The Irish Drum Bodhran
The Bodhran is one of the key drums in Irish folk music, consisting of a round frame drum with an attached goatskin head on one side.
Ceoltoiri Chualann and Sean O’ Riada’s innovative playing style has propelled it forward to new levels, transcending traditional Irish music altogether and expanding it further with influences that go beyond its boundaries.
Origins
The Bodhran is an integral component of Irish traditional music and has experienced incredible evolution over the past decades, possibly as a result of Sean O Riada and his impactful performances in traditional music generally. Other prominent players like Peadar Mercier and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh developed new playing techniques and improved its tonal quality further.
In the past, bodhrans were generally played using either hand or stick and some early ones featured jingles on their rims. Pictures dating from 18th century paintings by Dan Maclise show them being used ritually during events such as St Stephen’s Day or Wren hunting.
Today, bodhrans can be heard played everywhere from concert halls and theaters to home fireplaces. Their popularity continues to grow rapidly due to both design and playing style innovations.
Construction
The Bodhran is a frame drum composed of wooden base and goatskin drumhead, featuring an opening on one side that allows players to beat against it to control its pitch and keep time with rhythmic beats inside the instrument.
Origin of Bodhrans The origins of the humble Bodhran are uncertain; however, references can be found in Irish folk music literature as well as a 15th-century medical transcript which compares its sound with that of a drum. Paintings predating 20th century exist featuring Bodhrans; one by Daniel Maclise shows a Halloween party featuring one in particular!
Today it is common practice for drum-makers or their owners to cover the rim of a bodhran with electrical tape in order to reduce “edge loading” and dampen unwanted overtones that might arise when its skin tension changes depending on atmospheric conditions. This helps minimize “edge loading” and dampen unwanted overtones from being generated during playback.
Tone
The Bodhran is a flat drum made from a hoop frame covered with goatskin. It features crossed wooden bars in its back for stability as well as a handle for holding. Reminiscent of a tambourine in appearance, its skin can be tightened or loosen using keys for easy tuning.
A drum can be played using either your hands or an instrument known as a beater, tipper, or cipin stick. These instruments feature two ends used for striking against the skin of the drum, providing two ways of striking against its surface.
Sean O Riada and other musicians elevated the bodhran to become an essential element of traditional Irish music, and today its use can be found throughout musical groups and informal music sessions alike. Furthermore, internationally it has gained immense recognition.
Techniques
The Bodhran is an amazingly flexible instrument. Traditionally it was played from a seated position on one leg with tension controlled via hand inside drum. Pitch and tone control can also be managed via tension by hand inside.
Sean O Riada is one of the most notable bodhran players, known for his intricate rhythms and advanced techniques. One of his contributions has been his experimentation with contemporary sounds while staying true to traditional Irish music traditions.
Johnny McDonagh is an esteemed bodhran player, having performed with numerous artists and released multiple albums. He is widely recognized for creating new playing techniques on the instrument – such as top-end style and backslide techniques – on it.
Music
Ireland is famous for many things, but one of its most acclaimed aspects of culture is music. This can be found through rhythms and tunes utilized, as well as its distinctive instruments like the bodhran drum or the tin whistle.
Sean O’ Riada first popularized the bodhran in the 1960s through bands such as the Chieftains. Since then it has evolved with new ideas from tuning systems to different frame depths and dimensions – always creating new opportunities for experimentation.
Once upon a time, performers would use their bare hand to beat a drum; nowadays a stick called a cipin is typically employed. This stick can be held so both ends rest directly above the drum head in what is known as Kerry or West Limerick style.
