McNeela Bodhran
The Bodhran is a small frame drum covered with goatskin that’s often played using either a beater or stick (cipin). It has become an indispensable instrument in contemporary Irish music.
McNeela Instruments specialize in producing quality instruments suitable for everyone from novice players to professionals alike. From learning basic maneuvers to complex hand movements, McNeela instruments offer quality instruments suitable for every level.
The Wave
The Wave features a tunable lambeg head for optimal playing experience across all skill levels. Adjusting skin tension takes into account temperature and humidity levels, giving players greater control and maintaining sharp responses from beater strokes.
Milky goatskin or Lambeg skin is available on our tunable bodhras for maximum flexibility when it comes to tuning them, with each providing a range of tones up and down the scale, flexible response to interior hand pressure, and an audible pop upon striking. Lambeg skin offers soft response when playing for beginners; making for an excellent way to start drumming!
Now for a limited time, every Wave bodhran comes with eight free online bodhran lessons from world-renowned percussionist Ronan O Snodaigh – these will cover everything from beginner techniques to more complex advanced playing strategies.
The Signature
McNeela Bodhrans are ideal instruments for beginners, particularly young musicians, thanks to their shallow rim and smaller size – enabling the player to easily maneuver this instrument with no tuning necessary, saving both time and money! With an affordable starting price point, these drums make an excellent introduction into music for all.
This bodhran features Lambeg or Vellum goatskin for maximum tone production and responsiveness on its tin rim, providing optimal tone production and responsiveness when playing melodies or bass sounds. This type of skin makes for melodic playing as it offers rich bass sound quality.
The Bodhran is one of the central instruments in Irish music, and masterful playing can add another level to any session. Played using a beater called cipin or beater and traditionally frame drum, its use makes this traditional frame drum easily accessible for all ages from children to professional percussionists alike.
The Mini
Be it an enthusiastic beginner or experienced bodhran player, this 16 inch tunable drum was created to meet all your needs. Crafted using high quality lambeg or velvet goatskin material and featuring our trademark hand-tuning system for effortless tuning options, it can be tailored specifically to meet the sound preferences of every user.
The Bodhran is considered the heartbeat of Irish music, thanks to renowned Irish musician and percussionist Sean O Riada who featured it as part of Ceoltoiri Chualann ensemble.
He popularized bodhran to new audiences and opened it up for other musicians to explore it further. Now you’ll find bodhran players all across Ireland; its beautiful sounds add vibrancy to any session, offering a great way to become acquainted with its musical tradition.
The Classic
McNeela quality and precision tuning come together in this elegant bodhran, offering traditional shape with the ability to control tone and volume for session performances, yet remaining compact enough for smaller hands.
At the height of traditional Irish music’s revival in the 60’s, bodhran virtuosity became internationally acclaimed. Notable players including Robin Morton from Boys of the Lough’s Robin Morton from Peadar Mercier of The Chieftains and Christy Moore from Planxty furthered playing techniques further still.
Mechanical Bodhran tuning systems allow players to control tone and volume regardless of environment and atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, players now frequently apply electrical tape around the edge of the rim like drum kit E-Rings to reduce leakage and dampen unwanted overtones. With such methods employed by McNeela Bodhran players can experience uncompromised sound quality from this instrument which features an 8 point hand tuning system as well as premium gig bag storage options.
