 1000kms (625 miles) from the nearest edge of the NT.

Plenty of dirt though (Various colours

)

zoidberg · **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2015, 02:31:04 PM

Quote from: Xelkos on August 09, 2015, 11:10:51 AM

Interesting game, and there's women players from the world over too - and they rival a lot of us male players.

I find your comment offensive.

gregozedobe · **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2015, 04:07:15 PM

Quote from: zoidberg on August 10, 2015, 02:31:04 PM

Quote from: Xelkos on August 09, 2015, 11:10:51 AM
Interesting game, and there's women players from the world over too - and they rival a lot of us male players.

I choose to find your comment offensive.

Fixed for you in the interests of accuracy.

Methinks there has been way too much choosing to be offended and upset around here lately, and it is really bringing the general good feeling down

Etherealicer · **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2015, 05:20:20 PM

Quote from: gregozedobe on August 10, 2015, 04:07:15 PM

Quote from: zoidberg on August 10, 2015, 02:31:04 PM
Quote from: Xelkos on August 09, 2015, 11:10:51 AM
Interesting game, and there's women players from the world over too - and they rival a lot of us male players.

I choose to find your comment offensive.

Fixed for you in the interests of accuracy.

Methinks there has been way too much choosing to be offended and upset around here lately, and it is really bringing the general good feeling down

Banter is fun but requires that both parties are engaged. Making a jab at all women is just bad form. There is no choice other than to be offended.
Recently, the tone has been rougher than usual. I would like to ask everybody to be a Lady/Gentleman and keep insults to him-/herself.

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2016, 10:26:01 AM

One of these links should work since the post was made public. Lies Beijerinck is from Amsterdam, Netherlands

Noa Zulu

Adèle Blanchin is a widely-known didgeridoo player, and plays in the group called Secret Vibes.