The Bodhran in Irish Traditional Music
The Bodhran is an instrument relatively unique to Irish Traditional Music. Its source remains uncertain; some suggest its invention was related to either winnowing grain with perforated skin trays or wool dyeing drums.
Bodhrans feature one side attached to a goatskin head and are typically oval in shape; this allows drummers to play using both hands simultaneously.
Origins
Bodhrans were widely employed during the middle ages in Ireland as part of an ancient ritual for Saint Stephen’s Day, when mummers or Wren Boys would go from house to house playing music and singing and dancing; likely inspired by Celtic mythology regarding Wrens which were associated with treachery.
At its origins, the bodhran was only widely utilized as a ceremonial drum until the 1950s when Sean O Riada and Ceoltoiri Chualann with Peadar Mercier playing it became more widespread as musical instrument than just ceremonial drum.
At this point, the Bodhran was really making waves in Ireland. Sean introduced a unique playing style and also invented thinner Lambeg skins which allowed for greater musical expression on the instrument.
Styles
Though relatively new to Irish traditional music, the bodhran has quickly become one of the most sought-after instruments. Additionally, its popularity extends outside of this genre – for instance among Middle Eastern frame drummers.
The bodhran is played sitting down, with the drum placed erect on your thigh with its skin facing outward. Your hand (typically your left) strikes it various places on its surface in order to alter pitch and sound characteristics and vary pitch levels and sound qualities.
In the 1970s and 80s, innovative bodhran players like Sean O’Raida, Mel Mercier (The Chieftains), John Joe Kelly (De Dannan), among others developed new playing styles on their instruments. Furthermore, many were modified with stickers made of leather or rubber to dampen or enhance sound output.
Materials
Bodhrans are typically constructed of wooden hoops covered with goat skin stretched over them, though occasionally plywood frames and synthetic skin may also be available; to ensure you get the authentic goatskin experience it’s best to purchase from an expert luthier who understands its making process.
After being submerged in water for two days, skin is then stretched by hand or nail and left to dry, preferably in direct sunlight, for three to six hours before bleaching it to lighten its hue and remove oils, making it more flexible.
Electrical tape is often applied to the rim by both the bodhran-maker and drum owner to reduce edge-loading, dampen unwanted overtones, and provide for more precise tuning of bodhrans. A stick known as a “cipin” is then used for playing the instrument.
Techniques
As the bodhran gained greater prominence after 1950, it transitioned from its role as an agricultural implement and ritual instrument into traditional Irish music sessions. Yet it retains strong associations with perforated skin trays used for winnowing grain (separating wheat from chaff) as evidenced by examples at the National Museum of Ireland.
Traditionally, bodhrans can be played either by hand or using a stick; nowadays they’re typically played using a tipper or beater stick that allows musicians to strike specific regions on the drum head.
Bodhran players have many techniques at their disposal that enable them to produce a wide variety of pitches on the bodhran, such as clear rhythm, good partitioning with their left hand partition, structured play and using embellishments judiciously.
Music
The Bodhran is often seen as an accompaniment instrument in traditional Irish music, adding rhythm and depth. However, it can also be played solo.
The modern bodhran is an agricultural tool and musical instrument combined, traditionally restricted to hunting wrens on St Stephen’s Day until Sean O Riada popularised its use with Ceoltoiri Chualann (which included members of De Dannan). Since then, other players like Peadar Mercier, Christy Moore and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh of De Dannan have introduced innovative playing techniques.
Innovations include some bodhrans equipped with internal tone rings to protect their skins from atmospheric conditions that might alter its sound; this method was pioneered by Seamus O’Kane of Dungiven, County Londonderry in 1975.
