Circular Breathing Basics for Didgeridoo: Bounce Breathing

5531
6

Bounce breathing is one of the didgeridoo circular breathing basics all players should learn. In this approach, the cheeks appear to be full the whole time. The quick pace of this exercise is the key.  The emphasis here is on maintaining a constant rhythm with your breath and sending continuous air through the didgeridoo with your abs.

This technique works well for beginners because it is not necessary to actively squeeze the cheeks

Make sure to focus on the rhythm and keep your cheeks full the whole time. The rhythm comes from the continued pressure. So it’s just “Out-In-Out-In…” repeating at a quick pace. Staying in time is very important for this exercise.

Again, we are keeping a very rhythmic breath cycle: in out in out. In through the nose, out through the mouth. You don’t even need to squeeze your cheeks. If you are doing it right you will maintain pressure in your cheeks and this keeps the air flowing through the didge. Pracitce this by getting into the rhythm without the didge at first. This needs to be done quickly because if you do it too slow it doesnt keep the pressure up and keep the sound going. Notice that the cheeks never come in all the way. Abs are very important here.

Bounce Breathing is an essential technique for didgeridoo players of all levels, so make sure to check out this video.

 

What is the most difficult part of learning circular breathing? Post your response in the comments section below.

More Circular Breathing Basics

Many people try to learn to circular breathe without having the proper foundation in place. The exercises presented in this video show you how to develop the individual components that go into circular breathing, particularly the abdominal muscles (abs)...
Circular breathing is a wind instrument technique that allows the player to sustain a tone for an extended period of time. This is accomplished by storing air in the mouth (inflating the cheeks) and using this reservoir of air...
The Long Inhalation is a special circular breathing technique for didgeridoo or other winds, which is different from the way you see it taught. To perform this exercise you will need your lungs to be mostly empty. Essentially you will...

Music from this video: “Didge Hop” by Didge Project

Subscribe To The Didge Project Mailing List to receive the latest Tutorials, Articles, Events and Downloads directly in your inbox:

Previous articleHandpan 101 – Scales, Rhythms, Chords, Tips and Tricks for Beginning Hang Drum Players
Next articleTacta Handpan Product Demo with Matt Bazgier
AJ Block is the director of Didge Project and is active as a didgeridoo teacher and performer. In addition to didgeridoo, AJ has spent years studying music traditions from all over the world including jazz (trombone and piano), western classical music, Indian Classical Music, guitar and world percussion. AJ has developed a number of programs for Didge Project including The ABCs of Didgeridoo, The Didgeridoo Skills Course, and Circular Breathing Mastery. He is also the author of Didge For Sleep, a didgeridoo learning method designed specifically for people with Sleep Apnea. As a performer AJ is the leader of the Didge Project Music Collective and a member of Dream Seed: A Shamanic Sound Journey. AJ is a founding member of Sacred Arts Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of sacred art traditions through education, ritual and study. As a student of spiritual teacher Maestro Manuel Rufino AJ is an active member of the Golden Drum community.

6 COMMENTS

  1. What is the most difficult part of learning circular breathing for you? Is it working with the cheeks? Is it timing everything properly? We want to hear from you.

  2. How do i have my theeth in side the mouth, touching bottom teeth with top teeth or is there a little bit of space in between them, while i am breathing in and out , does it matter, and how should i keep them while iam learning?

  3. AJ, your online tuts have taken me on a tremendous journey in learning this instrument – i want to thank you for that. I’m in the process of becoming a circular breather (i am so close i can literally feel it! which is awesome) but I’m frustrated with the inconsistent drone quality between blowing out from the abs, keeping cheeks full and breathing in through the nose. Any tips on how to marry up the sound from the 2 processes? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

Comments are closed.