Selecting the ideal bodhran stick is key to playing successful bodhran music. You should feel as if it is part of your hand when holding it and should feel secure holding it.

Learn to play bodhran, bones and spoons in the authentic Irish Tommy Hayes style. Master essential techniques including triplets, upbeats, backbeats, tone variations, rolls, slaps, flams and rimshots.

The beater

Modern Irish bodhran playing emphasizes beating the drum with a lathe-turned piece of wood known as a beater (tipper, stick or cipin). Each type of beater offers its own distinct sound.

Traditional bodhran beaters are made from rosewood and many teachers agree it provides the optimal balance and feel for beating bodhrans. At 240mm (9.5 inches), its large surface area makes an impactful statement but remains lightweight enough for playing all types of music styles.

Some hybrid beaters feature both hard and soft tips; these are known as hybrid beaters. They usually include a hard tipper in the center with bundles of dowels surrounding it, with tightening or loosening capabilities to customize sound production and clicks created.

The tipper

Tipppers are one of the key components of any bodhran stick as they control its sound production. Their shape, size and material all play an integral part in its sound; you have many types to choose from with different qualities that vary how they feel when playing the drum.

Hot rod style tippers are popular choices as they produce a much softer sound than their hard counterparts while still producing an audible click when played. Most come equipped with means for tightening or loosening the dowels so they can be played either wide open (softer with more click) or tightly shut (closer to hard tipper sound). Most are constructed out of hard bar ash wood which makes for comfortable play in your hand; other flexible woods such as beech and larch provide different sounds altogether.

The skin

As the main component of a Bodhran, its skin must withstand both physical and environmental hazards. While playing, accidental encounters with sharp objects and environmental conditions that could puncture or tear it may occur during play. Therefore, most drum-makers or owners wrap it with electrical tape or use some form of protective covering like electrical tape in order to reduce rasping against the rim when striking it with sticks.

The bodhran is highly susceptible to humidity and temperature changes, so proper care must be taken with its skin in order to achieve an ideal tone. Some bodhrans are even tunable to meet specific musical styles – Kevin Conneff from The Chieftains is known for playing an example of such an instrument tunable for pitch. Kevin’s skilled playing techniques helped elevate its status as an essential accompaniment in Irish traditional music.

The frame

There is a wide selection of beaters available for your bodhran, each of which produces unique sounds. From hotrod dowel sticks and split tippers, to effect tippers and split tippers – there is truly something to suit any sound preference and play style.

Wood used in making a bodhran frame usually has only limited impact on its sound output; tuning rim materials such as type of wood species used, dimensions and cross section have greater influence.

The most traditional method for playing a bodhran is with hand movement involving wrist and hand motion with tipper against skin, enabling you to play an array of rhythms and melodies. But foot pedal use is also becoming increasingly common, giving a stronger sound with bass accent that many drummers enjoy – although not for everyone – so experimentation may be necessary in finding what best fits you!

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