The Bodhran has become the driving force of Irish music in recent decades. First made popular during the 1960s by Sean O Riada and Peadar Mercier of Ceoltoiri Chualann band, its use has since proliferated across many Irish music traditions.

The Bodhran is a large drum similar to a tambourine that can be played either with hands or by using a stick known as a Cipin.

Origins

The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum similar to a tambourine without its jingles, featuring a goatskin head. It was introduced into Irish traditional music through Sean O Riada’s Ceoltoiri Chualann group in recent times.

Bodhrans are typically played using a stick called a cipin, although a performer may also strike the skin directly with his hand. When both ends of the cipin are used and placed above one’s head simultaneously, this style is known as Kerry or West Limerick playing; when only one end is employed it is top-end playing.

There is speculation that the bodhran first transitioned from working instrument to musical one by being employed by Mummers and Wrenboys during local festivals as noise makers or primitive rhythm instruments. There have also been theories suggesting it may have come to Ireland via Celtic migration from Central Asia.

Construction

One cannot imagine an Irish music session without at least one bodhran player present, they are an essential component in pubs, bars and concerts across Ireland.

The Bodhran is one of the oldest and newest instruments found within Irish music. An ancient frame drum that has its origins in Middle Eastern cultures and distantly related to tambourines, its primary function is drumming.

A bodhran has the shape of a circular drum with perforated support frames on either side, housing tightened animal skin. Most often this skin comes from goats; you might also see others made from sheep, cow or horse skins. The maker or owner may cover the rim with electrical tape in order to reduce edge-loading (when vibrations from the skin hit and rebound back onto it), thus controlling overtones more precisely while increasing sound control; electrical tape can also improve durability of skin over time.

Sound

The bodhran is an Irish frame drum with numerous forms worldwide; what distinguishes them is their distinctive playing technique. While most tambourines can be hit using just your hand, bodhran players use an adjustable stick known as a “cipin”, which fits around their wrist to strike it with.

Not until the 1940s did photographs of bodhran players become widely publicised (see O Danachair 1955; O Suillebhain 1984 and Schiller 2001). Once that occurred, its popularity took off rapidly.

Today the bodhran has become a cornerstone of Irish traditional music thanks to Sean O Riada’s inclusion of it into Ceoltoiri Chualann in the 1960s. Since then, legendary players such as Peadar Mercier, Mel Mercier, Christy Moore from Planxty and De Dannan’s Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh have brought this underrated instrument to exciting new heights through innovative playing techniques.

Playing

For many decades, bodhran was played using only one’s bare hand; today however, a small stick known as a cipin is usually employed. When playing, this beater may either be held directly over one or both ends – known as Kerry or West Limerick style; or with only one end over both heads (top-end technique).

Dependent upon its context, bodhran can either be played restrained and discreet as session accompaniment, or more rhythmically and groovily like a drum set. Peadar Mercier stands out for his innovative playing that draws influence beyond traditional Irish music traditions.

Selecting and mastering the appropriate bodhran are integral to creating the optimal sound and feel from this stunning instrument. We highly suggest taking an online or local course with a teacher who can guide your development of an individual style of playing bodhran playing.

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