iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

Hello Everyone,

I recently came across and picked up a copy of the book "Didgeridoo - Ritual Origins and Playing Technique". Not anything that most of you on this forum would find that insightful or exciting, but a decent read for someone new to the didj. One part struck me as odd because I'd never heard of this technique before: the author, Dirk Schellberg, mentions very quickly that "There is a particular ceremony which uses an extremely long didgeridoo, and the player lies on his side on the ground." I've never heard of this before. Has anyone else, and if so, can anyone expand on this?

Peace,

I have seen references to this in other places as well, I think including a photograph of someone playing this instrument which was supported on the ground by 'Y' shaped branches to hold it at about the right height to play in the manner suggested. I shall have to browse through my collection of articles to see if I can find the reference (or if I dreamed the entire matter up which at my age is always a possibility haha).

http://www.manikay.com/albums/artofdidjeridu.shtml

That there are very long didjeridoos you can read in the final track description 12 feet = little more than 3 1/2 metres.
Maybe there are more notes in the book/article of Trevor Jones, I need to dig it out from somewhere.

cheers,

Thanks Guys.......... I think it was the "lying on the side" part that really intrigued me. Perhaps I should have posted this in the playing technique section (feel free to move this Guan) ?
Any additional information/photos would be great..........

Peace,

Yes, in the acount I read (probably over ten years ago now) the lying on the ground part was to prevent the player from passing out from the effort! Interesting and I'm not sure about prevention, but it would provide the player with less distance to fall should he pass out. This is a large reason why I perfer to play sitting on the ground or floor when possible given the slim grip on life I have to begin with.

There are references in the literature to very long instruments and there are also old field recordings where you can hear the deep sonorous tone of such instruments. Note that these instruments belong to the restricted domain. They are secret. They are not really didgeridoos but have special names which are for the most part restricted as well. Unlike didgeridoos or yidaki, circular breathing is not used. The ceremonial practice associated with these instruments is still extant in Arnhem Land. I did witness one in the 1990s where 2 were used simultaneously but better not talk anymore about this.

Well.............I guess that explains why he only spoke briefly about it.
I have to admit, that while I thoroughly enjoy the discussions on the forum, I'm bummed that there are subjects that are verboten. Of course I understand - but I still want to know! Thanks for sharing what you could Guan, guys.

Peace,

There are several books out there, written many years ago, Chris where you can find descriptions and even images of said instruments. You just have to find them!

And this is the most challenging part- as most of the literature is long since out of print. See if you can find anything in a local university library. I've been quite impressed with what I could locate from my own alma mater.