The Bodhran is the Heartbeat of Irish Music
The Bodhran is at the core of traditional Irish music. Used to add rhythm and depth, especially when used alongside other instruments.
Traditional playing of the drum was part of the mumming tradition on St Stephen’s Day, commemorating the hunt of the wren (a Christian tale with roots in ancient Celtic folklore). But its popularity as a musical instrument began growing only during the 1960s with musicians such as Sean O Riada including it in their ensembles.
Origins
Though drums have long been played in Ireland, the bodhran found widespread popularity during the revival of Irish Traditional Music during the 1960s largely thanks to Cork musician Sean O Riada who added it as part of Ceoltoiri Chualann band.
One theory suggests it may have evolved from perforated skin and wood frame tools used for farming, such as those found at the National Museum of Ireland agricultural collection. Furthermore, its features match those found on tambourines from Central Asia that had been brought over and adopted by Ireland.
Over time, numerous innovative ideas have been utilized with regard to this instrument, including dampening its sound and changing pitch with left-handed playing techniques.
Construction
The bodhran, which resembles a drum and can be played using either a beater or cipin, is an Irish frame drum of unknown origin that may have evolved from tambourines popular throughout southern continental Europe.
Bodhrans are wooden frames covered in goatskin (sometimes synthetic heads are also used). One end is open so the player can touch different places on the skin in order to control pitch and sound characteristics. Many modern bodhrans also include inside tuning capabilities so the drummer can tailor the tune of his or her drum according to individual playing style.
Sound
The bodhran is now at the core of Irish music, but that wasn’t always the case. A major factor behind its swift transition from rural celebrations to concert halls was Sean O Riada adding it to Ceoltoiri Chualann (now known as the Chieftains).
Peadar Mercier was among the first players to introduce band context into bodhran playing and John Joe Kelly introduced rhythms from other genres into his melodic playing during the nineties. Additionally, innovative makers like Seamus O’Kane contributed significantly to this evolution by using thin lambeg skins which allowed for higher and lower note crispness.
Styles
Over recent years, the bodhran has evolved faster than any other instrument used in Irish traditional music. Its acoustic qualities have encouraged innovation and experimentation among practitioners of traditional Irish music.
In the past, bodhran was played using only hands; today however, most performers use a stick for faster playing. Most commonly this stick is thin and short to facilitate rapid performance.
Eamonn Murray of Beoga stands out as a stand-out bodhran player. His unique rhythmic style has won over many, as he questions the accepted belief that thick lambeg skins must be present for superior sound. Aimee Farrell Courtney also boasts an impressive musical resume as a bodhran player.
Techniques
Traditional Irish Bodhran playing methods involve sitting, with the drum resting erect on one leg (right-handers may prefer standing up). One hand (usually the thumb) would then insert itself into the drum to manipulate its skins in different ways to vary pitch and sound characteristics and adjust pitch/sound characteristics accordingly.
Bodhran players should make sure that their drumming complements the music rather than simply serving as a rhythm instrument. While bodhran players should not attempt to drive the beat like rock drummers do, nor jump out front of their musicians like rock drummers do, they should instead serve to accompany and embellish rhythmic patterns.
Innovative bodhran players like Peadar Mercier from The Chieftains, Christy Moore from Planxty and John Joe Kelly of Flook have pioneered novel playing techniques. While these may take longer to master than conventional styles, their efforts certainly prove worth their while.
Music
Now firmly at the center of Irish music is the bodhran, thanks largely to Sean O Riada who famously introduced it into Ceoltoiri Chualann in the 1960s and it has never since left its place of prominence.
The bodhran is a flat drum similar to a large tambourine without any of the bells, played using an extended beater with two ends that is struck over the drum head.
There are two common styles for playing the bodhran: If the beater is held with both ends directly over your head, this style is known as Kerry or West Limerick style; otherwise two-hand playing techniques such as Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh’s two-handed technique may also be employed.
