Didge on American Idol

[roster]

When Crystal Bowersox performed "Come Together" while accompanied by a didgeridoo on Tuesday's "American Idol," many people wondered about the instrument's origin.

The didgeridoo is a long, Australian aboriginal wind instrument, according to The Didgeridoo Specialists online. It's believed to have spiritual and healing powers.

The California-based Didgeridoo Store cites a study from Switzerland that suggests playing the didgeridoo can curb the effects of snoring and moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Playing the instrument reinforces certain breathing techniques that can help with sleep patterns.



Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/04/ ... z0kRhvV7qg

[Torrent]

So then.. I just wasted hundreds of dollars on my S9??

[Nord]

Does it require a prescription and does CPAP.com sell 'em...

Nord

[roster]

Before you buy an expensive didge, you may want to try out a cheap one by ordering one of these mouthpieces and buying a PVC pipe locally. Google around because some people have written about what diameter and length are best.



http://www.amazon.com/Mid-East-Didgerid ... B0010TMN3M

[jnk]

Does it require a prescription and does CPAP.com sell 'em...

Nord

My top three responses to that:

3. I've so far been unable to find a local DME that has them in stock, since the insurance coding is ambiguous.

2. I read somewhere that the Australian versions include free software.

1. The last time I tried to order one online, I was told to "blow it out my embouchure."

For the record, that girl can sing.

[Mary Z]

Thanks for the heads up on buying just the mouthpiece and pvc pipe. Ellen said thy're hard to learn to play so the CD might come in handy. Just a little practice, 30 minutes, five days a week and that S9 may be in the closet. Does anyone know if the size matters? Amazon has them for just over $20 and if you buy the mouth piece with the shipping it can come to almost $10. I've seen a video on line somewhere about playing one, doesn't look easy. Voice lessons and speech therapy are supposed to do the same thing.

[Nord]

My top three responses to that:

3. I've so far been unable to find a local DME that has them in stock, since the insurance coding is ambiguous.

2. I read somewhere that the Australian versions include free software.

1. The last time I tried to order one online, I was told to "blow it out my embouchure."

For the record, that girl can sing.

So they are "data capable"...

[dtsm]

Does it require a prescription and does CPAP.com sell 'em...

Nord

For the record, that girl can sing.

Reminds me of Janis Joplin.....just not as wild

[LinkC]

BUY a mouthpiece?? And PVC pipe???!!!

That's not a didge...it's PLUMBING!

Have a little self-respect! Start carving. Or, at the very least get a hunk of bamboo! Sheesh!

[Mary Z]

Heck, Linc C, I'm about to tape two pieces of a vacumn cleaner tube together! No sense spending any money on my budget unless I'm sure I'm going to use it.
And that breathing in through the nose, while blowing out through the mouth, "circular breathing", is going to be hard to master. I know my vacuum cleaner tubes are a far reach from even the "Redneck Didg", and it looks pretty good to me,
except the beeswax mouthpiece sounds time consuming and for someone like me, prone to getting burned with small stuff, dangerous.
The thing for me is that even if I could afford voice lessons, or get a PT referral for speech therapy (which is reputed to work, but not which particular exercises are effective) is the commitment and determination to practice at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Sounds like a small thing, but when I can just put on a mask and sleep through my therapy- now that's my kind of thing.
Mary Z.

[grandmma]

Before you buy an expensive didge, you may want to try out a cheap one by ordering one of these mouthpieces and buying a PVC pipe locally. Google around because some people have written about what diameter and length are best.

BUY a mouthpiece?? And PVC pipe???!!!

That's not a didge...it's PLUMBING!

Have a little self-respect! Start carving. Or, at the very least get a hunk of bamboo! Sheesh!

Well said, Link!!

You need to be aware that straight (so to speak) plumbing supplies (or bamboo) won't do. You need a slight bend in the instrument, and I believe water sitting in this bend has something to do with it. But either way, the bend is crucial to the sound and effect. These are finely-tuned instruments, yes with free software, but not straightforward nevertheless.

[roster]

Did I create another international incident by insulting the Australian National Instrument?

[Mary Z]

The didge on American Idol was straight. Besides isn't the idea the circular breathing and exercising mucscles of the throat than making actual music. No offence to the Australians, and I wish I could afford one of their beautiful instruments. The Redneck Didge showed how to make a bend in the pipe. How many folks are serious about buying, or making one out of bamboo and learning how to play it?

[grandmma]

Did I create another international incident by insulting the Australian National Instrument?

Nah, Aussies are too laid back to take offence at anything short of ..... come to think of it, can't think of anything off the cuff! Also, any imitation is a form of flattery, isn't it, no matter what the forum or form it takes. If something (or someone) is being mentioned, there's been an impact, hasn't there. Hard to take offence at that, if you look at it the right way.

We do get on our high horses quite often, but offence .... not easy. Traditional Ausssies are a broad-minded and open lot for the most part.