Bodhrans have always been an essential element of Irish music, from its ancient beginnings through contemporary trends. New playing techniques and tuning systems are constantly being refined as the instrument becomes part of rural Ireland, international stages, informal sessions or any combination thereof.

No matter the difficulty level of learning an instrument, a good bodhran teacher and practice will go a long way!

Origins

Designed as a utilitarian drum for rural life, the Bodhran is a simple hand-held frame drum made with goat skin. Playable either directly with one’s hand or via an optional tipper (also referred to as beater or stick), the Bodhran has long been part of rural music culture.

Sean O Riada first popularised the modern bodhran during Ireland’s traditional music resurgence of the 1960s; prior to this introduction it had predominantly been used for religious and ceremonial functions in Ireland.

Harte explores the bodhran drum’s global reach and variety of musical genres through extensive interviews with players and makers alike, exploring its development, organological history and playing styles.

Construction

A bodhran is a small frame drum made from goat skin stretched over a wooden hoops and secured using nails, staples or glue; although glue tends to provide better results.

Traditional drum playing requires holding the instrument upright on one’s thigh with right hand (for right-handed players) inside shell to dampen and change pitch and sound characteristics; tipper sticks could also be used.

Bodhrans have come a long way since Sean O Riada introduced them to the world. Innovative makers and players such as Peadar Mercier, Johnny Ringo McDonagh and John Joe Kelly have helped take this drum to new levels both sonically and technically.

Tuning

Bodhrans respond to atmospheric changes in humidity by altering their tone and ability to transmit sound, potentially altering overtones and frequencies of their skin vibrating as it vibrates, but players can adjust this through warming with low-heat sources or applying dubbin (though Seamus O’Kane advises against doing this).

Modern bodhrans feature internal tuning rings that can be tightened or loosened with a hex key to eliminate atmospheric influences on their pitch and allow players to control tone modulation. This innovation created by Seamus O’Kane has revolutionized bodhran making and playing.

Techniques

Professional bodhran players employ various techniques to accentuate and ornament the rhythmic qualities of reels and jigs, as well as apply these same techniques to other styles of music.

Bodhran players usually prefer playing this instrument while sitting down, placing their drum upright on their thigh using both upper body and arm support to maintain its integrity.

Assuming they’re right-handed, they grip their beater about one third of the way down and hold it like they’re holding a pen; this allows them to press on the skin to adjust tension levels and create different sounds by pressing into it with their beater. Finally, either their left or right hand strikes over goatskin heads with it in one of two ways.

Styles

Bodhran drums can be played using several styles, most notably Kerry style which was introduced into Irish traditional music during its revival during the 1960s by Sean O Riada of Ceoltoiri Chualann and founder of The Chieftains.

By changing their pressure and position against their skin, players can vary the sound’s pitch or volume – creating more complex rhythms while making accompaniment easier for singers. This technique makes accompaniment easy!

Professional bodhrans often feature tuning capabilities, enabling players to adapt the tone according to atmospheric conditions and enhance its tone quality even further. This feature has elevated this once simple farm implement into an intricate musical instrument.

Sound

A great bodhran player has the talent to transform their instrument into something far beyond a rhythm instrument, creating melodies and exciting sounds when sitting down while playing it. This is particularly noticeable when the drum is played seated.

One of the key innovations that has altered bodhran playing styles is Seamus O’Kane’s internal tone ring system, which tightens or loosens skin using screws to control tightness or laxity of skin tensioning – similar to how banjo tune rings work.

Innovative bodhran players and tippermakers have elevated the status of this humble Irish farm tool into something far greater. This has significantly elevated both traditional Irish music and drum playing/tippermaking alike.

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