Document text
SUNNY Temp: 64 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Sunday, October 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 28, 2003 Tyler Spencer of Eugene demonstrates one of the didgeridoos he makes and sells. He�s got a booth at this weekend�s Harvest Fair at the Jackson County Expo. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Harvest Fair 2003 Vendor’s didgeridoos are but one offering among many at this year’s Expo event By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — The Jackson County Harvest Fair always turns a spotlight on Southern Oregon by highlighting the best of the region’s food and drink, livestock, produce and artwork. But this year, the 13th annual event also featured the exotic sounds of an instrument that hails from the land down under. "The didgeridoo has a very distinct sound," said Tyler Spencer, a Eugene craftsman and musician operating a booth called Primal Sound Didgeridoo on Saturday. "There’s nothing like it." Spencer was one of more than a dozen vendors selling arts and crafts at this weekend’s Harvest Fair at the Jackson County Expo. Advertisement His booth sells the Australian wind instrument that produces a variety of low-pitch, resonant sounds. Didgeridoos, one of the world’s oldest instruments, were first played by Aborigines as an accompaniment to chants, dances and songs. The tube-like instrument, several feet long, is created by hollowing out tree limbs and trunks. Spencer crafts his didgeridoos out of bamboo, cactus stalks or pine. Prices range from anywhere from $60 for a basic model to $1,000 for a hand-crafted, detailed piece. "Some people just buy them as an interesting conversation piece," he said. "I do well with families ... kids are really interested." Using his cheeks and diaphragm like a bellows to bring the didgeridoo to life, Spencer changes the sounds of the instrument by moving his lips and tongue. To play the didgeridoo, Spence had to learn circular breathing — a technique enabling a wind instrumentalist to maintain a sound for long periods of time by inhaling through the nose while maintaining air flow through the instrument "I can play as long as I want without stopping," he added. "My stomach gets tired before my lips do." When he’s not selling his instruments at open air markets along the coast or wholesale, Spencer plays his instrument with a Eugene jazz band. Carol and Ed Thompson set up shop next to Spencer’s booth to sell copper twisters — decorative window ornaments that twist and turn in the wind. The Olympia, Wash., couple said they were happy to listen to the hypnotic rumble of the didgeridoos throughout the weekend. "I’m loving it because it has a nice, mellow sound," said Carol Thompson. "I’ve never really seen one up close." "It’s fun. It’s kind of nice," added husband Ed. In addition to vendors selling arts and crafts, Harvest Festival is filled with other activities for young and old alike. They include lawn-mower racing, antique tractor pulls, sheep dog and agility dog demonstrations, music, a mountain-man demonstration encampment, livestock displays, games and locally made microbrews and wines. The Harvest Fair & Microbrew Festival opens today at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. Admission is $4. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. There is no charge for parking. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times