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Cycle 1 · Online course

The Art of the Didgeridoo

The essential basics, to finally master your breathing and play without stopping (and without suffocating!).

5/5225 Google reviews

691students have taken this course

Master Towaki, didgeridoo in hand, facing the mountains

11 chapters

115 video lessons

163 rhythms to play

56 audio recordings

A video lesson on the drone

For all beginners

What you will be able to do

  • Play without stopping thanks to circular breathing
  • Develop a clear and powerful sound
  • Tame your breathing so it becomes an asset rather than a hindrance
  • Play intuitive rhythms without any musical knowledge
  • Play music, and have fun doing it!
  • Let your creativity speak and become a musician

Your body is the instrument. Every sound is the sound reflection of a part of your body: that is the whole principle of my method.

You are starting out

Build good habits from your very first sound

There can be a thousand reasons why you started playing: the simple pleasure of blowing, the free and intuitive side of it, your ability to slip into a meditative state, your health, or simply the wish to share a few musical moments with the people around you.

That is the magic of the didgeridoo: everyone has their own reasons, and for many of us it is a call that is bigger than we are.

Learning to play means stepping into a whole world, incredibly rich: believe me, you have no idea how vast it is! But you still need to know where to start. It took me 16 years of playing to work out what makes a really clean, precise sound — you will find the answer in the very first lesson, and its simplicity will surprise you.

It all reminds me of the Rubik’s Cube. I was a fan of that puzzle. As a teenager I spent hours looking for the solution. And I noticed that when I taught the solution I had found to my friends, they managed to solve the puzzle in a few hours, when it had taken me a month.

If you are lucky enough to be able to spend hours every day on the didgeridoo puzzle, then this course is up for debate. On the other hand, you can also benefit from the experience of someone who has done it for you.

And having dedicated my life to the didgeridoo, I can assure you that finding the solution to the Rubik’s Cube is far easier than finding the didgeridoo’s!

A path to follow

The 6 steps to start walking the didgeridoo path

It took me a lot (really a lot) of time to master most of the techniques. But I had little choice: nobody had explained any of it to me when I started! So if you want to avoid spending years the way I did, I offer you a marked-out path that makes sure you don’t get lost, tackling the techniques in “the right order”.

  1. First, you will learn to control your lips to get a quality drone. That is essential, because it is the base of your sound.
  2. Then you will start playing with your tongue to develop precise, delicate harmonics.
  3. Next, you will use your cheeks and belly breathing to learn or perfect your circular breathing.
  4. Then comes the moment to develop the dynamics of your playing by learning the 3 main basic attacks.
  5. With all these cards in hand, you will be able to start creating your first rhythms on the didgeridoo.
  6. Finally, you will be free to learn more advanced techniques such as overtones, undertones or the voice to enrich your phrasing.

To help you put these 6 steps in place (and much more), I created “The Art of the Didgeridoo”. I designed it so that you can master all the essential basics of the didgeridoo with clear, accessible and precise language.

Listen

The rhythms you will play

Three of the 163 rhythms in the course. Each one is written in Wakatoo cards: you read it, you hear it, then you play it.

Chapter 6

Throat attacks
1
o
→
WON
→
2
i
i
WON
→

Chapter 6

Tongue attacks
1
ti
→
to
→
2
WON
→
ta
ka

Chapter 11

Compose your rhythms
1
to↗1
KOH
to
2
KOH
kou
→

A clear path, in the right order

Detailed syllabus

11 chapters120 video lessons163 rhythms37 cards to unlockLifetime access

  1. Step 1 of 5 The sound

    A clear, steady sound

    2 chapters21 lessons5 cards to unlock

    1. 1The droneBuild and stabilise your drone.11 lessons

      Cards to unlock

      to

      You will learn

      • How to make a stable drone that doesn’t take all your air
      • The reasons why your sound is not clear
      • How to master your drone, essential for succeeding at circular breathing
    2. 2The harmonicsRefine your sound with harmonics.10 lessons

      Cards to unlock

      o
      a
      e
      i

      You will learn

      • To refine your sound by mastering the 4 main harmonics
      • New vocabulary to express yourself better
      • To have a clear sound that makes every one of your rhythms ring out
  2. Step 2 of 5 The breath

    Play without stopping

    2 chapters22 lessons5 cards to unlock

    1. 3Circular breathingMaster circular breathing (at last!).15 lessons

      Cards to unlock

      GOH
      HO
      TOH
      WON

      You will learn

      • To play without stopping by following 4 simple steps
      • To remove the gaps and make your circular breathing flow
      • To feel, with joy, the movement of circular breathing falling into place
    2. 4Belly breathingLighten your breathing with your belly.7 lessons

      You will learn

      • To lighten your playing so you stop suffocating!
      • To have a powerful breath that all your playing will rest on
      • To relax while making music
  3. Step 3 of 5 The rhythm

    Rhythms with real groove

    3 chapters35 lessons80 rhythms20 cards to unlock

    1. 5Your natural rhythmEnjoy playing by developing your natural rhythm.9 lessons

      You will learn

      • To find rhythms you like
      • To develop your rhythms starting from what you already know
      • To play a rhythm spontaneously, without thinking, letting your didgeridoo lead
    2. 6The attacksDevelop your rhythms with the 3 attacks.16 lessons48 rhythms

      Cards to unlock

      do
      da
      de
      di
      go
      ga
      ge
      gi
      ko
      ka
      ke
      ki
      to
      ta
      te
      ti

      You will learn

      • To master the 3 basic attacks of the didgeridoo
      • To play catchy rhythms that groove!
      • To liven up your playing and avoid the trap of the “bland rhythm”
    3. 7Your first rhythmsShape and play your first rhythms!10 lessons32 rhythms

      Cards to unlock

      oo
      aa
      ee
      ii

      You will learn

      • How a didgeridoo rhythm is built and how to articulate it
      • The 3 main variations that keep your rhythms varied
      • How to combine harmonics and attacks to enrich your rhythms
  4. Step 4 of 5 Advanced techniques

    A rich, lively playing

    3 chapters32 lessons50 rhythms8 cards to unlock

    1. 8OvertonesDiscover percussion with overtones.11 lessons13 rhythms

      Cards to unlock

      to↗1

      You will learn

      • To work the corners of your lips for a clean and stable sound
      • To develop the power of your sound
      • To vary your rhythms by adding a percussive effect
    2. 9Drop-jawDrop-jaw, or the slow-motion effect.9 lessons13 rhythms

      Cards to unlock

      GO↘

      You will learn

      • To become aware of your jaw and bring flexibility to your rhythms
      • To work your didgeridoo’s bass sounds and add groove to your playing
      • To keep your playing from becoming rigid
    3. 10The voiceHow to sing into your didgeridoo.12 lessons24 rhythms

      Cards to unlock

      o
      a
      e
      i
      kou
      tou

      You will learn

      • To work on the 3 main voices: low voice, growls and cries
      • To bring joy and create surprise effects
      • To develop atmospheres, images, sound colours…
  5. Step 5 of 5 Composition

    Compose your own rhythms

    1 chapter10 lessons33 rhythms

    1. 11Compose your rhythmsRise higher and compose your own rhythms.10 lessons33 rhythms

      You will learn

      • To change your routine and stop going round in circles
      • To develop your playing so you can play with other musicians
      • To bring all the techniques together

But that’s not all!

Everything included

Your questions, my answers

Under every video, for a year. Your exchanges benefit all the students on the course.

The free ebook

Worth €49

The course is based on my method of the same name. I give you the ebook and its MP3s.

€30 off a workshop

A discount valid for 2 years from your enrolment, to take stock of your learning “in real life”.

Optional

Send me your videos and get my personal advice, I am with you.

Learning the didgeridoo in front of a screen is obviously tricky. You are never quite sure you are doing it right, and it doesn’t replace a teacher giving you feedback there and then. So every month, for three months, I take care of you, personally.

1. Your video

You send me a video of about 1 min 30 on WhatsApp, once a month.

2. My audio reply, made for you

I “correct” you and guide you in your progress: a specific lesson, a rhythm to work on, advice suited to your level.

3. Your exercises and your rhythms

Exercises and rhythms made for you, personally. A month between each video leaves you the time to work on them — and keeps you going!

The personal follow-up is added when you pay.

Student reviews

They took “The Art of the Didgeridoo”

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 225 reviews

★★★★★

“I have already started. I thought my basic drone was alright, but to my pleasant surprise, there is still a lot to learn and improve. So I already see progress, which makes me pretty proud. I really appreciate your English and the way of learning, which allows for having fun and developing body awareness.”

Petunia

★★★★★

“The videos are well made, with clear explanations. I appreciated being able to send our videos and listen to your feedback with your precious advice.”

Patrick G.

★★★★★

“The course is very comprehensive, and the topics are covered in numerous short videos. That allowed me to take a step back and reflect on what I’m learning.”

NicoB

★★★★★

“Clear explanations, your humour, the progress percentage that makes me want to keep moving forward and the short videos are what I liked about your course.”

Yves G.

★★★★★

“Very comprehensive course, with unlimited access. Moreover, your availability, either by email or via the forum, is really appreciated. The relationship between all of us, thanks to the videos and your comments, is very enriching. You want us all to get there, and you take each of us at our own level.”

Christian G.

★★★★★

“Your explanations are clear. As a beginner, I made good progress. The forum for course participants is practical because the group is smaller, and we all talk about the same things. Our videos and your feedback, in which you take the time to analyse them, help us enormously.”

Fränk

★★★★★

“I liked Gauthier’s simplicity and charisma! Everything is clear if you are motivated!!”

Jacques

★★★★★

“Very clear explanations with tangible examples in the videos, especially on common mistakes, which helps us understand what we need to practise, even when we are beginners sitting alone in front of our computers.”

Nina

★★★★★

“I took ‘The Art of the Didgeridoo’ and I found each lesson well explained. The recordings are excellent for following along and developing clear syllables and rhythm. When I needed motivation, I listened to a lesson, and very quickly I wanted to try the rhythms.”

DouglasThe Art of the Didgeridoo

★★★★★

“I mastered the basics of the didgeridoo in my own living room. Thanks to the course, I was able to take the step to circular breathing and learn the basic sounds.”

Cyril

★★★★★

“The video course is a big plus to get all the basic techniques properly laid out and analysed.”

Etienne T.

★★★★★

“Gauthier speaks simply, I like the way he presents things. Splitting the course into short videos is really practical when you don’t have much time. I also like being able to see where you are and pick the course up where you left off.”

Béatrice D.

★★★★★

“The videos are short, so you never get bored. They are very accessible and motivating, even for people who have never blown into a didgeridoo! Gauthier teaches the art of the didgeridoo very well and helps us progress quickly.”

Quentin B.

★★★★★

“Gauthier, I really appreciate your very human and caring teaching, in your videos as much as in your answers to all my questions. You can go straight to what you are looking for or follow the lessons in the suggested order: both work well.”

Géraldine

★★★★★

“The accessibility, the teaching, the personal feedback that builds a course worthy of the name and, of course, feeling yourself progress… Add the energy of the forum, and Wakademy becomes a place for sharing about the didgeridoo, of course, but also music, life… a friendly place!”

Eric D.

★★★★★

“The clear path, the teaching in the videos, the effective exercises, your follow-up and your feedback on our recordings were a great help to me. I can measure it in how I have evolved: old faults that bothered me corrected, new possibilities and sounds, a new way of listening and new perspectives.”

Calie M

★★★★★

“The 4 basic elements are analysed with surgical precision, and the exercises that follow from this analysis make it easy to work on each point. As a result, motivation keeps growing because progress comes every day, as long as you practise regularly.”

Ivan

★★★★★

“A very good presentation of the site, content that is pleasant and suited to what I was looking for. The lessons are well structured and easy to follow.”

Didier

★★★★★

“I particularly appreciated the short video format and the fact that you stay human… In other words, you are not afraid of looking silly in some exercises. =)”

Adrien V.

★★★★★

“A clear plan that shows you where you are going, summaries at the end of the chapters, short video sections that let you progress at your own pace, excellent resources (PDF, MP3), interaction through the forum. Great!”

Laurence B.

★★★★★

“I liked how simple it is to use, the clarity of the explanations and Gauthier’s professionalism.”

Thierry

Sign up and start learning right away!

  • Lifetime access to the course
  • 11 chapters, 115 video lessons
  • 163 Wakatoo rhythms and 56 recordings
  • Ebook + MP3 (worth €49)
  • 1 year of questions and answers
  • €30 off a workshop

Both courses? Build your bundle

€297

or 4 × €75

Secure payment · One month to try it

Already a student? Log in

Try it. If you don’t like it, I’ll refund you.

I give you one month to try my course. If it doesn’t suit you, I’ll refund you on simple request. I won’t ask you any questions.

To go even further

…or build your bundle!

Add “The Secret of the 7 Breaths”.

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    Secure payment · One month to try it

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    Gauthier Aubé with his didgeridoo

    Your teacher: Gauthier Aubé

    I have been playing the didgeridoo since late 2001. In this course, I have gathered all the observations, the best exercises and the advice I have noted and observed with my students over more than 10 years of teaching.

    Questions and answers

    Is this course right for me?

    Yes if you are a complete beginner, if you have been playing for years but feel stuck without being able to put words to your techniques, if you have no teacher near you, or if you played 20 years ago and keep eyeing your instrument, thinking you really should get back to it…

    I signed up for the free circular breathing course. Do I need this course?

    The 7 circular breathing videos are indeed part of this course. However, the circular breathing chapter contains 18 lessons, and the course 149! I’ll let you decide whether it can help you.

    How do I know this method works?

    Your body is the instrument: each sound reflects a part of your body. I will teach you, concretely, to tame your lips (chapters 1, 8 and 9), your tongue (2, 3 and 6), your throat (6), your belly (4), your voice (10), and to put it all together in chapters 5, 7 and 11. I like concrete things, because anyone can easily reproduce them.

    I don’t have time to play.

    I recommend setting aside 15 minutes a day (or 30 minutes every other day). Working on the exercises in the shower, while driving or on a walk will save you a lot of time: you would not believe how much you can practise without a didgeridoo! And rhythm can be sung: a rhythm you can sing is a rhythm you can play.

    Sorry Gauthier, but it’s too expensive.

    I admit it, my courses have a cost. I actually think of them as a one-year enrolment in a music school: I give everything I know. You can look around, you won’t find this level of detail anywhere else, not even in Australia! And I made a point of offering payment in 4 instalments so the price can fit every budget. I promise, I can’t do better!

    I am not used to buying courses online.

    An online course gives you access to exercises and advice you would not find elsewhere, given how few teachers there are, and you progress at your own pace from home. Payment is secure, and if there is the slightest problem, I am available on WhatsApp.

    How long do I have access to the course?

    Once purchased, you have lifetime access to the course! Just log in to Wakademy to watch the videos online, as often as you like.

    Learning the didgeridoo takes commitment. It’s a real choice.

    I’m not neutral in this matter, but I’m convinced that, if you are reading these lines, this course can help you fulfil your dream of learning to play.

    €297or 4 × €75

    Enroll now