Didgeridoo Sound Design means:
SHAPE FIRST!
If you’re struggling to create your first or your best didgeridoo, I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been working and researching in this field since 2003. Along the way, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but step by step, I’ve acquired some of the world’s best knowledge on how to design the perfect, contemporary didgeridoo to suit your needs.
And I’m here to support you every step of the way!
The Unique World Solution for Learning from Basics to Excellence in Contemporary Didgeridoo Crafting
Whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft, I offer a complete service—from foundational skills to advanced sound design. With access to cutting-edge CNC technology, you can create your own prototypes or fully finished instruments, either independently or in collaboration with me.
Frustrated with Your Didgeridoo Journey? Get Expert Guidance!
Building a didgeridoo can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its challenges. If you think it’s only a venture for beginners, know that it’s just as difficult for experienced professionals, who often rely on their experience while grappling with a thousand doubts or using incorrect methods.
It’s all too common to start with the desire to work on a beautiful piece of wood, whether it’s costly or so aesthetically pleasing that you fall in love with it. And no! Starting this way is the beginning of failure. I’m sure many of you have already had this terrible experience.
Without a solid foundation, you either get lucky or end up with disappointing and difficult-to-play instruments. This can turn your passion for music into a frustrating endeavor because discovering things on your own is fascinating, but continually making mistakes while burning money and your limited free time is exasperating.
It’s no better for players who rely on builders, often beginners, thinking they’re saving money, or sometimes even professional builders who have unclear ideas about how to create a didgeridoo that follows specific sound and playability characteristics. They may end up with an instrument that’s different from what they imagined and difficult to resell.
I’m certain of this because I sometimes purchase instruments made or bought by mistake, and I keep them in my showroom as a warning to prevent others from making the same mistake!
For professionals, the challenges can be equally tough. Often, instruments are created with random shapes, and prices are assigned only after completion, leading to arbitrary and unfair valuations of the time and effort invested. This is a serious ethical issue towards the client and also a loss of profit for the professional, who may have to depreciate their instruments because of lower quality than expected.
Here, I provide you with the guidance and experience necessary to avoid these pitfalls. With my comprehensive knowledge and practical support, you will learn to make informed decisions that will ensure your didgeridoo not only looks good but also sounds exceptional. Together, we can navigate the complexities of didgeridoo construction, achieving musical instruments that match the characteristics you envision. And if you’re unsure about the potential of the didgeridoo, don’t worry; the program will address every aspect of this fantastic instrument.
Essential Topics:
Didgeridoo Sound Design and Crafting Techniques
Didgeridoo Sound Design
What It Is
“Didgeridoo Sound Design Workshop” is the most comprehensive lesson package in the world for studying and designing contemporary didgeridoos.
Purpose
Regardless of your preferred materials or tools, you will eliminate doubts, false beliefs, and passed-down errors. You will learn the fundamentals of didgeridoo design with me, refining your skills to create contemporary instruments that meet your needs or improve the performance of your clients’ didgeridoos.
What You Will Learn
Didgeridoo design is a multifaceted discipline that encompasses all the acoustic principles necessary for creating this iconic instrument. Drawing from the insights presented in “La Progettazione del Didgeridoo” (soon available in English as “The Didgeridoo Sound Design”), you will explore the intricate relationship between the physical characteristics of the didgeridoo and the sound it produces. We will start with fundamental concepts and progress to advanced skills, providing you with all the tools needed to know, understand, and create musical instruments with specific characteristics. You will learn not only how to tune the fundamental note and the “toot,” but also how to master essential features such as backpressure, timbre, and the instrument’s potential in relation to specific musical techniques. While many builders claim their instruments are always rich in harmonics and suitable for any style, you will discover that this cannot be true. However, we will learn how to create a didgeridoo for every need! Additionally, you will learn to use acoustic simulation software that you can utilize in future studies, research, and design.
Who This Course Is For
- Ambitious students who wish to build an instrument collection to easily explore any desired style.
- Didgeridoo builders of all levels.
Who This Course Is Not For
I would advise against these lessons for those who want to learn how to build a single shape as if it were a template. Throughout the course, we will explore many possibilities; the real advantage is making productive use of your time dedicated to creating new shapes and continuing to explore an almost infinite world.
This course will not close the doors to discovery; instead, it will guide you swiftly toward new insights. I will be happy to support you afterward by admiring your work and offering further assistance.
Woodworking Techniques
What It Is
You can learn to build wooden didgeridoos with us, using either a hammer and chisel or CNC machines, depending on your preferences, needs, the number of instruments you intend to produce, and the investment you wish to make.
Purpose
This workshop includes the “Didgeridoo Sound Design” lessons since the main purpose is to teach you the best knowledge about making contemporary didgeridoos.
You can decide which technology you want to start with.
Working with a hammer and chisel is immediate, quick, and effective, but it does not allow for high precision or repeatability. However, it only requires a small workshop to produce the desired results. On the other hand, CNC machines offer superior precision and repeatability, making them ideal for consistent production and enhancing the tuning of the instrument.
What You Will Learn
The cost of a CNC machine varies significantly; for example, an entry-level model can range from €12,000 to €48,000. After the theoretical course, if desired, students will have the opportunity to use our CNC machine alongside us, allowing them to learn and evaluate a potential purchase. Alternatively, we can create their projects and ship them anywhere in the world, ensuring access to high-quality instruments even from a distance. Since wood remains the most commonly used material, we offer two effective construction techniques that enable anyone to explore the incredible and multifaceted world of didgeridoo acoustics.
By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with their own handcrafted fiberglass didgeridoo.
Who This Course Is For
- Individuals interested in hands-on learning about didgeridoo construction.
- Those looking to enhance their craftsmanship skills using both traditional and modern techniques.
Who This Course Is Not For
This course may not be suitable for those seeking to learn only one specific method of construction without an interest in exploring the acoustic of the Didgeridoo Sound Design.
We encourage exploration and creativity in building unique instruments.
Fiberglass Fabrication
What It Is
You can learn fiberglass didgeridoo construction and explore innovative techniques for creating unique musical instruments. You will receive all the necessary knowledge to be self-sufficient during the design, mold production, and didgeridoo-making process. This is a real game changer for those who need to create quick prototypes or well-finished didgeridoos.
Purpose
This workshop includes the “Didgeridoo Sound Design” lessons since the main purpose is to teach you the best knowledge about making contemporary didgeridoos.
You will learn to create molds for didgeridoos independently, using low-cost methods without the need for complex equipment. This approach fosters personal creativity and allows for the production of customized instruments.
What You Will Learn
Participants will receive all necessary materials and personal protective equipment, ensuring a safe and engaging work environment. They will have both practical and theoretical lessons about fiberglass molding. By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with their own handcrafted fiberglass didgeridoo.
As anticipated, the workshop includes a strong focus on design theory, providing an in-depth understanding of didgeridoo sound dynamics. Participants will gain essential skills to tune the fundamental note, the “toot,” and impart desired timbral and playability characteristics to their instruments. The skills acquired will enhance both construction abilities and overall musical experience, equipping participants to create didgeridoos that meet their artistic needs, making each instrument unique.
Who This Course Is For
- Individuals interested in hands-on learning about didgeridoo construction.
- Those looking to enhance their craftsmanship skills using fiberglass techniques.
Who This Course Is Not For
This course may not be suitable for those seeking to learn only one specific method of construction without an interest in exploring various techniques or materials. We encourage exploration and creativity in building unique instruments.
EMILIANO TENZI – Italia / Argentina
The opinion of a Performer and Didgeridoo Maker
“Honestly, it’s impossible to find another source of information about Didgeridoo crafting as extensive, comprehensive, significant, specific, and detailed as what Andrea Ferroni provides.
His free online guides, courses, and latest book are milestones in this field, explained with rare simplicity and clarity. Even complex topics, which might seem out of reach for many, are addressed with practical and often entertaining examples, making them accessible to everyone.
I have attended courses with other wind instrument makers, but none have matched Andrea’s level of precision, approachability, and clarity.
Thanks to him, people with no background in mathematics or physics, like me, have discovered a passion for these fields. His work is a beacon for the entire community.
Andrea’s courses are highly recommended for their depth and his unique teaching approach, offering a clear path to excellence through study, practice, and experimentation. His continuous support makes him an indispensable guide for anyone serious about mastering the world of Didgeridoo.”
Emiliano Tenzi – Performer and Didgeridoo Maker – FB Page: @emiliano.tenzi
Andrea Sironi – Italia
The opinon of a Didgeridoo maker and Structural Analyst
Last year, I gifted myself the book “The Design of the Didgeridoo” by Andrea Ferroni.
It’s a book I highly recommend to anyone who builds instruments and is interested in understanding how to optimize them.
What I really like about it is its scientific approach: starting from the characteristics you want the instrument to have, it explains all the necessary acoustic concepts to then define its shape so that it meets those characteristics.
Of course, it’s not the kind of book I’d read before going to bed: even though I have a scientific background and the concepts are clear, my lack of experience in acoustics meant I had to reread some chapters to fully grasp what Andrea was explaining.
I believe this book is essential for anyone like me who wants to create instruments optimized for the needs of those who will play them. It provides the opportunity to have greater control over the didge’s characteristics right from the initial design phases.
Great job, Andrea!
Andrea Sironi, founder of “Didgeridoo su Misura”
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back
Your satisfaction is guaranteed
Sign up for one of the three workshops listed, and I will personally ensure you receive the best support, tailoring the content to your level to provide a clear and personalized experience.
If, after the first lesson block, you’re not satisfied for any reason, I’ll refund 100% of your payment. And if you come to our location, I’ll also treat you to lunch, either at our place or a nearby restaurant.
If you’d like (with no obligation), I would appreciate any feedback on how to improve, though it has never happened before. My goal is to give you a risk-free, high-value learning experience.
Andrea Ferroni, player, maker, teacher, researcher.
Founder of Didgeridoo-Crafting.com
I wasn’t born knowing everything about the didgeridoo. Like you, I started as a self-taught enthusiast, driven by curiosity and passion for this unique instrument. I had to travel, meet extraordinary people, and collaborate with artists and craftsmen from all over the world to hone my skills. It’s been a journey of discoveries, mistakes, and continuous improvements. I created this site to share all of that with you.
In 2004, I founded the Didgeridoo School in Turin, which quickly became a reference point for those who want to play, build, and study this instrument. My goal wasn’t just to share what I was learning, but to create a complete educational path, just like in a true art school. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching more than 1,000 students and crafting instruments for internationally renowned musicians. This work has led me to participate in various radio, television programs, and festivals, including TEDx, which I deeply admire, and the Sanremo Music Festival.
Besides teaching, I’ve devoted myself to research. I’ve worked on FEM (Finite Element Method) simulation projects in acoustics and vibration for large multinational companies, collaborated with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and published books such as The Didgeridoo Discovery and Didgeridoo Sound Design. I’ve written hundreds of articles and created numerous videos about the didgeridoo, delving deep into acoustic dynamics and applying them to the creation of increasingly advanced instruments designed for the contemporary didgeridoo.
For me, teaching is not just about passing on techniques. In my workshops on Didgeridoo Sound Design and instrument crafting, I tailor the content to each student’s background. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced maker, my goal is to help you level up, sharing over twenty years of experience with you.
There are no magic formulas, but with the right support and accurate information, you can build instruments that truly reflect your musical vision. If, for any reason, you’re not satisfied after the first module, I will refund 100% of what you’ve paid.
Don’t fall behind! Don’t miss opportunities to grow, improve, or add more value to your musical instruments. Fill out the form below, and I’ll contact you soon with all the information you need.
The upcoming group workshops
Tuesday, 17th, and Thursday, 19th of December 2024 – SOLD OUT
From 7pm to 10pm CET
Place: Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, 18th, and Tursday 20th of March 2025 – ONLY 6 places available
From 7pm to 10pm CET
Place: Virtual Meeting