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The Didgeridoo: The Voice of Mother Earth 笛爵雷杜管：大地之声

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Australian Aborigines believe that if the Earth had a voice, it would be the deep, resonant drone of the didgeridoo. Its rhythmic patterns capture the essence of nature: water rushing over rocks, trees creaking in the wind, thunder roaring in the dark sky, and the thump of feet on the ground.

澳洲原住民相信，地球若能发出声音，那一定会是笛爵雷杜管深厚、低沉的乐音。其律动捕捉了大自然的精髓：流水冲刷岩石；树在风中嘎吱作响；暗夜天际的轰隆雷声；以及脚踩大地的声音。

The didgeridoo is a musical instrument traditionally made from a tree trunk or branch that has been hollowed out by termites. Around 1.2 meters long, it is usually cylindrical or cone-shaped, looking a bit like a long wooden trumpet. The Aborigines in northern Australia have been playing it at rituals for about 1,500 years, making it possibly the world’s oldest wind instrument.

笛爵雷杜管这种乐器传统上是以白蚁蛀空的树干或树枝制成，长约1.2公尺，通常呈圆柱或圆锥状，看起来有点像木制的长喇叭。澳洲北部的原住民于仪式中演奏此乐器约有1,500年的时间，因此它可能是世上最古老的管乐器。

In order to play the didgeridoo, you have to continuously vibrate your lips on the mouthpiece to produce a drone while using a special breathing technique. Circular breathing, as it’s called, involves inhaling through the nose while expelling air out of the mouth. Through this technique, a skilled player can use the air in his lungs and hold a note as long as necessary. It requires a lot of practice. However, once you master it, your chat with Mother Earth will begin. Say something nice.

演奏笛爵雷杜管，必须在吹口上持续震动双唇，并使用特殊的呼吸技巧，才能使其嗡嗡作响。此呼吸法名为「回旋运气法」，由鼻子吸气，再由嘴将空气吐出。透过此技巧，娴熟的乐手可利用肺里的空气，视需要拉长音符。此技巧需要多练习，然而一旦熟练，便可开始与大地母亲交谈。说些好听的吧！

−by Murray Walker

Vocabulary

单词发音

rhythmic [ˋrɪðmɪk] adj. 有节奏的

essence [ˋɛsns] n. 本质

vibrate [ˋvaɪbret] v. 振动；震动

inhale [ɪnˋhel] v. 吸入

expel [ɪkˋspɛl] v. 排出；喷出（空气等）

More Information

单词发音

didgeridoo [dɪdʒərɪˋdu] n.【音】迪吉里杜管（澳大利亚土著使用的一种乐器）

resonant [ˋrɛzənənt] adj. 共鸣的；回声的

drone [dron] n. 低沉单调的声音

rush [rʌʃ] v.（河水等）奔腾

creak [krik] v. 发出咯吱咯吱声

thump [θʌmp] n. 重击

termite [ˋtɝmaɪt] n.【昆】白蚁

cylindrical [sɪˋlɪndrɪk!] adj. 圆柱形的；圆筒状的

trumpet [ˋtrʌmpɪt] n. 喇叭；小号

mouthpiece [ˋmaʊθ͵pis] n.（乐器的）吹口

circular [ˋsɝkjəlɚ] breathing 回旋运气法

note [not] n. 音符

Reading Questions

1. How are didgeridoos created?

A. They are sticks carved with patterns by Australian Aborigines at ceremonies.

B. They are molded into the shape of a trumpet and then hollowed out.

C. They are parts of a tree with the insides cleared away by insects.

D. They are constructed with pine cones and tree bark found in the jungle.

2. According to the article, what is the best description of a didgeridoo?

A. It is a musical instrument that has been created recently.

B. It is an instrument that uses breath to function.

C. It is 1,500 years old and usually around two meters long.

D. It is a tool used to cut down tree trunks.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards didgeridoos?

A. He thinks they are easy to play and master.

B. He thinks they are mysterious and profound.

C. He thinks they are complicated and weird.

D. He thinks they are unique and appealing.

Didgeridoo

 Answer