Ronan McNeela Bodhran Review
Ronan is one of the most celebrated bodhran players of his generation and has amassed an extensive solo catalogue over time.
A bodhran is a frame drum with one side covered with goatskin and another equipped with a hardwood beater, tuned to produce a rich tone. McNeela offers their trademark tuning system on this model which comes taped around its edges for deeper more responsive sounding performance.
The Wave
Although the bodhran has been around since ancient times, its true debut as a musical instrument came during Ireland’s traditional music resurgence of the 1960s. Since then, players of bodhrans have developed intricate hand movements and patterns that give off powerful yet distinct tones when performed on.
Remo’s tunable bodhran features a classic look and feel with its synthetic drumhead and internal tone ring that can be tightened or loosen by screws to tighten or loosen it, eliminating atmospheric conditions from changing tension levels on a conventional bodhran and providing you with even sound quality.
Electrical tape covers the drum’s rim to minimize “edge-loading,” or edge loading, which reduces overtones and enhances sound quality. The tape also makes head removal for cleaning and maintenance much simpler. The McNeela Bodhran offers two varieties of leather for playing: Vellum goatskin for soft tones with deep bass resonance or lambeg skin which provides brighter and clearer tones with great response from beaters.
The Signature
The McNeela Signature bodhran is our Performance level instrument, featuring an 8 point hand tuning system to give you complete control of its voice. Additionally, you have your choice of Lambeg or Vellum goatskin to personalize the look, along with an extensive collection of accessories as well as our Beginner Bodhran Lesson DVD.
It features a deep rim that produces its distinct bass tone. Furthermore, this deeper rim increases resonance and depth of sound; however young or petite musicians may find it challenging to hold and manoeuvre their hand inside its frame if its depth exceeds their comfort threshold.
So many bodhran makers are turning to cutouts in the rims of their drums in order to allow a space for arm playability and improve overall experience. This style of bodhran can provide greater ease for young and petite bodhran players and comes complete with an optional arm rest that most drummers appreciate.
The Classic
The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum composed of a circular wooden frame covered with goatskin. Played using an instrument known as a beater, tipper or cipin stick. First popularized during the second wave roots revival of Irish traditional music in the 1960s. Since then, world-renowned players like Robin Morton of The Boys of the Lough, Planxty Christy Moore and Peadar Mercier from The Chieftains have become world renowned bodhran players, creating techniques used globally today.
McNeela’s deep rim bodhrans feature an 8-point hand tuning system for fast, discreet tuning to suit different playing environments and conditions. Each instrument is taped around its edges for our signature lush bass sound.
The Beginner
Some musical instruments may be difficult for beginners to pick up and master, but the bodhran is one of them. While it can be played by hand, most often with a beater (also called cipin or tipper) for additional sounds. There are various beaters available including hard tippers with teardrop or ellipsoid heads; hotrod dowel beaters; mixed beaters that combine multiple sounds; as well as some with soft tippers with teardrop or ellipsoid heads for additional sounds.
Paraic McNeela, The Bodhran Maker has meticulously handcrafted this bodhran with great patience and passion, so when you play it you will hear its deep, mellow bass tone characteristic of top quality crafted instruments. Subscribers of our Starter Pack plan will receive this instrument along with its gig-bag and stick as part of their package plan.
