My Invasion Day didj....

Well here it is - for the viewing and listening pleasure of those with a passion for traditional instruments. I picked this up yesterday (26th Jan) after having tormented myself with the thought of buying it for the last 2 months. Very typical instrument from the region (thin-walled yellow box: absolutely no idea what species of Euc that is - nice taper) but has been heavily patched with epoxy which really put me off originally.

Ugly bugger with gorgeous stick	do I look pleased with meself or what !
This is my usual professional work attire in my place of employment.

Maker: seems to be made by Gurrawawuy. Although I called the original suppliers in Yirrkala and they confirmed this, but the bloke I spoke to didn't know him. Knows a Garrawiny and a Gurrawa - but there's a lot of yidaki makers at Dhalinbuy apparently.
Country: Dhalinbuy which is inland northeast Arnhem Land.
Length: 1360 mm ( 4' 5 1/4")
Internal diam. proximal end: about 37 X 30 mm (1 3/8 X 1 1/8")
Internal diam, distal end: 65 X 53 mm (2 5/8 X 2 1/16 ")
Key: E
 

ahh, the bore - totally unworked - here's this distal end... and the exterior similarly has not been touched - just the bark removed and a bit of a rough rasp near the mouthpiece.

Well I've had a few probs getting a clear recording - dunno what the problem is. The original recordings are perfectly clear on the minidisc, but when I transfer them to the computer for editing I get distortion and background hiss. My apologies. I've fiddled with one of them and it's not bad, but the file size is huge. At least it will give some idea of what it sounds like.

It can be heard live if you dial 0011 61 245 782 152 : ) - (don't forget the time difference).

Ugly bugger blows a note - djatpa.mp3 - 146 k. Same piece but better quality djatpa2.mp3 - 138 k.

Ugly bugger blows another and doesn't want to stop.....

gurru1.mp3 - 188 k

gurru2.mp3 - 159 k

gurru4.mp3 - 283 k - ya can hear my breaths on this one.

gurru5.mp3 - 269 k

enough!!