Didgeridoo Playing Tips: 3 Keys To A Better Sound

[@didgeproject]

What is the one thing you struggle with most on didgeridoo? Post your response here so we know what will help you most and which video to make next.

[@Balgore8]

Going from drone, to pop, to drone again in a seamless way

[@LonelyBlackWolf96]

Didge Project I have a bad habit of playing with my cheeks inflated. I started playing with my face relaxed and all but then suddenly I couldn't keep a drone without puffing my cheeks out. Once I made a drone for 40 seconds with my cheeks full of air and without breathing. Any tips on how to stop doing that?

[@Mangoo88]

My struggle is that I can not find the low sound on my didgeridoo. I have a small travel didgeridoo. has the shape of a big one but he is 60 cm, I don't know if that influence the sound.

[@SaraNowacka]

My problem is working with abs to make a sound. I would love to hear some tips about playing using abs. Greetings from Poland!

[@arthidayatullah]

Hey AJ.. I am still struggling on circular breathing although seeing lots of your videos. Any easier tips of circular breathing & circular bouncing techniques? 😔

[@SaturnsGoat9]

I am legally blind and being able to play the didgeridoo is a challenge for me considering that I can't see the facial movements of people's lips. I have to go specifically off of sound alone and figure it out myself that's my biggest challenge.

[@bryanwells4063]

That is so cool dude, keep it up!

[@flyk4526]

Goodluck man I hope you get there eventually, I only just keyed into my culture and bought a didge

[@ostmo00]

Very interesting. if you're willing to sound rediculous like all beginners do, then you should be able to make it work with enough experimentation. I would love to see you post some of your playing online!

[@ZanderP1011]

Hey man! You’re a great teacher. Thanks for being you brother!

[@NoCantsAllowed]

I'm actually SUPER digging this! ...but I bet your neighbors love it even more!

[@brodeekingman4391]

This is really helpful! My dad is really good at the digiridoo and I wanted to learn it. I asked him for some advice and he said check out the “Didge Project” I was like,” I can’t drone too well so, let’s try this out.” And I’m VERY glad I did. I can now drone, Thanks.

[@lawrencemusic6047]

Thank you AJ! Amazing video! Before watching it I was getting a sound out of my didgeridoo but it was very flat, not droning. After putting into practice your three tips it's now droning! Now I need to work on the circular breathing so if you have time to make any new videos about that it would be great! Thank you AJ!

[@didgeproject]

Definitely check out all the videos on our channel. We have 5 or 10 on circular breathing!

[@troyandrew9808]

How do you get the high sound eg like the woo woo woo

[@treebeard3206]

Thanks AJ! Im really liking your videos mate and over all vibe of all your doing, love your music too! Jazz and didge yes very cool and clean :) after years of not playing I'm having to start again and has taken me longer I think to get going again, I'm still tightening up my drone and my circular breathing is kicking back in but I slowly run out of breath, haven't got the balance of in breath verse what goes out plus my in breath is noisy. But I feel much of this will be resolved with simply more practice. I'm considering signing up for the lessons. Thanks for the great tips and greetings and well wishes from Australia, keep up the great work! 🤗 Dan

[@didgeproject]

Hi Dan, Thanks for your great comments. To make the inhale quieter, practice slow breathing in through your nose, out through the mouth, like we practiced in How to Play Didgeridoo for Absolute Beginners (m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGLLn3etn9p_fa8). If you are running out of breath, it probably means you are either not getting enough air in your lungs to start, or that you need to really hit the sweet spot of the drone and optimize your airstream (or both of these things). Another article you might want to check out is How To Strengthen The Breath and Expand Lung Capacity for Wind Instruments: didgeproject.com/didgeridoo-lessons/strengthen-breath-expand-lung-capacity-wind-instruments/

[@seaservant9852]

Amazing tips! I'm very grateful.

[@JoshuaBmusic]

I hate that every time I am super inspired to play my didgeridoo I remember I live in an apartment and it's 8PM hahahah

[@roquelazarus]

Most beneficial didgeridoo video...well explained and played thank you

[@careydixon8189]

Excellent...thanks much...

[@shanntelrogers5516]

Thank you for helping me I'm a kid who's the best attention to you Direredo I'm the best my class well the only one how can play the direrdo

[@didgeproject]

keep it going and send us a video of you playing!

[@alessandradandrea6664]

yes yessss yessssss..... GREAT !!!

[@TheWolveswolves]

Great video, thanks.

[@senses5140]

honestly was gonna give up, but when I watched this it made sense what I did wrong (sucking the air through the didgeridoo and trying to play it like a windpipe instrument) and now I can't stop playing and my roommate loves it

[@didgeproject]

So happy to hear this! Congratulations and keep it going!

[@JaqnTrump]

Thanks Mr! Today I went busking with a didge for the first time and found it to be most therapeutic,not just the sound,but the head rush...aahhhh😊 As a woman,I was waiting for someone to say,"hey, you're not allowed to do that!" And I would of replied" Yeah,and kids are not allowed to steal cars either!"😬 No one did though,and some even gave some dollars. So I just want to say thanks for your lessons,I will be tuning in for more as it is hoped to master this magical instrument. Also,I would just like to state that I mean no disrespect to Aboriginal people of Australia,but I was told by an elder of the Pintinjara,that I actually have an old man spirit. And I sort of feel like because of that,I can not deprive the old man.

[@didgeproject]

congrats! keep it going!

[@Nilz4FR]

AJ. Big helps and huge thanks! My main problem after playing 3 months so far is that I get a much clearer and crisper drone when playing completely on the side, but I can't toot in that position. How can I get a better drone playing in the middle like you do!?

[@SaturnsGoat9]

I have the opposite problem of being able to blow through the didgeridoo successfully but when removing it from my mouth I can't make that noise with my lips. I just got my very first didgeridoo a couple of weeks ago from the Renaissance festival in Texas and now I am practicing circular breathing getting the hang of short breaths but not so much long ones yet. Still going to continue to keep watching.

[@WackyConundrum]

This is great! Thanks, man!

[@rodneilthomas1282]

Hi AJ. I would like your opinion on various mouthpiece shapes on the didgeridoo. It looks as though the didge you are playing is pre-formed. From investigations here on KZbin I have seen Round measuring 1.25 inches to oval and formed to fit the curvature of the face. As this is one of the most important features in learning to play and become efficient I would like to see videos in this regard. Thank you for all of the help I have gleamed from your lessons.

[@didgeproject]

Hi Rod, In general I prefer smaller mouthpieces around 1 1/8" - 1 1/4". In general I have seen players that go up to 1.5" and sometimes a little higher. I like a flat face of the mouthpiece, even though I too play on the side. The curved face mouthpieces are usually drop-octave or multidrone and are much larger inner diameter to support the ultra low drop octave tone. Cheers!

[@andysandel9325]

I have been trying to master the diderdoo for years but the Circular Breathing is the most important playing which has been my downfall which is very frustrating

[@lailalibardoni6344]

Hello AJ! Thanks for you videos and your help! I am a beginner and I have doubts about buzzing my lips. Do I have a specific way to buzz them? The space has to be small or bigger? Does it change anything? Thanks

[@impreza9726]

Is there an advantage to playing the didge at an angle? Im still new so I rather not start bad habits, but I play with my didge directly in-front of my body. I haven't bought a legit didge, Im working with 5ft long 1inch PVC pipe. I've smoothed the mouth piece (no bees wax) and I've heated the end and pressed it into a glass bottle to get that flare. I have no problem getting the drone sound and have no problem getting that sweet spot. Im currently working on circlet breathing, almost got it just got to find that smooth cheeks push to get that continues flow sound. Back to my question though.. Is there an advantage to having the didge at a slant vs straight forward, as I don't want to back track. Thank you for making these tips and lessons, you really have a way of explaining.

[@leonordmann]

Ok so I started playing the didge like 3 days ago. Now I got circular breathing down pretty good already (let's say it's 75% consistent). I can make a constant drone and also started practicing some basic rythm with the mouth shape and apdomen air power. So the things I have trouble with are: Making different sounds (I tried incorporating my voice, and it sounds pretty cool) and also I seem to inhale too much, so I have too much air in my lungs and sometimes I need to take a break and exhale enought, that I can start playing again. Great vidios. I love these instructions. Really helping me out. Love from Germany :) Icari

[@didgeproject]

IcaRi Arts thank you for sharing. Many people experience being too full of air. Sometimes if you are inhaling frequently its ok to "skip" an inhale and still play the same rhythm. You can also regulate your lungs by exhaling out your nose where you would normally inhale. It may seem strange at first but it can be really helpful once your master this. -AJ

[@leonordmann]

ohh cool that's a great thing I can work on. Thanks for your help and the videos AJ.

[@austinjohnson96]

Never though I would buy and learn to play one, but here I am

[@masterofnone1481]

I’m proud of you :)

[@asihiphop]

whats the song in the beginning?

[@finnvader1968]

I think I’m just getting good now thanks

[@frogbear02]

the thing i struggle with the most, is not being able to find any tips and tricks for anything but the very basics. i can circular breathe, get drone, dog, trumpet, growl, heck, i can talk through the thing while playing and clap some clapsticks while doing so, but i have a faaaaar ways to go still, yet cant find any videos on how to progress further than i am currently,

[@sierraxplore8763]

I don’t know how but I have a born talent I got the dige mabe like close to a month ago and I have had no problems and was able to do everything on here on the 3 day of having it

[@altbouch]

I have a didgeridoo that has a little crack running 12" along the length of of the instrument. I feel it is messing up the sound. As beginner didgeridoo player I'm not sure if this is how it is but as a sax player my experience is that any air escaping anywhere but the front ruins the sound quality. Can such a crack be fixed? Is it common? What is the best value in didgeridoo purchases?

[@dashachess4204]

I can do the basic sound of the didgeridoo, but I'm soo frustrated I can't make the sound your making with P U....

[@woohunter1]

Playing for change, “come as you are” brought me here.

[@sean-k6x5b]

Does it always make your lips larger

[@monicamachado7786]

I really love watching your videos. The way you speak is clear, easy to understand and your voice is very calming. It makes everything seems so easy to do 😅🙏💗 Thank you very much! Aho

[@waynewilliams386]

Another women disrespecting my culture, if only you knew the energy your cursing yourself with 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@milynot007]

Do all didge sound the same? I can't seem to get the same sound as yours as much as I Try. Thanks!

[@selfdestructionx3]

Has anyone ever told you that you look like Serj Tankian from system of a down? Awesome video anyways. 👍

[@opm17k]

i have a hard time making the higher pitched sounds i can do the basic drone very well but when i increase the pitch making E and I noises i lose the vibration every time

[@didgeproject]

What's probably happening is that when you make the E sound with your tongue you are also moving your lips. You need to limit the lip movement so that only the tongue muscles move when you change to the E sound. Practice this by putting your hands on the sides of your mouth and singing EE-OO-EE-OO without moving your lips or face muscles.

[@TheTwistedTraceur]

i have a problem with consistency, getting a nice rythm and continue it

[@didgeproject]

There are a few things that I would suggest: 1. make sure you have enough air support and play strong; 2. focus on the quality of the sound: if you aren't hitting the "sweet spot" it will be hard to sustain the sound; 3. start with the most simple rhythm possible. I hope this helps and if you have a more specific question please post it here. -AJ

[@Snerbington]

I the same problem...

[@kickasscorm]

Hey AJ. I appreciate this video. I'm gonna practice these lip stretches. Have been doing the pencil one. I can drone, but there is one problem. It is much, much deeper than all videos on KZbin (yours and other didge players). I can make a kinda slightly higher tone at times, when I make a trippy "oooh-eee" sound, but still less than what you're doing. I have heard some didge players doing it this deep, but it seems incorrect. How do I make it less deep? Speed the lips up? When I try, it stops me playing

[@didgeproject]

Hey Cormac, thanks for writing. Each Didge has one fundamental frequency, and it sounds like yours is lower. If you want to play in a higher pitch you will need to get one that is tuned to a higher pitch. Does this make sense?

[@jamespickell8564]

I think my lips are too thin, because I can only make them blubber like a motorboat for so long, but thanks, you are helping me out and I intend on working on this until I get it.

[@didgeproject]

Do the lip stretches

[@WillelmusAestus]

Interestingly, I can buzz just fine into the didgeridoo but it doesn't sound lile a buzzing sound, it's just a sound similar to what it sounds like when I say the "p" outside the didge.

[@cjtuba1]

Hi m8. I'm an excellent professional tuba player having served in the military. I use a centralised embouchure, would you suggest an off centre one is better for didg as o see with other players? Appreciate any comment or support. Chris. UK.

[@didgeproject]

Hey Chris, this is AJ. Generally I prefer off center playing as it is easier to get the overtones to resonate. There are many players who would argue for the center playing because its easier to hit the trumpet tones (i.e. what we brass players call partials). So each way has its benefits. Cheers!

[@markpapuga4454]

Does the size of the didgeridoo matter?

[@evandegeer9879]

I think it would. I’m from Canada and I use the didge at my school, which to say, isn’t the best. It’s good quality but its just less then a meter in length. This makes it sound pretty airy and sounding like a fart. I have found that I can get that didge sound but it’s much more difficult then I assume it should be. So ya, size matters.

[@Penguinlord151]

Does anyone know where you can get a silicon mouthpiece like the one he has in the video? I've tried searching online but can't seem to find any.

[@didgeproject]

email us at [e-mail]. we have silicone mouthpieces for the travel didgeridoos as shown here: www.didgeproject.com/product/travel-didgeridoo-with-bag/

[@caueonofri]

Funny how we look silly while trying to play without the instrument 😂🤣🤣

[@SaturnsGoat9]

Unless I have really bad nasal congestion which I probably do I can never get my nose to be quiet enough whenever I breathe in.

[@didgeproject]

It’s good to practice breathing in quietly through your nose, but if you still have a noise it’s not a big deal

[@jaykobpontt4555]

I play the didgeridoo but I am a beginner so I play then run out of breath can you help me?

[@AlexanderRivera23]

What do you when the mouth piece where you play is too small? Is still possible to play?

[@didgeproject]

What is the diameter of your mouthpiece? I play on a 1 1/8” mouthpiece, which is smaller than most people. If it is too small you can always add a beeswax mouthpiece with a wider diameter. Let me know if any of this is helpful.

[@billgeoghegan4822]

Does playing on a pvc didge rather than wood affect the quality of the sound? I can get a drone but I can come close to the clearly articulated buzzing sounds in the video.

[@didgeproject]

Every material will be an indicator of a different sound quality, however it is perfectly acceptable to play on PVC and you should be able to make a lot of the same sounds

[@Bodhi1satva]

If you don’t have any teeth, can you still do this?

[@richardkeene2814]

My didge is quite a bit lower that the one in the videos. Does that make it more difficult to play?

[@didgeproject]

There are many factors in addition to the key of the didge that will affect its playability, so it’s very hard to say from the information you have given. In general we recommend that beginners start in the range of C through E.

[@trollsboggle8160]

I struggle most with getting the "E" sound to actually ring out. When I record myself playing and play it back, it just sounds like the same drone the entire time, even though in tonguing between the "E" and "O" sound. I have ensured that the seal on the instrument is tight and no air is escaping. What am I doing wrong?

[@didgeproject]

This probably means you need to focus more on hitting the sweet spot. Develop this with the lip buzz tightening and loosening exercise in How To Play Didgeridoo For Absolute Beginners: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGLLn3etn9p_fa8

[@trollsboggle8160]

Thank you for the reply!

[@reme7903]

I have a question. When i play for loner than a minute or two straight i get spit in my mouth and it breaks the drone a bit. Is there anything to do about it?

[@THEMANWITHTHEYELLOWHAT.]

I have the same problem I find facing the didgeridoo Towards the Sky little bit is better as to keep the saliva from dripping into the didgeridoo

[@luchslibau2595]

Hi! Phew, still don't get the thing with the lips :-) i only get a sound when my mouth 'disappears' under the mouthpiece of my didge. How can i improve on this?

[@Riabh]

You are playing on the righthand side of the mouth/lips?

[@didgeproject]

Yes, the right side

[@hun7rcooling129]

When forming the wax seal for your mouth on the didge, do you want the mouth area to be relatively large or use more wax to create a smaller area to form with your lips? My didge is fairly large and so is the mouth area. I find my whole mouth inside the didge.

[@maxl3189]

Larger for the offset play style, and small for front on Trad style

[@maxl3189]

I liked under 30mm

[@CHAR_KNOWS_HIS_AVIATION]

Hi, I have a little problem!! I'm a vet that has served in a few conflicts and took a piece of shrapnel causing some paralysis on my right side...mouth muscles are weaker on the right side...hard to make the P U sound and harder to seal the mouthpiece..left side is still workable...any suggestions to compensate for this?? Thanx in advance!!

[@didgeproject]

Try playing on both sides and see which one you can work better. Sometimes tightening the opposite side is more important

[@RVM451]

Friend, When I inhale through my nose, the only sound that I can make with the cheek air is a sickly "SPRITTTZZ" sound that sounds kinda like a weak fart. Any attempt to loosen my lips results in me not having enough back pressure to inhale. What is my problem? …..RVM45

[@didgeproject]

You need to practice the cheek strengthening exercises shown in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6bch5JofpeibMk

[@anshulwadia]

Hi what is the type of mouth piece you have used? it'd be kind if you can also post online purchase link, Cannot find beeswax at amazon italy :( RSVP

[@didgeproject]

Anshul Wadia buy a beeswax candle

[@Jurinich]

does it matter weather one has teeth or not?

[@THATONES1GMA]

How do I get a high pitch

[@didgeproject]

Are you looking for the high overtones while playing a drone? Or are you looking for the trumpet tones, ie jumping the drone up to a higher fundamental pitch?

[@neilregan2488]

I can smash out a drone and play rhythms, circular breathe and vocalise to some extent (no kookaburras yet) but my tone is rubbish. On my PVC didge, which I made adjustable I've got a good tone all the way from C through to E, on my wooden termite bored C#/D didge it sounds either like a kaos pad or a fog horn. Has anyone else run into this sort of thing? Is it me, or does my didge just not sound like a didge?

[@joriscouvee7724]

The drum sound is what I’m most struggling with

[@tallcat55]

My drone is low the pitch seems low

[@hawk_flawk]

Tighten ur lips, closer they are = higher pitch

[@loveplease3740]

🖤🖤🖤

[@FloTelip]

420th like and it's 4:20 right now !!!

[@boyankmetov7487]

This is all great but here's a tip from me - you better not have a thick mustache when you play. OR, prepare to have a whole bunch of wax stuck in it :D

[@PederEinarsson]

Kan i get à Didgeridoo

[@HeartfulGreens]

The sound is not going well today

[@vinceagashi1121]

I dont get it! I think I got scammed. Mine doesn't make these sounds at all. It just seems to echo the exact mouth sounds I am making and doesn't sound like a didgeridoo in the slightest. I spent all morning and now I am really discouraged.

[@didgeproject]

What didge do you have? Could be the didge or could be your technique

[@davegreenfield6570]

Breathing without having to take a big breath

[@arieswaters]

I didn't know Frank Zappa played the didgeridoo

[@miqbalsaputra8059]

Hello

[@crabs4738]

How do you breathe

[@Gabrielland150]

Through nose. Put water in your mouth to fill cheeks. Slowly blow it out with pressure while you sniff air in through nose. That is called circular breathing

[@uミュウ]

I can only assume the amount of saliva that goes through those things. Do they ever start leaking as you people play? LOL

[@Owen741.]

As with any wind instrument

[@LizsGardens]

How many people did the face exercises with him like I just did 😂

[@darkwolfe]

Yay, I finally did it--peeUUUUUUU!

[@snookyant]

The small lip thing is kinda not necessary. You can buzz small lips just relax and let your lips get to know you doo

[@rileystewart859]

I didn't know Jake Gyllenhaal played didgeridoo

[@renza7674]

how did i get here from mellophone 💀

[@brocamp1014]

We should boycott soul patches

[@VacumOvale]

The lip stretching part sounds AS stupid as stretching your third leg to make it longer.

[@brocamp1014]

@blackmanmaitingcall

[@mertcaglialtuncu7745]

[@iLikeTigerz101]

he looks like kylo ren.

[@zunpphire4ev170]

You are so beautiful

[@cliffordcoulter8698]

i have false teeth

[@mmaaiissee1]

Oh No, you'll have a big mouth.

[@estherloveschickens9075]

3 am KZbin wanders

[@sea-ferring]

Great video and channel. I do have a pretty major problem with calling the digeridoo a "didge" - it reeks of cultural appropriation and is just plain disrespectful to the indigenous peoples who created this beautiful instrument.

[@didgeproject]

Our good friend, Aboriginal Artist Lewis Burns commonly refers to the didgeridoo as the didge (or Didje as he spells it). I highly suggest you check out his videos as he is very well versed in the tradition of the instrument: kzbin.info

[@drmartinsboots]

Didgeridoo is not what aboriginal people called a didgeridoo. Didgeridoo is a white person name for it that white people came up with.

[@madimercer1442]

But you're not Aboriginal?..

[@DASH-v2h]

Stoned guy hehe

[@estudiom142]

[@kevinleveille1666]

how do you make a higher sound on the digeredoo? I can only get one drone sound, and it is much lower then the ones in the videos.

[@didgeproject]

Tighten your lips, a lot. Look up didgeridoo trumpet tones.