Guide to Indigenous Music
Sounds deadly : An Australian colloquialism meaning terrific, fantastic. (Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary)
The Indigenous people of our state make their own vibrant musical statement. Their music is coloured by the Australiian landscapes and the stories of their struggles and joys. Traditional music blends with an explosion of contemporary flavours to create a unique smorgasbord of rhythms and harmonies.
The Collection
The State Library has a comprehensive heritage collection of recorded Indigenous music from across the state covering both contemporary and traditional styles. We also have a listening collection of CDs and LPs for use within the State Library building, where you will find music of Indigenous peoples from around Australia.
The reference collection of books, journals and on-line databases covers the ethno-musicology of the Indigenous people of Australia, their instruments, in particular the didgeridoo (didjeridu). Material held also includes books on Indigenous music marrying with contemporary music traditions, rituals and playing techniques, and songs in Western notation.
Searching for information and recordings
If you are looking for a title, use the author or title option in the catalogue, or do a subject search. Useful subject searches are:
- Aboriginal Australians - Music
- Aboriginal Australians - Western Australia - Music
- Didjeridu
- Didjeridu music
- Songs, Aboriginal Australian
- Corroborees - Songs and music
Further information can be found at:
Page last updated: Wednesday 20 April 2011
