The Bodhran Drum
An Irish drummer often utilizes their hands alone when playing the bodhran, as this technique is popular. This style is most common when performing Irish music.
Air tunes often ignore the bodhran, while dance rhythms like reels and jigs offer exceptional opportunities to use this instrument. Drummers can integrate it as part of the ensemble.
A bodhran is a frame drum with an animal skin head. A skilled player of this instrument can use pressure to control both its sound and pitch by manipulating pressure on its frame.
Origins
There is limited information regarding the history and development of the bodhran; however, we know it developed from a working tool into a musical instrument. The drum comprises of a frame upon which is stretched a skin typically from goats; like a large tambourine but played using either a stick or beater known as a cipin.
Bodhran playing is a profoundly expressive art. Players such as Peadar Mercier, Johny Ringo McDonagh or Joe Kelly have taken it to astounding new levels. Bodhrans have become an integral part of Irish folk music as well as modern musical life – and its place has never been more secure.
Construction
Ireland may be well known for many things, including music. Much like Irish food is unmatched by any other, so is their traditional instrument – bodhran.
Traditional bodhrans featured an attached crossbar; however, due to skin hand modulation being sufficient to adjust sound levels. Some modern bodhrans also come equipped with an internal tone ring which can be tightened or loosened depending on atmospheric conditions.
Nano coating improves tuning stability by dispersing hand sweat more evenly across the drum surface, while simultaneously shielding it from water, dirt, and food debris.
Techniques
Bodhrans can be found across cultures and played using various techniques. What makes the bodhran particularly special is its double-ended stick that allows two distinct playing styles; Kerry style involves placing both ends above the skin while top-end style involves having only one end above.
Start learning how to play a bodhran by performing relaxed wrist movements while hitting downward on the lower head of the drum, until you can do it easily and smoothly. Watch and listen carefully as professional bodhran players demonstrate how they use this instrument to emphasize and accent natural rhythms within tunes.
Pitch
Bodhrans can be played in numerous ways. One approach uses one’s bare hand to strike the drum; this style of playing is known as Kerry or West Limerick style of bodhran playing. Another popular technique uses a stick called a cipin to strike the bodhran drum, known as Cipin style of playing.
Tuning a bodhran correctly relies on creating uniform tension throughout its vibrating surface, which can be achieved with a finger-tap test. When tuned properly, a bodhran will feature an earthy tone with pleasant postpulse oscillation; additionally it should produce bass notes when struck at various equidistant points around its rim.
Styles
While traditionally, bodhran was performed using only their hands, today it’s often played using a stick called a cipin which allows players to strike different areas of skin to alter its pitch and thus make for easier playing.
In the 1970’s, master bodhran players like Peadar Mercier of The Chieftains and De Dannan’s Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh further refined playing techniques and turned this once-humble farm utensil into an intricate musical instrument.
Utilizing one’s spare hand to apply pressure across the underside of the skin transforms its sound from urgent taps into melodious, ringing beats that can convey sobs or joyousness. This innovation draws upon techniques from other ethnic drumming traditions and has completely revolutionized how this Irish drum is played today.
Accessories
Bodhran drum players use several accessories when performing, such as a double-headed stick (cipin) and tipper, the latter usually held in their right hand like a pencil.
Bodhrans can be played three different ways; using either hands alone, sticks alone, or by tuning.
Since being first introduced into concert halls by Sean O Riada and the Ceoltoiri Chualann in the 1960s, the bodhran has seen great success worldwide and become a key element of many Irish ensembles and dance bands.
