Other names | Didjeridu, yiḏaki, mandapul, mako, etc. |
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Classification | |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 423.121.11 (end-blown straight tubular natural trumpet without mouthpiece) |
Playing range | |
Written range: fundamental typically A2 to G3 |
The didgeridoo (/ˌdɪdʒəriˈduː/), also spelt didjeridu, among other variants, is a wind instrument, played with vibrating lips to produce a continuous drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing. The didgeridoo was developed by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia at least 1,000 years ago, and is now in use around the world, though still most strongly associated with Indigenous Australian music. In the Yolŋu languages of the indigenous people of northeast Arnhem Land the name for the instrument is the yiḏaki, or more recently by some, mandapul. In the Bininj Kunwok language of West Arnhem Land it is known as mako.[1]
A didgeridoo is usually cylindrical or conical, and can measure anywhere from 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) long. Most are around 1.2 m (4 ft) long. Generally, the longer the instrument, the lower its pitch or key. Flared instruments play a higher pitch than unflared instruments of the same length.