Album Notes

THE ARTIST: Randy Graves began playing the didgeridoo in 1993 and within a few years became known as one of the best teachers and performers of the instrument in the USA. He has since taught a lot of people, released a lot of recordings, and relocated to the remote Aboriginal communty of Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem Land, Australia. He now works at Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, the Yirrkala Art Centre, and among other work, manages sales of authentic yidaki/didjeridus for www.yirrkala.com.

THIS RECORDING: Thanks to great demand for a follow-up to the first Didjeridu Companion, Randy has created a series of more complicated rhythms based on those in the first disc, by mixing them up. The idea is not only to give you some more fun rhythms to play, but to give you some ideas on how to mix up your own playing. You'll see how you can take what you always play and change it in subtle ways to get different feels. Then you'll see how to combine these variations to compose longer, more interesting rhythms. If you're ready to do some thinking about your playing, it'll be 80 of the most useful minutes you've ever spent with a cd!

Randy explains himself in his voice on the disc so you understand how he creates the rhythms. He also rounds out the cd with a couple of jams to play along with, so join in!

THE YOUR DIDJERIDU COMPANION CD SERIES: Unique among didjeridu teaching materials, the "Your Didjeridu Companion" series simply satisfies every budding player's desire - someone to play with and learn from! Through the years Randy has been teaching the instrument, he's developed a series of rhythms that help students learn fundamental techniques in rhythmic playing. He presents them on these cd's, explaining each rhythm or technique before playing it. Rhythms are then played for 2-3 minutes, with clapsticks for you to keep up, and a microphone by Randy's nose so you know when he breathes! Each track is notated with a memorable phrase.

There's never been a better way to learn how to get some serious rhythms going through your didjeridoo. Find reviews at www.gingerroot.com.

On the first "Companion," Randy provides basic short rhythms which challenge players of many levels to develop precise technique and rhythmic control. The second disc featured here explores development of the rhythms on the original "Companion" to give you ideas on how to make up your own new rhythms, and the third teaches "Odd" meters. The fourth cd gets deep into mellow didj playing.