"How To Make A PAPIER MACHE DIDJ"

This Didjeridu was made as a first attempt by "Peter Howells" one of Steve's Nightclass students. The instructions and pictures were kindly donated by him. Have a go at making your very own low cost didjeridu. They really do work.

• A stiff tube of suitable diameter and length: Mine is 2 11/16" (68mm) x 4'6" (137mm).
• Lubricant (I used a spray on nylon lubricant, but WD40 would probably work).
• Durable, lick-to-stick, paper parcel tape.
• Damp cloth.
• Paper (I used brown parcel paper).
• PVA glue, watered down about 50:50.
• A brush for glueing (mine's a pastry brush from the kitchen).
• Sharp scissors.
• Beeswax for the mouthpiece.
• Paint for decoration (and an artistic idea!).

The tube will hold the shape of your didge until the glue dries.

Start by very lightly lubricating the tube - spraying lubricant onto a tissue and wiping this onto the tube works OK.

Tear the parcel tape into a manageable length, and wrap it in a spiral, adhesive side out, around the tube, whilst wiping the adhesive with the damp cloth to activate it. The tape will quickly stick to itself and form a tube.

Repeat with more lengths of tape until you have wrapped the length of tube that you want to use.

Next, tear (or cut) manageable strips of brown paper and glue them onto the parcel tape. I started with lengthwise strips for my first layer, circular strips for the second, and then back to lengthwise strips for the third.

Keep adding strips, in layers, until you think you have enough. Mine has about 6 to 8 layers, it increases from the mouth end to the trumpet end.

If you want the finish to look like a wood grain, you can finish with lengthwise strips that have no straight lines. It would be interesting to use paper with a design or image as the last layer to decorate the didge instead of painting.
See image below.

You can probably slide the paper didge off the tube after the first three layers have fully dried.

As you add paper strips, remember to shape the ends of the didge. If the mouth end needs to be narrower, add strips inside the tube. You can flair the trumpet end by making several lengthwise cuts with scissors, and sticking with paper strips to hold the shape you want.

Decorate your almost finished didge with your chosen pattern or image, and then varnish it to protect the paint. I used the 50:50 PVA glue mix to varnish mine. It dries to a satin finish.

Lastly, form the mouthpiece by melting the Beeswax in a shallow bowl, and rotating the mouth end of the didge in the pool of wax. Apply several layers, and gently shape the wax with your fingers until you get the desired shape and size. Wait for the wax to cool, and...

PLAY THAT DIDGE!

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