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Didgeridoo Lessons with Didge Project
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How To Play RAV Drum For Absolute Beginners

By
Matt Bazgier
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3

If you are new to RAV Drum or handpan, or maybe you just want to improve your skills, learning some of the basic techniques in this video, How To Play RAV Drum for Absolute Beginners, will help you. The RAV Drum (aka RAV Vast) is a metal tongue drum instrument that is played similar to a handpan or hang.

The first thing to learn about percussion instruments is that you need to let your hand bounce off the instrument in order for it to resonate. If you make contact but do not remove your hand, the vibration will be dulled. By making sure that your hands are bouncing off the instrument, the tongues (RAV) or tone fields (handpan) will be able to vibrate unhindered. You will see a tip in this video where Matt shows how he starts pulling his hand away from the instrument a split second before he even makes contact.

Rav Vast G Minor Hand Pan Hand For Sale In Drum New York United States Jersey Connecticut Massachutsetts play rav drum
Buy a RAV Drum

There are two types of beginning RAV drum strokes we look at in this video: a soft sound and a slap sound. To get the soft sound, you need to have your finger loose, perpendicular to the drum. Matt uses his middle finger but a lot of players use their index finger. This is all personal preference. The second stroke we explore is the slap sound, which is more percussive and uses the pads of the fingers (long sides). The slap is used when a louder sound is desired.

There are a number of patterns useful for beginners shown in this video. We highly suggest practicing going up and down the scale of your instrument. This is an indispensable exercise for melodic RAV drum playing. Then there are many more patterns you can play with, two or three of which are shown in this video.

Of course, one of the most important things to consider when you play RAV Drum is to have fun. These techniques are a starting point for you to find what moves you on the instrument. Practice these techniques and then take some time to creatively explore the instrument. You can practice playing notes in random order, or making up your own patterns that go up and down the scale. An example would be 3 up, 1 down, 3 up, 1 down, etc.: play the scale ascending from the bottom, first the 3 lowest notes, then down one, then the next 3 notes up, etc. In number order (with 1 being the lowest note), it would look like this: 1 2 3, 2 3 4, 3 4 5, 4 5 6, etc.

Question of the day: Where do you want to take your RAV Drum playing? What do you want to learn? Do you see yourself collaborating with others and/or using the instrument for meditative purposes? Write your answer in the comment section below.

Yucca Didgeridoo Comparison: 7 Instruments by Myke Gomezmaicas

By
AJ Block
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0

SALE THIS WEEK ONLY: 20% off all didgeridoos in the Didge Project store through Sunday, Oct. 8! Go to https://www.didgeproject.com/store and use coupon code: Oct2017discountZ

These 7 yucca didgeridoos may all look similar, but each one plays totally different has a unique resulting sound. In this video we play the same rhythm on each one so you can see how they compare. All 7 of these instruments were crafted by Myke Gomezmaicas​ in California. We have been working with Myke for many years now and selling his instruments because his craftsmanship is of the highest quality. These are epoxy-coated yucca didgeridoos with custom fitted wooden mouthpieces. You will notice in the video that some of the mouthpieces flare outward while some flare inward. The main difference we have found is that the wider mouthpieces that flare out are better for side players and the thinner mouthpieces are better for straight players. That being said, it is all based on personal preference and you may find your own unique way to play. Check out the difference between each one in the video.

Purchase here: https://www.didgeproject.com/product/yucca-didgeridoo-by-myke-gomezmaicas/

Question of the day: What are the features you like on the didgeridoos that you play? Do you like them longer or shorter? Do you like them so they play good toots? Do you like them where the vocals can come through? What is your ideal didgeridoo? Share your response in the comments section below. I’m excited to hear what you like to play on.

 

Dimensions of the yucca didgeridoos featured in this video:

Yucca 701
Length: 59″
Bell Diameter: 3 1/2″
Mouthpiece Inner Diameter: 1 1/4″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 2″
Drone Key: C

Yucca 702
Length: 60 1/2″
Bell Diameter: 3 1/2″
Mouthpiece Inner Diameter: 1 1/8″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 2″
Drone Key: C#
Trumpet Key: E

Yucca 703
Length: 52 3/4″
Bell Diameter: 2 7/8″
Mouthpiece Inner Diameter: 1 1/4″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 2 1/4″
Drone Key: D#
Trumpet Key: F

Yucca 704
Length: 61 3/4″
Bell Diameter: 3 5/8″
Mouthpiece Inner Diameter: 1 1/4″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 2 1/8″
Drone Key: C#
Trumpet Key: E

Yucca 705
Length: 56 3/8″
Bell Diameter: 3 1/4″
Mouthpiece Inner Diameter: 1 1/4″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 2″
Drone Key: D
Trumpet Key: F

Yucca 706
Length: 64 1/2″
Bell Diameter: 3 1/8″
Mouthpiece Inner Diameter: 1 1/4″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 2 3/8″
Drone Key: C
Trumpet Key: E

Yucca 707
Length: 60 3/4″
Bell Diameter: 3 3/8″
Mouthpiece Outer Diameter: 1 1/4″
2 1/4″
Drone Key: D
Trumpet Key: F

What is the best budget travel didgeridoo?

By
AJ Block
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0

One of the biggest issues for didgeridoo players is how to travel with their instruments. Most people who play didgeridoo for sleep apnea are not willing to carry a 5 foot instrument on a plane. Travel with a full size didgeridoo can be a hassle, especially if you are going somewhere to play purely for yourself. By having a light-weight collapsible travel didgeridoo in a compact bag, you are free to move around effortlessly. The 4-piece instrument sold in the Didge Project store is one of the best budget travel didgeridoos available.

travel-didgeridoo-case-with-didgeridoo-player
Purchase The 4-Piece Travel Didgeridoo Here

This travel didgeridoo screws apart into 4 pieces that nest together for easy, compact carrying. It features adjustable lengths that allow you to play in 4 different keys (D, D#, E, or F), and comes with a no fuss silicone mouthpiece. It also comes with a durable fabric carrying case, making it simple to bring your didgeridoo with you wherever you go.

Best of all, this travel didgeridoo sounds fantastic and is perfect for beginners. We highly recommend this instrument for its versatility of notes, playable in 4 different keys. The sound is also loud and clear thanks to its tapered shape. Don’t be limited by size: once you get a travel didge you can take your instrument wherever you go!

Didge For Sleep is a learn to play didgeridoo method designed specifically for people with sleep apnea, snoring, Upper airway resistance syndrome, and other sleep -breathing conditions.

When you sign up for Didge For Sleep, you will receive this travel didgeridoo, our instructional handbook and DVD, plus access to our online member forum where you can find over 10 hours of bonus tutorial videos and a forum where you can talk with other people using the didgeridoo to get better rest at night.

Packed dimensions in bag: 22″ x 6″ x 6″.
Assembled dimensions: 5′ with 4.5″ bell and 1.5″ mouthpiece.

Hear how playing didgeridoo has helped people with Sleep Apnea:

Purchase the full Didge For Sleep introductory package now.

Purchase the 4-piece travel didgeridoo here.

What is Sleep Apnea? How Can Playing The Didgeridoo Help?

By
AJ Block
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0

Thousands of people around the world who are playing the didgeridoo to help treat sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea?  This video features an overview of some of the different sounds on the didgeridoo, testimony from someone who has found success in playing the didgeridoo for sleep apnea, and an explanation of how obstructive sleep apnea happens.

Purchase the Didge For Sleep DVD, Handbook and Travel Didgeridoo package at https://www.didgeforsleep.com
Purchase the Didge For Sleep DVD, Handbook and Travel Didgeridoo package at https://www.didgeforsleep.com

Sleep apnea and snoring are conditions caused by a blockage in the throat. Essentially what happens is when the person is sleeping, air tries to get from the mouth or nose into the lungs through the passageway known as the windpipe. When the windpipe becomes obstructed fully, this creates an apnea, or a stop in the breath. When it’s partially obstructed it creates a vibration which manifests as snoring, and that’s when you hear your neighbor being loud in bed. Essentially what we are doing with the didgeridoo is we’re strengthening all the muscles in there. Everything from the base of the tongue to the muscles that line the walls of the throat. By strengthening these muscles they become less fatty and more toned and less likely to block the windpipe.

The didgeridoo is an instrument introduced to the world by the aboriginal people of Australia. It is essentially a hollow wooden tube or a tube made from any type of material. The traditional didgeridoos were made from Eucalyptus naturally hollowed out by termites. This is why they are known as one of the oldest known wind instruments because they are actually completely formed by nature. The didgeridoo has two openings: one at this end, known as the bell, where sound comes out, and one at this end known as the mouthpiece, where you put your mouth. When you have your didgeridoo you want to make sure there is no cracks in it so that no air escapes from anywhere other than the two openings at the ends. When you put the didgeridoo up to your mouth it is important that you have a good seal and that no air is escaping from the top.

Eucalyptus Didgeridoo Comparison: 5 Authentic Aboriginal Australian Instruments

By
AJ Block
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2

Traditional eucalyptus didgeridoos are hollowed out by termites and sculpted into a playable instrument by a craftsman. This makes each instrument completely unique in sound and playability. Decorating a didgeridoo in the traditional way is also an art form that has many layers of deeper meaning. These 5 authentic Aboriginal Australian instruments have a lot in common and a lot of differences. The best way to compare them is to play them side by side.

The traditional eucalyptus didgeridoos shown in this video are available for purchase at https://www.didgeproject.com/store

Question of the day: What is your preferred type of didgeridoo? Do you like play on eucalyptus, agave, yucca, plastic, hemp, carbon fiber, local hardwoods, or other? Do you prefer authentic Aboriginal Australian instruments? Post your response in the comments section below.

Included in this video are the following five instruments:

  1. Classic Traditional Mago by Bob Burruwal
  2. Modern Painted Mago by Walter Blitner
  3. Ceremonial Ochre Painted Didgeridoo by Napurrawuy Wunungmurra
  4. Large Yidaki by Djudawit Munungurr
  5. Fast Playing Yidaki by Djalu Gurruwiwi (original) and Ben Hicks (touch-ups)

5 Essential Musical Listening Skills You Need to Develop to Play With Others

By
Guest Author
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0
essential music listening skills

Most musicians will, at one time or another, wish to play with others. This might mean hanging around and playing a few tunes in a friend’s living room or it could mean working with a full-fledged band.

Whatever the case, it’s crucial that any musician who wishes to play with others possesses simple listening skills in order to truly add to the music. While these skills are simple, they’re also highly important and effective, making them a great foundation on which to build your musical relationships.

Below are a few areas I find most important when attempting to truly tune in to the music being played, as well as some of my favorite tips for improving your listening skills.

 

A Tight Sense of Rhythm

Rhythm is the heartbeat of all music. It’s what ensures that a group of musicians remains constantly in sync and it’s one of the most important aspects of any piece you might play. Therefore, it’s very important that every musician, especially those who wish to play in group settings, have a strong sense of rhythm.

If you have trouble finding rhythms and playing to a specific beat (or at a certain speed), be sure to focus on these things during your practise. Some ideas for improving rhythm include clapping out a rhythm before playing it, audibly counting the beats of a song while listening to a recording, and practicing with a metronome.

 

An Accurate Sense of Pitch

A musician who plays off-pitch won’t be appreciated by his or her bandmates as the results are likely to be less than appealing! For this reason, pitch is yet another skill that simply must be mastered in order for a person to play well in a group.

Fortunately, even if you aren’t born with a perfect sense of pitch, there are ways to attain it. By purchasing a digital tuner, investing some time and effort, and following the steps in the article linked above, you’ll be well on your way to perfected pitch.

 

The Ability to “Jam”

There are a great number of unspoken rules when it comes to musical jam sessions. Many of these are obvious, such as tuning your instrument, learning before you play so you don’t mess up the song for everyone else, and sticking to the proper genre when choosing songs.

However, some jam session etiquette isn’t quite so obvious. Therefore, I suggest giving this article a read if you’re attending your first meetup.

 

An Ability to “Talk Music”

Listening to a couple of seasoned musicians speak can sometimes sound like listening to a foreign language. There’s a lot of music lingo out there and it’s important that all musicians learn the jargon in order to communicate effectively.

To get a good handle on this music slang, make an effort to attend jam sessions and other social events involving musicians. This will give you a chance to practise the lingo you do know and learn a bit more to boot.

That said, musical slang can also be learned through the use of online tutorials and forums as well as various music books.

Singing in Tune

Even if your voice isn’t your primary instrument, it’s highly important that every musician knows how to sing in tune. This might seem silly if you play an instrument like saxophone, harmonica, or didgeridoo. However, I have a very good reason for feeling this way.

You see, the voice is the first instrument a person ever uses. It’s also the only instrument that will always be with you no matter where you are and, likely, the instrument you’ll have the easiest time using without any practise when learning a song for the first time.

Finally, singing is the easiest and best way to hone your sense of pitch. All of these things come together and lead me to believe that learning to sing in tune is crucial to the success of any musician, especially one who wishes to play with other music makers.

If you are on a mission to learn to play in a group, I am certain these tips will help you on your way. So what are you waiting for? Get to work! Soon enough, you’ll be playing like a pro alongside musicians of all abilities.

 

 

Christopher Sutton is the founder of Musical U, where musicians can discover and develop their natural musicality. Born and raised in London, England, he lives with his wife, daughter, and far too many instruments.

 

 

 

RAV Vast Comparison: G Minor Pentatonic vs. G Pygmy

By
Matt Bazgier
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0

These two RAV drum models, the G Minor Pentatonic and the G Pygmy are similar but different. There is one main note that is different: the flat 6th (b6), which in the key of G is Eb (E-flat), and is also called the “pygmy note”.

Check out the video to hear how these two scales differ and see which one is better for you.

This RAV Vast Comparison was done by Matt Bazgier and the video was edited by Narin Kerim

Traditional Didgeridoo Rhythms by Lewis Burns, Aboriginal Australian Artist

By
AJ Block
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0

Aboriginal Australian Artist Lewis Burns is an ambassador of the Aboriginal Tradition and carries the wisdom and knowledge of his elders around the world as he travels and shares his culture. Lewis Burns performs and teaches on didgeridoo at the Tribal Rhythms Gathering in Upstate New York, August 17-20, 2017. Tickets are still available at https://www.didgeproject.com/gathering.

At the Tribal Rhythms Gathering, participants will have the opportunity to study traditional didgeridoo rhythms with Lewis Burns. This video was taken at Didge Project’s Didgeridoo Mountain Retreat, Upstate New York during the summer of 2016.

Sign up for the Tribal Rhythms Gathering, happening August 17-20, 2017, 2-hours Upstate from New York City, at https://www.didgeproject.com/gathering.

3 Rhythms for RAV Drum or Handpan

By
Matt Bazgier
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0

Learn three different easy to play rhythms for RAV Drum, handpan or any multi-toned percussion instrument. The first two of these rhythms are linear, meaning you only play one note at a time. The third rhythm introduces chords, playing more than one note at a time. Percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Matt Bazgier demonstrates.

***Take lessons with Matt Bazgier via Skype worldwide. Contact mattbazgier@gmail.com.

The RAV Drum played in this video has a G Pygmy scale tuning.

Notes in the G Pygmy scale: G2, C3, D3, Eb3, G3, Bb3, C4, D4, F4
Scale tones (in the same order): 1, 4, 5, b6, 1, b3, 4, 5, b7

Purchase RAV G Pygmy and other RAV Drums and handpans at https://www.didgeproject.com/store.

RAV Drum (aka RAV Vast) is a relatively new instrument that fuses the concepts behind handpans (hang drums) and tongue drums (traditionally made of wood). Perfectly cut steel tongues vibrate harmoniously together to create an ethereal sound perfect for meditation, relaxation, and other mystical music experiences.

RAV was invented in 2013, the same year PanArt stopped making the Hang. RAV is from Russia with cut keys as opposed to the hammer tuned Hang drum, which is not cut or welded in anyway. The RAV has a deep resonance and profound reverb effect where the sound lasts for a long time while the Hang drum sound goes for a much shorter duration. This allows for a lot more space between key strokes in the RAV because the sound carries so long without losing the rhythm, which can make for more experimental playing in some respects than the Hang or handpan. The fullness of the sound and the duration of each key stroke makes the instrument very meditative to play because it renders itself to slow playing but of course can also be played very quickly and rhythmically. The backside is not as accessible or resonant as a handpan but can still be played rhythmically. The price of a RAV is 1/3 the cost of a Hang and is also generally easier to play than the Hang for most people. It is also a much more durable and sturdy instrument. The handpan can be knocked out of tune with too hard of a hit and over time may need to get tuned up regardless while the Rav does not and is almost impossible to knock out of tune. The Rav also has harmonics beyond the fundamental key like the Hang/handpan and both are available through Didge Project for purchase at https://www.didgeproject.com/store.

 

RAV Drum Rhythm Tutorial on RAV Vast2 C Golden Gate

By
AJ Block
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0

In this RAV drum rhythm tutorial, we use the RAV Vast2 C Golden Gate to demonstrate a simple pattern that will sound great on any handpan or RAV drum. Starting at the highest note of the scale, you will play a sequence of 4 descending notes and repeat this 4 times. Then you will start the next phrase on the second highest note, descending 4 notes from there and repeating 4 times. This goes on a few times until you get to the tonic (C4 in this example), and then you repeat the whole verse again. Watch and learn!

The RAV Drum played in this video has a C Golden Gate Scale tuning. This scale is unique because it starts with a C major 7 arpeggio (1 3 5 7 or C E G B) and then goes into a lydian sound featuring the sharp 4th (F#). This is a bright sound that is great for yoga classes, meditation, and deep personal practice.

Purchase RAV Vast2 C Golden Gate (the instrument used in this video) here: https://www.didgeproject.com/product/rav-vast2-c-golden-gate-aka-rav-drum-metal-tongue-drum/

Notes in the Golden Gate scale: C3, E3, G3, B3, C4, D4, F#4, G4, B4
Scale tones (in the same order): 1, 3, 5, 7, 1, 2, #4, 5, 7

RAV Drum (aka RAV Vast) is a relatively new instrument that fuses the concepts behind handpans (hang drums) and tongue drums (traditionally made of wood). Perfectly cut steel tongues vibrate harmoniously together to create an ethereal sound perfect for meditation, relaxation, and other mystical music experiences.

RAV was invented in 2013, the same year PanArt stopped making the Hang. RAV is from Russia with cut keys as opposed to the hammer tuned Hang drum, which is not cut or welded in anyway. The RAV has a deep resonance and profound reverb effect where the sound lasts for a long time while the Hang drum sound goes for a much shorter duration. This allows for a lot more space between key strokes in the RAV because the sound carries so long without losing the rhythm, which can make for more experimental playing in some respects than the Hang or handpan. The fullness of the sound and the duration of each key stroke makes the instrument very meditative to play because it renders itself to slow playing but of course can also be played very quickly and rhythmically. The backside is not as accessible or resonant as a handpan but can still be played rhythmically. The price of a RAV is 1/3 the cost of a Hang and is also generally easier to play than the Hang for most people. It is also a much more durable and sturdy instrument. The handpan can be knocked out of tune with too hard of a hit and over time may need to get tuned up regardless while the Rav does not and is almost impossible to knock out of tune. The Rav also has harmonics beyond the fundamental key like the Hang/handpan and both are available through Didge Project for purchase at https://www.didgeproject.com/store.

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Learn to play didgeridoo and master the technique of CIRCULAR BREATHING
Learn to play didgeridoo and master the technique of CIRCULAR BREATHING

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