Learn How to Play the Bodhran
Learn the fundamentals of this simple instrument quickly with just a few lessons. Study how bodhran players ornament and emphasize the natural rhythms of tunes they accompany by watching how they highlight and embellish their natural tempos.
This course will teach you basic and more advanced bodhran rhythm techniques to accompany reels, jigs, hornpipes and slip jigs. No previous musical experience is necessary!
Basics
Beginners to the bodhran can benefit from practicing simple rhythms, such as popular Irish songs or tunes – this will allow them to get acquainted with the up and down wrist movement required for playing the instrument.
Start off by watching professional bodhran players on YouTube; this can help you understand rhythms and strokes as well as matching your playing to melody and tempo of songs.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that no one becomes an excellent bodhran player overnight – be patient with yourself as learning any instrument requires practice and dedication – this includes playing the bodhran. Keep at it with dedication, and soon enough you’ll become a master player! Plus it isn’t as hard to play than you might think; especially if playing alongside friends!
Reels
This DVD covers the fundamental rhythms and variations for reel and jig times as well as those used for dances such as reel eireeann. Suitable for novice to experienced bodhran players.
Start learning bodhran right! This course covers all the fundamentals, getting you playing popular rhythms quickly. Plus it provides tips for damping, two-on-three rhythm and advanced performance!
Employing different strikes to alter the sound of your beat is central to the bodhran playing style, whether that means making your beat sound very bouncy or soothing, adding emphasis to lyrics of a song. Alternating hand positions also produces very distinct results – for instance if you hit goatskin edges differently (rimshots) they can produce vastly different results than when played at another location.
Strikes
Bodhran players use their strikes to express an impression of music through Irish jigs or slow airs, whether its cowboy beat is fast-paced jigging or the rhythmic plodding of slow air. If hit hard enough, their strikes produce a loud sound suitable for dance tunes or celebratory Irish music; but beating softly produces a soothing rhythm suitable for more melodious songs.
The bodhran should be held in the crook of your left arm while its tipper is held like a pen. Your playing style can determine where this tipper rests; if both ends of it rest directly above your head then Kerry or West Limerick style would apply; otherwise if only one end lingers above it may indicate top-end style playing.
Some bodhran players strike the rim of their drum to produce an unfamiliar sound not typically found in Irish traditional music, which can produce flat and dull tones when hit hard enough.
Variations
The bodhran may resemble a snare drum in appearance but has unique rules of its own for playing it. To create good rhythmic results with your playing of this instrument it’s essential that you learn some basic guidelines so you can achieve good rhythm.
Becoming an experienced bodhran player requires time and practice. Listening to other bodhran players’ styles and techniques will help you develop your own playing style.
Keep in mind that the bodhran can also be played using only your bare hands – although this method may be less popular, it offers another option if you prefer playing softer sounds.
The Bodhran is a round wooden frame drum featuring a goat skin head tacked to one side. Although relatively easy to play, the Bodhran produces beautiful rhythms when played properly. The name derives from Irish bow rn, which translates to “head drum”, thus pronouncing as BOW RAWN. Bodhrans have been in existence for centuries as an ancient Celtic instrument.
