No matter if it’s your first bodhran purchase or upgrading an older instrument, several factors must be taken into consideration before selecting the perfect instrument based on personal preferences and budget considerations.

Bodhrans make for an excellent first musical instrument, providing beginners with an accessible start! But it is essential that they know what features to look out for when selecting their instrument.

Size

Unlike some other musical instruments, the bodhran is designed for beginners from its inception – providing an ideal transition from an easier instrument like flute or fiddle into something that requires more advanced skills.

The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum featuring a goatskin head on one side that can be struck using a beater, also referred to as a tipper or cipin. It is one of the most beloved Irish percussion instruments, boasting a range of distinct tones.

Avoid purchasing bodhrans adorned with corporate logos, cutesy Celtic art or beer ads painted onto their heads; such drums won’t sound as well and may even negatively alter the tone of a natural skin bodhran skin. Also try avoiding synthetic heads and non-tunable drums.

Skin

A bodhran’s skin is what produces its sound; therefore it should be free from rips and holes with an even surface, while made from natural animal hide such as goat, roo, or calf rather than synthetic materials for maximum sound production and greater sensitivity.

If the bodhran has staples or other unattractive fastening devices on its rim, consider covering them with leather or wood strips to give the drum a finished and attractive look. It would also be wise to occasionally rub skin moisturiser like lanolin or neetsfoot oil onto it to maintain soft and supple skin; any loose areas can be tightened up using vigorous rubbing or very mild heat treatments.

Frame

A bodhran, an Irish drum, features a wooden frame. To ensure quality results, look for smooth surfaces without cracks or knots, as well as two ends joined together with no gaps between them.

Avoid purchasing bodhrans featuring corporate logos, cutesy Celtic art or beer advertisements painted directly onto their heads; this can compromise their sound quality and eventually wear away with use.

Some models of bodhrans feature internal crossbars which may or may not be essential to playing, but may help support hand and pitch blending while maintaining traditional posture. Some players enjoy hearing a T-shaped bar inside, while others find it unnecessary.

Beaters

The Bodhran is at the core of every traditional music session. As Ireland’s single-headed drum, its single note can create a wide variety of rhythms.

Modern Irish bodhran playing style strongly favors using a beater (also referred to as a stick, tipper or cipin). Since this method has become so widely adopted, production of beaters has seen a tremendous surge.

When selecting a bodhran beater, several key considerations must be kept in mind. While shape and weight will affect its sound production, more importantly it must feel comfortable when held by your stick hand. Most popular beaters are made of wood and come in different shapes and sizes.

Storage

Beginning players of musical instruments often struggle to master new instruments quickly, but bodhran is an ideal instrument for beginners and intermediate players to start out on their musical journey.

An investment bodhran should be treated as such. When shopping, be wary of purchasing one from music stores that specialize in electric guitars or saxophones; staff may not know much about bodhrans and could sell you one that does not meet your playing needs.

Finding the appropriate beater for your bodhran is equally important. Beaters come in various sizes and shapes, each producing its own distinctive sound; to select one it would be wise to consult other bodhran players as well as try some out prior to making a purchase decision.

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