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Traditional practitioners would use their hands to strike the drum; nowadays it’s more commonly performed using a stick called a cipin.

Origins

Although an integral component of Irish music, the bodhran has had only a relatively brief history. However, during Ireland’s folk music revival in the mid-1900s it experienced a renewed surge of interest from players and audiences alike.

Sean O Riada of musician Sean O Riada played the frame drum as part of Ceoltoiri Chualann ensemble and its popularity spread widely through popular trade routes into Ireland. However, experts speculated it had existed prior to that; possibly from an original skin-covered tray. This may account for its similarity with tambourines which had long been imported via these trade routes into Ireland.

Construction

Bodhrans are circular drums made from stretched goat skin. Like tambourines, bodhrans may feature jingles around their rim for added jingle sound effects and produce anything from urgent taps to melodious ringing beats when played skillfully.

Traditional Bodhran players either use their hands or a tipper or cipin stick to strike the instrument, using up and down wrist movements and roll patterns with multiple thumb strikes for various sounds of their beat. Electrical tape was often used to protect the rim from edge loading or dampen unwanted overtones from their beats.

Sound

Sean O Riada made the bodhran widely popular through its use in Ceoltoiri Chualann band in 1960s folk revival, becoming famous. Since then, its popularity has continued to increase.

Modern bodhrans have evolved to become increasingly sophisticated instruments. Constructed using premium tonewoods and featuring inbuilt tuning systems that ensure optimal sound quality, these sophisticated instruments offer more control than ever over their sound output.

Technique has also changed with time; players like Robin Morton of The Boys of the Lough, Planxty’s Christy Moore, Stockton Wing’s Tommy Hayes and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh from De Dannan have all contributed significantly.

Techniques

Traditionally, drumming was performed sitting down, whereby it rested upright on one leg while its skin was touched in various spots to alter pitch and sound characteristics. Bodhrans are sometimes played using just their hands – by striking its underside they can produce sounds ranging from urgent taps to melodious ringing beats.

A beater must be long enough to fit between the player’s thumb and baby finger – roughly equaling pencil thickness – for proper striking of the bodhran. Holding both ends directly above one’s head is known as Kerry style; more frequently used instead is top-end style.

Styles

The Bodhran is an integral component of Irish music. From accompanying fiddle or flute players, to solo performances or accompanying other drums – its rhythmic beat adds depth and dimension to musical sounds.

Harte’s book explores not only Ireland’s but also North Africa and Middle Eastern versions of this frame drum known as a bodhran, including its global history, organological development and gradual shift into different playing styles over time.

Popular songs

Beginners can find numerous online tutorials that provide beginners with basic instruction in playing the bodhran. There are also videos featuring master musicians performing solo bodhran performances. Once you have learned this basic form, try practicing using popular songs as your practice routine.

The bodhran is a hand drum played using a stick known as a cipin or tipper, with an upward and downward wrist motion that should be hit using firm but relaxed gripping action.

Bodhran players have various methods available to them in order to alter the tone and pitch of their drum. One such technique involves using tape as a way of dampening its sound and altering pitch.

Reels

From its humble origins as a simple frame drum to its current prominence in contemporary music, the bodhran has come to represent Irish culture as an instrument that connects tradition with innovation – providing artists with an avenue for experimentation while still honoring tradition.

Sean O Riada was responsible for popularizing the bodhran in music again, but players like Peadar Mercier (whose son Mel is also an esteemed bodhran player), Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh and John Joe Kelly have taken it further than ever before.

The bodhran is an integral component of traditional Irish music sessions, contributing rhythmic support to lively jigs and reels as well as emotive ballads. However, its seemingly innocuous appearance belies its vast expressive potential.

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