Bodhran Drum For Sale
The Bodhrn (pronounced bow-rn) is at the core of Irish music. This diminutive drum can be struck using either hands or a beater to produce an array of sounds that characterise this traditional genre.
Avoid purchasing bodhrans with paint or decals on the head as this will impair its voice, typically an indicator of low quality.
Frame
The Bodhran is at the core of Irish traditional music. A circular frame drum featuring animal skin heads that is played using a tipper stick to strike its surface. With its timeless sound and elegant form, this timeless drum will enlighten any session or performance.
Hedwitschak’s CoreLine bodhrans are an outstanding example of quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. Crafted with EdlauerSelect premium goatskin from one of the leading skin suppliers worldwide and tailored specifically to Hedwitschak drummer’s exact requirements, these pieces feature attention-to-detail throughout.
These instruments come with either a light or dark ash shell and feature an internal tuning system to make tuning simple and to help achieve pitch accuracy easily. Plus, there is something available in every size to meet every player’s needs!
Skin
A quality bodhran requires a warm, deep tone with fine skin for best results. Thicker skin may become rigid with increased use.
Making sure the skin is laid evenly and not too tightly on the drum is key to its success. This allows it to sag down into its designated groove around the rim, shrinking up to 20% as it dries.
Here is an image of a bodhran that is in need of new skin, showing its old skin still attached with tacks to its frame. After replacing this skin, this bodhran now looks and sounds fantastic – serving as a good reminder to always protect hand drums from excessive heat.
Head
The Bodhrn is the heartbeat of every traditional Irish music session, capable of striking complex rhythms to lift musical ensembles and get audiences dancing their socks off.
Goatskin is often preferred by true bodhran makers, though you could also make one using calf, deer, greyhound or kangaroo skin. Applying tape around the edge reduces edge loading while dampening unwanted overtones for greater player control.
Seamus O’Kane experimented with thin Lambeg skins to change the sound of his bodhran from sharp urgent taps to melodious ringing beats. For optimal storage conditions it should be stored away from direct sunlight or heat sources; extreme dry environments could even cause it to split over time.
Beater
Bodhrans are traditional wooden drums crafted of goat skin stretched over a circular wooden frame and played by striking their surface with a beater made of wood or other material, usually of different shape and weight. Some models allow players to remove beaters while others feature specific beater types that alter its tone.
An effective bodhran requires proper maintenance in order to sound its best, including keeping it out of direct sunlight and heaters and regularly rubbing it with clear water to tighten up its skin and produce tonal variations. Electrical tape may also be applied over its backside for extra tonality.
Accessories
There are various accessories for bodhrans available for purchase, including cases and various beaters. Softsided cases are generally preferred but hardshell versions exist specifically designed for airline travel. There is either a standard beater or one with double ended heads available as beaters.
Waltons offers an exceptional starter Bodhran box that includes everything necessary to start learning the instrument, from a bodhran and tipper (double ended beater) to books and DVDs on how to play it.
Meinl Percussion’s FD14IBO Irish Bodhran is designed for players seeking the historic sound associated with these drums while seeking modern features such as pitch bending and dampening layer around the rim to reduce unwanted overtones. Additionally, this drum features synthetic head instead of goat skin heads like most other bodhrans do.
