The Bodhran Drum Stick
The Bodhran is a hand-held frame drum. In its early days, this instrument featured jingle bells attached to its frame for playing techniques which were both harsh and loud.
Modern bodhran is usually played using a stick called a tipper that’s held in one’s dominant hand similar to how one holds a pencil. This method allows players to produce various sounds from hard beats to gentle tappings and slides on the instrument.
Choosing a Bodhran
A bodhran is an ideal instrument for beginners as it’s much simpler to pick up than instruments such as flute or violin. Additionally, it makes an ideal transitional instrument if you already have some experience playing music but want to expand into Irish traditional music.
At first, one of your first decisions will be selecting an appropriate bodhran drum stick from among a vast variety of options available to you. From hard tippers with teardrop and ellipsoid heads to split tippers, hot rod dowel beaters, and mixed beaters – each type will produce distinctive sounds.
Next, decide whether or not you would prefer a tuneable or non-tuneable bodhran. Tunable models tend to be cheaper and offer superior sound quality while speeding up learning processes.
The Bodhran’s Shape
At its core, a bodhran is a single-head frame drum. Its circular shell has a hole and is covered with mammal skin (usually goatskin), while two wood strips crisscross each other at right angles to its hole for sound production.
A bodhran’s sound is created by striking it with a wooden beater, using either its heel of hand to produce sharp beats or flat of palm to produce softer ones. Fingers also play an integral part in producing its sound – gentle taps and slides are common practices when playing this instrument.
Traditional Irish musicians used only their hands when performing, but today a stick called a cipin is often employed instead. A good length for using it would be somewhere around thumb to baby finger. Most players utilize either Kerry or top-end styles when playing; either holding both ends above head (Kerry style), or one end above head only (top-end style).
The Bodhran’s Skin
The Bodhran is a frame drum featuring one head made of goat, calf or synthetic material stretched over a wooden frame. When played, this drum should rest comfortably on one knee of its player while one hand strikes its skin using a short double ended stick known as a beater or tipper (or cipin) while the other dampens or presses back of skin to produce sounds ranging from sharp urgent taps to melodious ringing sounds.
Quality skins of drums are fundamental in producing their desired sound; thin ones will produce deep and warm tones while heavy skins may become rigid over time.
For optimal sound production from drum skin, proper care must be taken when treating and curing it. Regular drying and soaking sessions help to bleach out oil that clogs its pores; airing it outside helps bleach further while airing is used to air it outdoors as well. When ready, the bodhran maker will stretch and dry the skin while it remains flexible before attaching it to its frame.
The Bodhran’s Technique
The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum traditionally used for rhythmical accompaniment in traditional Irish music. Now, its use has spread into modern genres as well and now stands as an incredibly versatile instrument. To learn the Bodhran effectively and safely it is vital that either an experienced teacher or series of online lessons provide you with proper techniques on playing this instrument.
Begin by holding the beater in your right hand (if you are right-handed). Grip it near its middle point on the stick, similar to where a pen or pencil’s writing tip would be located, before bending your wrist and striking downward on its goatskin head.
Some bodhran players keep their left hand resting on the skin when striking, creating a deeper bass accent. Although this technique may appeal to certain players, it could pose issues in sessions; as such, this strategy should be avoided. Another great way to develop your bodhran playing style is listening to professional bodhran players and taking note of how they highlight and ornament tunes’ natural rhythms.
