1. The didgeridoo can very much enrich the life of an open-minded and receptive person. I regard the didgeridoo as a link, allowing people to delve into forgotten and hidden levels of awareness. Even for today's "civilised" human being, who is unfortunately often very degenerated in terms of natural feeling and thinking, the didgeridoo enables access to a deeper state of consciousness. The didgeridoo is now even frequently used for therapeutic medical purposes (see book tips!).
2. Purchasing tips:
a) I advise you not to buy cheap products from Indonesia and the whole of Asia, such as bamboo instruments or ones made of two pieces of soft wood that have been glued together, which are often sold as genuine didgeridoos. Now entire companies have specialised in the industrial mass production of so-called "genuine" products. They often crack very quickly and usually are almost impossible or very difficult to play, making them not even worth the wood they are made of.
b) For beginners who aren't sure whether they will enjoy playing didgeridoo, I would recommend first buying a plastic pipe from a do-it-yourself store (with a diameter of 35 to 40mm). You can get quite far with such a plastic didgeridoo (see Charlie McMahon) and have a lot of fun.
c) I would recommend that anyone who decides to continue playing this instrument should definitely buy a really high-quality didgeridoo.
Book tip 1
"Traumzeit - Das Geheimnis des Didgeridoo"
David Lindner, Traumzeitverlag, Heidelberg.
ISBN-Nr. 3-933825-01-6 or direct Phone + Fax 06228-912304
A wonderful book in German, with detailed information and comprehensive teaching material + a teaching CD.
Book tip 2
"Didgeridoos"
Felix R. Paturi, W. Ludwig Verlag, München.
ISBN-Nr. 3-7787-3751-1
A good book in German about healing and therapy possibilities
Book tip 3
"Geist der Bäume"
Fred Hageneder, Neue Erde Verlag, Saarbrücken.
ISBN-Nr. 3-89060-449-8 or direct Phone + Fax 06228-912304
A superb and informative book in German that brings us closer to our fellow creatures, the trees (one of my favourite books).
Video-CD "Secret´s of Didgeridoo"
A very good teaching video on CD from the Australian Dean Wilmington
Available via www.termites-at-work.com
Workshops
For those who have teething problems or cannot make any progress, Dean Wilmington from Australia regularly stages workshops (including individual coaching) in the Munich area.
Contact via 0179.299 26 04.
Didgeridoo players' meeting
A meeting takes place every Monday from 8 p.m. in Germering (near Munich) Goethestraße 28-30. Everyone is very welcome to participate in creating entertainment, exchanging information and playing music together. More information: Berndt 08141 818209
Events
Tollwood Winter Festival on the Theresienwiese in Munich: I will also be represented there with a stand amongst the various other handcraft exhibitors.