The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum used for traditional music. It typically measures from 25 cm to 65 cm in diameter with sides measuring 9-20 cm deep.
A bodhran can be played by inserting one hand into its skin, then striking with another to control pitch and sound characteristics, from sharp urgent taps to melodies and martial calls.
Origins
Music can set the perfect atmosphere for any special event – be it a wedding, birthday party, or simply just going out on the town for the evening – whether that be celebrating wedding vows, an anniversary or simply being out and about in town! Music adds that extra touch.
Bodhran drums are one of the most beloved instruments of Irish folk music. Conceived as hand-held frame drums that can be played during spiritual ceremonies, Bodhrans have quickly become a household name worldwide.
The bodhran is composed of a round wooden frame with stretched skin across one side for striking, and another that can be exposed for dampening pitch. Size of these drums ranges between 30 cm (12-24 inches).
Irish traditional music dates back a long way, with early written records dating from the early twentieth century. Trad legend Sean O Riada led its revival during the 1960s musical scene. Today it forms an essential part of every traditional Irish session!
Materials
The Bodhran Drum is an Irish musical instrument with an exquisite sound. Its signature sound echoes traditional Irish rhythms to create a captivating rhythmic pattern that perfectly complements their tuneful melodies.
Bodhrans consist of a wooden frame that opens on one side, with a tight drum head made typically from goatskin (although modern versions may use synthetic materials instead).
Many bodhrans come equipped with an adjustable tuning mechanism that enables drummers to tighten or loosen the skin depending on what sound they wish to create, making playing easier while providing consistent tones and sounds. This makes for easier playability.
Beginner players of bodhrans may find them intimidating, so it is crucial that they select a quality drum with a sturdy frame and that can be tuned. Meinl is well known for their percussion instruments, making their 14 inch bodhran an excellent option with its deep shell and smaller diameter head creating a vibrant boomy sound when hit.
Techniques
Bodhran drums are traditionally played using a small wooden tipper or beater stick that strikes the goatskin head of the drum. Modern players of bodhrans must learn various complex hand movements and stick manoeuvres to play contemporary style bodhran music.
As part of the folk music revival of the 1960s, bodhrans quickly rose in importance within traditional Irish music. Over time their use spread widely to other genres of traditional music around the globe with musicians like Middle Eastern percussionists adapting them for use within their styles.
The bodhran is famous for its distinctive playing technique: dampening its skin with your left hand to control tone and variation in pitch, while its player can use his or her right hand to add extra beats into tunes by changing its angle relative to the drum’s skin. This makes the instrument particularly suitable for ornamenting rhythmic tunes by changing angle between hand and drum in order to embellish their rhythmic structure.
Styles
The Bodhran Drum has long been considered an integral component of Irish traditional music and has since become increasingly popular over time, becoming such an essential instrument that its absence would almost render any songs impossible! It has even become synonymous with Irish culture itself!
There are two primary techniques for playing the bodhran: Kerry style (both ends of beater held directly above head), and West Limerick style ( only one end used).
There are various hand styles for playing the bodhran. While some styles adhere more closely to tradition, others draw from techniques used by other ethnic drumming traditions.
Tuning
The Bodhran Drum (pronounced bow-rahn) is at the core of Irish traditional music. Offering intricate rhythmic capabilities and being suitable for all players of different levels of ability to learn this traditional Irish form of music.
Bodhran playing has gained increasing attention since the revival of Irish traditional music in the 1960s. Sean O Riada introduced it to public attention and since then it has played an integral role in groups such as Ceoltoiri Chualann and Chieftains.
Most bodhran drums come equipped with their own tuning systems, but you can also customize yours yourself. One method involves wetting the skin with water before holding it near a low heat source like a radiator, lamp or stove; this will loosen and reduce pitch immediately.
