Music Culture
Australian Aboriginal or Indigenous music incorporates a variety of
distinctive traditional music
styles practiced by Indigenous Australian peoples, as well as a range of
contemporary musical styles of and fusion with European
traditions as interpreted and performed by indigenous Australian artists. Music
has formed an integral part of the social, cultural and ceremonial
observances of these peoples, down through the millennia of their individual
and collective histories to the present day. The traditional forms include many
aspects of performance and musical instrumentation
which are unique to particular regions or Indigenous
Australian groups; there are equally elements of musical tradition
which are common or widespread through much of the Australian continent, and
even beyond.
Instruments
The
first typical Australian Aboriginal instrument is the
didgeridoo. A didgeridoo is a type of musical instrument that,
according to western musicological classification, falls into the category of
aerophone. It is one of the oldest instruments to date. It consists of a long
tube, without finger holes, through which the player blows. It is sometimes
fitted with a mouthpiece of beeswax. Didgeridoos are traditionally made
of eucalyptus, but contemporary materials such as PVC piping are used. In
traditional situations it is played only by men, usually as an accompaniment to
ceremonial or recreational singing, or, much more rarely, as a solo instrument.
Skilled players use the technique of circular breathing to achieve a continuous
sound, and also employ techniques for inducing multiple harmonic resonances.
Although traditionally the instrument was not widespread around the country -
it was only used by Aboriginal groups in the most northerly areas - today it is
commonly considered the national instrument of the Australian Aborigines and is
world renowned as a unique and iconic instrument.
A second very important and typical instrument for this type of music are clapsticks. A clapstick is a type of musical instrument that,
according to western musicological classification, falls into the category of
percussion. Unlike drumsticks,
which are generally used to strike a drum, clapsticks are intended for striking
one stick on another.
