DidjeriNews Volume 9 Issue 10
Alastair Black Earth Tones including “Didgeridoo - A Beginner’s Guide
Two CD set. Disc 1 Earth Tones didjeridu Solos 13 tracks Runtime 40:01
Disc 2 Beginner’s Guide 1 track Runtime 29:19
Originally released as two separate cassette tapes with the instructional material titled “How to Play the Didgeridoo.” Later, a booklet called “Didgeridoo - A beginner’s guide.” The two were combined in an instructional package when moved to CD. There are some minor differences between the earlier cassette release and the newer double CD release, but the essential content of the instruction remains the same. One difference which is unfortunate, however is that all the lessons on the CD are contained in one track. This makes it difficult to quickly locate a particular part when resuming lessons after a break. The cassette package had considerable written material included which appears to be missing in the CD package, which is regrettable. Much of the information from the Cassette package is covered in narration on the CD, however. Nonetheless, it is a good beginner’s instructional tool. There was some political reasons why this CD is not as available to US customers as it once was which I will explain later as well as try to source where US customers can obtain a copy if they desire one. Alastair produced one of the first instructional audio packages available and of those early ones, it still holds up well against many who have come after.
Basically, Alastair has divided learning into two major divisions. Basic sound production comes first, with much attention to animal impersonations and sounds effects, changes in blowing pressure, tongue positions, diaphragm pressure and cheek movements. This is good detailed instruction which gives the student much to practice before beginner the laborious process of learning to circular breath as well as develops the needed strength and techniques to successfully attempt the circular breathing lessons.
The circular breathing instruction here is broken down in to eight steps, almost painfully detailed. However, for people who find this process mystifying, this rather scientific approach to teaching it may be rewarding where simpler instructions may have failed them. In my experience, the main successes in circular breathing mainly come from persistence and practice. This step by step method will work if given the students complete attention and effort. And many will find it very helpful.
As for negatives on this package I can only call attention to a few omissions. Only one method of circular breathing is taught. Not much of a negative since once you’ve mastered the cheek squeezed method, you can certainly refine and advance your circular breathing. In this method, breath is always fitted to rhythm which is quite a common starting point for non-traditional learners anyway and the recording supplied in the collection, “Earth Tones” clearly demonstrates all rhythms and techniques taught in the course - which is excellent for the learner. Many newer packages cover more ground, however many, if not most do not. As for the earlier reference to ‘politics’, I perhaps such have said business. A United States distributer aggressively obtained large distributions for Alastair’s products in the US to the point of practically having an exclusive on them. Once the distribution grew to nicely profitable levels, he quickly recorded his own instructional CD, dumped Alastair’s product and filled all his customers orders with his own. Business is business I guess....
What I find sad here is that this literally thousands of people around the world learned to play using this product and it was targeted for extinction in the USA for reasons of increasing profit rather than providing a better product. The result is a lesser product by a less experienced player and teacher. One of the reasons I’ve undertaken this review and documentation of all available instructional products (and I will be hitting videos, books and booklets as well) is to show how many choices for the beginner there truly are out there as well as how many resources the didjeridu instructor has to draw from.
Here on some places on the Web I’ve found to get this recording :
http://www.yidaki-doo.com/music/music.htm
http://www.sunreed.com/Didgeridoos.htm#Instructionals,Cases
Didgeridoo Made Easy A Beginner’s Guide with Ash Dargan
2 discs disc one English and German Runtime 65:02
disc two French and Spanish Runtime 65:23
Another relatively recent product, this package features multi language narration as well as a multi language booklet which covers every track on the CD. First of all, I really like a package that includes written material. It makes it so much easier to quickly refer to specifics of any lesson between listens to and practice with the audio material. Additionally, the written material includes brief information on the history of the instrument, how they are made, the geographic regions of origin, playing styles, instrument care, instrument types and answers to frequently asked questions.
There are basically eight steps in the lesson plan starting with production of the basic drone, using the tongue, playing with syllables (mouth shapes), creating basic rhythms, circular breathing, breath exercises, animal sounds and finally some additional rhythm examples.
Also really good is the presentation of each sound first using the voice, then through buzzing lips and finally through the didgeridoo is a great way to learn. This course is very consistent in this which means the learner really knows what to expect ever step of the way. The narrations are quite clearly done as well.
The section on circular breathing is also somewhat original. For people who are having trouble getting the circular breathing, it is always worth while to get a different approach to the technique. This one involves actually spitting water down your didgeridoo so be prepared for some major “leakage” at the bottom of your didge. At minimum, I would suggest playing over a towel or perhaps a bucket for this one! Circular breathing is not broken down in as many steps as in Alastair Black’s method. This section could probably have been expanded a bit to explain the role of the tongue, cheeks and diaphragm. However, in context with the rest of the learning material presented, it is an appropriate treatment of the subject. A down fall of many instructors is to over emphasis or make too much of circular breathing on the instrument. Most people take some amount of time and experimentation to get it after all. There is so much more to playing the instrument than circular breathing.
Here are some places on the Web I have found this package available (I got mine from Amazon):
http://www.dreamtime.auz.net/default.asp?PageID=21
http://www.healingmusic.org/Marketplace/InstructionalMaterials/index.asp
http://www.ozshop.ch/lernmaterial.html