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These instruments belong to the Ethnomusicologist Alice Moyle's 'Type A' classification of accompaniment in which the 'toot' or blown overtone is not used in the
didjeridu playing styles of the area. This type of instrument is used by the clans of Western and North Central Arnhem Land and affiliated areas west and south-west of Darwin in Australia's Top End. Generally, mago are rich in harmonics, a characteristic that is emphasized in the local playing techniques.



Ref: FL001
 
Maker
Frankie Lane
Area
South Western Arnhem Land
Key
Eb fundamental
Length
127.5cm
Mouthpiece
3.5cm (sugarbag)
Bell
5cm
Weight
-
Price
£225
Description

Beautifully stylized fish adorn this nice mago by Frankie Lane done in the 'signature style' of the Beswick based mago craftsman. The open bore, characteristic of magos from this region, creates a wonderfully rich voice that sings when played and the slight flare from the proximal to distal end provides good backpressure for an instrument in this key.



Ref: FL003
 
Maker
Frankie Lane
Area
South Western Arnhem Land
Key
D fundamental
Length
127cm
Mouthpiece
2.7 - 3.2cm (sugarbag)
Bell
4cm
Weight
-
Price
£225
Description

A great Beswick style mago with classic regional painted depictions of yams and local flora and fauna. A gentle flare from proximal to distal end gives this instrument a lovely profile and the largely natural bore creates a growly West Arnhem Land voice, which when coupled with the moderate backpressure allows for quick tonguings and great ease of play.



Ref: JW001
 
Maker
Joe Watson
Area
North Central Arnhem Land
Key
E fundamental
Length
103cm
Mouthpiece
3.2cm (sugarbag)
Bell
5cm
Weight
-
Price
£195
Description

This is a very warm mago with 'pipey' acoustics due to the smoothness and openess of the bore. It is very responsive to vocal hums and has a voice reminiscent of the field recordings from the 1960s. Joe Watson, also known as Latitj Naromi, is a mago maker from North Central Arnhem land whose instruments are often decorated in finely detailed depictions of waterlilies and, as in this case, feathered strings.

A nice little mago with all the characteristics one would expect!



Ref: RB001
 
Maker
Russel Brian
Area
North Central Arnhem Land
Key
F fundamental
Length
111cm
Mouthpiece
3 - 3.4cm (sugarbag)
Bell
5 - 6cm
Weight
-
Price
£345
Description

A wonderful mago here by Russel Brian with a warm and earthy voice. The open natural bore and internal characteristics result in a resonant tone which responds wonderfully to vocal accents and pressure changes. Sugarbag mouthpiece and white ochre handprints on a red ochre base.



Ref: OEN001
 
Maker
Unknown
Area
Oenpelli, Western Arnhem Land
Key
F fundamental
Length
112cm
Mouthpiece
3.4cm
Bell
4cm
Weight
-
Price
£195
Description

On offer here is a vintage mago collected in Oenpelli in the1960s. This is a classic instrument made in the old ways and painted in ochre clan designs and shows evidence of constant use with a heavily patinated upper region and several small sugarbag patches. Not surprisingly, it has a vintage voice typical of the old field recordings of Western Arnhem Land didjeridu playing. Medium backpressure and an even bore result in an instrument responsive to the lilting repetitive playing style for which it was fashioned.



Ref: RB002
 
Maker
Russel Brian
Area
North Central Arnhem Land
Key
G# fundamental
Length
104cm
Mouthpiece
3 - 3.2cm
Bell
6 - 6.5cm
Weight
-
Price
£245
Description

Another great mago by Russel Brian with wonderful flared profile and vibrant voice. Although high pitched at G# this little stick is surprisingly easy to play and highly reponsive to West Arnhem Land playing techniques as well as more contemporary styles. It has a comfortable mouthpiece with a little sugarbag for comfort and is covered in ochre handprint decoration.

A great little stick!



Ref: HB001
 
Maker
Hedley Brian
Area
North Central Arnhem Land
Key
Eb fundamental
Length
128cm
Mouthpiece
3 - 3.3cm
Bell
5 - 5.5cm
Weight
-
Price
£345
Description

This is a lovely mago with a natural bore and warm voice. It is reminiscent of the field recordings from the 1950s and 1960s and, although a mago, is responsive to a number of playing techniques including those using the 'toot' or blown overtone, which I have demonstrated in the attached sound clip. A great all rounder covered in ochre stippling and footprint designs.

 

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