Didgeridoo

Aboriginal music · wind instrument · Australia · circular breathing

Ancient Australian invention. Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia created the didgeridoo at least 1,000 years ago, making it one of the world's oldest instruments still played today.

Vibrating lips make sound. You play the didgeridoo by buzzing your lips against the mouthpiece, which makes the air vibrate and creates a deep, droning sound.

Circular breathing trick. Musicians use a special technique called circular breathing, which means breathing in through your nose while pushing air out through your mouth at the same time, so the sound never stops.

From Arnhem Land. The didgeridoo comes from northeast and West Arnhem Land in Australia, where Indigenous people have their own words for it: yiḏaki or mandapul in some languages, and mako in others.

Now played worldwide. While the didgeridoo is still most connected to Aboriginal Australian music, musicians around the world now play it and blend it with many different musical styles.