Tag Archives: Aboriginal crafts

Explore Australian Instruments With Your Child

Instruments from Australian Aboriginal culture are wonderfully easy to make and play.  Whether you’re turning a cardboard roll from wrapping paper into a working didgeridoo or a broomstick into “bilma” clapsticks, these projects are creative, artistic and encourage your children to feel connected to world traditions as young global citizens.

twodaLOO DIDGWhat Can A Didgeridoo?

If you’ve seen any movie or video about Australia, you’ve heard the sound of a didgeridoo.  Although traditional didgeridoos are made from long branches hollowed out by termites, modern ones can be crafted from pvc piping or the sturdy cardboard rolls found inside paper towels or wrapping paper.

Playing the basic sound of a didg can quickly be mastered by kids and adults alike!  If you can “blow raspberries” (pucker your lips and blow air out while the lips flap back and forth a bit), then you can make a didg drone. Sound clips, coloring pages and easy instructions on making a homemade didg can be found at the link below.

The Didgeridoo – A Legacy of Kindness

Along with being a unique instrument, the didgeridoo comes with a wonderful origin story.  You can read about how this instrument was created by a thoughtful elder who was so kind that he would not harm an ant.  The Legend of the Didgeridoo can be found at the link below.

bilmas in handSimple Clapsticks

Almost every culture has discovered clapsticks – two pieces of wood, held in the hand and tapped together to make a beat.  In Australia, clapsticks are called bilma and can be as simple as two sticks found in the woods or as elaborate as the decorated ones pictured here.  Bilma are frequently used as part of ceremonies along with a didgeridoo.  Special bilma made of hardwoods; such as mahogany, have a beautiful tone and can be heard for long distances.

Stay tuned for our next post where we share easy and fun methods for making and decorating bilma clapsticks with kids.

bullroarers - plasticA Buzzing Bullroarer

If you don’t mind getting outside and can find a bit of elbow room, a recycled water bottle makes a fine bullroarer.  Directions and a video of this really unique instrument can be found in the Links and Resources section below.

You Gotta Didg!

If you haven’t watched it yet, check out the video at the top of this article that features a didgeridoo and bullroarer.   It’s a music video of DARIA’s  “You Gotta Didg” song.  The animation shows didgeridoos being played,  beautiful Aboriginal face and body paint and the sacred site of Uluru in Australia, formerly known as Ayers Rock.  Like the song?  Add it to your Spotify, Apple Music or Pandora playlists at the links below.

Links and Resources

“You Gotta Didg” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3j6k7ftRC13AFWFAz9ZXza
On Apple Music https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-rainbow-world/id208109471
On Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/daria-childrens/AR3qdptJ5Vzh7r2

Screen shot 2018-11-15 at 7.25.00 PMHear, Color or Create A Recycled A Didgeridoo
http://www.dariamusic.com/didgeridoo.php

What is a Didgeridoo Freebie: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-is-a-Didgeridoo-2816257

Australian Instrument Mini-Course: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Australian-Aboriginal-Instruments-Music-Mini-Course-2816723

Legend Of The Didgeridoo
http://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/the-legend-of-the-didgeridoo/

 

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Posted in Australian Music, Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Ecology/Nature, First Instruments, Homeschool Musical Fun, Multicultural Music, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

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Outdoor Musical Play – Make Your Own Bullroarer!

bullroarers - plastic

You may not recognize the word “bullroarer”, but you probably recognize the sound it makes. Used by both Native Americans and Aboriginal Australians, this simple instrument spins around and produces a whirring sound that is truly unique.

Since it’s really hard to describe, take a minute to watch “Jungle Jay” demonstrate his homemade bullroarer here:

What Is A Bullroarer?

Made from a simple piece of wood attached to a string, the bullroarer is spun with one hand then swung around in a circle with the other. As it spins, a remarkable whirring, buzzing noise is produced that can be heard quite a distance away.

bullroarer - realIt’s easy to see how this was used originally to signal other people or to communicate in times before telephones or modern devices.

Make Your Own Version

This activity could not be easier. All you need are recycled water bottles of various sizes and sturdy string or twine. Start by tying the string around the neck of the plastic water bottle, securing it tightly with several sturdy knots.   If you like, add a stick to the other end of the twine or tie the string into a loop to make it easier to hold while spinning.  A good length for the string is about 3 feet, but feel free to adjust this length for the size and shape of any player.

Although this technically isn’t a bullroarer, your plastic bottles will make odd, eerie noises when swung around in a circle just like the authentic aboriginal instrument. One hint: pick plastic bottles with smaller openings as they seem to make the best sounds when used in this project.

Safety First

Although spinning a plastic water bottle is much safer than spinning a piece of wood, it helps to consider safety when playing this instrument. Anyone playing a bullroarer should be outside in an open area, away from people or things that things that could be hit accidentally.

How To Play A Plastic Bullroarer

Once you’re positioned safely away from any people or objects, simply hold the one end of the string and swing it around. Swing it either in a circle in front of you, to the side or over your head. As you vary the speed, the sound will shift both in volume and in tone. Play with your one plastic bottle or different bottles to find the type of sound you like the most.

A Bullroarer Orchestra

If playing with a group, you can position kids or people in different areas with plenty of space between them. For instance, if you’re on a playground, you can position kids within large chalk circles with ample distances between them. Participants can all play together or someone can call out names so each player can add their instrument or stop playing. This is a fun way of creating a sonic landscape, especially if different size and shape water bottles are used.

Be safe – and have fun!

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