The origins of the udu are uncertain, but the drum has doubtless existed since the first musician befriended the first potter. The drum is common in Africa, and has traveled to Brazil and several other Latin American countries. It is not in any way a traditional Celtic instrument, but is very well suited to certain styles of playing. The entire length of the tube is often decorated with totemic designs. At the smaller end there is a mouthpiece fashioned of pliable beeswax.
Players produce the fundamental note by loosely vibrating their lips against the mouthpiece.
To avoid pausing for breath, players inhale through the nose and store air in their cheeks, a technique known as circular breathing. This technique permits the production of a continuous drone that can be altered by the lips, by the tongue, and by diaphragm pressure to vary the pitch and texture of the instrument's sound. Vocal sounds are integrated to create buzzing, growling, humming, and croaking effects that imitate birds and animals. Traditionally aboriginal children are given the Didgeridoo and encouraged to take it out into the Bush to let nature be the teacher. After a few hours, it is said, the Didgeridoo itself teaches them how to play it.