Articulation in the Didjeridu

Noam Amir*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The Didjeridu is well known for the wide range of timbres that it can produce. In order to produce these different timbres, beginning players are often instructed to shape the vocal tract as if articulating various vowel sounds. In reality, most novices find that actually producing a wide range of timbres is more difficult than what this simplified explanation would imply. Whereas beginners usually produce a rather "flat" tone, with practice their tone becomes clearer, and articulation improves. Expert players can produce a large range of clearly articulated timbres, with large variation in personal style. Good control of timbre involves subtle manipulations of the tongue, at its root, center and tip, the mouth cavity as controlled by the cheeks, and the lip shape and tension. Such control can take extensive practice to master, and accurate measurements of the physical parameters involved is probably very difficult. On the other hand, the acoustic manifestations of such accurate control in the resultant spectrum are far easier to evaluate and measure. Despite this, current literature has not examined this in detail, beyond pointing out formant-like peaks in the spectral envelope. In the present study we present analyses carried out on sustained notes of several expert didjeridu players, examining the spectral parameters which characterize the highly articulated timbre that these players can produce.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationForum Acusticum Budapest 2005
Subtitle of host publication4th European Congress on Acustics
Pages395-398
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2005
Event4th European Congress on Acustics, Forum Acusticum 2005 - Budapest, Hungary
Duration: 29 Aug 20052 Sep 2005

Publication series

NameForum Acusticum Budapest 2005: 4th European Congress on Acustics

Conference

Conference4th European Congress on Acustics, Forum Acusticum 2005
Country/TerritoryHungary
CityBudapest
Period29/08/052/09/05

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