Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is one of the most wonderful and unusual musical
instruments known to man. Pronounce it as "did-juh-ree-doo" and spell it also
as "didjeridu." It may be the world's oldest wind instrument. It comes from
Australia, where the native people - the aborigines - devised it as many as
1,500 years ago.
Similar in tone to some of the great, long horns of the ancient Middle
East, the wooden didgeridoo has a one-of-a-kind sound that is haunting, melodic
and almost spiritual. It generally ranges from D to F#.
The horn is made from the hollowed-out trunk of a small tree. The
hollowing usually has been done by white ants, or termites. The artist will
clean out the insides with a stick, and then scrape the sides in a pleasing
native design to aid in sound transportation. Often, beautiful and colorful
aboriginal painting completes the instrument's design.
The "blowing end" is usually rimmed with beeswax.
Read more about this fascinating instrument on:
By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • After School
Treats 009 • © 2006
