Bodhran Beater
The Bodhran is one of Ireland’s premier musical instruments. This instrument is capable of conveying an array of emotions ranging from sobs and joyous celebrations, all the way up to martial commands for action.
Bodhran first entered south Wexford dialect during the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century as a replacement for tabur, an earlier Irish word used for bass guitar.
1. Length
Although the bodhran can be played without using any instruments, modern Irish playing style emphasizes using a beater (sometimes referred to as tippers, sticks or cipins). Due to this style’s growing popularity it has led to an explosion of different beaters available for purchase.
Beaters come in various sizes, shapes and weights to accommodate different bodhran playing styles. Many of our beaters feature double ends so players can select their preferred length.
Some bodhran beaters feature weighted beaters that allow them to swing freely in your hand while relieving pressure from wrist pressure. These weights typically are made of brass or steel and attached directly onto the tips of their beaters for added ease of use.
2. Diameter
The diameter of the beater (also referred to as a stick or tipper) plays an essential part in creating sound. Most beaters measure from 6-8 inches long but shorter or longer beaters may be preferred depending on personal taste.
Most bodhran beaters are constructed out of hardwood. Some are manufactured on lathes while others are hand carved; choosing which type of wood to use depends on personal taste but any hardwood will do just fine.
Some bodhran beaters feature weights fixed into their tips to allow it to swing more effortlessly in your hand and reduce pressure on the wrist, while bodhran tippers have ribs for easier gripping.
3. Material
Material choice of beater has only minimal bearing on sound output but plays an essential role in how comfortable and secure the stick feels in your hand. It will also have an effect on how you hold and control bodhran drum.
Bodhran beaters come in various materials, shapes, sizes and weights to suit any playing style or preference. Some examples are:
Some bodhran beaters are weighted with brass or steel weights attached at each end and then glued securely, creating a balanced beater which can swing effortlessly in your hand without straining your wrist – ideal for speed players! Other beaters feature ribs which assist with grip.
4. Style
As its name implies, a bodhran beater (also referred to as a tipper or stick) is used to play the instrument. While hand styles of playing the bodhran may also work fine for some drummers, most drumming maestros prefer using one for maximum sound production and tone quality.
Hard beaters produce a powerful sound while providing additional percussive clicks that are useful in certain rhythms such as jigs. Sometimes the tip is split to create an angled dowel effect for added sound and flexibility.
Weighted beaters feature small metal weights glued inside their tips in order to create an effortless swing and relieve wrist pressure. Ribbed versions often provide added grip while various sizes and weights may be available.
5. Internal Tunable
A bodhran is a circular drum with a goatskin head on one side. To play it, players use either a wooden beater (tipper) or tipper (cipin), both having an impactful effect on its sound production.
Even though it is technically possible to play the bodhran without using any beaters at all, modern Irish style of playing requires using tippers – leading to an increase in available beaters today.
Hot rod beaters are an increasingly popular choice, producing softer sounds than hard beaters while offering distinct percussive clicks. You can quickly and easily adjust them by tightening or loosening their dowels; and can widen or narrow depending on your playing style.
