Yidakis are made from small tree trunks of the stringybark (Eucalyptus Tetradonta). Stringybark is the most common but other species such as Mulga, Wandu, Bloodwood, Mallee or Woolybutt are used. A good yidaki is hard to come by, many trees will have to be checked before the right one is found. Djalu is an expert in selecting the right tree. By tapping on the trunk, he can tell if the white ant has eaten into the tree enough, rendering it suitable to be made into a yidaki. Once he found the right tree, Djalu chopped it down. He then cut a two-metre length of the trunk to form the yidaki.

Djalu then removed the soft wood waste left by the white ant and checked for any blockages in the hollowed section of stringybark. The bark was then stripped away and the smaller of the hollowed ends shaped and refined to fit the mouth. Djalu then played the new yidaki. The strength and pitch of the music left the students inspired and in awe of the master. It was an amazing experience to see the 20-minute transformation of a stringybark tree into an instrument of such power. Yidaki players are usually the creators of the instrument, who must use their knowledge of the bush to ascertain which trees have been hollowed out by termites. They can be collected all year round.As a result of the termites integral role, each and every yidaki is unique in shape, tone and character.