h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A646904

There's already an entry on circular breathing, but this covers the instrument most closely associated with the technique.

Comments gratefully received.

H.

I like this . It's interesting and informative. What does a beeswax mouthpiece look like? All the didges I've ever seen have just had plain wood at the end.

A point you may wish to consider. You say early on in the piece that it's a one note instrument, yet later go on to describe other notes. Maybe one fundamental note or base note would be more accurate, or you may wish to add a reference to other types of note as a footnote ... maybe? Feel free to ignore me - I won't be offended.

Good touch. Maybe a couple of additions.

When I'm teaching people to get their first note I get them to do the jibberjibber lips thing first. But tell them not to try to make the noise that way ... it's like a warmup exercise. I then get them to blow as softly as possible down the didge and slowly blow harder and harder with the same breath ... at some point if their lips are soft enough it just starts making a noise and they look very surprised.

Maybe something on repairing \ maintaining beeswax mouthpieces. My personal technigue is to melt a beeswax candle in a mug surrounded by boiling water. Otherwise cracking!

Have you seen blob# B620063 ? It's of a guy playing a didgeridoo that's pretty good.

That's all I've got to say, the entry was without flaw!

(And I know a Sub will strip out the photo, but it's a keeper in my view!)

- X

Hi, Hoovooloo!

The entry is very interesting, but I notice you only mention Aborigines and Australia about half-way through - I think it would be a good idea to give the origin of the intstrument in the very first section.

Azara

Blob's in, and it's great!

Don't know about the "mention Australia earlier" thing. I'll leave it another week. Personally, does anyone not know didges are Australian? And is the picture enough of a hint?

H.

The picture is certainly enough of a hint!

I'm never sure myself what other people find obvious - I've been caught out by that a few times already. But the picture is perfect, no one will be in any doubt at all!

Azara

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