How to make a didgeridoo

The didgeridoo is a traditional Australian musical instrument. It’s basically a long hollowed out branch of the eucalyptus tree that’s sanded down on the outside and both ends. They can be any length, although they’re not usually less than three feet long. Beeswax is sometimes used to form a “mouthpiece” on the narrow end. The sound generated by the didgeridoo might best be described as low, humming and polyphonic.

Recently the didgeridoo has crossed many borders and found its way into more popular forms of music, particularly electronic music. Greater interest and awareness has generated a small demand. What you can find in certain music shops are the original style eucalyptus branch didgeridoo imported from Australia and domestic didgeridoos made from PVC pipe. The sound difference between the two types is almost indistinguishable. Here’s how you can make your very own PVC pipe didgeridoo at home, simply and very inexpensively.

Go to your local hardware or home improvement store and purchase a 2 1/2” PVC pipe cut down to three feet in length or more. Ask someone at the store to cut the pipe for you. The length will vary according to your tastes and height but should be no less than three feet. You also need some medium and fine grade sandpaper, and a spray can of primer paint. Now head to your local arts and crafts store and buy some acrylic paint so you can decorate your didgeridoo. If you’ve never done any kind of painting do not worry! It’s easy and fun and acrylics are soap and water wash-up convenient. Grab a couple of cheap brushes, small and medium. The last item you’ll need is beeswax. You might find it at the craft store, but if not, any natural foods store should have it. Beeswax usually comes in little 1 oz. blocks. You’ll probably only need one.

Step 2: What to do

Now you’re ready to make your didgeridoo. Take the PVC pipe and sand the body lightly with the medium grade sandpaper. You want the surface to be rough enough to grab the primer paint. Sand the ends and round them with the medium grade sandpaper then finish them to perfect smoothness with the fine sandpaper. Take a damp cloth and wipe the dust off of the pipe.

Read and follow the instructions on the can of primer. Prime the entire body of the pipe. After the pipe is dry you’re ready to decorate your soon-to-be didgeridoo. You can paint any style decoration on your didgeridoo. There is no right or wrong way to do it. One interesting way to decorate it is to copy the dot style painting of the Australian Aborigines. That can be fairly time consuming but it’s also quite relaxing and meditative. Take some time while decorating your new didgeridoo. It’s your personal instrument and will be a one-of-a-kind. Let it express your personality. And above all – have fun!

Once you are finished painting your didgeridoo and it has completely dried, it’s a good idea to spray several coats of clear acrylic over the body. This will help prevent the paint from peeling.

Now you can build your beeswax mouthpiece. You’ll need to melt the beeswax and apply it to the end you intend to use as the mouthpiece. One easy way to melt the beeswax is in a double broiler. It’s best to not apply heat directly to the wax. If you have a crock-pot you can fill it with water and put a small aluminum container with the beeswax in it. The tin will float and the wax will melt nicely. Once the wax is melted, take a small butter knife or any similar implement and simply dip it into the wax and slowly build up a waxed surface around the edges of your mouthpiece. Use your fingers to help shape it into a rounded form. Build it as much as you think you’ll need it. The side of your mouth should fit comfortably and completely cover the opening. Let the wax cool and harden when you are done shaping.

Step 3: Play it!

Now you’ve got a personal original handmade instrument like no other. Play it loudly and play it proudly!