Name and Country |
Do you consider that there are ethical issues when a non-Aboriginal person wants to play traditional Aboriginal styles on the didgeridoo? |
Please share your view on the possible ethical issues of playing traditional styles |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
If it is done in a respectful manner to honor the aboriginal people and promote their culture. |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
Belongs to Aboriginal |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
It may be disrespectful if it is considered religious. |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
What? I only play for the sake of playing no politics. |
| Al from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
It would depend on the context of the performance and the intended representation the player was claiming |
| Alan Lowe from United Kingdom |
There might be ethical issues |
If it was for ceremonial then I would respect that same with Uluru I would never walk up there for the same reason. |
| Alessandro from Italy |
There might be ethical issues |
Respect |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
There are ethical issues when the person attempts to imitate the traditional styles in a negative and demeaning way |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't really have a view on this subject I am not very educated on native Australian society |
| Anonymous from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Playing it badly and offend those who highly regard the instrument. |
| Amy from USA |
I do not know |
It is probably frowned upon by aboriginal tribes...like non-native Americans doing sacred dances I can imagine. However I think it's important for new blood" to learn and keep old traditions alive." |
| Amy Ellis from United Kingdom |
There might be ethical issues |
I think it is good to understand the origins of the piece and to respect this. This can be done as an individual reflecting on ones own conscience. It is good to mention where your inspiration comes from. As a woman I researched quite a lot about where women can play and I understand that it can be played outside of ceremonies in some tribes. However I play it in pagan ceremonies and take people on a journey to another world. |
| Amy from USA |
I do not know |
I suspect that it could be seen as making a mockery of the instrument. I would never want to hurt a culture. I would love to embrace the culture and share the awesome sounds. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Don't know |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
I don't know |
| Angie from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I think if someone is taught some traditional styles the ethical piece comes into play if these are ceremonial pieces and they are used for other things and also if they are passed on as traditional styles by someone who really doesn't know the culture or what traditional is. Often certain rhythms have meanings to certain tribes and when you use these for 'just playing' it is disrespectful to the culture from which it emanates |
| Anonymous from Australia |
I do not know |
No idea |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
There are none in my opinion |
| Anonymous from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
None |
| Anthony Kubiak from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
If traditional music is sacred or used only for particular ceremonial situations if should be respected |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
Well if women shouldn't play it may be that it should be kept within the Aboriginal community but Music is really for all. |
| Ashley from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
The instrument was originally created for a specific cultural view and art form to be used in nontraditional ways could be considered unethical. I personally do not believe it to be a problem if not used maliciously or with direct disrespect. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
N/A |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
Misuse of the style lack of respect for the Australian Aboriginal people culture and life. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
People need to have compassion and honour the traditions of Aboriginal people. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Unknown |
| Beat from Switzerland |
There might be ethical issues |
As in every culture respect is needed not to rearrange traditional songlines in an offending or simply unappreciative way |
| Beth from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Since the traditional style is passed down from within the culture it should be respected and used only as culturally prescribed. Contemporary style can be used otherwise. |
| Beverly from USA |
I do not know |
I am not sure how Aboriginal people feel about us Anglos playing the didj. I would never misrepresent myself as someone who learned from an Aboriginal teacher and am playing strict Aboriginal style and think it would be wrong to do so. |
| Brandi from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't see ethical issues. |
| Brandon Barnard from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I have not pondered this question before |
| Brandon from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Like any long held sacred tradition of any culture it is best approached with respect and knowledge of history. |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I do not feel that I am knowledgeable enough about the topic to make an educated answer. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I believe it is important to learn others culture and customs. My hopes are that another culture would be open to sharing rather than close that right to those not born into the culture. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
It is a matter of respecting the intention of the original players |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
I do not know |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
Possibly that a person who is not culturally savvy regarding the nuances of Aboriginal culture beliefs history cosmology rituals traditions music etiquette... would misuse an instrument or use it without knowing what they were doing or the deeper meanings ~ |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Playing in traditional styles may create ethical issues if one believes there is intrinsic value in keeping culture heritage within a culture. |
| Brooks from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I feel that as long as you have respect for the traditional styles wanting to learn to play and emulate them is only a good thing. I fully understand that it may not be possible for someone outside" to completely understand and appreciate it the way a true Aboriginal player would but I think attempting to learn to play in that style is only flattery." |
| Carol from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I would not want to offend anyone only to attempt what I feel is a beautiful music |
| Carol from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
If one of them is a religious song it would be in vain since we don't share their religion. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
The main issue is to keep the tradition of an specific Aboriginal group. |
| Anonymous from Germany |
There might be ethical issues |
If some of the traditional stiles have religious meaning or are exclusive to a certain group of people there might be objections if someone plays them without the religious background and understanding |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
For a people trying to preserve their culture and customs a non-aboriginal could change the style in such a way that it may undermine traditional views and be accepted among non-aboriginals as the traditional style. This could lead to further diversion from aboriginal culture. Also this could lead to devaluation of aboriginal culture by non-aboriginals. Native american symbols are often commercially produced and misunderstood in my country. |
| Cathy from Australia |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
The fact that I am a women makes me unsure about really putting effort into learning regardless of how drawn I have always been to the didgeridoo because Of offending elders etc. I am not sure if I have aboriginal blood there seems to be some family secrets but I have always been drawn to it. |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
Don't know |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
The Purpose. |
| Charles Steward from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Music is not owned by any race! |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
I don't know |
| Charlie from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
None |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
It may be imposturous to play in traditional styles because it discounts the meaning of the traditional style |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
As with any cross cultural endeavor One must take care to respect the traditions. |
| Chris from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't know of any issues. |
| Christopher from United Kingdom |
I do not know |
Don't have any |
| Christopher Horn from Oman |
No, there are no ethical issues |
There are no ethical issues whatsoever. Music is music for music's sake and nothing more. This being said if I ever happen to be a guest of an Aboriginal tribe I'll respect their customs and if it means not playing in a certain style I'll adapt as much as I would in any other country to any other reasonable custom. |
| Corry from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't see any. |
| Craig from Malaysia |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
The unique styles that are part of an an ancient heritage should be respected and guarded. A lot of awareness needs to be part of planning how this is done. Non aboriginal people could easily misunderstand and treat lightly something with a large cultural and spiritual value. |
| Craig from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
The playing of certain pieces might only be done for specific acts of worship or ceremony. It may be that to play a piece as an outsider in the presence of those with these beliefs could then be considered an insult to a clan member group or deity. Whether I personally believe as they do or not would be wrong not to consider these things as I consider where and when to play or not. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Shouldn't be any. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Don't know |
| Dan from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Offensive to aboriginal beliefs |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
I'm not sure |
| Dana from Canada |
There might be ethical issues |
Not sure but only imagine there could be problems. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
I do not know |
It might be offensive to some aboriginal peoples for non aboriginal peoples to play ceremonial styles but I do not know. I am non-aboriginal (of european decent) and non-australian |
| Darlene Demos Now Meredith from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Today people are reaching out for world knowledge. Many people want to learn all about the Aborigine people and their instruments. I do not believe it is unethical to play in their traditional style any more than I think only black people should play Jazz. |
| Darwin Ortuya from Chile |
There might be ethical issues |
I know the most of aboriginal people are very closed to share their culture even more with those non aboriginal who practice and learn their way of living... I understand they see our culture more clumsy because we're very destructive and selfish...But personally I think that we're human being before european or american or african or chilean or mapuche etc.. and we all are living on this Earth and have to be responsible for our existence in this point we're the consciousness experiencing these human bodies and minds... when we as human beings achieve this consciousness there are no separation between each others and break out this limiting identification patterns... then every culture and people of the world bring the best they can and share for the good and love of everyone... specially with healing and music arts... I'm very interested in this point because I have worked with it in personal talks with mapuche people (I'm an anthropology student) and found out that is time to learn and share with all respect for sacredness of all spiritual knowledge. |
| David from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Everyone should be able to play |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
You should not try to copy without being taught |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
There is none |
| David from USA |
I do not know |
I do not know |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
I believe proper respects have to be engaged and that is to request permission from an indigenous performer and community and then ask for some history lessons and possibly musical/didge lessons...this is a process that takes time... |
| David Vanderpoole from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
As a percussionist and occasional guest presenter of music in schools I include traditional rhythms from Africa India Central America & Cuba to name a few. Such origins are acknowledged as part of the educational experience for students and their appreciation thereof. It would seem ethical to do likewise playing the didgeridoo in traditional Aboriginal style were I to be able to do so. It's important that the origin of such be made known wherever presented. |
| Dean Archer from United Kingdom |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I see no ethical issues unless its played on sacred ground |
| Devonne from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
I am not familiar with it. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Could be sacred |
| Donat from Belgium |
I do not know |
I do not know how protective the Australian Aboriginals are of their playing styles. |
| Donovan Russell from USA |
I do not know |
Curtain ritualistic tunes could be played incorrectly aggravating an aborigines |
| Doug from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I suppose the more one learns one can then more embrace the true meaning behind the music which would allow them to more completely understand whey they are playing a certain way and then interpret that meaning properly to present and convey it back through the playing of their instrument. |
| Drew Smith from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
The Aboriginal people could possible be offended by a non-Aboriginal person trying to steal" part of their culture but they might be honored that others would want to be like them." |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
I don't know enough about the issue to say. |
| Ed from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I feel that it is good to experience culture - esp in music |
| Edward Skipper from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Perhaps not knowing the Stories correctly or what story to tell and when? |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
People wont accept change |
| Anonymous from Israel |
No, there are no ethical issues |
As long as one does not claim to be or play what he is not or not allowed to- all is well. |
| Emily Bouldrey from USA |
I do not know |
I wouldn't want to offend an aboriginal or other professional who is schooled in the sound and skill of traditional styles and they might also hold some religious connotations that I am not aware of. |
| Emma from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Traditional styles were originally created with a sacred purpose in mind and is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Someone who didn't grow up surrounded by Aboriginal culture can't possibly understand the importance of the traditional playing styles and music. |
| Eric from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
My belief is music is the universal language and while the didj was developed in Australia if should be embraced worldwide be people wanting to listen to its music or learn how to play one |
| Eric Russell from USA |
I do not know |
Offensive to aborigines? |
| Erik from USA |
I do not know |
If you are not aware of the purpose and history of the traditional uses and purposes you may devalue it for those whom use/need the value. Not dissimilar to an American Christmas. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
I believe if the person listens earth and uses the instrument as an expression of gratitude and love race is not the issue. The ethical issue is when the instrument is used for purposes other than the greatest good for all life. I do feel ethical issues because I am a woman but my connection to the instrument is undeniable so I have come to australia with hopes of being granted the blessings of the elders |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
As the didj is a part of a religion" respect is due" |
| Evan from USA |
I do not know |
None. If I was playing for a rock band maybe I wouldn't use traditional styles but if I were playing traditional music of course I'd play with the style that goes together |
