How to Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe

A didgeridoo is a simple but fun instrument that you can make out of plastic pipe.

Steps

  1. Image titled Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe Step 1
    1
    Buy a length of 1-1/2" PVC pipe from five to six feet long. The length will determine the pitch of your didgeridoo. It's easier to estimate longer, you can always cut it down. A length of 51.5" (including the mouthpiece) will tune your didgeridoo to a low C.[1]
  2. Image titled Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe Step 2
    2
    Buy a Female-Female 1-1/2" coupler piece, and a 1-1/2" to 1" bushing. This will make the mouthpiece.[2]
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  3. Image titled Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe Step 3
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    Clean the cut edges of the PVC pipe. These tend to send off ribbons and hangnails that will only impede your airways. A wire brush is ideal for this task, but you can shave off excess PVC with a pocketknife if need be.[3]
  4. Image titled Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe Step 4
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    Assemble your instrument. Place the coupling firmly onto the end of the pipe. Fit the bushing into the coupling. You now have an assembled didgeridoo![4]
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What can I use instead of the female-female coupler?
    Justjaythings
    Justjaythings
    Community Answer
    You could use two different pipe sizes that fit into each other. You simply have to use a sealing for the air to stay in the didge. Alternatively, just use a single, longer pipe.
  • Question
    How does the sound work with this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The sound is made by the buzzing of the lips, similar to a brass instrument. The sound resonates, with the horn producing frequencies that can be altered by how the lips are buzzed.
  • Question
    How do I play a didgeridoo?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You just blow into it as hard as you can and that makes the sound come out! The pitch is determined by the length of the tube.
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Alternate Method

  1. Buy a 2 inch (5.1 cm) diameter PVC pipe that is 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) long. Get a block of beeswax, acrylic paint, a bulb planter, a glass beverage bottle, a rounded head bolt, and a hot air gun.
  2. Take the pvc and heat the end until it is all loose. Then stick the glass bottle in it. This will begin your bell. Let it cool down, then heat it again and stick the bulb planter in it with wd40 on it first, then that should give you a bell.
  3. Heat any area and press the head of the bolt on the heated pvc. Do this everywhere.
  4. Take a rough grain sandpaper and sand the pvc, then prime the pipe let it dry.
  5. Paint your didgeridoo with the acrylic.
  6. Make your mouthpiece out of the beeswax.[5]
  7. Give it a blow!

Warnings

  • You may wish to wear a dust mask or respirator when working with heating the pipe, but these may not provide full protection from the toxic vapors. It's worth mentioning again, ALWAYS work outside when heating PVC!
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  • A hardware store may only allow you to buy a ten-foot length of PVC pipe, but they will usually cut it for you if you ask.
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  • If you're using a blow torch observe all warning labels on the fuel tank and nozzle! Propane is dangerous and must be used with caution.
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  • If you wish to use heat to bend or twist your PVC didgeridoo, be absolutely sure to do it outside! PVC releases toxic fumes when heated, and bad things could happen to your lungs if you inhale too much of the vapor.[6]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

  • PVC pipe, 1-1/2", 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) length.
  • PVC Female-Female 1-1/2" coupling
  • (Alternative: 22.5 degree Female-Female 1-1/2" joint)
  • 1-1/2" to 1" PVC bushing

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.makery.info/en/2016/12/20/un-didgeridoo-fait-main-en-pvc-pour-souffler-le-bonheur/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4iolIHPBI
  3. ↑ http://www.makery.info/en/2016/12/20/un-didgeridoo-fait-main-en-pvc-pour-souffler-le-bonheur/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4iolIHPBI
  5. ↑ https://how2today.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/didgeridoo-mouthpiece-making/
  6. ↑ https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+1213

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 24 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 204,537 times.
101 votes - 85%
Co-authors: 24
Updated: February 15, 2022
Views: 204,537
Categories: Making Musical Instruments
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