The Best Bodhran For Beginners
This bodhran boasts a shallower shell and no cross bar for easier pitch bending, making it the perfect instrument for beginner players. Plus, its durable mulberry wood frame will stand the test of time! Plus, this purchase includes access to Ronan O Snodaigh’s Bodhran Masters course for added value – making this purchase well worth your while!
1. Remo Bodhran
The Remo Bodhran is an ideal option for novice bodhran players. Featuring a synthetic head which provides incredible stability, plus removable T-bar and arm cutout features for comfort, it is easily tuned and compatible with any cipin, tipper or beater available today.
The Bodhran features a shallow rim which makes it suitable for younger beginners and people with smaller hands. You also have a choice between lambeg or Vellum goatskin for sound. Vellum mimics ancient Irish manuscripts like The Book of Kells.
Tuning the bodhran can be done either manually or with an adjustable tuning peg, with tuning pegs being particularly helpful to beginners. Tuning helps maintain an even tone, as an untuned drum may become tighter or looser depending on weather conditions, which would alter its sound and change its tone accordingly.
2. Roosebeck Tunable Bodhran
Tunable drums, also called weighted edge bodhrans, feature weighted edges which add weight and add sound to their soundscape. Most commonly seen in Seamus Eckermann’s tabla bodhran, black tape is commonly used. Some makers are now turning to skin patches in place of tape as this Roosebeck bodhran does – an excellent value with natural goat skin head for easy playability that sounds fantastic!
3. Hedwitschak CoreLine Bodhran
Christian Hedwitschak is an artist, magician and drum maker. He creates instruments that surpass your wildest imagination; he knows exactly what players require from them and makes it happen!
Christian is an immensely skilled Bodhran maker with incredible attention to detail in his craft, producing high quality instruments. Christian knows exactly how bodhrans should sound and is constantly working towards perfecting his designs and sounds.
The CoreLine series bodhrans are ideal for beginners. Small and deep, they produce a beautiful full sound while their tool-less tuning system features skins mounted flush to the rim to produce harmonic notes.
Christian Hedwitschak’s innovation and hard work has given bodhran players around the globe access to high-quality drums at more accessible prices. I have had no reason to return a Hedwitschak drum since acquiring one six years ago – his products are of exceptional quality while his customer service is incredible!
4. McNeela Bodhran
Bodhrans are among the more accessible musical instruments to learn for beginners. A skilled bodhran player can add vibrancy to any Irish music session with complex stick maneuvers and subtle accompaniment.
McNeela has created a bodhran that can grow with you over time – whether you are just beginning or have years of session experience. Its 5.5 inch deep rim boosts low notes while the taped goatskin provides focused tone with clear attack.
Lambeg or Vellum goatskin used in writing the Book of Kells was utilized for this tunable bodhran, providing flexible response to interior hand pressure. Due to its natural sustainability and individual character of each drum, each drum will possess a distinct sound signature.
Our 8 point hand tuning system makes pitch adjustments fast and simple, regardless of playing conditions or temperature/humidity variations. Your bodhran will always sound the same!
