An Irish Bodhran For Sale
An Irish Bodhran is a frame drum made of goat skin on one side and may include a crossbar (if present). A skilled player of this instrument can produce an incredible variety of musical sounds with it.
Meinl Percussion’s FD14IBO Irish Bodhran offers classic Celtic tones combined with modern features, such as its dampening layer on the rim that reduces unwanted overtones.
Size
The Bodhran is one of the easiest musical instruments to pick up and play, making it an excellent first drum for beginner musicians.
A bodhran is an ancient frame drum with sides ranging in depth from 9-20 cm (3 1/2-8 in). Constructed of wooden frame material and featuring one or both sides featuring goatskin animal skin tacked down, some bodhrans are tuned, while some cannot.
Avoid purchasing bodhrans that feature paint or transfer decals on their heads; this does not enhance the sound and could eventually come loose and chip off. Some models feature crossbars at the back – some players find this helpful; while other do not. Some models even come equipped with an attached tuning key.
Materials
The Bodhran is an Irish drum that plays an essential part in traditional Irish music sessions. It consists of a single-headed frame drum fitted with either goatskin (although synthetic or other animal skin heads may also be used), or other types of animal skin heads; on its open-ended side players can place their hand against it to control pitch and timbre.
Bodhrans are typically played seated, resting the instrument against one’s thigh while being struck with a wooden beater called a tipper or cipin. Tippers come in many different sizes and shapes – choosing yours is entirely personal!
While other musical instruments may be harder to get started with than the bodhran, this versatile instrument makes an excellent introduction for beginning musicians while serving as an invaluable transitional tool for more experienced ones.
Sound
The Bodhran is at the core of any traditional music session, driving rhythms that get your feet tapping and inspiring dance. Anyone can pick up this single-headed, round frame drum featuring a goat skin head attached to one side and an open end designed to be struck using your hand or various “tippers”.
The sound of a bodhran depends on both how it’s tuned and played; the wrist movement must remain relaxed to produce strong and clear tones. There are some makers who specialize in producing high-quality instruments – these can be found online, at places such as Chiff and Fipple Irish Drums or Metloef Irish Drums.
Techniques
While frame drums have long been utilized in Ireland, the Bodhran was first widely recognized during the Irish Traditional Music resurgence of the 1960s under Sean O Riada’s popularization of it as part of Irish Traditional Music resurgence. Since then it has gained greater acceptance, with numerous great players becoming internationally acclaimed players on its instrument.
The Bodhran is a round wooden frame drum featuring an open ended goat skin head tacked to one side and played using a beater or tipper stick.
When purchasing a bodhran, make sure that it features an externally adjustable rim and buy from stores that understand Celtic music – such as electric guitar shops or stores selling saxophones – as these may lack the knowledge or care to sell an effective one.
Styles
A bodhran is at the core of Irish traditional music. A round drum with an animal skin stretched over it, it produces intricate rhythms that have become an indispensable instrument for Irish folk dancers.
Bodhrans can be played barehanded, using various “tippers”, or with brushes attached to short sticks with soft bristles attached for creating an ambient, jazzy or swing sound.
Purchase a drum that has an organic sound; avoid purchasing one altered with signal processing techniques such as compression, EQ, reverb and delay. Bodhrans come with various voices; choose one that best matches your playing style.
