THE STORY BEHIND
Several years ago Scott Dunbar, Australian entrepreneur and didgeridoo player, had a vision. His vision was of a musical instrument that had the sound of a Didgeridoo but changed notes easily to harmonise with any other world music. This vision was spurred on by the knowledge that some didgeridoo players over the last 20 years had made two lengths of pipe that slide inside one another to change note.
However, they had common faults such as:
- poor sound quality due to air leakage
- no amplifying bell end
- the mouthpiece was generally uncomfortable
- a limited range of notes (less than six)
- generally unattractive
Slide Didge was subsequently created, rectifying all these problems.
MORE THAN 10 DIDGES IN ONE
The Slide Didge has more than ten notes marked on its sliding scale, sharps on the right, notes on the left. By changing your ombeture higher octaves can be reached, allowing more than thirty notes to be played. The instrument is inexpensive, compact, durable and lightweight. Unlike most musical instruments you can play this one almost anywhere and not be concerned about it breaking. It is pleasing to the eye, coming in a variety of colours and patterns. The fact that it is easier to learn to play than a didgeridoo and cheaper to buy gives it wider appeal.
Slide Didge is a musical instrument that promotes an Australian culture that is strongly influenced by the country’s indigenous roots, giving it new life in a form that any male or female of any nationality can learn and enjoy. The slide didge is working its way around Australia and the world generating a new sound in world music.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PERSON OF VISION AND FORESIGHT
We would like to congratulate you on taking an interest in Australia’s newest musical instrument. It is one that carries much power. It has the potential of bridging the gap between indigenous and non indigenous Australians. It can unite an ancient spiritual sound with a New World music pulse. You are a person with vision and foresight, you recognise the potential of the Slide Didge as a musical instrument for the 21st century.
FACTS ABOUT THE SLIDE DIDGE
The Slide Didge is a variable pitch didgeridoo with a scale ranging from high C through a full octave to low B, positioned two octaves below middle C.
The notes are clearly marked as they snake up the two inside pipes so they are visible while playing (notes to the right sharps to the left). Three interlocking pipes create the basic structure of the slide didge. The mouthpiece is ergonomically shaped allowing comfortable playing. Because of it’s smooth, accessible surfaces, hygiene can be easily maintained.
The instrument weighs 1.5 kg. It is 710 mm at its shortest length and 1650 mm when fully extended. It has a resonating sound quality in all of its keys comparable to that of didgeridoos.
HOW TO PLAY
The first rule is that there are no rules. Your imagination and spirit will naturally create the best sounds. You may use basic didgeridoo playing techniques to start with.
To get the basic drone make a raspberry sound with your lips making sure that no air escapes between your lips and the mouthpiece. Everyone that breathes can play this instrument. You need patients to get the right buzz with your lips. If the instrument is short, your lips will have a tight buzz like a trumpet. If the instrument is long, make your lips loose and blow softly.
Starting with the instrument at its shortest length you are in the note of High C. It is important when sliding the pipes out to use the following method: slide the middle and inner pipe out together starting on the note of C with the middle pipe locking on the note of F. Then slide the inner pipe out until it locks on the note of B which is the instruments longest length.
Note: if you slide the inner small pipe out first without letting the middle pipe lock out at its longest length the notes will not be correct and you will not be able to reach the middle pipe to slide it to its longest length.
Sounds can be created in a multitude of ways such as droning through your lips, manipulating your tongue in your mouth, calling, talking and screaming with your voice box while you drone, drumming on the side of your cheek.
INSTRUMENT CARE
- Always wash the instrument with soapy water (using a bottlebrush) and dry it after use or you will find that over time the acid in your saliva will make the instrument go opaque.
- Treat the slide didge like a musical instrument not plastic piping. You will find it very hard to break, however, if you get sand or dirt in the sliding component you will scratch and reduce its slide.
- Keep away from salt water.
- The seals should last some years. If and when they do wear out just order some new ones from us for the cost of postage.
- If you do get sand or grit in between the pipes you may have to pull the instrument apart and scrub it on the inside and out such that all sand crystals have been removed. At this point in time you can seal the instrument by buying some waterproof tape to wrap around the small and middle pipe ends. Please do not try pulling the instrument apart unless it is absolutely necessary, as you will run the risk of having to fix something that may have been broken.
- You should use olive oil as a lubricant or even better: a lubricant that is used for brass instruments like e.g. 'Spacefiller TS' (is available at our shop).
- WARNING: KEEP AWAY FROM NAKED FLAMES OR ANY HEATING ELEMENTS - TOXIC FUMES FROM THE PLASTIC WILL BE PRODUCED!
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