ABORIGINAL ARTS
DIDGERIDOO YIDAKI WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

- Jeremy Cloake -

18th & 19th October 2008

Jeremy Cloake will be leading two not-to-be-missed
Yidaki Workshops at the Aboriginal Arts gallery in London.

Numbers limited, please book early and receive a £20.00 discount!

The content of Jeremy's Saturday Yidaki course is as follows:

Jeremy will also be available for private 1-1 tuition for attendees to any of the above workshops!
In addition, anyone who completed Jeremy's six hour workshop last year can come along to the saturday workshop for half price!


Jeremy Cloake is regarded by many as one of the worlds most innovative and accomplished
contemporary didjeridu players. He is recognised as the most proficient non-aboriginal
teacher of Yolngu Yidaki playing technique. He is respected and sought after by many for his
highly specialised knowledge. He has been playing didjeridu since 1992 and teaching
internationally since 2000.

He lived in North East Arnhemland - the birthplace of the Yidaki (didjeridu) - for 4 years where
he studied Yolngu (N.E. Arnhemland aboriginal) Yidaki playing technique, construction and
spiritual origins - amongst other things. During his time there he co-managed Buku Larrnggay
Mulka art centre - a not-for-profit, community based, aboriginal owned collective of several
hundred artists and crafts people. His work there was primarily as a Yidaki specialist. Whilst
there he won two prestigious awards from the Northern Territory Government in recognition of
his work together with the Yidaki makers.

Jeremy also coordinated the Yidaki Master class at the annual Garma festival for 4 years
(www.garma.telstra.com) working closely with Yidaki master Djalu Gurruwiwi and the late Mr
M. Mununggurr to deliver information to visitors from around the world. Initially, the visitors
who had come to Garma to learn to play Yidaki were confused as to how to mimic what Djalu
and Mr Mununggurr played, the language, playing and teaching techniques being dramatically
different to what the visitors were used to. To address this issue, Jeremy worked with Djalu,
Mr Mununggurr and Yolngu language experts Dhangal Gurruwiwi, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-
Stubbs and the late Mrs R Marika to develop a language based system of teaching that
involved translating 'Yolngu phoenetic phrases' into a written ‘Yolngu Yidaki language.’ This
involved acute listening to Yolngu Yidaki playing and breaking rhythm into individual parts for
teaching. This was first introduced at the 2002 Yidaki masterclass and over the following
years refined as a teaching tool. This translation work ultimately led to the release of the
Yidaki tuition CD 'Hard Tongue Didjeridu' (M. Mununggurr) in 2005.

“At the Garma festival in 2001, I discussed with Djalu the most appropriate way in
which non-Yolngu didjeridu players can respect the Yolngu Yidaki traditions. It was
agreed and became very clear that the best way is for non-Yolngu didjeridu players to
learn Yolngu Yidaki playing technique and make up their own rhythms. This became
the basis of Yolngu Yidaki teaching from that point on and likewise an essential
component in my teaching” Jeremy Cloake

His teachings are openly supported by several senior Yolngu lawmen who encourage him to
share what he has learnt in the interest of spreading accurate information about the origin and
use of what is commonly called the didjeridu.

"Understanding the origins of the didjeridu creates a solid foundation for further
learning, naturally this is the first step, without a solid foundation nothing of any
strength or integrity can be built.” Jeremy Cloake

Left, Jeremy Cloake pictured during his sacred bukulup ceremony - arranged by Galpu clan
leaders Djalu and Gurritjiri Gurruwiwi - and pictured playing Yidaki during informal ceremony
at Bawaka outstation, north east Arnhemland.

The current workshop Jeremy is teaching is called "Gaining an understanding of Yolngu
Yidaki - the origin of the didjeridu"

Jeremy developed this unique workshop through his work with Yolngu Yidaki makers, players
and masters. It is a condensed version of his 4 years of study in Arnhemland and it is highly
informative. He has designed it with the intention of promoting the Yidaki for what it is, not for
what it has become. He does this by breaking stereotypes and teaching accurate information
in a clear and understandable way. He gives people the resources they need to develop their
own playing styles that use 'traditional' technique.

The workshop is suited for all levels of playing although it is beneficial (but not necessary) to
be competent with circular breathing. Men and women of all skill levels are welcome. The
duration of the workshop varies depending on what is most suitable for the group. The total
duration is usually between 5 and 6 hours.

Jeremy has an easy going nature and a reputation as a humble, patient and understanding
individual. He creates an open and comfortable workshop space through his belief of equality.
He accepts that all levels of playing are equal and explains that "we are simply at different
points in our learning... that is all."

He has delivered numerous workshops in Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, England, Italy,
Switzerland, Germany, France and Japan and the feedback has been very positive.

Pictured above, workshops in Japan 2005 and Germany 2007. Below, workshop in NZ 2006.


Here is what just a few people have said:

“For me the workshop was a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has actually lived at
'the source' and gained a lot of firsthand information from the masters and can explain it in a
way that westerners understand. I am so happy I did the workshop. A lot of the information he
delivered was from his personal experience. I enjoyed listening to his stories. The workshop
was very beneficial for my playing and for expanding my knowledge about 'the truth' to this
wonderful instrument. I highly recommend it to anybody interested in the didjeridu, whether
you can play it or not!"
Geoff Budd, New Zealand.

“I can say without any hesitation that you are the best Yidaki / Didgeridoo teacher I have had
the good fortune to learn from and your workshop was high excellence.”
Colin Goring, England.

"This is the most beneficial didjeridu workshop I have ever done - and I have done quite a few
- it was a pleasure to learn from him, we had so much fun" - Kisyu Takahashi, Japan.
"His skills as a teacher are fantastic! He is clearly a gifted Yidaki player with a lot of
knowledge who has developed a highly effective way of teaching. He is really easy going
which helped me to feel relaxed. I feel that helped me to learn more easily"
Maryanne Watson, Australia.

“It is thanks to you, that I left the workshop totally inspired. This inspiration is still alive and it
let me practice as often as it is possible. It was really refreshing that you did a lot of exercises
with us - exercises that we somehow could manage.Your workshop was brilliant and it was a
pleasure to have met you. Ka Pai and hopefully till next year. Best wishes”
Hajo, Switzerland.

“I found the workshop was fantastic. Jeremy is a great teacher and things were explained well
for all. Just listening to Jeremy playing right in front of you was a great experience. We were
encouraged to make notes and not to record anything. This has worked fairly well for me, but
it would be good if maybe you could produce a cd or dvd to go along with the workshop. Just
so as you could check back on things to hear how it sounded and so on [Let me know if you
ever do]. Nothing more constructive to add, just that the day was awesome, and I can't wait
for the return visit. The one thing I found when I got home and played was that the workshop
gave me a real shot in the arm and improvements in playing are happening. Cheers.”
Julian, England.

“I thought your workshop was one of the best I've done and if you come back to the UK again
you could put me down for a place for sure. I would be interested if you even do a two-day
workshop. I think the way you taught was brilliant and easy going. I also think your traditional
playing was superb as you did not play that much when I first met you at Garma in 2004, I
hope you come back to the UK."
Dave White.

“As so often on workshops, there are always people who want to make an effort to record the
proceedings.....and I was really pleased that Jeremy did not compromise in allowing people to
do this. I have to say I find it irritating and that note taking is by far the best way of
remembering the proceedings. As with so many other aspects of music, there is a huge
spiritual thread woven delicately through the whole area. You can teach a dog to jump
through a hoop and you can teach someone to play an instrument - a mechanical process
that does not necessarily include feeling and awareness. I found Jeremy's sensitivity and
awareness quite moving, his ability to show how the Aborigines in his experience speak and
feel, a huge eye opener and deepened my appreciation of the instrument and the spirituality it
embodies. The way the day was set out suited me fine, and the putting together of rhythms
and sequence of rhythms a brilliant exercise. Three of us got together last Saturday to go
through what we did - using my written notes !!!!!!!! and it was a really good exercise.
Improvements - well, I think it was just fine as it was. It is extraordinarily difficult having to put
together a plan for a workshop, only to find that half have just learned which end to blow
through and the other half have been playing for ages - in which case, the plan just goes out
of the window. It was a great day, thankyou."
Andy Mapplebeck, England.

“Here´s the workshop feedback: - THANK YOU!!! - My englisch isn`t good enough to write a
long mail. Your Workshop give me very much information, exercises and inspiration
for the next weeks... (...months, ...years...). Greetings from Germany,”
Christian Falkenrich.


“Learning about the Yidaki opens up a whole other world of learning, connection and
experience. It is a pathway to a very magical place”
Jeremy Cloake