randy
graves | DIDGERIDOO INSTRUCTION
Check out our Didjeridu Companion cd's - innovative instructional material for players of any level who want to develop their rhythmic playing ability! CLICK HERE!
Some
Background
After years of fascination
with the Australian didgeridoo, I began to play in 1993, while a
music composition student at the University of California at San Diego.
This soon became my passion and took over most of my musical time. The instrument
is hard to resist- once you get a taste, it's hard to stay away from it.
It has taken me around the United States, and all the way to Arnhem Land,
the origin of the didgeridoo in Northern Australia, to visit with and learn from
some of the living masters of the didgeridoo's traditional culture.
I have taught didgeridoo for several years, privately and in workshops. I gave a seminar at the Center for World Music workshop at San Diego State University in June 1996, teaching twenty University Musicology professors about the instrument's history and challenging them all to play on pvc instruments I prepared. I have also been a guest lecturer at UCSD, CSUSM, Pomona College and CalArts. I have visited high schools and elementary schools and been director of music at a children's summer arts program, sharing these fascinating sounds with the young. I've also been involved in bringing the "real deal" to San Diego- check out a few pictures from the visits of aboriginal didgeridoo players David Blanasi and Mark Atkins and Janawirri Yiparrka.
I use my experience as a player, and a former music student myself, to be able to share my skills with interested folks such as yourself. I can get you to play this instrument, help you through the puzzle of learning "circular breathing," because of my own sensitivity to the instrument, and ability to identifiy the intricacies of what I am doing, and more importantly- what you are doing.
Lessons are reasonably priced and flexibly scheduled, and usually located at my home in San Diego, California. You can come as often or as little as you like. My main concern is that you are learning, and every time you come back is worthwhile. I will also expose you to the culture and history of the instrument, as well as the best music and players that are out there. Listening is the key to learning the didgeridoo- you have to be aware of the instrument's literature. I will also help you find the right instrument for you, and help you with one you already have. I almost always end up doing some fixing up on instruments people bring to me for their lessons.
If you have any questions
at all, or would like to schedule a performance, lesson or workshop, feel
free to email me at:
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My photos of making didgeridoos with Yolngu yirdaki master craftsman Djalu' Gurruwiwi. Djalu' Gurruwiwi's website, featuring information and instruments by the Northeast Arnhem Land master. White Cockatoo Performing Group, Western Arnhem Land performers. Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre An Aboriginally owned and operated store/tourist centre near Alice Springs. Dreamtime Server The source of contact with other didgeridoo players on the net and around the world. Northern Sonoran Dreamtime Pipes Allan Shockley's beautiful agave didges- low cost, high quality instruments. Joyous Noise Music. John Madill's great didgeridoos plus sticks, recordings, other accessories, all available online. Didgeridoo Resume Randy's Didgeridoo Gallery An interview with Randy by Ed Drury |
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