The Didgeridoo holds a prestigious place as one of the oldest wind instruments in the world, rooted in the culture of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. When choosing your instrument, you are faced with a fundamental choice: the authentic, lengthy Traditional Didgeridoo or the modern, compact Spiral Didgeridoo. Each offers the unique, grounding drone sound, but they achieve it through vastly different means. Your preference will depend on whether you prioritize rich, complex tone and cultural connection, or easy portability and convenience.
The Traditional Didgeridoo
The traditional Didgeridoo is typically crafted from a single piece of Eucalyptus tree naturally hollowed out by termites, a process that gives it its distinctive sound and character. Its sound and tone benefit from the irregular, organic bore, producing deep, resonant drones with vibrant, slightly earthy overtones and a natural buzz that synthetic materials cannot fully replicate—an authentic voice sought by experienced players. On the downside, portability and maintenance are challenges: at 1.2 to 1.8 meters long, it’s bulky to transport, and as a natural wooden instrument, it’s prone to cracking with humidity changes, requiring careful storage and upkeep. In terms of playability, beginners often need greater lung capacity and breath control to sustain the drone, making it a more demanding instrument to learn initially.
The Spiral Didgeridoo
The Spiral Didgeridoo, also called a Spiral Didge or didgehorn, is a modern innovation designed for portability and convenience, with the tube coiled into a compact spiral that preserves the air column length while reducing physical size. Its portability and maintenance advantages are significant: the coiled design makes it easy to transport, and materials like engineered wood or durable synthetics are far less prone to cracking, requiring minimal upkeep. In terms of sound and playability, the engineered bore produces a cleaner, more focused, and consistent tone, and the spiral shape often increases back pressure, making it easier to sustain the drone and practice circular breathing. The main drawback is that, while clear and powerful, the sound lacks the deep, organic complexity and varied overtones of a traditional termite-hollowed eucalyptus Didgeridoo.
The Only Didgeridoo Guide You Will Ever Need
You've made the essential choice between the authentic complexity of the Traditional Didgeridoo and the clean convenience of the Spiral Didgeridoo. Both are powerful tools for meditation, breath control, and rhythm. However, acquiring the instrument is only the first step. The true challenge is mastering the art of the drone, refining your tone with harmonics, and, most importantly, achieving the seemingly impossible feat of circular breathing.
The Complete Didgeridoo Player is your comprehensive guide to this ancient instrument. The book takes you from making your very first sound to developing complex rhythms, and includes a full, easy-to-follow approach to Circular Breathing (the skill that allows you to play non-stop). It covers everything from choosing the right note and material to advanced rhythmic techniques, guiding you through 11 structured lessons and over 60 essential rhythms.
Download The Complete Didgeridoo Player (coming soon.)
