People shopping for bodhrans often struggle to decide on which drum to purchase. They want a quality instrument that’s also comfortable to play and meets their specific needs.

There are various factors to keep in mind when playing the bodhran, including height and depth of drum, type of skin material used and optional bar(s) (T, cross or single). All these aspects may have an effect on its sound.

Origins

Before recent times, the bodhran was an obscure instrument re-popularised only during the 1960’s. This recent revival can be credited to Irish composer Sean O Riada’s inclusion of it into Ceoltoiri Chualann as part of an ensemble performance.

Bodhrans have quickly become one of the world’s most beloved instruments, used across numerous musical genres and constantly developing in terms of both playing techniques and manufacturing processes.

Historically, bodhrans were played with just the performer’s bare hand until a stick known as a “cipin” came into use; its shape fits precisely to match that of their hand and it can be held either end depending on style of playing. One end can even be dampened using skin hands to change its sound from low bassy notes to crisp high notes.

Materials

A quality bodhran is constructed of high-grade wood that has been carefully sanded and varnished. Rim and cross bars should fit snugly to provide a stable, long-term frame; skin should be free from holes, rips and gouges; regular conditioning or oiling of its skin is important; household products like lanolin, neetsfoot oil or moisturizing hand lotion will help preserve its integrity while prolonging its lifespan.

Contrary to many other drums, the bodhran does not use a handle; rather it is held vertically over the thigh and played by tapping with either hand or tipper stick. A skin hand can also be used to vary its pitch from low bassy sounds up to more high pitched tones.

Techniques

While it may initially seem easy, playing the bodhran requires significant technical knowledge. Luckily, however, it is one of the easier musical instruments for beginners to pick up and master.

Selecting the ideal drum is essential. A tuneable bodhran will enable you to get the optimal sound from it, and take into account factors like its size and depth; deeper bodhrans provide modern bassy sounds while shallower drums offer lighter playback for greater comfort.

Pronunciation is also of vital importance; Bodhran can be understood through its sound. Pronounced “bow-rawn”, this means there is an H after the initial vowel that softens it – this may make it hard for non-Irish speakers to understand.

Styles

While other instruments can be more complex for beginning players to grasp, the bodhran provides an ideal entryway. Constructed from wood with a goat skin head tacked to one side and ready to be played using a beater (tipper or cipin), its circular frame makes this instrument accessible even to novice players.

A deep shell construction provides for an immersive sound and resonant experience, while an internal damping ring minimizes unwanted overtones for a powerful voice that suits both traditional and contemporary playing styles.

Hedwitschak drums feature several special models designed in collaboration with world-class bodhran players, such as the traditionally focused TrHED series and modern HEDge bodhrans. Additionally, Hedwitschak offers its Express ConfigurHEDor series so that users can design their dream bodhran with different drumheads, tuning rims, frame designs and decorative ribbons to customize it perfectly for them.

Tuning

While other musical instruments may be difficult to learn at first, the bodhran is an accessible instrument perfect for beginners looking to break into traditional Irish music session performance.

When selecting a bodhran, it is crucial that the appropriate size frame drum be selected. Larger hands may need larger frame drums; however, smaller frame drums are just as effective; it simply takes more time for full sound production from them.

Tuning a bodhran requires leaving the playing tension intact while not tightening any tuning screws, to help the skin maintain an even and consistent tone. Furthermore, an excellent quality tipper (known as a “cipin”) is essential; these are available from McNeela Instruments.

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