Origin of the Bodhran
Irish percussionist Peadar Mercier revolutionised the bodhran drum and challenged many accepted beliefs about this instrument. Other innovative bodhran players like Tommy Hayes, John Joe Kelly and Johnny McDonagh also helped push its development.
This frame drum with goatskin head can be played using a stick known as “beater”.
Origin
Basic online research uncovers an abundance of diverse viewpoints regarding the origin of this drum. One theory suggests it could have its roots in other frame drums used widely across the world and dating back centuries.
Sean O Riada made this instrument an Irish household name through his involvement with Ceoltoiri Chualann – which included members from The Chieftains. Since then it has seen phenomenal popularity – Peadar Mercier, John Joe Kelly and numerous other players have taken it to extraordinary new levels, both aesthetically and technique-wise.
Construction
The bodhran is a small frame drum composed of a wood hoop wrapped with goatskin. It can be attached using various methods – nailing, stapleing or glueing are all viable approaches; although glueing produces better results. The skin should be loose enough that it can contract when drying but tight enough to produce strong tones.
Peadar Mercier and Johnny McDonagh have pioneered new techniques on the bodhran. John Joe Kelly adds rhythms from other forms of music into his melodic playing and uses his left hand to dampen and change pitch on it.
Sound
Irish Gaelic’s word bodhar can refer to many things; from deafened ears, being bothered or confused by something to its more general usage as the sound of drumming on metal surfaces.
The Bodhran is a frame drum covered with goatskin on one side. To play it, one must use a short stick called the beater or tipper and use an up and down wrist movement against its head to beat.
Sean O Riada revived the bodhran to prominence during the 1960s by including it in Ceoltoiri Chualann ensemble. Since then it has enjoyed increasing global recognition.
Techniques
Skillful drummers produce sounds ranging from urgent and loud to melodious ringing beats, using their spare hand and tipper to add emphasis, dampen or alter the tone of their drum. Even using the edge of skin for this instrument may produce different tones altogether.
John Joe Kelly and Peadar Mercier have become household names as masters of Irish Bodhran music, so anyone interested in learning this instrument should seek proper instruction from experienced teachers, familiarizing themselves with Irish styles played on this remarkable drum.
Styles
The original way of playing the bodhran was with one’s bare hand; nowadays however, a stick known as a cipin is often employed to strike its drumhead.
It consists of a short stick fitted with two soft drum brushes at either end and is struck like any regular beater but produces more subtle, melodic tones when struck.
The bodhran is an adaptable instrument that can be played in numerous styles. At its heart is Irish music and now its rhythmic signature can be heard worldwide. Paraic McNeela began making bodhrans back in 1979, and today his instruments can be found all around the globe by both novice and professional musicians alike.
Instruments
The Bodhran has become an essential element of Irish traditional music. A circular frame drum, it gained fame during the folk revival movement of the 1960s and since then it has developed further, developing its own complex and dynamic playing style which explores all musical aspects available through this versatile instrument.
The Bodhran is typically played seated, with the performer holding it against their thigh. It can be played both barehanded or with a stick called a Cipin; pitch and timber variations can be altered simply by touching different spots with left hand. With its advanced tuning system and these developments, this simple farm tool has now evolved into an exceptional musical instrument.
