Excerpts... Reid: Some archaeological evidence shows the didgeridoo going back 20,000 years in Australia. Traditionally, it was used by shamans on themselves and also on the people they were helping. But, it has been transported to other cultures today — to Europe and North America. Mike: It has to be Eucalyptus? Reid: It doesn't have to be. Traditionally, it has been. It is a (tree) limb that's been hollowed out by termites, cleaned up and then decorated to some extent. I've got some that are decorated with paint, others that are left plain... It can be made of bamboo and plumbing pipe. Those are usually painted to disguise the material but it just not the same. Mike: Did they use these years ago to communicate with each other over distances? Reid: Ceremonially usually. It's part of their creation story. It tends to bring the concept of the earth closer to them. Mike: How did you get started? Did you just happen to be visiting there? Reid: The first time I heard a didgeridoo was on a CD here in the States, and I have to admit I did not like the sound very much. But, when I went to Australia and heard a didgeridoo live for the first time, I had to have one, I had to play one. I would see buskers playing the didgeridoo in the street like they would play a guitar or a saxophone in this country. So, I found myself a teacher by going into an art gallery and the owner of the art gallery was playing a didgeridoo in the store. He sounded pretty good. He had his own CD. And he looked like he was an Aborigine. But, in the end he turned out to be Lebanese and when he gave me my lesson, he told stories most of the time instead of teaching me. Mike: Just grab one and we'll see. The key is... it's not like playing a trumpet or something. Reid: No, you flutter your lips... and you let it fly. ... (Reid plays the blue serpent didgeridoo while Mike watches) Mike: I notice when you're doing it and the note goes on while you're breathing through your nose. And it happens to be medicinal for you because you have asthma. Reid: Right that's called circular breathing. It's the same kind of breathing that is used while playing bagpipes. You snort air in sharply through the nose then blow out through the mouth, seemingly at the same time. ... Mike: Just to show you how hard it is I'll try one... (Blows into the tan didgeridoo making a raspberry sound and laughs) That's the difference. You heard his nice mellow tones, well, not here ladies and gentlemen. (Blows into the didgeridoo again) Yeah. Well, okay. Thanks very much. That's Reid Runzheimer and the didgeridoo. [ At the end of the show, the two anchors and weatherman join Reid to give the didgeridoos a try. ]

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