As I approach the seemingly small, brightly colored shop – I notice strange sounds coming from inside … music perhaps, but nothing like I have ever encountered. I know Zac is a zither player, but it certainly is not a zither that I hear. The outside of his shop is scattered with iron figures which depict musicians, an old looking tubular instrument, colorful streamers, and Tibetan prayer flags. Before I could knock, Zac meets me at the bright blue windowed door.  

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He introduces himself, “Zac Zitherbear, musician and collector of anything rare and unusual - at your service. And you, you must be Professor PJ! Welcome!!  So why have you come to see me today?” I tell Zac that I heard he had a collection of antiques that must be seen to be believed, especially a collection of unusual musical instruments. He explains that he is on his way to procure a very exciting rare item but that he would give me a brief explanation of Australian Aboriginal instruments, the didgeridoo, bullroarer, clapsticks, and the gum leaf.

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 “Most well known is the didgeridoo, a simple wooden tube blown with the lips like a trumpet. It gains its sound from the resonances of the player's vocal tract. The didgeridoo is essentially a tree limb hollowed out by termites, without finger holes. Sound is achieved by vibrating the lips, blowing through the mouth, and breathing through the nose simultaneously. This technique is called ‘circular breathing’. Each didgeridoo produces a precise core note in a specific key - the longer the didge – the lower the key.”

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 “The bullroarer is a simple wooden slat whirled in a circle on the end of a cord so that it rotates on its axis and produces a pulsating low-pitched roar. It is both an ancient instrument and a communicating device.”

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 “The clapsticks, or songsticks, are a pair of sticks, either cylindrical or flat, with pointed or squared ends. They may be plain or may be decorated with symbols carved, burnt or painted onto the sticks. They are used to keep the beat or provide rhythm.”

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 “The gum leaf is a leaf from a eucalypt (or ‘gum’) tree. Held against the lower lip a stream of air is blown over the leaf creating a sound like a vibrating valve. Originally it was intended to imitate bird-calls and for communication, but it is also be used to play tunes.” 

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I ask Zac to play a tune before I leave. In his bright orange coat, he steps outside of his colorful door, walks to a gum tree, reaches for a leaf and while it is still attached to the branch with his lips pursed, he blows across the leaf and plays “We are Australians.” He turns to me and says “give it a try.” All I can manage is a great puff of air that sounds like labored breathing. I can’t help but wonder what other bears will think if they see me blowing on a leaf still attached to a tree?

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Our visit is brief, as he must go pick up his new “acquisition”. He invites me to visit again, at which time he will show me his complete collection of instruments and antiques, and give me another gum leaf lesson. But before I leave, he asks a question (it seems the Bears Down Under are very Socratical).

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“Do you know what the oldest instrument is?” I think for a moment, and with a smile

respond with “our voices.” I was quite proud of myself for thinking outside the box. “Close” Zac laughs, “something even older – what came before our voices?” "Umm a musical instrument before our voices. I don’t know.” “Give it some thought" he says.

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While walking away, I hear magpies singing, grass swishing beneath my feet, and notice the wind rustling through the gum trees – I quickly turn and sing “Nature!”

He smiles and retreats behind the bright blue door.  

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Nature is the oldest musical instrument.

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