The Bodhran is a Traditional Irish Drum
The Bodhran is a traditional Irish drum which can be played using either hands or sticks and has multiple playing styles that fit well with various genres of music.
Johnny McDonagh, who played with both De Dannann and later Mike Oldfield, was instrumental in shaping modern bodhran playing techniques. He introduced new tonal differences and improvisation into its performance.
Origins
Many theories exist regarding the source of this iconic drum. While some experts contend it was once used as a farming tool to winnow grains, others hold that it has its roots deep within Celtic history prior to Christianity.
According to one theory, the bodhran may have come about via its predecessor instrument known as the Crowdy Crawn in Cornwall. Their similarities lie in both instruments having similar structures such as hoops and sheepskins.
Traditional Irish Bodhran playing techniques required the player to strike it with their hand; today it is more commonly played using a small stick called a cipin. Depending on your chosen style of play, either both ends or just one end may be held by the beater (Kerry Style or Top End), with various techniques employed for tuning and skin preparation, such as using electrical tape to reduce rasp produced when the cipin strikes the face of the drum – this method being especially beneficial when dealing with less-than-perfect skins as it can be applied quickly while being removed again if necessary.
Techniques
An experienced bodhran player can produce complex rhythms on this ancient Irish drum, and in the hands of an excellent musician it can add real verve and vitality to a song. But remember, too, that the bodhran is more than just an instrument for rhythm – it can convey sobs, joy and even call to arms!
Electrical tape has become a common method of covering the rim of skins by their makers or owners to reduce edge-loading and dampen unwanted overtones, as well as help stabilise them under changing atmospheric conditions.
The dominant hand strikes the beater head in an up-and-down movement while its counterpart uses tension control of skin tension to adjust sound and resonance levels. Both hands allow players to modify pitch and tone by striking different areas and angles; it is essential that one experiments until finding one’s ideal sound for playing style.
Variations
As the popularity of the bodhran increased, so too did its playing technique. Once upon a time it would have been played with just your bare hand; nowadays however, most performers use something known as a cipin instead – if both ends of this stick are held above one’s head then this style is known as Kerry or West Limerick while only one end may remain there it is top-end style.
Players use various techniques such as mutting, rolling and tripleting to amplify the sound of their bodhran. Experienced musicians may even touch the skin briefly with their elbow, creating an audible staccato effect.
Under the direction of an accomplished player, the bodhran can become an incredible instrument capable of elevating music to new heights. A good bodhran player should keep in mind that their role is more than keeping time; rather they serve to support and shape songs and give life to songs which truly brings out the magic in music.
Sound
Imagine a traditional Irish session without the rhythmic beat provided by a bodhran! Sean O Riada deserves much credit for popularizing it as an instrument within Irish folk music and its traditions.
Early bodhrans featured tambourine-style jingles on the rim of their instruments; over time these have been removed in favor of deeper sound with greater tonal variation and range. Bodhran makers have also adjusted designs over time in response to changing atmospheric conditions.
Players have developed various playing techniques to adapt to various genres of music. John Joe Kelly combined elements from other genres into his melodic bodhran playing while Peadar Mercier introduced new ideas with his use of dampening and pitch modulation with hand techniques in addition to brush stick style playing and rim shots.
