The yidaki, a 16th-century double bass and a South American flute: finding Australia’s oldest playable musical instrument

The first musical instrument to arrive with European colonisers in Australia was a piano made in 1780 – but there are older ones still being played Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast “Was it love at first sight?” asks Max Bibeau. “I would say no.” The relationship between a musician and their instrument is always complicated. But for Bibeau and his double bass – tall, heavy and dark, with a distinctive mottled patina and floral carvings – it was a long journey from introduction to intimacy. Continue reading...

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