How to Play Bodhran
The Bodhran is an unforgettable instrument with an astounding sound ranging from subtle taps to intense rhythmic beats that captures the heart of Irish music. Played seated, one hand grips its frame from behind while striking its drumhead using its tipper.
Start out by purchasing a bodhran that fits comfortably in your hand and ensure that its grip fits loosely around it so it does not come flying out!
Holding the Bodhran
The Bodhran is an accessible frame drum played using a tipper stick. When in the hands of an experienced player, this instrument can produce some amazing rhythms and sounds; therefore it’s important to learn its fundamentals before beginning.
Before beginning to play the bodhran, make sure that you have access to an excellent beginner instrument from McNeela Irish Music. They offer beginner models for purchase.
When ready to play, stand the bodhran on its left leg upright and place under your armpit – being careful that too much of the drum skin touches your ribcage as this could dampen sound production.
Next, place your left hand gently against either the back of the drum skin (if applicable) or its top rim (if not). Avoid placing your hand directly against it as this may create an annoying deep bass accent that other players find irritating at sessions! If this option fails you will create an audible deep bass accent which some players may like but which can quickly annoy others at sessions!
Techniques
The Bodhran is a remarkable drum with an exceptional deep sound ranging from subtle taps to powerful rhythmic beats, making it the cornerstone of traditional Irish music, grounding melodies with its pulse-pounding beats, embodying Celtic Ireland, and providing its music with its soul.
Bodhrans are usually played while sitting down as they lack handles to grab onto. Once on, it should be placed vertically on one of your legs with one hand (right for right-handed players) gripping its frame from behind in order to control its tension which in turn influences both pitch and tone.
An effective bodhran player employs a smooth up and down wrist movement while playing the lower third of their drum’s head. For newcomers this technique may prove difficult to master as it takes much practice – it is therefore vital that newcomers find time in their schedule each day to devote to practicing their bodhran as even master players took years honing their skills before reaching expert status.
Stroke Patterns
When learning the bodhran, it is essential that you practice its basic up and down strokes at a moderately fast tempo until they feel natural to you. Furthermore, keep both wrists and elbows loose; don’t raise your elbow when playing!
Once you are comfortable with the basic strokes, you can begin playing rhythms. A great way to practice these is listening to recordings of Irish traditional music or watching videos of bodhran players at sessions and then practicing any beats you hear there.
Once you understand the rhythms of Irish traditional music, the next step should be learning how to play bodhran in Kerry style. This involves rotating your arm so as to strike each number of the jig beat – for instance one strike for downbeat followed by upbeat. Once this technique has been mastered, double downstrokes and triplets may follow.
Rhythms
Learning bodhran requires understanding rhythm as an integral component. Listen to experienced players of the instrument and observe how they use accents and ornamentations to highlight and ornament natural rhythms of tunes they are playing – this unique characteristic distinguishes bodhran from other drums, making it such a vital instrument in Irish music.
Beginner bodhran players should practice up and down strokes at moderately paced tempos in order to become comfortable with basic strokes over time, becoming intuitive without much conscious thought required. Listening to professional bodhran players may also prove useful for learning their unique styles.
Bodhrans come in sizes that span from 14″ to 18″, made from goat, calf or synthetic skin stretched over a wooden frame. Some versions feature cross pieces used as handles while others boast double ended sticks known as tippers that musicians hold in their hand while performing.
