John Thorpe

John Thorpe

Hope you enjoy the videos on this channel.

As I have a current health condition, I decided to make myself useful and help people to learn to play didgeridoo and how to record it. You will also find a mixture of some of my past recordings as music videos.

Over the years I've had a fascination with sound and with audio systems and of course the didge. With an electrical, electronic and sound engineering background and a good set of ears, I spent years experimenting with audio sound systems. My enthusiasm for didgeridoos was no less than for audio. The didgeridoo & its sound is a wonderful thing!

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  • @blazenicholls3590
    @blazenicholls359010 күн бұрын

    Excellent breakdown. Thankyou sir. I will take your advice and be patient and persevere.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge10 күн бұрын

    Glad you found it helpful🤗

  • @rattyfingers8621
    @rattyfingers862115 күн бұрын

    Krazy stuff😂

  • @rattyfingers8621
    @rattyfingers862115 күн бұрын

    That deep growl thing you were doing at the end. So spooky.

  • @rattyfingers8621
    @rattyfingers862117 күн бұрын

    Very authentic sound. Thanks for the lession.

  • @SpannerManSam
    @SpannerManSam17 күн бұрын

    Thanks for the video, sounds fantastic. I’ve got the circular breathing and now time to learn some tunes. Subscribed 👊🏽

  • @marcelomendez6180
    @marcelomendez618018 күн бұрын

    🤩🤩🤩🤩 thank u!!

  • @z4p0tek
    @z4p0tek22 күн бұрын

    I accidentally found out the bottom lip thing on my second day and got a crisper sound on my drone. I can’t do much right now obviously but this video convinced me that I did something right! There is so much to learn with this instrument (I only know how to sing and play some guitar)😅 I am really grateful for people like you, putting these videos out for everybody! It’s amazing! ❤ You are a good teacher.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge22 күн бұрын

    Great, thanks for your comment🤗

  • @sasadjakovic2953
    @sasadjakovic295324 күн бұрын

    nice greetings. I can't do it without a gap between the drone and the breath, I've been trying for days. do you have any advice on how to overcome that gap to keep the sound flowing? thanks in advance

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge23 күн бұрын

    Most people end up with a gap to start with despite having acquired the CB technique overall If you keep practising over the next few weeks it should gradually improve until the gap goes/ becomes a part of the rhythm. Although persistence is required also patience can help too and help us in our overall enjoyment 🤗

  • @sasadjakovic2953
    @sasadjakovic295323 күн бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge thank You very much

  • @bradmolsen
    @bradmolsen28 күн бұрын

    Was hoping you'd show how to do this without the didge blocking your mouth. Buzzing and adding sounds in open so, we can see what you're doing. People always demo didge sounds and then cover their lips so we can't see what's really going on.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge28 күн бұрын

    Hi, did you not watch the video further on, as there you can see my mouth on didge. So please check that out. At the beginning, I'm using tongue technique, so you won't learn much by seeing my mouth on didge at that point, though you can see my mouth on didge with that later on in video. If you didn't get anything out of this video or my teaching I suggest you go and check out some other videos by other didge teachers, as there are some good didge tutors out there and not everyone is going to gel with my teachings. Also I put a lot of effort into my online videos that are free that is thankfully appreciated by many. Hope you achieve what you're looking for on the didge Best John

  • @user-lv9pr4dl4u
    @user-lv9pr4dl4uАй бұрын

    Love the rythymn.Thank you very much.

  • @Tessimistic420
    @Tessimistic420Ай бұрын

    853rd sub'd ya today

  • @bootsieultrawave6553
    @bootsieultrawave6553Ай бұрын

    FCK/~ i jut got it. Tried for weeks. So geil!!!!

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidgeАй бұрын

    Well done!🤗

  • @AchtungBaby_87
    @AchtungBaby_872 ай бұрын

    your tracks and sound are amazing! where can i download them?

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge2 ай бұрын

    I'm on Spotify somewhere and thanks for your comment🤗 Just found it, here it is open.spotify.com/artist/7A4WiCmXtUnR5FAQTo3nj8?si=hvaJIsusTuCCQj78V41xBg

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge2 ай бұрын

    Or Badcamp

  • @driesrobberechts
    @driesrobberechts2 ай бұрын

    I would say this is a tresillo rhythm

  • @carstenschwuchow1511
    @carstenschwuchow15112 ай бұрын

    Thx for your point of view! The last sentences are the point of the „I“! Try try try as many didges as you can and you will find the stick that fits to you. And during this process you will see what kind of didgeridoo playing is your fav. (Trad, vocal, neuscholastische, etc pp) Or buying cheap and hope for it else sell again.

  • @mikestachowski9960
    @mikestachowski99602 ай бұрын

    Greetings from Los Angeles, John. Thank you for the amazing tips. I am working on the wobble. It seems I have gotten the circular breathing down, and I am trying to get to the next level.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge2 ай бұрын

    Hi Mike, glad to hear you're progressing. Hope you enjoy each step of the journey on this amazing instrument🤗

  • @mikestachowski9960
    @mikestachowski99602 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge Thank you. This instrument has a special meaning to me. It has been with mankind for such a long time.

  • @jcmusc
    @jcmusc3 ай бұрын

    This is clearly the part of the 4-count wobble that i need practice on. I can play the rhythm no problem but as soon as I try to breath on the wah, I lose the rhythm. It's interesting because reversed is easy where you do one push and 2 breaths or 2 wats but reverse it and do 2 pushes and 1 wat and it becomes some alien rhythm to my muscle memory even though it's literally the same 3 count beat. The psychology of music

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge3 ай бұрын

    Practise it without the stick as it's often easier to get the new muscle memory. So, do the double tongue push while breathing or circular breathing. It can be tricky trying to do breath at same time as tongue wobble/double push.

  • @jcmusc
    @jcmusc3 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge I do that's how I figure out circular breathing. I would just be vibrating my lips all day. I'm going to try with this too

  • @jcmusc
    @jcmusc3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for this video.👍 I understand now my issue is the PapaWa part. I have no problem doing the 3-count wobble, but I've been trying to figure out the 4 count for months and it's just not clicking. At least I know what to isolate now and practice. I'll be sure to check out the other video. Just need to figure out the technique and build the muscle memory same as the 3-count. I can do them independently but when i try combining it my muscle memory goes back to the 3 count.

  • @user-lv9pr4dl4u
    @user-lv9pr4dl4u3 ай бұрын

    Excellent tutitorial.This has been the first to approach the feeling aspects that so strongly coincide with playing the didgeridoo.Humble and wise man.Thank Your insights and wisdom.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge3 ай бұрын

    Hi, thanks for your feedback. It's always nice to know when people enjoy, appreciate and get something out of the effort I put into doing my videos🤗

  • @gustafmagnander3262
    @gustafmagnander32623 ай бұрын

    Your didge has a very nice sound, what key is it?

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge3 ай бұрын

    Hi, it is E flat

  • @OzTravelLog
    @OzTravelLog3 ай бұрын

    Thanks, John great tutorial. Im going to practice that 😊

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge3 ай бұрын

    Great, good luck and have fun🤗

  • @iga279
    @iga2793 ай бұрын

    Super Lesson! Now, where do I get my didgeridoo ?

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge3 ай бұрын

    If you can go to a store that has quite a few, that's the best way. Or order online. Where are you?

  • @iga279
    @iga2793 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidgeThailand

  • @michaelcooke3518
    @michaelcooke35183 ай бұрын

    Wowaweewa ❤

  • @niolowprofilestudio2370
    @niolowprofilestudio23704 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing your experience to struggle to get confident to play around people i personally have this thing i am going to a park and play and people pass doing excersise and works for me i concentrate in playing to the birds and trees thank you for your excellent work ❤🙏

  • @SerPorit
    @SerPorit4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for nice explanation! Also your sound quality is very good. Can I ask what microphone do you use?

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    The mic here is cad e300s. Took some time to find right position in room. Room sound/acoustics important and if you have larger room less of an issue. I've done video on Miking didgeridoos too.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    What mic do you have?

  • @SerPorit
    @SerPorit4 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge Currently I have only lavaliere one and want to get something more serious. I've read a lot of forums, people there definitely like shure sm57 (it's a dynamic mic) and not very happy with condenser mics (that's strange).

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    ​@@SerPoritcondenser mics can sometimes be more finicky to set up right, particularly in poor acoustic rooms. You can get good results with an SM57, and it can capture the energy and vibe well and overall sound. It can also be a bit more forgiving than more sensitive mic in rooms particularly as it's starts rolling off from about 200Hz which can be helpful making low end didge recording bit clearer or less problematic. Though mic placement still important.

  • @SerPorit
    @SerPorit4 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge thanks a lot :)

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    Yes recording is a great way to see where you are, as it was for me😀.

  • @jasonjohnnyjones
    @jasonjohnnyjones4 ай бұрын

    Haha! You made me laugh! I’ve been practicing while listening to pros play on my headphones on KZread. I thought I was doing well until I recorded myself.

  • @ROY-COLLEY
    @ROY-COLLEY4 ай бұрын

    Hi from Wales John, tried Circular breathing but still can't seem to get it. But your papa wobbly sound great.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    Hi, re CB video taken another look from 2 mins and have go at stage 2. If you can get that (no stick used at this point), then you're on your way🤗. You are going to need patience in the sense of continuing to practise it and it may be frustrating but if you can get the second stage that's the hardest part to get. Once you have technique without using a stick it's easier to then get CB on stick, though it won't happen immediately. Glad you like the wobbly papa and hope it's all good there in Wales

  • @ROY-COLLEY
    @ROY-COLLEY4 ай бұрын

    @johnthorpedidge Thanks for your kind reply John. I filling my cheeks and pushing out with cheeks ,and taking a breath in through my nose. Without the didge, but can't seem to do it with didge. 😆 thanks

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    Ok, that's a good start. You can also now practise blowing air from lungs then at end (of say one second blowing) crossover from blowing via lungs to the sniff/cheek squeeze. Also try other way round: doe sniff/ cheek squeeze first then crossover to breathing out from lungs If you can do this off stick it's then easier to do it on stick. However, keep in mind it's not instant to transfer off stick technique of getting it to on stick. It takes some practise but if you have the technique off stick it's just a matter of time to do it on the didge, as the hardest part to learn is the simultaneous sniff/ cheek squeeze, which you have. So don't get too disappointed as it will come🤗

  • @ROY-COLLEY
    @ROY-COLLEY4 ай бұрын

    @johnthorpedidge Thank you so much for your kind help. I'm hoping at sometime this summer ( if we have one ) to go to one of the festivals they have . I spend most of the summer after school breaks up over our caravan in Bridgewater Somerset. So I'm hoping there maybe something over the 7 Bridge somewhere.

  • @DANIELRUSHFORTH
    @DANIELRUSHFORTH4 ай бұрын

    "I couldn't relax - I couldn't really play the way I wanted too" Really resonates. I can't play half the stuff I'd like in front of an audience. I tense up and everything becomes very heavy and laboured. You have hit the nail on the head - the desire to be perfect seriously gets in ones way. Your advice is really helpful, thanks!

  • @bernyardmoss756
    @bernyardmoss7564 ай бұрын

    thanks john for your time in explaining this technique good one

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    Glad you found it helpful🤗

  • @paulvermette4291
    @paulvermette42914 ай бұрын

    nice one squirrel!

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge4 ай бұрын

    Thanks🤗

  • @carstenschwuchow1511
    @carstenschwuchow15115 ай бұрын

    Nice point of view. I agree in total. We could also say the didgeridoo is a piece to reflect yourself, body and mind, so you give your interaction to the stick. It is not the goal to copy any technics. The happienes of yourself and a good feeling during playing is the final mark to acchiev. Sty calm and keep didgen.

  • @naadtma
    @naadtma6 ай бұрын

    Hi John! Very nice lesson👍🏻 can u please tell me which didj is this and which key? And….can u plz make a video about saliva? How do you do when after a while saliva reaches your lips?? I still don’t know what to do. Than you so much in advance💯🤗

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge5 ай бұрын

    It's a key e flat. You can play papa wah on any stick. It's just down to technique. Regarding saliva, I mention this in my video Lip Vibration & Tension (around 25mins into video). If you struggle to get the sound of this technique try practising it without using a didge to just get the technique going. Then try applying it on the didge. If you can pronounce Ka Ka or Ka ah as you're blowing a drone, that's basically it.

  • @naadtma
    @naadtma5 ай бұрын

    Thank you John for your fast reply🙏🏻 the sound of this didj is beautiful. I will watch the video you mentioned, I still struggle with saliva when I play for more than 3 minutes. Thank you for your useful videos🎶🔝

  • @Dandunu
    @Dandunu6 ай бұрын

    Sounds amazing, thank you!

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge5 ай бұрын

    Thanks😊

  • @niolowprofilestudio2370
    @niolowprofilestudio23706 ай бұрын

    Thank you 🙏 what key is the didgeridoo you are using ?🙏🫶

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge6 ай бұрын

    👍 That one is the E flat.

  • @ThoughtsOfJones
    @ThoughtsOfJones6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the tips. Looking forward to practice along with this video.

  • @DeltaNovum
    @DeltaNovum6 ай бұрын

    Just got a second-hand didgeridoo yesterday and tried playing it for the first time, immediately when I got home. I think I got the drone down pretty well instantly. It only sounds airy when I lose control. Does that mean I'm a natural? Even got some tonal and rhythmic changes out of it too! I'm just not in control as much as I'd like yet and feel like I have a long way to go if I want to use it as an instrument. I'll be focusing on the circulair breathing first. Got your tutorials saved ^^. Edit: wanted to try a didgeridoo for years now and got really lucky when I wasn't even looking. One came by and some very well off guy sold it 2nd hand for only €25! It's a proper eucalyptus 145cm didgeridoo and in my very amateurish opinion it sounds great.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge6 ай бұрын

    Pleased to hear you got the drone quickly🤗. You may well have some natural ability but it also comes down to persistence, enjoyable practise and how much passion you have or develop for the instrument. It sounds like you're off to a good start and picked up a nice stick too

  • @DeltaNovum
    @DeltaNovum6 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge I think I got incredibly lucky with the stick I got. I imagine that's whats making it easier. It needs very little pressure to get a decent sound out of it. My tuner tells me it resonates on 63hz (B1) and I'm guessing that's quite low for a relative short stick. I used to beatbox and do some throat singing a little bit whenever I was alone and think that might help me with breath control now. Getting all kinds of sounds, tones, and even double vibrations out of it is possible for me, but I have little control and it's all over the place. I'll probably need as much practise as anyone else to get that in check. I find circulair breathing really difficult. Especially having enough pressure in the short amount of time I need to get in some air. Having a little bit of a leg up is very beneficial for me though, since I've always had big trouble with motivation, giving up and feeling insecure. Being able to get at least some nice sounds out of the thing is helping me to pick it up a few times a day. I really hope I'll be able to stick with it, since I believe this is exactly the right kind of instrument for me. I not only deeply love the sounds, but also like the the movements that are needed for playing it. P.s. Except for circular breathing I haven't tried following along with any lessons yet, but I've noticed that I have a much easier time playing the didgeridoo wrong. When I put my mouth sideways I'm able to get lots of different sounds out of it without breaking a sweat, but when I put my mouth in the center it suddenly becomes 5 times more difficult to do anything. Still have to buy bees wax to make a mouth piece so the opening is a bit large and rough now.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge6 ай бұрын

    It's good to be able to play it the best way that works for you, eg side on lips. If you love the sound then the desire to continue will hook you and enjoy learning it and enjoy every bit as you discover it's sound like an adventure. Some get frustrated at not being able to do stuff quick enough which is a shame because so much enjoyment is to be had by just getting the sound and simple increments over time and, like a journey that you wouldn't want to rush, each twist and turn is exciting , not knowing exactly where you'll end up even though you may have goals! 🤗

  • @DeltaNovum
    @DeltaNovum6 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge wow very well said. And now that I'm older I'm able to look at it that way. It's easy to get lost in goals, but it's truly the journey itself that should be appreciated. You inspire me to keep at it. Thank you.

  • @jamessibley509
    @jamessibley5097 ай бұрын

    Hey john, love your videos! Do you know of any didg meet up groups in the UK?

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    There used to be didge groups in the UK but can't think of any right now. What area you in in case I hear of any.

  • @jamessibley509
    @jamessibley5097 ай бұрын

    @@johnthorpedidge ah okay. I'm in Reading :)

  • @glynclarke7371
    @glynclarke73717 ай бұрын

    Hi! Just got a didge… found your videos and like them! 👍 I was wondering… I’m sat on the sofa with one end on the sofa arm and holding the other… but does a stand offer significant help whilst learning? Or is it just nice to have?

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    Hi, a stand is useful if you are recording didge or playing live but not needed for just playing at home, unless you just want support for it at a particular angle. It's also worth experimenting with sound in different rooms and positions to get sound you want, if that's practical. Eg, didge played in say kitchen with reflective floor surfaces like lino will give brighter sound unlike in a carpeted room where the sound will be darker. On a solid floor like lino or wood you can rest end of didge on f floor while playing but not so good on carpet which will muffle sound. Or say a piece f wood on carpet can work. Thanks for your feedback🤗

  • @KennyTC527
    @KennyTC5277 ай бұрын

    I watched a lot of tutorials but your way of explaining really resonates most, especially the way you take time to go in depth and use personal experiences of own areas of improvement. What is also reassuring is the approximate time frames you give for learning certain things.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your feedback🤗

  • @DeltaNovum
    @DeltaNovum6 ай бұрын

    I haven't followed along except for the circulair breathing and using the examples in this video somewhat, but watched a few of his videos and I agree with what you've said. It's really nice and helpful that he gives examples of what not to do as well.

  • @KennyTC527
    @KennyTC5277 ай бұрын

    Thanks a lot John, this helped me out a lot, especially me being a slow learner… but once I get it I really get it, if you know what mean.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    Glad it helped🤗

  • @Hagenbart
    @Hagenbart7 ай бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I felt really overwhelmed by the topic, but this breakdown helps a lot. ❤

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    Glad you found it helpful😊

  • @fernmatic
    @fernmatic7 ай бұрын

    Was that Adam Plack you referenced ? Lizard Walk maybe ? Love his playing , love your playing. Thanks John.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    I probably referenced Plack and Soames, not Lizard Walk though. Yes I really enjoy their playing too.

  • @paulvermette4291
    @paulvermette42917 ай бұрын

    Very informative John! Thankyou

  • @Ghost_Os
    @Ghost_Os7 ай бұрын

    I have an interesting situation... I've just started learning the didgeridoo. I have my drone, now working on circular breathing. My girlfriend likes messing around with it too -- I've taught her the drone, I don't know if she'll want to keep learning as I do. Here's the thing... It's the same instrument, but her drone is a fair bit deeper than mine. The only possible reason I can come up with is, because her lips and cheeks are fuller than mine, she's able to have a more relaxed lip buzz, and maybe this translates to a lower drone. Whatever it is, she loves taunting me with it 😂 Thank you for your videos.

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    Glad your girlfriend is doing well on it. Your drone will get better as you practise and you can't judge how good you will be in future from an early good start. The secret of success is persistence along with a passion for it. Glad you like the videos🤗

  • @albertomadrono6214
    @albertomadrono62147 ай бұрын

    John, thank you so much for your explanations. I love too se how much you enjoy WhatsApp you do. I hace bien following you for at least one or two years! You are now so familiar to me! Thank you

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge7 ай бұрын

    Hi Alberto, thankyou for your nice feedback. It makes me feel doing my videos is worthwhile

  • @easyrider.
    @easyrider.8 ай бұрын

    безподобно!

  • @easyrider.
    @easyrider.8 ай бұрын

    очень очень круто! пожалуйста, не останавливайтесь!

  • @easyrider.
    @easyrider.8 ай бұрын

    очень крутые уроки! благодарю!

  • @johnthorpedidge
    @johnthorpedidge8 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your comment🤗

  • @easyrider.
    @easyrider.8 ай бұрын

    шикардос!