The Bodhran Stick
As depicted by the image, the bodhran stick should be held in either your right (or left, for left-handed players). Relax your wrist, rather than forcing it upward, so as to reduce strain on the joint.
Some bodhran makers use tape ‘appliques’ on the edges of their skins to mute overtones; other drummers prefer clickers.
The Bodhran
Beginners often find musical instruments difficult to pick up quickly; the bodhran is one of those instruments which is easy to pick up quickly – an ideal starter instrument for traditional Irish music!
The Bodhran is an Irish drum made with goat skin stretched over a wooden frame, measuring anywhere between 14-18 inches in diameter and sometimes featuring a crosspiece for playing.
Modern bodhrans feature internal tone rings that can be tightened or loosen to enhance sound quality, as well as tape to protect their rim from moisture damage and dampen sound – eliminating “edge-loading,” which produces unwanted overtones.
Players may use either their bare hand or a stick known as a “cipin”. Cipins come in various sizes and shapes to produce distinct sounds; from hard tippers with teardrop or ellipsoid heads to split beaters, hotrod dowel beaters, and weighted beaters there are numerous choices available to them.
The Stick
A bodhran is played using a stick known as a beater or tipper. A typical tipper consists of a double-ended stick about six to eight inches long made from any wood material and held by its player like a pencil in his or her right hand.
Beaters come in various shapes and sizes, allowing players to choose their ideal beater type for specific music genres or applications. Some prefer hard tippers which provide an audible percussive impact upon impact while others opt for softer brush style beaters which produce an oceanic sound suitable for reels and jigs.
Advanced bodhran players may use their tipper to touch the back of the drum skin to dampen or alter its tone, while more experienced ones might even sand their stick to reduce any sharp clicks produced when striking its head. Newcomers should experiment with various sticks until finding one which feels comfortable and works well for them.
The Head
Though bodhrans can be played using just their hands, most musicians use a small wooden beater (known as a “tipper” or a “cipin”) that typically measures the distance from your right thumb’s tip to your little finger on that hand.
Beaters come in various forms and sizes, each producing unique sounds. From hard tippers with teardrop or ellipsoid heads to split tippers and hot rod dowel beaters – finding the ideal beater for your bodhran is essential!
When beating the drum, ensure it is held firmly in the crook of your left arm with its head resting against its rim. Doing this will soften the sound of your beats while making it easier for you to control its head. Allowing it to remain against its rim may create a deep bass sound which some players find appealing while others may find too distracting in an active session setting.
The Frame
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