ORIGIN

Choosing a didgeridoo can be a confusing process for the beginner because of the wide variety of didgeridoos available. Beginners that have not yet acquired an ear and eye for the sound and quality of a didgeridoo understandably find it hard to know what to look for.
It is important to start learning on a good quality didgeridoo, because this will offer the most satisfying sounds and will reward you for your efforts. A great sounding, easy to play didgeridoo will inspire you to keep playing.
If you have a poor quality didgeridoo, it will sound bad no matter how hard you try. It may also be very hard to play, to the point where you can't actually make any sounds at all.
This may be so disappointing you give up practicing, never to try again. Therefore, it is very important that if you are looking for a didgeridoo to get started, you make an informed decision and buy one that is easy to play and sounds good.
The section describes many of the features of a didgeridoo that can vary from instrument to instrument to affect its quality and playability. Understanding these features will help you in your selection of a good didgeridoo. Firstly, we need to look at the origin and 'authenticity' of didgeridoos.

Traditional vs non-traditional

Didgeridoos are either traditional or non-traditional. Traditional didgeridoos are made by the aboriginal people from Arnhemland where the instrument originated. These are not called ‘didgeridoos’ and are referred to by their traditional names by the aboriginal people, such as the Yidaki from North Arnhemland or the Mago from West Arnhemland. These instruments were made in accordance with a strong crafting tradition and cultural importance.

Map showing Arnhemland, the heartland of the didgeridoo.

Non-traditional didgeridoos are any other instruments that make the drone sound similar to the traditional instruments. These can be made by aboriginal or non-aboriginal people and come in a wide variety of materials, shapes and sizes.
When selecting a didgeridoo, you may wish to consider purchasing an authentic, traditional instrument to support the traditional makers and the continuation of the instrument’s cultural heritage. If this is the case, you will have to do your research and find a reputable supplier that sells traditional instruments.
For more information on traditional didgeridoos, a good source of information is the Buku-Larrngay Mulka Art Centre, in North East Arnhemland, or the ididj Australia web site.
It may not be possible or practical to buy a traditional instrument. Or, you may not want to play a traditional instrument until you have been taught by a traditional player and teacher. If this is the case, standard ethical and environmental considerations should be made when purchasing your non-traditional didgeridoo.
You will want to consider such things as whether environmentally sustainable methods were used to make the didgeridoo and whether or not the didgeridoo is being sold under false pretences of authenticity.
You will also want to consider the credentials of the supplier of the didgeridoo. If the didgeridoo is coming from a shop specializing in making and selling didgeridoos, it is likely they will have paid more attention to the quality of the instruments they are selling you.
If the didgeridoo is being sold in a souvenir shop along with a myriad of other indigenous paraphernalia, you will have to question whether any regard was given to the selection of the instrument for its authenticity or sound quality. Speak to the supplier; they should be able to talk to you confidently about their didgeridoos and answer any questions you have about the origin and workmanship.
Be aware; didgeridoos sold in most souvenir shops in Australia, along with all sorts of other tacky items, will most likely be a poor example of a didgeridoo. On a recent trip to Canada, at Sydney airport, I was appalled to see what were claimed to be 'didgeridoos' that were barely thirty centimetres long. These would have been completely unplayable.

Avoid buying your didgeridoo at souvenir shops that don't specialise in selling didgeridoos. These didgeridoos are usually of poor quality.
iDIDJ Australia has developed a Cultural Indications (CI) Index which differentiates didgeridoos on the basis of origins and cultural integrity. iDIDJ Australia encourages players to support the cultural heritage of the didgeridoo by purchasing CI 4 instruments - authentic traditional aboriginal didgeridoos hand made and decorated by traditional custodians of the instrument.
Note that this index is used to classify didgeridoos that claim to have aboriginal authenticity. iDIDJ Australia recognises that there are good quality instrument makers out there who do not claim to make authentic aboriginal instruments and do not try to pass them off as one. Check out the iDIDJ Australia web site for more information on their Cultural Indications Index.