Didgeridoo Playing Etiquette


Now I've probably got you thinking, woh whats this about. I've raised this as a subject of interest. These are my opinions and some collected from others. I don't see myself as an expert on the subject or someone holding the higher didg moral ground. I reckon it is a subject not considered by some folk and it is something we can explore.		I would love to hear back from anyone, who has their own experiences or opinions or if you can add or contra anything I've talked about. Didgeridoo being an instrument that can be musical, sacred or meaningful, means that everyone will have a different slant on how they are with their didgeridoo and their journey. Consequently if we're not sensitive to this we can unknowingly tread on someones toes.
	So the question is What is Didg Etiquette ? I see it as how we interact with others in ways that is considering and sensitive to how they see their didg/s and how they like to be interacted with.
* Playing someone elses didg. * Getting someone else to play your didg. * Playing under the influence. * Playing didgeridoos in a didg shop * Playing didgeridoo in Traditional Didg Country. * Didgeridoo Values * Playing didgeridoo with another player. * Didg Opinions

I have noticed some folk, who unconsciously consider it their right to play another persons didgeridoo. This can be to some folk the height of disrespect.

I suggest always asking the person first but more so asking in a way that affirms their right to say no. Some folk find it hard to say no so the way we ask is important. Personally as a rule I generally don't ask, and even when someone offers I say "are you sure" and If I don't want to I'll say so.

Didg to some folk is a personal thing. It may mean something spiritually or ritually. I have met quite a few didg folk who have one didg that no one else plays. Personal only. I have a couple of didgs like that and I've had folk play them without asking; it feels terrible to be not considered.

* Getting someone else to play your didg.
I also hate it when someone forces a didgeridoo upon me. -" Hey Play this or "Have a go " and the didg is passed to me.
I often don't mind playing someone elses didg but I like an out. E.G- " Would you like to play my didg?" Given an out I will often say, "You give it a blow ,I'll listen"

*Playing under the influence.
*I also don't reckon its cool to play someone elses didg when drinking or smoking. The owner of the didgeridoo may have feelings about that and not necessarily say so. If the player is drinking too and they offer it well cool.

* I also wouldn't play under the influence publicly in OZ , it may offend an indigenous person.

* Playing didgeridoos in a didg shop
Some shops or market stalls are run by onsellers some by the makers themselves. Both will be happy for you to play them to try them out, but from experience personally and in my travels visiting other shops and checking other makers didgeridoos; I have found that its important to ask first if they are being sold by a didg maker/collector. A shop onseller, generally won't mind if you walk in and without saying hello or asking begin trying didgs. A didg maker seller, won't be offended necessarily but they will definately appreciate you asking. I find if someone walks in try's them and walks out without a nod wink or a grunt, I do feel disrespected. No logic from a selling point of view.

It comes from the maker/ player-collectors relationship they have built with their didgs. The're a bit like mother hen.

*Playing didgeridoo in Traditional Didg Country.
Most indigenous folk won't mind, but some may and some understandably may be feeling culturally stripped, so either check in or approach sensitively.

Indigenous people approach life in different ways and at a much different pace to us, and and they appreciate being met where they are somewhat rather than invaded verbally which is the western way. Direct questions will not necessarily be received in the way we do.

Women especially need to be aware that some indigenous folk see that women shouldn't play didgeridoo at all. They have strong beliefs and may feel offended by insensitivity to this. Some indigenous folk are fine that white women play, others may be quite upset. Different tribes have different beliefs so be aware that there are many approaches. Some are more tolerant others aren't. Some have approved certain women in certain situations to play some are lenient with playing socially, many are totally prohibitive about women playing.

* Didgeridoo Values
Are totally arbitrary or subjective, so there's no logic to didgeridoo and dollars. If you reckon a didgeridoo is over priced go slowly, some maker sellers won't be too impressed by serious bargaining down tactics. To them its like family and in the parting there is a respecting of the creative journey to be fulfilled. Personally as a rule I appreciate when folk respect the price. If its a genuine budget related request, alternatively I receive this well and access on its merits. remember everyone's different as with didgeridoos so accept the never ending surprises.

* Playing didgeridoo with another player.
If you know the person well fine, but if its first time, take time to go slowly and feel out where the other player is at. Look for a rhythm that you can both sink into or dance with sounds back and forth. Avoid over trumping the other or charging of on a rhythm that the other can't go with in anyway. Its obviously just bragging and does nothing for building respect. Some of the best technical players, I have gone away from listening to them play with someone or after playing with them myself and have less respect for them, literally for the didg was a chance to show off. One can be expressive in a centred way, I'm not saying be minimalist or smaller and humble like. There's a dance as always between connecting with someone and being ourself. Allow space for both is my suggestion. Begin with connecting and finding common ground, then go your own way in your playing if your inspired, then perhaps come back and find common ground again. Sounds good for the listeners too.

Didgeridoo comes from a land that is now and always was multicultural. For so many tribes and different peoples with different perspectives on the truth, it supports and accepts diversity of opinion. I find it off putting when someone talks about didgeridoos, whether re playing them, making them or selling them or makes any comparisons with the view that their opinion is gospel. Didgeridoo world seems to be a knife like reality between ego land and community. Its every little step that we take with didgeridoo that helps build more of the positive and inclusive. Much fun on the journey.