The Bodhran is an Irish Drum
The Bodhran is an iconic Irish drum. Constructed as a frame drum from small goat or calf skin stretched over a wooden frame, its player uses one hand to place on its skin and touch different regions to change and dampen its sound.
Sean O Riada reintroduced the instrument and became an iconic figure during Ireland’s 1960s folk revival thanks to Ceoltoiri Chualann (which included members from The Chieftains). Through their music he revolutionised its playing technique and established it as an Irish national instrument.
The Skin
A bodhran consists of a shallow cylindrical shape covered with goatskin fastened securely to its frame with nails, with one end featuring goatskin stretched at an incline over its drum, as well as an elevated wooden rim that extends upward around it.
Music had traditionally been performed barehanded, but since the 1970s virtuoso players such as The Chieftains’ Peadar Mercier, Planxty’s Christy Moore and De Dannan’s Johnny Ringo McDonagh have taken playing techniques to new heights.
Cipins have increasingly become a common choice as an instrument-alternative, providing musicians with greater timbre and pitch flexibility. Furthermore, fingers and arms may contact with the inside of the head in order to modify its sound or pitch; often these techniques combine together into melodies.
The Frame
Traditional bodhrans were once constructed by stretching goat skin across a circular wooden frame and either tacking it down or glueing it. Today’s more sophisticated versions feature tuning systems to regulate sound quality.
A bodhran rests on a performer’s right thigh for right-handed players and is typically played using a stick called a beater. Though some drummers play it without using their beaters, that method can be hard on fingers and doesn’t produce as much volume.
Before playing a bodhran, its skin should be gently stretched with clear water (don’t overdo it!). This enables more variations in sound while simultaneously tightening or loosening its tension from outside its rim. In addition, many bodhrans feature external tuning mechanisms which enable players to tighten or loosen its drum skin in this way.
The Tipper
As the bodhran became more accepted among players, players began taking it in new directions. Seamus O’Kane introduced thin Lambeg skins on his drums for better high and low note reproduction and melodic style bodhran playing.
Maintain a snug hold on the bodhran rim with your left hand while holding onto the tipper or beater with your right (if right-handed). Grip the tipper so that it covers about an outstretched thumb to baby finger distance (see photos below).
These tippers allow for greater control when striking specific regions of the drum head with precise precision, and allow you to vary its pitch depending on your mood or setting. Small tippers should initially be used before progressing onto bigger models as you learn new techniques.
The Hand
Originally, bodhrans were played using only one’s bare hand; nowadays however, they are typically played using a wooden stick known as a “cipin or tipper.” Depending on playing style either both ends are placed directly over one’s head for Kerry or Limerick style playback, or one end alone may be employed for top-end style.
The open-ended design of the bodhran allows for dynamic shifts of tone and pitch, providing plenty of opportunities for innovative players and tippermakers to bring new sounds to the instrument. Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh pioneered using one hand on the back of drum to dampen and alter sound; listening to professional bodhran players can help you understand how these techniques apply to Irish tunes and rhythms.
The Keys
Most bodhrans aren’t adjustable, but those that are typically feature bolts or hex key riggings on the back side for tuning purposes. Tuning is generally straightforward; just adjust tightness of skin tightness for optimal sounding results!
Contrary to conventional drums, the bodhran is held vertically with its skin surface facing inward toward its player – usually their left thigh for right-handed players). It is played using one wooden stick known as a beater.
The Bodhran is not typically considered a rhythm instrument, yet its sound adds ornamentation and support for music. While not driving the beat like a drummer does, its tone should complement that beat and add something unique. To enjoy some excellent Bodhran playing in your area, look out for Irish groups at restaurants or PUBS where Irish people gather.
