Experience the Didjeridu
A workshop at Radiance with local musician,
Benjamin Weiss.
Thursday, April 19th, 6-9PM
The didjeridu is, perhaps, the first instrument crafted by humankind. This traditional Australian instrument is nothing more than hollow cylindrical tube, but its sound is legendary and unmistakable. The drone produced by blowing into the instrument is said to be the sound of the universe.
Benjamin Weiss began teaching himself to play the didj ten years ago, after finding an old instrument stashed in a corner of his aunt and uncle’s home. But the instinct to play was instilled in him before birth when Ben’s mother lived Down Under for 18 months shortly before he was born, and the spirit of the place came back to North America and found a home in the heart of her son.
Ben is also a permaculture teacher, an organic farmer, a writer, and a member of the local musical group, 21st Century Dreamtime Lions
This workshop is for absolute beginners as well as those with a bit of experieince. The class will be loose and fun, and there will be no serious expectations of the students. Participants will make all manner of bizarre sounds, and will laugh at themselves with each other!
Figuring out how to buzz the lips properly, how to circular breathe, and how to grunt and snarl into the didjeridu is comical. And yet, to play the didj is to embark on a journey of transformation; one that can be humbling, frustrating, gratifying, and transformative.
The history of the instrument will be explored, the healing and spiritual elements of the didj will be discussed, the basic techniques of playing will be taught, and some practical approaches to further practice will be offered.
To register, call Radiance, 717-290-1517, or stop in to 9 W Grant St, Lancaster.
If you have a didjeridu, please bring it to this class. If you do not have a didj, Ben and Radiance have a small number of extra instruments.
Cost of the class: sliding scale of $40-$20.
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