Bodhrans are Irish drums with an expansive tonal range that are popularly played by Irish folk musicians. Bodhrans can be found throughout Celtic music culture and it is thought they have their origins in tambourines.

Electronic pianos feature one open side that allows the hand to enter and manipulate pitch and timbre by placing their hand inside, enabling pitch and timbre control. They can be struck using both hands or beaters known as “tippers”.

Size

The Bodhran is at the core of Irish traditional music. A skilled player can elicit an array of sounds from this seemingly straightforward frame drum, connecting with your Irish heritage while improving physical health; not to mention that musical instrument playing has been linked with increased cognitive abilities!

Start your bodhran journey off right with the proper beater. A bodhran beater is a wooden stick used to strike the skin of the drum. There are countless types and varieties, each offering their own sound characteristics: hard tippers with teardrop or elipsoid heads; hotrod dowel beaters; split beaters and many others are available from McNeela Instruments so that you can find one suitable to your drumming style and musical needs.

Materials

The Bodhran is an iconic Irish drum, consisting of a single-headed frame drum with one head and no jingling parts that has its origins dating back to early 19th century Ireland, but only became widely recognized during Irish traditional music’s revival during the 1960s.

A round wood frame of this drum is covered with animal skin – generally goat skin. Played while sitting, its pitch and sound characteristics can be varied by touching different spots with one hand on its skin covering.

Goat skin is the go-to material for bodhran makers and has proven superior in terms of tone, resonance and durability compared to other types of drum skin such as lemo, greyhound or kangaroo skins. When buying a bodhran, seek high quality sustainably sourced goat skin that has been treated without chemicals; painted skins often lose their tone over time.

Tone

The bodhran is the signature instrument of Irish music. As one of its many versatile features, this instrument has become sought after among musicians of various genres.

A drum is a circular wooden frame equipped with a goat skin head on one side, designed with open ends so one hand may be placed against its inside to control pitch and tone. Striking can be accomplished either using one’s bare hand or various “tippers”.

Learning the bodhran will bring your Irish heritage closer, providing an enjoyable way to express yourself creatively while honing rhythm and timing skills. According to studies, playing musical instruments improves cognitive functions such as memory and problem-solving while encouraging social interactions and building community spirit.

Maintenance

The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum consisting of a circular wooden frame covered with goatskin. This versatile instrument can be played with either a wooden beater, tipper or cipin stick for optimal results and produces deep bass tones as well as high-pitched notes; today it remains one of the most beloved Irish percussion instruments.

When not playing your bodhran it is wise to store it in a case to protect against knocks and environmental changes, such as humidity changes or temperature variations. A quality case should offer sufficient protection.

Bodhrans should be regularly treated with either neetsfoot oil or lanolin cream to maintain soft, flexible skin that remains in top playing condition. Simply massage a small amount into the skin with large circular movements before leaving overnight for full absorption; on day 2, use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe away any extra product and finish off with another wipe using water as required.

Please follow and like us: