The Bodhran Irish Drum
The Bodhran is one of Ireland’s premier musical instruments. Since its humble rural beginnings, its fame has only increased worldwide.
The Bodhran is a traditional Irish drum constructed with birch or ash wood frames and goatskin stretched over them, featuring crossed wooden bars to provide stability as well as provide handles.
Origins
The Bodhran is a frame drum made of goat skin stretched across a circular wooden frame. To play it, either your hand or lathe-turned wood pieces called Bone, Tipper Beater Stick and Cipin can be used.
Its exact origins remain obscure; some scholars suggest it originating in Central Asia before being adopted by Ireland; other believe it served as a war drum similar to tambourines found throughout South Europe.
The Bodhran has since gained widespread acceptance in Irish traditional music sessions worldwide and was brought into prominence by trad legend Sean O Riada and Peadar Mercier in the 1960s. Today it remains one of the most frequently played instruments during Irish folk sessions worldwide.
Construction
A bodhran is a frame drum with sides measuring 9-20 cm (3 1/2-8 in). A goatskin head (synthetic heads or animal skins may also be used) is fastened to one side while the other end features an open end, enabling one hand to place against it to control pitch and timbre.
Recently, many bodhrans feature mechanical tuning systems to ensure you can get a clear sound even in harsh weather.
The Bodhran is an indispensable instrument in Irish traditional music, dating back centuries and still played today as a symbol of culture and pride for Irish society.
Sound
The sound of an Irish Bodhran Drum is one of its defining characteristics, from low bassy sounds to high pitched notes.
Adjust the position of your skin hand, which dampens skin on the open side of the bodhran and alters sound by striking different points on its head. It is an interesting technique and provides new levels of complexity to your playing.
The Bodhran has become synonymous with Irish traditional music since its widespread popularization by Sean O Riada of Ceoltoiri Chualann band during the 1960s.
Techniques
A bodhran can be played using one hand inserted into its drum head. By applying different amounts of pressure to different spots on its skin, pitch and sound characteristics can be modified, whether sitting or standing up.
A bodhran can be enhanced with additional percussion instruments like the tipper and beater for more complex and intricate sounds than would otherwise be achievable with just the traditional drum alone.
To get the best results from their bodhran playing experience, players need to comprehend its music. This involves listening to an array of recordings as well as learning the rhythms and forms of tunes.
Music
The Bodhran Irish Drum is one of the most iconic traditional instruments from Ireland, known for its innovative playing techniques and rich tradition.
A frame drum is a single-headed instrument with an open back, without cross pieces, that is struck using a short double-ended stick called a tipper or bone to produce a deep and powerful thud when struck with its tipper or bone.
Irish folk music made use of bodhran as both an accompaniment and rhythm instrument during sessions and dances, sometimes used alone and as part of rituals.
Throughout the 20th century, interest in and availability of bodhran increased rapidly in Ireland. Recordings featuring traditional Irish music with frame drums became more frequent during this time. Many recordings featuring these instruments were produced during this period within the US as well.
