The Bodhran is a Symbol of Ireland
The Bodhran is one of Ireland’s oldest musical instruments. Though seemingly easy, playing it requires skill, precision, musicality and versatility – as can be seen from its many styles and techniques used over time.
Irish mummers (known as Wren Boys) have entertained people for over 400 years by dressing in straw outfits and going from house to house entertaining people with music, song and dance performances. This tradition has pagan origins, originally serving as harvest festival entertainment.
Origins
The bodhran is an Irish frame drum similar to the tambourine, used primarily in Celtic music and recently expanding its repertoire through modern sources such as film. Popular in Cornwall as crowdy-crawn instrument; can be played either by using one’s hand alone, with sticks, beaters or bones; also called crowdycrawn in Cornwall.
Sean O Riada is widely recognized for making this humble drum the hub of Irish music. Through innovative techniques that he developed, Sean transformed how people played it today – inspiring new bodhran players across the globe who now play this beautiful instrument at events and gatherings worldwide – adding rhythm and depth to any event they play at.
Styles
The Bodhran is an integral component of Irish traditional music. Adding rhythm and depth, it can be played alongside other instruments or alone for solo performances. As well as its role as an accompaniment instrument, it serves as a symbol of Ireland, often being featured at May Day and St Stephen’s Day rituals; its popularity increased greatly with Ceoltoiri Chualann led by Sean O Riada during the 1960s.
Traditional drum playing requires the player’s bare hand or using a stick called a cipin, preferably both. Kerry style refers to using both ends of a beater directly above the drum while using only one end is known as top-end style. Some innovators such as Peadar Mercier and John Joe Kelly have developed new playing techniques.
Techniques
The Bodhran is an instrument which requires considerable skill and precision to play. Typically played barehanded, players use various techniques to produce different sounds on its drum head. Some notable players of this instrument include Mel Mercier, Johnny McDonagh and John Joe Kelly – three renowned names who excelled at it!
While bodhran is an integral component of Irish music, its popularity did not truly take hold until the folk music revival in the 1960s – led primarily by Sean O Riada using it with Ceoltoiri Chualann ensemble.
One of the keys to effective bodhran playing is matching rhythms to those of music you’re accompanying, making it easier for listeners to follow along with melodies.
Materials
The Bodhran is an Irish traditional drum made up of wooden frame and goat skin drum head. Played using an instrument known as a tipper beater that creates various sounds from gentle taps to hard rapping, the Bodhran can produce sounds ranging from gentle taps to hard rapping sounds.
The frame is constructed of various woods and includes crossbars for extra support. Usually goatskin but other materials like calf skin, sheep skin or synthetic can also be used – it is then soaked with water before stretched and dried, giving it its unique pale hue and texture.
The bodhran is used to perform Irish folk music, often in combination with flute. The rhythm created by its use adds depth and gives an additional lift to its sound.
Price
A bodhran is a traditional Irish frame drum composed of a round wooden hoop covered with goatskin that is held together by crossbars made of either birch or ash wood, using natural tanning processes to preserve the natural leather of its skins. Bodhrans do not feature any jingles like tambourines do and must be played using an additional beater known as a “cipin or tipper.”
The Bodhran is the most beloved Irish percussion instrument and widely used for Irish folk music such as dance and folklore, as well as contemporary Irish music.
Bodhrans come in various styles and sizes. Some come adorned with designs like Celtic spirals or GAA county colors to family coats of arms; such embellishments do not detract from their quality sound production – hence why many professional players opt for painted drums.
