For many people the didgeridoo is the sound of Australia and it has certainly been played there for thousands of years. Today the didgeridoo has soared in popularity and people all over the world are enjoying learning to play the instrument. It is basically a wooden tube about 1.5m long and is traditionally made from the branch of a tree that has been hollowed out by ants.
Orchestras are happy to play with all instruments and didgeridoo virtuoso, William Barton has been playing didgeridoo with several orchestras. To watch a fascinating video clip of him playing and talking about his work with the Queensland Orchestra click here. ...[more]
Orchestras are happy to play with all instruments and didgeridoo virtuoso, William Barton has been playing didgeridoo with several orchestras. To watch a fascinating video clip of him playing and talking about his work with the Queensland Orchestra click here. ...[more]
Oceania
Where is Oceania?
Oceania means Australia, New Zealand and a large region of the Pacific which includes many groups of islands such as Fiji, Hawaii and the Cook Islands.
Nose Flute
Many people will be surprised that you can play a flute with your nose, but nose flutes are in fact very common. There are many different varieties of nose flute and they are played all over the Pacific region and in Africa. The one shown in the picture is a Hawaiian style instrument. When played it makes a very gentle, sweet sound. You don't need to blow hard to play a nose flute (that could be messy!) but instead the player gently breathes out through the nose over the air hole to produce the sound.
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