digeridoos?

[kareina]

This post primarily aimed at my many friends in Lochac, but if someone elsewhere happens to know the answer, feel free to chime in...

Can any of you tell me what the cost of digeridoos is? Is there a source of affordable used ones? What is the cost of shipping of such a thing to the US like?

I've got a friend in Atenveldt, dorinda2212, who has heard that playing a digeridoo will help strengthen one's throat muscles, and, over time, greatly reduces the unpleasant symptoms of asthma. She would like to try this "cure". Please either let me know here, or reply to her post with any helpful suggestions on where/how she can obtain a dideridoo without breaking the bank.

Comments

[merlyn-gabriel.livejournal.com]

http://www.didjiman.com/didjeridu/didge-make.htm


I have one from bamboo...it is kinda cool

[merlyn-gabriel.livejournal.com]

oh and I would suggest to try ebay.

[callistabee.livejournal.com]

This will seem really random and I don't have the foggest clue how he did it, but my uncle made a digeridoo out of PVC pipe. The band members here in Avon do breathing exercises with 1" ball valves (PVC) to increase their lung capacity. They start with the value mostly open and force air through it. As the training continues they make the opening smaller and smaller which requires more force to move the air.This was a low cost alternative to existing tools for horn players (ie to increase lung capacity). These might be possible alternatives if the digeridoo is out of her budget.

[callistabee.livejournal.com]

here is a link.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Didgeridoo-out-of-PVC-Pipe

[allergicone.livejournal.com]

As an asthmatic - anything you do to increase lung capacity (regardless of what it might do to your throat to the positive - that was a new one on me) is good for your asthma.

ANY wind instrument, particularly the larger ones, will work for this. I'm also with Callistabee on this one - practice valves, etc. are just as handy and may be less embarrassing / costly / bulky.

Going straight to the didgeridoo may be overkill and frustrating. While I haven't played one, I understand that they're a VERY LARGE air column, and she might be less irritated starting with something a bit smaller and working her way up.

[merlyn-gabriel.livejournal.com]

I know that the guys from the australian band Brother learned to play the bagpipes before didge and they all said learning the chanter was instrumental in learning the circular breathing technique so maybe chanter would be a better start?

[mushroom-maiden.livejournal.com]

We sell them in my store. I reckon the postage from australia would be more expensive than buying one though, so it might be best to go with the DIY option others have mentioned above :)

[siloeke.livejournal.com]

Speaking as an asthmatic, I would suggest starting with something a little less hardcore than a digeridoo- perhaps a reed instrument like a clarinet, oboe, saxophone or the like would be better to start with. That'll give significant resistance, so strengthening the throat & lungs and furthering breath control, without being demoralising. Starting too big could even potentially do harm.

Additionally, in aboriginal culture it is actually only men that are allowed to play digeridoo. It's apparently quite spiritually offensive for women to play. I'm not sure if that consideration for the culture is important to your friend, not being aboriginal (or indeed even living in the country).

Personally, for an asthmatic, I would actually recommend taking up lap swimming. It does wonders for one's breath control, lung capacity, throat strength, and as a bonus you'll get fit too. There are very few allergens around when swimming so most asthmatics will find they don't have bad reactions.

The double whammy of swimming and a moderate wind instrument would have your friend feeling like a whole new person.

[dorinda2212.livejournal.com]

As far as lung capacity I'm actually in good shape. From my chest xrays you can't tell I'm asthmatic. It's more of a reactive airway disease thing. Now to ponder which would horrify my housemates more, me blowing into a length of bamboo or pvc pipe...

[kareina.livejournal.com]

Good luck with it. I shall look forward to posts from you outlining your progress on the project...