After getting back from Boulder, one of the first things I did was make one of the "Brain Massager" units like Dave Crowder and Tom Lange had. These things are a real trip!
This device is also known as headbone phones and were invented by Allan Shockley.
For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a very simple device that is a MUST for anyone who busks with a didgeridoo. Basically, it's a low tech stereo system for playing and giving others a mind bending experience.
If you'd like to make one, it can be made out of the following materials:
Essentially, what I did was to remove the foam from the attenuators, and cut holes large enough to mount the PVC adapters in the ear cups of the attenuators. I trimmed the excess thread from the adapters. After threading the PVC pieces into the ear cups, I epoxied them in, and set them aside to dry.
Next, I cut off the spouts on the funnels at the point where the diameter just matched the threaded diameter of the other 2 PVC adapters, and epoxied the adapters to the funnels. I stood the adapters upright, and poured the epoxy in to the funnel so it formed around the threads.
After all of the epoxy had set, I cut the hose into 2 equal length pieces, and connected one funnel to each ear cup with a length of the hose. If the inside diameter of the hose doesn't match the outside diameter of the pipe fittings, you can either epoxy the connections, or use hose clamps to make the connection secure.
If you're lucky enough to find funnels with a hole to hang it up with, you can actually tie the 2 funnels together so they stand side by side. If not, you can always drill a hole in each one and then tie them together.
The next thing to do is try it!
Start by massaging your own brain. Put on the headset and play your didge into the two funnels. Play softly and "harmonically" to start with. Then, you can experiment with the stereo effect ... moving from left to right, and up and down. Don't get TOO spaced out!
After you've got that pretty much figured out, find a likely suspect and force them to volunteer to be your guinea pig! Have them sit down in a comfortable chair, lean back, close their eyes, and enjoy the ride. "Wow!" seems to be the most common reaction.
Now, if you're lucky enough to have some accomplices there, all the better. They can add in another didge part and / or small percussion, like rattles, shakers, clicksticks, or even VOCALS! Stuff like Ssssccchhhhwwwwooopppp or whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop panning from left to right in a really breathy fashion can add a lot.
As you experiment, remember to play gently as loud or overly fast rhythmic stuff won't cut it. If you're unsure about what to play, try it on yourself first.
Now that you are done building and experimenting, take it with you when you busk! Make sure to grab a folding chair for your victim to relax in. If you're feeling really adventuresome, you can take one didge for each key, and play for each chakra and ailments associated with each one. (Check out Music Therapy for Non-Musicians as one possible reference)
| Chakra | Area | Key |
| 1 | Base/Root | C/C# |
| 2 | Sacral/Spleen/Navel | D/D# |
| 3 | Solar Plexus | E/Eb |
| 4 | Heart | F |
| 5 | Throat | G |
| 6 | Brow/3rd Eye | A/Ab |
| 7 | Crown | B/Bb |
Enjoy, and remember that INTENTION is everything, so please refrain from using this device if you're not in a good place, physically or mentally.
-jm
Click here to take a look at a document created by Dave Crowder on the Headbone Phone.