The Bodhran is one of the most versatile drums in Irish music, capable of creating an array of sounds ranging from urgent, hard hitting beats to melodious ringing rhythms.

Before beginning to play, rub some clear water onto the back of your skin (don’t overdo it – experimentation will show what works for you!) This allows the skin to stretch a little and generate different sounds with each note you strike.

Origin

History is full of controversy surrounding the bodhran, an Irish frame drum dating back thousands of years and found throughout different cultures around the globe.

Bodhrans first gained prominence in modern Irish music during the 1970s when bodhran virtuosos such as Robin Morton of Boys of the Lough, Planxty’s Christy Moore and Peadar Mercier from The Chieftains began developing innovative playing techniques.

Sean O Riada is widely recognized for introducing arrangements for the bodhran into Ceoltoiri Chualann (later The Chieftains). A typical bodhran consists of a shallow cylindrical shape covered with mammal skin (usually goatskin), while two wood strips inserted inside its shell cross over each other to give its performer an easy handle for playing it.

History

Since the 1960s, however, it has reemerged as an important instrument in Irish music sessions due primarily to Sean O Riada.

The Bodhran is an Irish drum composed of a circle of wood on which is stretched the skin of an animal – most commonly goat but other animal skin may also be used – usually goat. Bodhar (pronounced bough-rawn) in modern Irish can mean either deaf, bothered, troubled, confused and numb; which aptly describes its sound which often appears dull or lifeless due to playing techniques and muffled skin.

Sound

A bodhran is a cylindrical drum with a goatskin head. It can be tuned by using a key to tighten or loosen its skin, usually made out of goat skin but also possible using deer or calf skins for more unique variations.

Irish folk festivals such as La an Dreoilin (The Wren Boys) have long incorporated this custom, whereby musicians and singers of La an Dreoilin go from house to house during this festival to entertain residents with music and song.

The bodhran can be played either with one’s bare hand or using a stick known as a cipin. When playing it bare handed, wrist movements must be performed up and down while pressing against its strings.

Techniques

Keep the wooden rim tight against your left thigh (if right handed), while using your right hand to hold onto a stick or tipper and use this hand as the left to strike downwards on the goatskin head of your bodhran drum.

Variations in drum sound can be achieved by altering where on the skin the stick strikes, dampening its strike with hands not holding instrument and employing different playing techniques.

Current services I offer for Bodhran include private lessons and workshops at the Centre Breton d’Art Populaire de Brest in Breton. In addition, I frequently play at concerts, festivals and sessions around Breton with various groups including K. Camus-Malo Kervern duo with singer Nolwenn Arzel as part of their concerts/festivals/sessions schedule.

Styles

Contrary to other percussion instruments, the bodhran does not have a specific method for its playing style. Although typically performed using hand knuckle rhythms and using one or two hands as players, the instrument can also be played using sticks such as cipin, beater and tipper (cipin, beater or tipper).

Tuning a bodhran requires applying pressure to its rim in order to tighten or loosen its skin, with a hex key often found inside the drum as an aid for this process.

Numerous innovative bodhran players and tippermakers have introduced new techniques that extend the musical capabilities of this ancient drum. Johnny McDonagh of De Danann and Arcady fame is among these players, having provided back up for leading solo Irish musicians like Colm Murphy.

Accessories

Bodhrans come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from souvenir ones that make thoughtful Irish gifts to larger tunable drums. Most bodhrans feature one side attached with goat skin while leaving the other open so players can use their hands to control pitch and timbre.

Traditional methods for playing the bodhran involve sitting with it balanced on one knee while using one hand inside to alter pitch and tone while striking the head with another hand.

The Bodhran is an iconic instrument and part of Irish culture, serving both traditional music as well as more contemporary pop songs.

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