The Bodhran is one of the easiest musical instruments for beginners to start playing, while also serving as a great transition instrument for more experienced musicians looking to explore traditional Irish music.

When purchasing a bodhran, listen for its voice. Please keep in mind that many recordings have been altered through signal processing techniques and should be regarded with caution.

Size

A drum’s “voice” should be your top consideration. Look for one made of quality goatskin (cheaper drums commonly use calf skin, which produces less desirable tones and is far more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity).

Choose a bodhran with a deep rim to achieve modern, bassy sounds and avoid having to adjust its head during performance. A deeper rim also lessens slipperiness as retightening becomes less necessary as less is likely to slip out.

Mechanical tuning systems can be advantageous, eliminating the need to wet or heat the head to account for changing atmospheric conditions. However, this will increase costs considerably; therefore if budget restrictions limit your options you may wish to consider selecting a bodhran without tuner instead.

Rolf Wagels in Germany and Stevie Moises in Puchheim both operate Hedwitschak Showrooms where you can try all our bodhrans and tippers before making your decision. Their experienced staff can also offer expert guidance when selecting the ideal instrument.

Materials

Bodhrans are typically constructed using either mulberry wood or goatskin and offer an exceptional deep and melodious sound when performed properly. The best bodhrans produce a quality deep tone.

Many bodhrans are tuned using an internal tone ring system developed by Seamus O’Kane from Dungiven, County Londonderry in 1975 and has revolutionized both making and playing of bodhrans. It eliminates atmospheric conditions affecting skin tension changes as well as damp weather swells on its own without risk of breaking.

Hard beaters are standard bodhran accessories, though many players prefer hot rod tippers instead – thin dowels of wood held together with tape that produce softer sounds and greater percussive clicks when struck than hard beaters.

As with any musical instrument, bodhran requires diligence to learn. Failing to do so could earn you an unfavorable reputation among fellow bodhranists; to advance your skills further, look for classes offered by local Irish music groups and Celtic-themed venues in your area.

Styles

Bodhrans are frame drums that can be fixed or tuneable, featuring a goat skin head tacked to one side and played using a beater (or tipper). Although there are various playing styles – Kerry style is most frequently practiced.

Many musical instruments may be difficult for beginners to master, but the bodhran is an easy instrument for almost anyone of any age to pick up and learn to play. Our 14 and 16 inch non-tunable bodhrans make learning how to play simpler for newcomers who don’t want to worry about tuning as they begin playing.

McNeela Bodhrans come equipped with either Lambeg or Vellum goatskin heads for maximum sound diversity and responsive tone production. Each instrument will offer its own distinct character for you to discover when playing it!

Accessories

The Bodhran is at the core of Irish traditional music, capable of creating intricate rhythms when played skillfully. Made from wood with goat skin attached on one side and played using a beater (or tipper), its playing method requires skillful technique and precise fingerwork to produce stunning sounds.

An unadorned bodhran may sound dull and hollow; one with an excessively deep rim can produce an uncomfortable resonance. Ideally, the ideal depth range for a bodhran should lie between 13-3/4 and 15-3/4 inches.

To maximize the sound of your bodhran, rub a small amount of clear water onto its back before playing. This will enable its skin to stretch a little and create more variations in tone while also making it less vulnerable to damage when not being played. Christian Hedwitschak offers several accessories designed specifically for use with the bodhran including devices to add snare-drum effects as well as adjustable anti-slip straps that hold it on your shoulder when not in use.

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