Bodhran Drums
There’s rarely a traditional Irish music session without at least one bodhran player present. These flat drums, constructed of goatskin stretched over wooden hoops, often come equipped with an attached beater or beater stick known as a tipper or cipin for playing purposes.
A player strikes the bodhran using up and down wrist movements, typically playing it with their bare hand until more recently when beaters became popular.
Origin
There is limited information about the history of bodhrans. Resembling large tambourines without the jingles and producing a deep and somber sound, they appear similar to tambourines without their signature jingles but do not jingle when played. Some believe they originated as tools made out of wood frame with skin covers used for carrying peat and potatoes.
A bodhran can be played by using both hands or a beater, such as a cipin. The drum features a circular wooden body covered with goatskin. Additionally, its rim is carved and four or five jingles can be found inserted along its length.
The Bodhran is an expressive instrument, and when played well it can communicate an array of emotions. A master of the drum can use it to convey sobs, joyous ringing beats and even martial calls to action – such players include Mel Mercier and Johnny McDonagh as legendary performers while John Joe Kelly has received much acclaim for his innovative playing techniques and skillful skills.
History
TCD MS 1435 contains the first known reference to bodhran as an instrument, however, today’s modern-day bodhrans didn’t become fully established until the 1960s.
Prior to that time, it had long been associated with Irish festivals including May Day and St Stephen’s Day (La an Dreoilin or “Day of the Wren”) which likely derives its name from an ancient Christian custom whereby treacherous birds such as wrens were hunted as part of Christian ritual.
Sean O Riada marked the transition of bodhrans from ritualistic use to musical instrument when he introduced it into Ceoltoiri Chualann (later The Chieftains). Since then, they have become integral parts of Irish Traditional music while techniques once associated with other ethnic drumming traditions have also begun being applied to playing bodhran.
Materials
Bodhran drums are composed of goat skin tacked to a circular wooden frame and secured using nails, staples or glue (gluing is the preferred method). The skin must remain loose so it shrinks as it dries to produce an audible sound when drying and thus producing an impressive sound effect.
The skin of a drum is typically soaked and stretched over it before being stretched tight over the drum head. Thick or thin layers may be chosen according to individual player preferences; thicker ones take more time for breaking in but generally create deeper sounds.
The frame can be constructed of various materials, most often plywood and solid wood, but there has recently been an increasing trend toward deeper frames with less frequent crossbar use. Goat skins are most often employed, though other animal skins such as calf, greyhound or even kangaroo are sometimes also utilized.
Techniques
For optimal bodhran play, it is crucial that the drum be placed comfortably. Sit upright with your drum between your ribcage and left upper arm; grip the tipper loosely while relaxing your hand; it is also beneficial to listen to professional bodhran players for inspiration.
Originally, bodhrans were played either with the hand or using a stick; hand styles don’t utilize either technique; occasionally there were also jingles attached to their frame for additional sound effects. Over time these methods faded and new techniques emerged.
One important advance was Seamus O’Kane’s invention of an internal tone ring for use by most makers today, which allows tuning without changing skin pitch – making bodhrans even more adaptable than before!
Styles
The bodhran can be played in various styles. Some players use their bare hand while others choose a stick known as a cipin to strike the drum and vary the tone and pitch by changing pressure and position on their cipin. A skilled player of bodhran can create unique musical compositions using this instrument!
Bodhran players can alter the sound of their instrument by placing their spare hand under its skin and applying pressure, thus shifting from sharp urgent beats to melodious ringing beats. This technique is particularly helpful in creating rhythms which would otherwise be hard to accomplish using only their hands or sticks – an invaluable skill any bodhran player should master!
