Buying a Bodhran For Sale
If you want a real sounding bodhran that can produce tonal variations, choose one with natural skin heads. Avoid ones featuring corporate logos, cutesy Celtic art designs or beer ads on their heads as these could hinder sound production and quality.
Our bodhrans are handcrafted using top quality Lambeg goatskin for maximum resonance, depth of tone and rich bass sound. Additionally, their 8 point hand tuning system enables quick adjustment according to performance requirements.
Size
Your selection of bodhran size will influence its tone and sound output as well as how comfortable it is to play.
Typically, larger drums produce deeper bass frequencies and boast deeper shells; smaller drums may be easier to play but may lack all the same sounds.
The skin and optional support bars (T, cross or single) on the back of a bodhran will have an impactful sound that influences its overall sound quality, as will its beater (also referred to as a tipper). Together these elements produce various sounds.
Starting out, it is best to select a tuneable bodhran if possible; this will facilitate faster learning and faster progression. Interior thumb-wheel tuners make keeping it tuned easier than hex wrenches; they’ll save both time and money by helping avoid difficult drums that take too much work to tune – although cheaper drums might offer these instead!
Material
The Bodhran is an Irish single-headed frame drum composed of wood with goat skin stretched over it. When played properly, this instrument can add great vibrancy to traditional music sessions.
A great bodhran is usually constructed of solid hardwood and features a goatskin head tacked to one side for striking. Some models even include internal crossbars to support hand strikes while striking the head; most players, however, prefer using a tipper (two-headed stick) for this task.
Avoid purchasing bodhrans that feature corporate logos, cutesy Celtic art or beer ads as these tend to alter the voice of the drum. Furthermore, steer clear of non-tunable or plastic frame instruments; when purchasing your instrument be sure to buy from a store that understands Celtic music as well as the quality instruments they offer – for instance McNeela has an 8 point hand tuning system which makes tuning adjustments quickly depending on playing conditions.
Style
Waltons Irish Music offers exceptional Bodhran packs to get you up and playing quickly – these pack include drum, beater and carrying bag to help you master this beautiful folk instrument!
Look for a tunable bodhran with natural skin heads; this will produce the desirable deep and soothing tone characteristic of this drum. Steer clear of synthetic-head drums as these only produce one tone at once without responding to your touch.
Before purchasing your drum, carefully listen to as many live performances of the bodhran as you can before purchasing one. Most recordings use signal processing techniques (compression, EQ, limiting, delay and reverb) that may alter its true voice; when possible listen directly to one drum in person to gauge size and depth – details difficult to discern on a recording.
Sound
At the core of any bodhran is its sound. Achieve a soothing deep tone is essential, with some manufacturers employing fine skins and wider frames as ways to do this. Although a cheaper factory made model may suffice initially, investing a little extra will produce better tones as well as make you more comfortable when holding the drum.
Many players prefer crossbar bodhrans that allow the hand to rest against it; however, too close proximity could restrict finger movement and produce tonal variations which are unwanted. Aim for one with an internal crossbar which fits your hand measurement, and avoid those without one altogether; synthetic heads and non-tunable drums should also be avoided as goatskin is widely preferred among professional makers over lemo, kangaroo or greyhound skin options.
