McNeela Bodhran – The Heartbeat of Irish Music
The Bodhran is at the core of Irish music, and when played well it can bring life and vibrancy to any session. Beginner musicians can pick it up easily and can see quick progress over time.
Bodhran skin should be soaked, then stretched out for drying – ideally outdoors if possible – to lighten its hue and release oils from its pores. This process helps bleach its complexion, as well as to absorb oils.
Signature Bodhran
Paraic’s tuneable bodhran is an ideal starting drum for anyone interested in exploring traditional Irish music. Boasting 16″ bass tones and featuring hand-stretched goatskin from sustainable sources for extended harmonic range and producing signature Irish tones, its design features taped skin around its rim to deliver distinctive bass tones characteristic of Irish traditional music.
Our tunable bodhrns come equipped with either Lambeg or Vellum goatskin for maximum resonance, depth of tone, rich resonant bass, volume and rich resonant bass; perfect for taking your playing to the next level. They feature our 8 point hand tuning system for quick and effortless bodhran tuning adjustments.
Mastering the bodhran is at the core of Irish music, and learning it quickly is key for making any session truly lively. McNeela Bodhran offers various models designed to fit every musical genre and musical style; check them out today to find your ideal one.
Lambeg Bodhran
Even with its diminutive size, this bodhran boasts an impressively resonating sound that stands out in any session. Renowned for its versatility and quality, its rise to fame as a ‘heartbeat of Irish music’ was due to being featured as part of Sean O Riada’s Ceoltoiri Chualann ensemble – captivating audiences while ushering in a new era for Celtic music.
Precise tuning and premium accessories make this bodhran an excellent choice for musicians of any level, from novice to expert. It comes complete with premium beaters that help unleash different tones and rhythms for maximum musical expression, plus lifetime access to Ronan O Snodaigh’s full bodhran masterclass to take you from beginner to expert. Choose between sustainably-sourced lambeg or Vellum goatskin skins carefully treated to optimise tone performance on the tin rim for melodic playing or bass sounds – making this instrument an exceptional option!
Vellum Bodhran
Our tunable bodhrans are handcrafted with Lambeg or Vellum goatskin that has been specially selected by us to give the drum the desired tone: rich, clear bass notes combined with crisp high tones. Adjustable tuning enables players to tailor the tone according to weather or temperature conditions, making these drums suitable for accompaniment sessions of traditional music or musical fusion projects alike.
Uncertain as to its exact origins or when or how the bodhran was first used, its popularity skyrocketed during the folk music revival of the 1960s. Irish percussionist Peadar Mercier elevated its complexity further by using a beater instead of his hands when playing it – ceoltoiri Chualann also created powerful live performances and recordings with these drums, taking them beyond mere cultural sophistication and artistic excellence.
Adjustable Bodhran
Our adjustable bodhrans feature hand-adjustable tuning and offer a vast array of tones. Available with either Lambeg or Vellum skins that have been sustainably sourced and treated for optimal sound performance. This 16″ black bodhran also comes equipped with an adjustable crossbar and arm cut out for playing comfort, and features deep rim and taped edges for that distinctive McNeela bass tone sound.
Humidity changes can have a major impact on bodhran tone, tightening skins until they are unplayable or loosening them too much to be effective. Some players use wetting their bodhrans with water (or beer!) prior to playing to temporarily lower pitch of their drum, though over time this can cause it to shrink and tear over time.
McNeela Adjustable Bodhran offers an attractive and professional appearance while being easy to tune, complete with dual headed beater and fitted bag.
