The didgeridoo is primarily a rhythm instrument. There does not exist a traditional written codification of rhtyhms, rhythms are taught orally. Many non-aboriginal players have adopted various more or less personal methods for notating rhythms, some based on the classical musical notation (as is used for orchestral percussion for example) while others limit themselves to simply writing the syllables that they pronouce to produce a certain rhythm.

When teaching I have often found myself dealing with the problem of how to write down a rhythm for my students. Using the number of the beat and the syllables of the sounds underneath.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
UAKATA UAKATA UAKATA UAKATA

... as often happens when one makes a choices based on ease and speed, clarity is compromised. For example, for someone who has not studied music they may find it difficult to remember that between the 8th beat and the 1st of the next repetition there is the same time lapse as between all of the other beats. This led me to invent a method that is more simple and intuitive and above all that can be used even by someone who has never studied music.

Using a circle intersected by a cross, the syllables of the first and fourth beat are separated by the same distance as the other syllables. Taking another step in this direction to animate the design with a hand that turns like that of a clock indicating at the same time the sound that should be reproduced. Clicking on the button in the top left corner you may stop and restart the rhythm. On the right of the design there is also a volume slider. Top-right you can choose between three possible velocities.

On the left you will find thirty rhythms to try, grouped into Easy, Intermediate and Difficult.

LEGENDA

The syllables associated to the sounds that you will encounter are given here with some explanation of the production of the corresponding sounds. For a more complete explanation click here: Click here

TA: Produced pronouncing (without voice) a T while playing.

KA: Produced pronouncing (without voice) a K while playing.

UO: Closing of the jaw during the inbreath that produces a sound also described as uok.

O: Low hamrmonic, produced by increasing the volue inside the mouth.

I: High harmonic, produced by lowering the volume inside the mouth.

RR: Sound produced by vibrating the tongue on the palate.

RA: vibration of tongue on palate with the tongue ending in the position of the vowel sound 'A'

T: 'T' from diaphragm with passive respiration.

K: 'K' from diaphragm with passive respiration.

GNIA: NIA or NIO without voice.

Urlo: Cry using the falsetto voice.

UO-O : Double Jaw, single breath during which the jaw makes two distinct closing movements.

UO-O-O: Triple Jaw, single breath during which the jaw makes three distinct closing movements.

Resp.: Circular breathing.

Pausa: No variations of fundamental note.