Now blow softly, while keeping your lips loose so they can vibrate. Also, placing your lips against the mouthpiece at different angles and experimenting with different lip positions, e.g., front on, side of mouth, bottom lip over top etc. and even moistening your lips can help you improve your technique. As with anything new, your lips and brain will need time to 'coordinate'. Also the time you spend practicing will build up the muscles in your lips. This is a perfectly normal phase. Not only do you need to vibrate your lips by exhaling air from your lungs, but you also must be able to vibrate them while emptying only the content of the air inside your mouth. The tongue blocks off the throat in the same way it does when you are sucking a drink through a straw. Instead of sucking, try pushing the air in the opposite direction, out of your mouth. Filling your mouth with water instead of air, and pushing it out between your lips is also a good way to practice this action. You will notice that the back part of your tongue actually slides against the back of your throat as you suck or push water in and out of your mouth.

Now with your throat blocked, puff your cheeks and force the air through your closed lips. When you can do this, try it on your didjeridu.

How to 'circular breathe' or blow out your mouth continuously

Puff your cheeks out but this time hold the air inside them and just breathe normally through your nose. Now force the air out of your cheeks while inhaling through your nose at the same time. Once again this can be practiced with water if you find that easier at first.

When you are able to get a note on the didjeridu and take a breath in at the same time, you have the circular breathing method working for you.

Practice extending the time it takes for you to hold a note while expelling only one mouthful of air as you play.

Now blow your didjeridu and combine the two skills you have learnt: blowing and circular breathing to produce a continuous note.

Once you have achieved mastery of these two skills, you are well on your way to becoming a proficient didjeridu player, and remember that practice is the key to success!

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Course Information

At Echo Tree we are committed to providing professional didjeridu focused services and top quality musical instruments to the world. Echo Tree is an experienced and professional service provider, catering to the music and industrial arts programs of educational institutions.

didjeridu Tuition Program Overview and Appraisal
Echo Tree's Three Step Method
Echo Tree has developed an effective three step teaching method, which allows the beginner to become proficient with the basics in about 4 weeks. This is Module 1 of a number of modules which are available to equip the student with more advanced skills. All materials including curriculum and instruments are supplied, but please bring pen and paper for your own notes.

didjeridus of musical instrument quality will also be available for purchase as part of this program.

Course Information
Costs
Course $95
Materials $15
Refundable deposit for didjeridu $20
Total Cost $130

Course Structure
Each evening class will begin with ½ hour of group activities and theory, followed by rostered private one-on-one tuition (¼ hour per student, 4 per night). This is also private practice time for the rest of the class of 1 hour. A final ½ hour together will then complete the evening. This is a general outline only, as this course will be very flexible and focused on catering to the individual needs of each student who participates.

NOTE Private one-on-one tuition outside of normal class time is also available. Call Alex on 6262 3190 to book a lesson.

Class Duration
2 Hours

Course Duration
4 Weeks

Times
7pm to 9pm

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please bring your filled in contact information sheet and $35 on the first night as they will be collected by me at the beginning of this first class. At the end of the course, a $20 refund will be provided to those who return the didjeridu they were leant for home practice during the course.

I look forward to teaching you how to play this amazing, unique and versatile instrument.

Yours sincerely,
Alex Murchison
Tutor
Ph 6262 3190

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Module 2
· Effects of different characteristics of individual didjeridus on playing and playing style
· Producing Rhythms
· Using the Voice
· Changing the Characteristics of the Note
· Improving Efficiency
· Combining the 'Subject Areas'
· Improvement Exercise

Module 3
· Advanced Rhythm Techniques
· Using the Voice
· Making the Note Sharper
· Improving Efficiency
· Harmonics
· Denotation
· Playing With Music
· Building a Repertoire
· Playing Different Instruments

Module 4
· Creation of a piece of music, including didjeridu
· Collaboration with other musicians to perform the piece
· Organizing the recording of the piece
· Understanding recording techniques and particle implementation of them
· Understanding sound manipulation techniques using software and particle implementation of them
· Creation of at least one track on a CD as an end product of the project


Note:
Included within the tuition program is a field trip to experience the Australian bush and gain an understanding of techniques used to find and collect the raw didjeridu product. This trip can be taken at any time during the duration of the tuition program.

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Full Program
This program is suited to larger groups and includes audio amplification and visual gear as part of the show.

• • Interactive audio & visual presentation
• • Origins, science & history covered
• • Provision for student question time
• • Program approximately 1hr
• • This program is also available as a day time event
• • Program not available on weekends or Friday nights
• • Cost from $3.85 per head, depending on group size
• • Teachers and other adults engaged in caring for the students that are participating in this program will not be charged entry

Please Note:
For group sizes less than 65 students a flat rate of $250.00 applies.
Please be sure that you have booked an appropriate venue room on the date
of the Didjeridus Alive presentation at the accommodation that has been
selected by the school.

Mini Program
This program is suited to smaller, younger groups, and it has been our experience that we are able to hold the children’s interest well for the duration of the ½ hour program. Our presentation is both interactive and educational, where the audience is given a ‘hands on’ understanding and knowledge of this unique Australian instrument.

• Further information:
  • Group sizes should not be greater than 25
  • CD’s will also be available for purchase to schools at discounted rates
  • Cost: $100 per presentation, (approximately 30min)

Please note:
The above costs are for Canberra based organisations. Please contact us for an individual costing if you are outside the Canberra area as we are happy to travel.

The Echo Tree program has done much to bring my dream of inclusively to my school.
Alex and his program, have brought a group of indigenous and non-indigenous students together and developed a passion for sharing their experiences with others.

For me as a teacher, it has been impressive to see Alex work with not only mainstream students, but also with those with special needs."

Mr. Patrick Kelly
Curriculum Support Coordinator
St Edmund's College, Canberra

I would have no hesitation in recommending Alex and Echo Tree to those that wish to pursue this unusual instrument."

Greg Dutney
Operation Manager - Imagery and Geospatial Systems
Raytheon Australia


"I have been learning the didjeridu for four lessons with only one practice. I have now learnt to circular breathe and play the didjeridu. I have come to enjoy playing the didjeridu."
Matthew Winter, Year 8