Yidaki Issues - How do Yol\u feel about others playing the didjeridu?

No Yol\u involved in this project believe that the didjeridu should only be played by its traditional owners, even though some don't understand why others would use it, and don't understand or enjoy the sounds they hear from other players. Some Yol\u consider the yidaki a gift to the world, while others feel it was taken without permission and spread without respect for its sacred origins. Whatever the case, it is accepted that the instrument has spread around the world, and that recreational playing of the instrument is open to everyone. Many Yol\u are happy that something of theirs is touching the world. So play and enjoy it.

Badikupa likes that people want to learn from Yol\u. text only	Buwathay - it's time now for sharing culture both ways. text only	Djalu' on Yol\u and non-Yol\u people and sound coming together. text only

Opinions do vary, however, on what style should be played by non-Yol\u who are learning the instrument. Many people like Djalu' Gurruwiwi and Burr\upurr\u Wunu\murra think it is fine for outsiders to play however they like, including yidaki parts from Yol\u manikay, or songs. Djalu' has recorded two instructional CD's which teach the yidaki parts from G^lpu clan manikay. He feels that people should learn to play properly, and that means playing proper songs with the proper technique. It is extremely rare for Djalu' to "jam," or improvise freely - he plays traditional songs. But Djalu' doesn't teach in the hope that everyone in the world will always play exactly like him. He knows that different people have developed different styles in their own places, and encourages students to learn from his style, but then to mix it with their own to create a new style in the middle.

Djalu' says the manikay belongs to his people, but the sound of the yidaki is for everyone. text only	Djambawa isn't worried as the deeper meanings of Yol\u manikay will be lost on others. text only	Badikupa - the public songs that are recorded on CD's are for everyone - even dogs. text only

Some people disagree, preferring to keep the sacred songs of their clans for use at their origin. They may think, "why should someone across the world be playing our sacred songs, where they have no context and their deeper meanings are not understood?" They may fear that the power of the songs may be weakened by their spread around the world and by the use of them by those who don't understand them.

Dhukal - taking Yol\u manikay is stealing. text only	Wukun agrees. Manikay is sacred to Yol\u. text only	Wukun stresses that people should still come to learn, but then develop their own ideas. text only

But many of these same people still feel that if a person is to learn to play, that they should learn to play correctly - in the Yol\u style. This opinion was expressed by Milkay\u Munu\gurr and younger men like Yarr\u Gondarra and Gurraramawuy Munyarryun. This view states that outsiders should learn Yol\u techniques, but not entire Yol\u songs. People can then make up their own songs from a better foundation in the traditional origins of the instrument and integrate Yol\u techniques into other styles of music. Young Yol\u men and boys do improvise for fun, unlike their elders. The end result could be similar to the mixing of styles Djalu' encourages.

This is the view - concern over sharing of Yol\u songs, but support for sharing of Yol\u technique - that lead to the creation of Milkay\u Munu\gurr's instructional CD Hard Tongue Didgeridoo. This CD provides exercises in the fundamental techniques of Yol\u playing without teaching any complete Yol\u songs. This is a good way to come to an understanding of Yol\u playing that you can then build on either by further study of Yol\u playing or by integrating it with your own style, without upsetting those who would rather you didn't memorize Yol\u songs.

Beyond that, however, is yet another view held by some, which is that outsiders shouldn't even learn Yol\u techniques at all. These Yol\u, like Wukun Wanambi, feel that people from around the world who want to learn the yidaki should start from their own culture's music, and the inspiration of their own environment. They should just play the instrument and see what emerges.

Wukun - just as Yol\u developed their yidaki style from their sacred area, so should others in theirs. text only	Wukun - start a band, use the didjeridu in music from your own culture. text only	Badikupa agrees that it's good to add didjeridu to your own music in your own way. text only

Dhukal - give something back. text only

With the variety of opinions expressed here, the only possible recommendationon on how you should respect the Yol\u as a whole and not offend anyone is to lean towards the least permissive of them. The variety of voices are presented for you to listen, think, and come to your own decision. If you are learning Yol\u music, all Yol\u would agree that you do not own the copyright, and therefore can not record, perform or teach it without very specific arrangements. As always, it is best to be courteous and aware, deferring to any Yol\u people you may be with. But beyond that, don't do anything in your own country that you would be uncomfortable doing if there were Yol\u watching. Think also about Dhuka`'s statement here, and consider ways in which you may give back to Yol\u.