A CALL TO THE OUTBACK

Yesterday, the student Daniel Gómez presented to the class an instrument his uncle bought in Australia, the Didgeridoo. He gave us a little lecture explaining its construction and uses in magical and healing ceremonies. The instrument is basically a hollow wooden tube -emptied by termites- and one blows on it creating a very particular sound.

The special technique for playing this instrument involves the so called circular breathing, where the air exhaled creates a continuous flow, never stoping for inhaling. This is achieved by sparing a pocket of air in the cheeks that is released while quickly breathing in.