Exploring Aboriginal Music in the Classroom
Music is a vital and vibrant part of Aboriginal culture — and a powerful way to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into classroom learning. It offers students a meaningful connection to First Nations histories, languages, and ways of understanding the world.
Traditional Instruments and Their Cultural Significance
Across the many diverse Aboriginal nations of Australia, music has long been used for ceremony, storytelling, social gatherings, and education. A wide variety of musical instruments are crafted using materials sourced from Country — each one reflecting the environment and cultural practices of its makers.
Clapsticks
Clapsticks are one of the most widely used traditional instruments. They are a type of percussive tool made by striking two sticks together or by striking one stick against another surface, such as the ground or a tree. Crafted from native timbers, they vary depending on the trees available in different regions.
Clapsticks serve multiple purposes:
Keeping rhythm during songs and dances
Accompanying vocals and other instruments (such as the didgeridoo)
Supporting storytelling and cultural education
Occasionally being used as digging tools (e.g., for yams)
Some clapsticks are simple and undecorated, while others feature intricate carvings or painted designs — depending on their maker and purpose. Traditionally, they have been used by both men and women in various cultural contexts.
Didgeridoo (Yidaki)
The didgeridoo, or yidaki (as it’s known in its place of origin, Arnhem Land), is a wind instrument that has become an iconic symbol of Aboriginal culture. However, it’s important to note that not all Aboriginal groups traditionally used the didgeridoo — its origins lie specifically in Northern Australia.
Yidakis are made from tree trunks or branches naturally hollowed by termites or fire. Their sound varies depending on their length and shape. Played using a technique involving vibrating lips and circular breathing, the didgeridoo produces deep, resonant tones and is traditionally used by men during ceremony.
While the instrument has spread across the world with many new, contemporary playing styles, the traditional method remains central to cultural practices and is treated with deep respect.
Incorporating Aboriginal Music into the Classroom
Here are a few practical ways to explore Aboriginal music in your teaching:
Provide clapsticks for students to experiment with rhythm and coordination.
Play traditional and contemporary Aboriginal music during quiet time or transitions — Tjitji Lullaby is a beautiful example, perfect for younger students.
Invite local Aboriginal musicians to run workshops or perform in class. In South East Queensland, we recommend Aunty Sharron Mirii Bell for incursions.
Discuss the origins and meanings of instruments like the yidaki, exploring where they come from and how they’re used.
By embedding Aboriginal music and instruments into your teaching, you’re not only enriching your students' learning experience — you’re also showing respect for one of the oldest living cultures on Earth, and helping preserve and celebrate its ongoing legacy.Further Reading: https://www.monash.edu/education/teachspace/articles/the-power-of-song-sharing-first-nations-languages-through-music
PLUS be sure to check out the comprehensive list of First Nations songs carefully chosen and appropriate for school-aged children, created by the team over at The Yulang Effect.
