The bodhran is a flat drum similar to a tambourine without its bells or jingles, played by resting it on your leg (typically left for right-handed players) and striking it with a stick known as a beater.

Sean O’Riada pioneered its introduction into mainstream Irish music during the 1950s. Since then, its use has spread worldwide.

Origins

There remains some mystery regarding the roots of bodhran. Although its design appears ancient, much information regarding its precise history remains obscure.

One theory suggests that the bodhran may have evolved from skin trays used for transporting peat in Ireland. Its early forms likely consisted of single pieces of stretched skin stretched over wooden frames. Today it is held vertically against its player’s body – usually on their left thigh for right-handed players – with its beater used instead of drumsticks for playing it.

Since the development of commercial Irish music groups after World War II, the bodhran has gained wide international acclaim and also become an essential instrument for other Celtic musical traditions such as Scottish, Cape Breton and North Mainland Nova Scotia music traditions.

Construction

A bodhran is a flat drum made up of an inexpensive circular frame and goatskin, with the skin being preserved by being immersed in cow manure for treatment.

Once cured, the skin should be stretched over the rim loosely before attaching it with different methods: nailing, stapling or glueing are often employed; glueing offers the most robust and stylish result.

A drummer stands erect while playing the drum, using one hand to touch its skin in order to adjust pitch and timbre while using their other hand for playing a beater or cipin stick with which they strike the head of the drum. Originally these jingles were included but have since been discontinued – modern bodhrans now come equipped with more advanced systems designed to ensure quality sound output.

Sound

Numerous elements have contributed to the distinctive sound of bodhran, including materials used in its construction and how it’s played. Early bodhrans often had loud jingles attached to their frames, and players would strike the drum using their hands rather than using beaters or cipins like we do now.

With skill and practice, it is still possible to produce an exciting sound from the bodhran. Bodhran masters such as Peadar Mercier, Johnny Ringo McDonagh and John Joe Kelly have propelled its popularity over recent decades.

Tunable bodhrans have improved even further the tone and made this simple farm implement into an instrument with musical potential. Regular practice is necessary if anyone wishes to become proficient at playing bodhran.

Techniques

There are various techniques for playing bodhran. One method involves using a tipper stick that sits comfortably in one’s right hand and can be moved up and down on the head of the drum in order to alter its sound.

An alternative technique involves playing the bodhran with both hands simultaneously while striking it with fingers, which enables more accurate drumming while adding new sounds and rhythms to standard patterns.

Steafan Hannigan, an accomplished percussionist, provides this softcover book highlighting all the intricacies of traditional Bodhran playing, complete with demonstration tracks on CD. Perfect for all levels of players, this easy-to-read text makes an invaluable reference tool that challenges some received wisdom about Irish instruments such as Bodhran.

Styles

The bodhran is a shallow frame drum played using either hand styles or stick styles. These include how the head is struck with either knuckles, fingers or both and how much pressure is applied when modulating pitch; or there are various stick styles, each differing in terms of how it’s held and used.

A newer style of bodhran has emerged that features a smaller shell and goat skin head for easy tuning, perfect for beginners who lack space to accommodate a traditional-style instrument.

The Roosebeck 18 Inch Bodhran offers an easily manageable shell depth and T-bar grip design, making tuning effortless. Furthermore, its thin Lambeg skin produces higher and crisper tones for a high quality sound experience.

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