Too often, people enter sessions with cheap bodhrans in hand and begin playing away, without regard for either tradition or music. This does great harm to both.

Bodhran players use either their hand or, preferably, a stick called the cipin to strike the drum head in different ways to control pitch and sound characteristics, creating different pitches or tonalities as needed to highlight and accent natural rhythms of tunes. A great bodhran player can highlight and embellish tunes.

Basic Stroke

Beginners should prefer playing the bodhran while sitting, with its handle between their knees and midsection. This enables them to concentrate on arm/hand movement without risk of the tipper falling out.

A basic bodhran stroke involves upward and downward wrist movements to produce an up and down “tak” stroke which generates sound from your drum.

As a bodhran player, it’s crucial that you pay close attention to the music around you and match up rhythmically with its tune. Therefore, learning any tunes you wish to accompany will give your bodhran an enhanced sound quality. As with all instruments, mastering the bodhran requires hard work but can become one of the most enjoyable instruments to practice!

Kerry Style

Bodhran playing comes in several styles. These can include hand styles and stick styles; hand styles involve using your hands alone without using a stick; while stick styles use both hands together with a stick to make music. A bodhran is a round frame drum featuring goat skin heads; its rim has jingles similar to those found on tambourines.

Skilled players of the bodhran can produce an expansive array of rhythms and tones with their instrument. Aside from its standard urgent beats, melodious ringing beats are also possible depending on how much pressure is applied underside of the drum – these changes in pressure alter the sound as well.

Once on your left knee (if right handed), position the bodhran upright with its body facing out and hold onto a cipin, tipper or beater in your right hand (also right handed). Position your stick so it is a third down from its highest point for an effortless playing experience that only involves wrist and forearm movement without elbow involvement – thus decreasing chances of Repetitive Strain Injury.

Rolls

A bodhran is an accessible frame drum which, in the hands of an experienced musician, can produce remarkable rhythms and sounds. Popular among Irish musicians, and used in traditional forms worldwide – this drum can create some truly breathtaking rhythms and tones!

Starting with basic playing techniques is crucial if you wish to master any instrument properly and achieve optimal sound and rhythm from your drum, while also preventing bad habits from ruining your performance.

Once you have mastered the up and down wrist motion for playing the bodhran stroke, you are ready to explore different patterns and fills to accompany Irish tunes such as Reels and Jigs. This online bodhran tutorial will introduce the basics of tonal variance on your bodhran as well as advanced playing styles such as Advanced Patterns.

Techniques

Not only must you understand the basic strokes for playing the bodhran, but you must also become acquainted with its tunes and possess an effective sense of rhythm in order to play well.

Bodhran players should not attempt to drive the beat like rock drummers or solo in front. Instead they should match and embellish the rhythm while following its direction in music.

The bodhran may not be one of the more difficult instruments to learn, but it does require dedication and practice. Finding a teacher or online lessons early will ensure you learn proper techniques from day one, while listening to other players and becoming familiar with their playing styles will also help develop your own style over time. Furthermore, taking regular practice sessions is recommended in order to reach a point where you feel comfortable joining in a session with confidence.

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