Didgeridoo
The Didgeridoo (did-jury-doo), also spelled Didgeridoo, may be one of the most ancient musical instruments known to humans. It originated in Australia, and has been used there by the aboriginal people for thousands of years. Traditional Didgeridoos are made of a tree branch that has been hollowed by termites. Beeswax is placed on the end to make a mouthpiece. Though many cultures throughout the globe utilize tubes of similar acoustical design to the Didgeridoo, none produces a sound like it. The Aboriginals employ an array of techniques to persuade myriad sounds and songs from the Didgeridoo. Some of these techniques are buzzing, circular breathing, tonguing, guttural sound,humming, nasal sounds, inflated cheeks, large intervocalic leaps, changing air pressure, and velocity. Didgeridoo playing originated in Northern Australia and spread to other areas and cultures of the continent. Health benefits have been ascribed to the Didgeridoo. Learning and practicing the didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and sleep apnea, as well as daytime sleepiness. This appears to work by strengthening muscles in the upper airway, thus reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep.
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