Playing the Didjeridu - The Trumpeted Note

By playing with the lips tighter than the relaxed low note, it is possible to play higher notes, like those of a trumpet. While it is possible on many yidaki to play a bugle-like series of these notes, each higher than the last, Yol\u only use the first of these trumpeted notes, or horn tones, in their playing. In some cases it is sustained as an introduction to a song and cue for dancers that the song is about to start. But again, only the first trumpet note. Playing any higher notes may result in the giggling of Yol\u children!

dup

The trumpeted note is used in almost all Yol\u songs, often in quick alternation with the lower note, to cue changes or endings of songs. Yol\u yidaki players are reknowned among the didjeridu world for their ability to quickly utilize these trumpeted notes in their playing. The quick horn tone is often played sort of like saying, “doop,” although more correctly in Yol\u language, it's “dup.” The use of the tongue to push the air, along with a pulse of air from the lungs, creates the additional air needed for the higher sound, and moving the lips to the “p” shape tightens them for the additional air pressure required. Listen to this example of Djalu' using quick alternation of drone and horn tone.

Sometimes the syllable “pu” is used after the “dup” to transition from the trumpeted note back to the drone.

dup-pu dhirrl dhirrl dup-pu dhirrl dhirrl dup-pu dhirrl dhirrl