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Mouth Position(poll) [message #3405]

Wed, 21 June 2006 15:38

Didgen2herps
Messages: 19
Registered: June 2006

Junior Member

Mouth Position[ 28 votes ]
1.	Right side of mouth	9 / 32%
2.	Left side of mouth	8 / 29%
3.	Center of mouth	11 / 39%

I was just curious on the mouth position everyone uses. I personally play with the didge to the right side of my mouth, i can barely play on the left and center. Seems much easier in my case to CB or BB on the right side too.

How do you all play?

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3406 is a reply to message #3405]

Wed, 21 June 2006 16:33

in_didgi_nas
Messages: 169
Registered: August 2005
Location: USA

Senior Member

I play on the left, but I have slowly crept toward the center so I can pull off toots (overblows) easier. So I guess it is between left and center.

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3408 is a reply to message #3406]

Thu, 22 June 2006 06:15

red-dog
Messages: 5
Registered: May 2006
Location: United Kingdom

Junior Member

I can play on the left, right and centre dont know how it just came easy I suppose, but I get a lot more pressure when I paly on the left but can play quicker on the front.

Reddog Razz

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3409 is a reply to message #3405]

Thu, 22 June 2006 11:44

Didgen2herps
Messages: 19
Registered: June 2006

Junior Member

Very cool guys.

Now, One more question. Are you two both left handed?

Seems everyone who I have talked to who plays the didge, there mouth position corresponds with there ability to use there right, left or both hands.

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3414 is a reply to message #3409]

Fri, 23 June 2006 09:28

ducpao
Messages: 203
Registered: March 2005
Location: USA

Senior Member

well I am very right hand dominant, but I almost exclusively play didge on the left side of my mouth. What does that mean? Laughing

Keep making strange sounds,

Doug

In Los Angeles, Ca.

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3415 is a reply to message #3414]

Fri, 23 June 2006 10:24

in_didgi_nas
Messages: 169
Registered: August 2005
Location: USA

Senior Member

Maybe that means you are cross-wired, like me! Laughing

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3417 is a reply to message #3415]

Fri, 23 June 2006 11:32

Didgen2herps
Messages: 19
Registered: June 2006

Junior Member

Nah... It all just means that theory was blown out of the water.

I guess the whole left side of my body is a bit impaired, I cant do anything worth while on that side.

That theory still holds up locally though!

-jason

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3419 is a reply to message #3417]

Fri, 23 June 2006 11:39

qiphlow
Messages: 54
Registered: January 2005
Location: USA

Member

left side player, but i'm right-handed.

R E L A X

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3422 is a reply to message #3405]

Sat, 24 June 2006 14:03

JKon380
Messages: 322
Registered: November 2005
Location: USA

Senior Member

Started playing off to the (left) side, but have gradually migrated to a more central position. I get more precision and articulation playing from a frontal position, because I get the sense that every part of the breathing system is 'in line'- diaphragm, lungs, bronchial tubes, vocal cords, throat, tongue, lips and through to the didge itself. The transmission of sound and pop across all of the parts comes much easier....

Jason

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3423 is a reply to message #3422]

Sat, 24 June 2006 14:58

Pterois
Messages: 71
Registered: April 2004
Location: Belgium

Member

I agree with you Jason, it's my way of playing and so far so good Very Happy

Frontal position also allow you to see your public without having a pain in the neck Laughing

(maybe your public is!!!)
Douglas.

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3425 is a reply to message #3423]

Sat, 24 June 2006 16:06

in_didgi_nas
Messages: 169
Registered: August 2005
Location: USA

Senior Member

When I started playing, it was frontal. I found that I get crisper effects from tongue placement when I play on the side, which I have heard others say. I am interested when I hear some say that the front is crisper. Is it a matter of experience to get the frontal style as articulate. I fully agree that front allows for easier transition between drone and toot. Should I strive for the frontal assault or would you say "If it is not broke, don't fix it"?

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3426 is a reply to message #3425]

Sat, 24 June 2006 22:00

Didgen2herps
Messages: 19
Registered: June 2006

Junior Member

Looks like didge playing position varys much more than i thought. I was thinking off to the side would be a minority.

in_didgi_nas, I am a new guy to the didgeridoo so i am in no way going to really answer that question to a tee( nor should you even listen to me Very Happy

) but being a player of other instruments that I have done for years I can say this:

From my experience with other instruments I have found that there is no wrong or right way per say. You have the basis in terms of what the instrument 'should' sound like and the rest is up to you. Thousands upon thousands of people can play the guitar and piano, but what makes you stand out from those thousands is your own unique style from which you formed from the basic technique.

I have the basic drone down on the didge, thats all i need. The rest is up to me.

So, from my limited experience with the didge but farely good experience with other instruments i am one of the " aint broke, dont fix it folks'.

Also, Arn't crisp tongue placements, and clear articulations much more important than toots( in general playing)?

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3427 is a reply to message #3426]

Sun, 25 June 2006 08:08

Pterois
Messages: 71
Registered: April 2004
Location: Belgium

Member

Amen my Brothers,
There is no right or wrong way for the position of your lips on a didge the essential thing is to be comfortable with it, and this is up to each of us to experiment and feel the instrument, the goal is to play, then let's do it!!!
Douglas.

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3431 is a reply to message #3425]

Sun, 25 June 2006 16:21

JKon380
Messages: 322
Registered: November 2005
Location: USA

Senior Member

Quote:

Is it a matter of experience to get the frontal style as articulate.

I think so, but it's also a matter of individual preference and physiological differences as well. As I've mentioned here on the board, I am very interested in, and study closely, traditional playing techniques and styles. Most of the literature and films available show traditional yidaki players, especially Galpu, playing nearly spot-on center. I believe that a straight on embouchure properly strengthened can produce all the crispness that you are after, and only time will tell. I will say, that moving from center to side was an adjustment-- my tones were flabby and I felt like I was starting over again as a beginner. In many ways, that's true: I was learning new articulations/syllables and timing, rhythms and techniques, so it was very foreign to me. With this being said, will I ever play spot-on center? Probably not. My teeth prevent that a little bit, and heck, even Djalu plays a little off to the left (for a DVD of Galpu ceremony, check out Yidaki Festa 2005- Djalu playing yidaki, his brother Gurritjiri singing manikay, grandson Sylvester (Liyakandirr) and wife Dopiya dancing).

But there is a caveat: this instrument is very much about self-exploration and diatribes about technique will only take you so far. As friends have commented on other boards: it's interesting how we Balanda obsess about technique, and Yolngu just do it!

Jason

[Updated on: Sun, 25 June 2006 20:08]

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3434 is a reply to message #3405]

Mon, 26 June 2006 01:12

joneskyle39
Messages: 7
Registered: June 2006
Location: Canada

Junior Member

I actually use both the center and right side of my mouth.
I find that when I use the center (entire lips) I can push my
bottom lip further in and get a much deeper drown. While when
I use the right side of my mouth I get a slightly more high
pitched drown and find that the tounge rolls sound nicer sound.
Has anyone else found this as well? Rolling Eyes

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3435 is a reply to message #3405]

Mon, 26 June 2006 01:15

joneskyle39
Messages: 7
Registered: June 2006
Location: Canada

Junior Member

I actually use both the center and the right side of my
mouth to play. Usually when I'm playing slower and want
a deeper sound I use the center of my mouth and use alot
more of my lower lip. When I play a bit faster I use
the right side which seems to made a higher pitched drown
with my didj. Has anyone else experianced this? Rolling Eyes

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3438 is a reply to message #3435]

Mon, 26 June 2006 13:52

Didgen2herps
Messages: 19
Registered: June 2006

Junior Member

Hey Joneskyle,

When I play center, I can aswell get a deeper drone but when I play to the right side everything is much easier and crisper.

The first day I tried to play the didge I naturally went to my right side, it just felt right.....then after listening to Peter Spoecker teach, I learned there is no 'right' way to play the didge.

One thing harder though on the side(for me) is buzzing the lips to get the drone right away. It takes a 1/2 second of so to get myself situated when I play.....i'll have to work on that for sure so I do not make a fool out of myself. My top lip hits the inside at first and makes a spitting sound, than I move down alittle and i then am fine for the rest of the day. It is the first drone of the day that kills me.

-jason

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #3443 is a reply to message #3438]

Mon, 26 June 2006 17:38

joneskyle39
Messages: 7
Registered: June 2006
Location: Canada

Junior Member

Jason,

I actually have a similar problem with playing on my right side. While circular breathing, I find it natural now to continue my drown without any breaks. But whilst playing with my right side I find that I can't continue the drown while breathing in; thus being the reason for my preferance with the middle.

I agree with you fully about the sound being clearer and more crisp from the side though. I find that my tounge roll's from the side are very nice.

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4727 is a reply to message #3405]

Wed, 28 March 2007 21:55

mchlbhm
Messages: 6
Registered: March 2007
Location: USA

Junior Member

I couldn't vote. I play one the left or right, but can't do anything on the center. Right now I'm playing on the right as its easier to play while I'm reading the forums. Yeah, I've got it bad. Even play it in the bath. Laughing

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4730 is a reply to message #3405]

Thu, 29 March 2007 08:03

Taxus
Messages: 118
Registered: December 2005
Location: Portugal

Senior Member

Left sider here.... Cool

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4732 is a reply to message #4730]

Thu, 29 March 2007 11:09

Allan
Messages: 11
Registered: March 2007
Location: United Kingdom

Junior Member

Left side for me also

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4735 is a reply to message #3405]

Thu, 29 March 2007 14:33

ozmadman
Messages: 57
Registered: November 2006
Location: United Kingdom

Member

Smack bang down the centre for me!!! can also play well on the left but don't

Breathe and chill then your didge will sound brill

Check it out!!

OZMADMAN

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4740 is a reply to message #4735]

Fri, 30 March 2007 11:22

paulb
Messages: 898
Registered: April 2004
Location: USA

Senior Member

I have moved to the center after starting with the right side.

Paul

In beautiful Rimrock, Arizona

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4743 is a reply to message #4740]

Fri, 30 March 2007 18:36

Bazza
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2006
Location: New Zealand

Senior Member

I play on the Right and have tried to move to center,but have no success at all. Confused

I'm wondering If my having Dentures,might be a reason. Would like to hear back from anyone with dentures who has managed this transition.
Cheers

* I've Found a Way to Relax and Play.*

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #4852 is a reply to message #4743]

Fri, 18 May 2007 05:02

jonnymonument
Messages: 22
Registered: November 2006
Location: United Kingdom

Junior Member

I play centre. can't get a note out of it at all when I play side on. I used to play trombone, so that's probably why!

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #5012 is a reply to message #4852]

Mon, 22 October 2007 04:04

Coen
Messages: 3
Registered: October 2007
Location: Netherlands

Junior Member

Play slightly to the right side. Don't play so much with the toot, so the neighbors won't riot against my playing. Play a lot with my tongue aswell. I'm amazed to read that playing on the side is good for the tongue-technique. Trying to figure out why this could be.

But, I'm happy to play on the side, until proven differently. Razz

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Re: Mouth Position(poll) [message #5061 is a reply to message #3405]

Thu, 08 November 2007 18:39

kocher
Messages: 2
Registered: November 2007
Location: USA

Junior Member

I used to play the trombone this is much easier . However, the wax mouth piece must be very circular and level Kewel Laughing

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