Adamant man is a disciple of the didgeridoo
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Pitz Quattrone plays a didgeridoo made from sunflower stalk in Adamant recently. Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/Times Argus |
Toolbox
By Sarah Hinckley Times Argus Staff - Published: September 24, 2008
MONTPELIER – Pitzigini "Pitz" Quattrone, 45, is on a mission to promote the didgeridoo here in the United States. The instrument, which originated with the Australian aboriginal culture, was introduced in this country less than a half-century ago, but in the northern part of Australia it has been a part of the native culture for hundreds of centuries.
"The sound was the first attraction, but the more I learned about it, the more interested I became," said Quattrone, who first tried playing one in 1993. "It's the oldest instrument on the planet, by far. Scientists have dated it back to between 40,000 and 100,000 years."
Didgeridoo is one of several names for the instrument, also known as a yidaki, which is formed when termites hollow out the inside of a eucalyptus tree. Its creation has been duplicated with other hollow trees, stalks or plants, including bamboo shoots. One of Quattrone's more colorful didgeridoos was crafted from a sunflower stalk.
"I don't pretend to know everything about this instrument, because I learn about it everyday," he said, adding that he recently played with musicians Pete Seeger and Guy Davis in Brattleboro. "It does a lot of positive things for people, both listening and playing."
Making noise with this instrument is as easy as giving a child or friend a raspberry – that gesture of affection that usually solicits a giggle.
"You just have to put your lips in tight enough so there's no loss of air out the side," said Quattrone, whose first name is a nickname given by his Italian family that refers to a type of kiss. "I like weird sounds and this is the king of weird sounds… It's like harmonicas; each instrument is in its own key."
He used to play up to 10 hours a day while selling bamboo versions of the instrument at craft fairs and festivals.
"It's hugely spiritual for me," said Quattrone, explaining that many people have expressed the same feeling from the bass-sounding instrument. "It is definitely good for you to play this instrument. It has helped me in many ways."
The digeridoo is played by putting one's lips loosely at one end and pushing air through – not blowing, like playing a trumpet or other wind instrument. An important aspect of playing the instrument is circular breathing: keeping a continuous breath going in and coming out of the body and into the instrument.
"It's the most difficult and misunderstood aspect of this instrument," said Quattrone. "I can teach anybody to circular breathe. It takes cheek muscles and tuning."
He has played the didgeridoo with several musicians, in a number of bands and most often entertains crowds playing with his Earthman Band. While selling didgeri-doos, from 1995 to 2000, Quattrone really connected with the instrument and honed his playing.
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Sept. 26, at the Unitarian Church on Main and School streets in Montpelier, Quattrone will host the first of three workshops to share his passion. There will be three sessions and all are free to the public. The others are scheduled for Oct. 25 and Nov. 22.
Each workshop will include the history of the didgeridoo, a teaching session and a variety of live music. At this Friday's session, attendants will be treated to Quattrone playing with "expert, tasty string player" Dan Haley, then South American musician Jairo and his son, as well as songs with the Earthman Band and singer Amy Quattrone.
"This instrument can fit in anything from funk to hip-hop, zydeco and rock and roll," said Quattrone. "My goal is to show how flexible this instrument can be in different music settings… I just want people to show up – and if I turn one person on to it, the better."
For more information about the workshops or didgeridoos call Pitzigini Quattrone at 229-4952.
Contact Sarah Hinckley at sarah.hinckley@timesargus.com.
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