| Name and Country |
Can different notes be played on the didj? |
Please explain why different notes can or cannot be played on the didj. |
| Adam from Australia |
Yes |
The didgeridoo comes in all length's and sizes producing different notes configurations and sounds. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Different types of Didjes |
| Andrew Kaufman from USA |
Yes |
You can create a higher pitch with faster moving air as well as creating a secondary pitch in your throat |
| Andy from United Kingdom |
Yes |
You can use harmonics and vocalisation to change the pitch and tone of the didj |
| Andy Locky from Canada |
Yes |
By changing the way you blow/lip placement; however the range is low. |
| Angel from USA |
Yes |
I believe that the length and shape of the Didgeridoo will have an influence on the notes that can be played as with any wind instrument. |
| Anonymous from Finland |
Yes |
Different mouth/lips positions in didj. |
| Aphia from USA |
Yes |
I've heard it but I don't know why. |
| Ava Perry from USA |
??? |
Don't know. |
| Anonymous from Netherlands |
Yes |
By overtones |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Mouth technique and toots |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Not sure |
| Bob from Canada |
Yes |
I believe that different people playing the same didge can produce different notes |
| Bob from USA |
Yes |
Possibly using a split didge growling etc. |
| Byron Mcallister from USA |
Yes |
One simply tightens one's lips and obtains another note----sometimes even two more. (I've never managed three more or at least not well enough to hold 'em |
| Charles Smith from USA |
??? |
No idea |
| Chris Bittner from USA |
Yes |
Fundamentals and hoots |
| Chris Horvath from USA |
No |
I am not entirely sure why I am new to this. Perhaps because there aren't any keys to change notes? |
| Chris Humphrey from USA |
Yes |
Notes can be bent; additional notes can be added by means of hoots |
| Christian Robert from France |
Yes |
The basic and the hoot. |
| Chuck from USA |
Yes |
Maybe it is not notes but different sounds can be induced by the player different volumes of air |
| Cindi Clinton from USA |
No |
It's my understanding you can do things like flat but not a different note entirely. You can buy several didj's tuned to different notes and line them up like Xavier! |
| Claudia from Romania |
Yes |
Do not know |
| Collin Malleck from USA |
Yes |
Different notes can be played on the didj by using your tongue as well as your lips. |
| Dale from USA |
Yes |
You can bend the tone up or down slightly with mouth pressure |
| Daniel from USA |
??? |
Probably by loosening and tightening the embouchure. |
| Dave Estes from USA |
Yes |
Depending on the ombichure [spelling?] and techniques of the player |
| Dave Snyder from USA |
Yes |
Each instrument has its own drone-key; vocalizations and overtones can be added from any note....Hold a cardboard tube or length of PVC up to your ear and you will hear a rush of air in one particular key; the tube takes all the ambient sounds and allows then thru but especially filters those of a specific Hz wavelength (i.e. discrete tone) depending on inside diameter and length. That would be the didj's drone-key. |
| David from USA |
Yes |
Different notes can be played based on control of air and tightness of lips. |
| David from USA |
Yes |
By the shaping of the mouth on the mouthpiece |
| David Mackinnon from USA |
Yes |
It's all based on the length of the Didgeridoo and a few other aspects as well (the material the didj is made of whether or not the inside of the didj is clear or fibrous). Short thick didjes will have a different note base than a didj that's long and thin. Also if the didj is made of anything other than termite hallowed eucalyptus wood the sound quality is skewed so that certain notes are not possible on those types of materials (i.e. PVC bamboo and agave) and the quality of those are not recommended for concert-grade instruments. |
| David from Canada |
Yes |
Firming the lips can produce "toots". |
| Anonymous |
??? |
Have never played the didj so do not know |
| Douglas from USA |
Yes |
Its all in the wind. |
| Drew from Australia |
Yes |
Although the didge has a base key by altering your blowing you can achieve different notes. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
By playing softer or harder while droning or tightening your lips while droning |
| Eleanor Hjemmet from USA |
Yes |
Amount of breath shape and position of the mouth and lips all contribute to the notes that are produced by a didge player. In addition this instrument is known for it's ability to resonate with overtones. |
| Elizabeth from USA |
??? |
Not sure |
| Enrique Martinez Balarezo from Peru |
Yes |
Si para diferenciar algunos cortes o para iniciar a tocar y se saca el sonido atarves de la enbocadura que ya no es vibrando los labios sino apretando y asi tenemos otra nota |
| Forest from USA |
Yes |
Perhaps not in the technical sense I really don't understand what makes a "note" but different vocalizations and sound pressures certainly produce different sounds. |
| Francis from USA |
Yes |
Toots can be of different keys. some playing techniques can drop the note on a didj. Voice production can go up and down in pitch. |
| Gabe from Canada |
Yes |
The first thing that comes to my mind is my slider it can play different notes. Then there manipulating the drone with your voice and how much pressure you apply |
| Geoffrey from Australia |
Yes |
Different amounts of air pressure/vibration allow for 3 distinct notes (but only in one key)... but really they are only different octaves (I think...) A person can also sing into the didge to change the sounds... |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
The embouchure can be changed and vocal sounds can be added. |
| Giuseppe from Italy |
No |
Because it has only one Note! |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Yes |
By changing the length of the Didj different notes can be played. |
| Iain from United Kingdom |
Yes |
If you blow harder you can get a slightly higher note - toots as well (as in trumpet playing) |
| Anonymous from Hungary |
Yes |
There are frequencies which are 2x 3x of the basic drone these can be played with more stiffened lips or with more pressure. These sounds called a toot. |
| Ivan from Canada |
Yes |
Not sure other than you are just blowing into it |
| Jan from USA |
??? |
The sound sounds more like different tones rather than traditional notes to me. Some have greater depth and resonance than others. |
| Jason Hilliard from USA |
Yes |
By the fluctuation and force of the air you can raise or lower a note. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Overtones can be used to play "multiples" of the original basic drone and any note played can be "bent" by altering air pressure. It is also possible to vocalise notes. |
| Jeannie from USA |
Yes |
Each didj has a main note but the player can tighten their lips to change it. |
| Jeff from Australia |
Yes |
Due to different air pressure and toots etc. A didj is set at one note but the toot is often different and the main note can vary from player to player to some degree. |
| Anonymous |
??? |
No idea |
| Jeremy from USA |
??? |
Honestly I don't know not for sure at least Id say its possible but seems improbable... |
| Jeremy from USA |
No |
There are different vibrations you can make but not notes. This is down by the way you move your mouth/tongue |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Since neither my wife nor I can circular breathe I have not the slightest idea. |
| Jimmy Mahuron from USA |
No |
No finger air holes like in the flute. |
| Anonymous |
No |
Doesn't have any way to change the sound with notes |
| John Armstrong from USA |
Yes |
By varying the tension of the lips you can modify tones and reach overtones. It is also possible by using vocalization to achieve polyphonics which produce "ghost" tones in the listener. |
| John Carroll from USA |
Yes |
Notes are based on the length width size of sound chamber of the tree or other item used to make the didj. |
| John Heusler from USA |
Yes |
Changing the chamber size within the mouth allows lower or higher notes to be played. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Change of lip tension or air flow. Are not any valves or finger holes to change pitch. |
| Johnena Kennedy from Canada |
Yes |
They just can |
| Jon Larue from USA |
Yes |
By using varying air pressure and vibration the note can be changed |
| Jonny Monument from United Kingdom |
Yes |
You have the fundamental note which your didj makes and you also have the hoot note and sometimes a secondary hoot note above that. |
| José Diogo from Portugal |
No |
A didgeridoo is a single-noted instrument once each tone depends on the shape and construction of the didgeridoo. It's only possible to do so in a didgeribone and others like this. |
| Jose Luis from Spain |
No |
The length of the pipe determines the note of the didje. You can change pitch tone with playing techniques... but no the base note. |
| Anonymous |
??? |
Don t know |
| Anonymous |
??? |
I think I have heard this explained before; however my understanding of musical theory is much too lacking to explain either way! |
| Judy Echols from USA |
Yes |
Blowing harder can produce higher notes. I can bend the note up or down half a key. Vocals change it a bit. |
| Julia Passamonti from USA |
Yes |
By tightening and loosening the lips different notes can be played. |
| Anonymous |
??? |
I can make different tones but I don't believe different notes can be made because they are made to make a select note I am a amateur musician and am not sure though and the didj I have is of bamboo and may be different |
| Kathy from USA |
Yes |
You use your breath and manipulate your mouth and tongue to modulate sound frequency |
| Kev English from United Kingdom |
Yes |
Why? Don't you mean how? I have been playing now for about ten years after learning to circular breath I have been practicing different ways of playing and have found the change of notes a remarkable way to change the drone mood through changing the shape of the tongue and the changing of the breathing pressure. |
| Kim from USA |
No |
No idea |
| Larry from USA |
Yes |
By tightening the lips |
| Leslie Thurston from Canada |
Yes |
Because one blows into the instrument with varying strength |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Harmonic series? |
| Anonymous from France |
Yes |
The position of the lips the tongue can make different notes |
| Marcus Comét from Sweden |
No |
The resonance is symbiotic to the shape of the wood/Didge. |
| Anonymous |
??? |
I don't know but I would love to learn how to play one |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Lip position and air pressure |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
High tones: changing pressure to receive trumpet tones also in between trumpet tones. low tones: relax lips or remove lips from mouthpiece. rhythm-tones: press with tongue to achieve plop-tones (e.g. very short trumpet tones) |
| Martin from USA |
No |
For the most part you are connected to whatever key the length of didj is cut to. There can be some variation depending upon vocalizations mouth shape and wind. |
| Mary from Australia |
Yes |
Just breathe!! |
| Matt from USA |
Yes |
Play it harder toot play it in a different slower faster way produce a different note |
| Michael Griffith from USA |
Yes |
My guess would be the different notes one hears are different harmonics of the key the didj is tuned in. |
| Michael Spring from USA |
No |
It is a drone instrument playing what westerners might call a "pedal point" |
| Anonymous from Us Minor Outlying Islands |
No |
Variables can be played but the note is determined by the length which does not change...? |
| Neil Wakeling from United Kingdom |
No |
The answer is yes AND no! Yes - on my sliding didge! Yes - if you call overtone harmonics "notes". No - because you cannot change the basic root note. |
| Ossi from Finland |
Yes |
While didj is not a melodic instrument per se the pitch of the basic drone can be shifted by adjusting the air pressure (eg. with cheeks); moreover certain techniques such as "barking" and "singing" allow different sounds with different pitches to accompany the basic drone. |
| Patty from Canada |
??? |
I don't know. |
| Peg from USA |
Yes |
If you just blow its one note but you can honk and make other pitches |
| Peggylynn from USA |
Yes |
It is in how you hold your mouth the air you dispel and the sounds you add |
| Pep from Spain |
Yes |
Due to the position of your mouth tongue air intensity. |
| Anonymous from New Zealand |
No |
Due to the length of the Didgeridoo |
| Randall from USA |
Yes |
While the didj itself technically only plays a single note other pitches can achieved through overtones and vocalizations. |
| Rian Mcgonigal from USA |
Yes |
Drone & harmonics |
| Anonymous |
??? |
Not sure |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
We can use drone voice diaphragm to produce a note |
| Rob Carter from Canada |
Yes |
I don't know:( |
| Robbin from USA |
Yes |
Depending on the type of didj... and lip embouchure |
| Robert from USA |
Yes |
Basic drone over-blown toots. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Pressure harmonics voice. |
| Roland from Canada |
??? |
Have not got a sniff |
| Ross from Australia |
No |
In most woodwind instruments the column of air is constantly being shortened or lengthened using finger or key holes so different pitches or notes are produced. In didgeridoos this column of air cannot be adjusted so its pitch cannot be changed. Therefore didgeridoos come in one key only generally from a low C to a high F. However the sound can be adjusted of course using the body. This is why the didj is like an extension of oneself. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS THE OVERTONE. |
| Roxann from USA |
No |
Each didj can play just one note which is determined by the length of the didj. That is just the way the instrument functions. That being said you can do things to obtain different pitches. |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Yes |
I think its because of their size and bore hole |
| Russell Chappell from USA |
No |
Different sounds can be played but the didge is made with a certain note |
| Russell Toohey from Australia |
No |
A Didgeridoo will have a key such as A or F however a range of sounds and notes on the scale can be produced within that key |
| Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
Depends on how you blow |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Embouchure alone can change the pitch by a half note... sometimes more |
| Anonymous from Canada |
??? |
Don't know still learning how to play my own...not very good yet. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
I am just a beginner with a pvc pipe didj.. I observe that when I get the big drone going properly the harmonic overtone comes into clarity and I can alter that by altering the shape of my mouth (as in forming vowels when singing I guess) |
| Stacey Mcgaughey from New Zealand |
No |
No ability to alter the tuning length of the instrument. |
| Steav W from USA |
Yes |
Using your embouchure to produce overtones; singing or humming into the didj produces various harmonic notes. |
| Steve Bolton from USA |
Yes |
The drone is the primary note while the toots higher notes achieved through tightening the lips and increasing pressure. also different notes can be produced vocally but the drone is present as well. |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Yes |
Overtones can be produced but an individual didge is in a particular key defined by its physical characteristics. |
| Suzanne from Canada |
??? |
Have not got a clue |
| Terry Freeman from USA |
Yes |
In addition to the standard cheeks out drone you can tighten the cheeks and get a higher note (usually 1 step or so) and by jaw-dropping you can get approximately a step lower. There are also "toots" or overblown notes. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Yes |
Tightening lips can change notes |
| Tiago from Portugal |
Yes |
The basic note is the drone sound which is mostly just one for each Didgeridoo. Then there are the 'overtones' or 'toots' which are a series of higher notes playable by increasing the pressure in your lips. Mostly only the first of these 'toot' notes is played sometimes a couple more. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
By stomach or tongue |
| Anonymous |
No |
A Didj is "tuned" to a specific note and while variations of that note are possible the length of the didge would need to change in order to change notes. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Breath placement of tongue lips |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
You just have to make it a lower sound or higher other wise each didj has its own note. |
| Anonymous |
??? |
Don't know |
| Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
Vibrations produced with the lips and airflow |
| William from USA |
Yes |
Changes in pressure lip movement and muscle movement. |
| Anonymous |
No |
To my knowledge every didgeridoo is more or less limited by its physical properties to a single note. This is due to the length and diameter of the didgeridoo. Pitch however is easily modulated with techniques involving the use of the tongue and lips. |
| Willibrord Arts from Netherlands |
No |
Because you have only one basic drone |
| Adam Snow from USA |
Yes |
It really depends on what one calls "notes". The didj can play hoots for sure but it doesn't work the same a say a clarinet or trumpet. It has no finger holes. Yet if you want to call the harmonics screeches and drones "notes" the answer is yes. |
| Anonymous from Cyprus |
Yes |
A didj is tuned to one note but it also has harmonics and the hoot sound which is different. |
| Alan Murdoch from Australia |
Yes |
Varies by player skill and ability Didj type. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Depende del tamoño del didj asi es como hace la escala de notas |
| Anonymous from Switzerland |
Yes |
A didj has a base "sound" but with the pressure of your lips and different amounts of air you can play different "sounds" (notes). Sorry but can I answer in german?!?;-) |
| Andrew from USA |
Yes |
I'm not sure I've only played a didj a few times but I'm sure you can play different notes. |
| Anonymous |
No |
The instrument comes in one key |
| Anthony from USA |
No |
Each didj has it's own note |
| Betty from USA |
No |
I'm not sure of this it just seems like a fact to me |
| Bill from United Kingdom |
No |
Flats and sharps can be made but not full notes (ones that are not the didj's original tuning) because the tuning depends on the length of the didj. |
| Brendan from USA |
Yes |
Different buzzes can be made and you can also sing with the didj to harmonize with it |
| Carol from USA |
Yes |
1. Octaves 2. Mouth size & shape |
| Carolyn from Canada |
Yes |
I think it depends on the breathing techniques used. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Yes |
Only two can be played base note and hoot related to embouchure and speed of breath |
| Anonymous |
No |
I have told that different notes cannot be played on the didj. However you can change the pitch with your cheeks and tongue. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
By changing the inflection of the sound and the speed of the air being pushed through the didj |
| David from USA |
Yes |
Change of pressure and mouth shape |
| Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
Don't know but my husband manages to do it on his didj |
| Anonymous from USA |
??? |
Do not know |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Yes |
There is one fundamental note but new notes can be played by using the mouth to change the frequency of the air blowing through the didj. |
| Donna Waterman from USA |
Yes |
I'm a new Didj owner. Can't answer this. |
| Eric from Belgium |
Yes |
By modifying the pressure on the lips and/or nipping the lips we can change the frequency of the vibrations witch means changing musical key. |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
No |
??????????????? |
| Jean Bruce from USA |
??? |
Don't know |
| Jesus Antonio from Mexico |
Yes |
The vox have all the notes the Didgeridoo is a natural amplifier |
| John Byram from USA |
Yes |
There is one base note that the didj has however depending on the player different notes can be produced through voicing management of the mouth and trilling of the tongue. Technically there is one note but a skilled player can change how it sounds. |
| Anonymous from Ireland |
No |
It just can't
|
| Julia Lee from USA |
Yes |
Different notes are the results of changes in the voice ie. higher lower faster slower and many many points in between. |
| Karolina from USA |
Yes |
Different sound resonance through vocal tract. inhalation and exhalation (circle breathing) |
| Kenneth from USA |
No |
Each didj has it's own key based on it's length and internal diameter. You can only play a different key on a Hoot. |
| Lawrence Lee from USA |
Yes |
Shape and quality of didj |
| Linda Easley from USA |
No |
There's no way to change the length of the sound tube |
| Matthew Lepage from USA |
Yes |
The musician uses different air pressures to make variations in wavelength and frequency. |
| Michel Cabardos from Canada |
No |
I'm not a musician but I think a note is inherent in a didge. A player makes variations of that note to make music. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Overblown trumpeting can produce various different tones. |
| Anonymous |
No |
Cannot because it depends on the shape of the didj which cannot be changed |
| Patrick from USA |
Yes |
Pressure Bore to Length Ratio |
| Paul Rogers from Germany |
Yes |
All about resonance and frequency. I do find it interesting that the toot notes can vary in interval from a major 3rd up to a tritone. I would I have thought that it would be more fixed due to the overtone series. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Different lengths types bores. Overtone toots. |
| Rita Miller from Canada |
Yes |
The note changes by puffing making vocalizations and by over-blowing. I know there is more than this but I do not know what else a didj player does to produce different notes or harmonic resonance |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Tightening or loosening of the mouth like on a trumpet |
| Ryan from Australia |
Yes |
Overtones and hoot keys |
| Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
By changing the ambiture of one's mouth different tones can be produced on the didj. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
If you use your voice while playing a base you can really get most of the notes that exists. |
| Shaun from United Kingdom |
Yes |
I believe a high note can be achieved when pitching and finding the best Eeeeee sound. |
| Shawn from USA |
??? |
Don't know |
| Anonymous |
??? |
I know that each didge can play a different note. But I dunno if you can play a different notes on a single didge...or more than 1 or 2. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Yes |
Embouchure |
| Taira from Canada |
Yes |
It depends on mouth and tongue position and embouchure |
| Terry from USA |
Yes |
You can change the note by making different sounds. |
| Trevor from USA |
No |
The didj is a one note instrument. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
Thickness and length of didj. Water being poured on the unsealed internal. |
| Anonymous |
Yes |
I know that the size/shape of the didj determines the sound but by changing your vocal input and mouth shape different notes can be produced. |
| Wesley from Canada |
Yes |
Different notes can be played by sending an high or low tone through the didge that is resonant with the natural drone of the didge. |
| Zach from USA |
Yes |
It usually is not possible but Will makes didgeridoos on which multiple notes can be played. |
