The Bodhran Stick and Beater
The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum which can be played either with your hand or using a beater, known as a beater stick or tipper.
Hold the bodhran drum in your right hand (if you are right-handed). Stroke the beater up and down wrist motion as you use an up/down wrist movement to strike against the goatskin head of the instrument.
Double-ended beaters
These wood beaters feature both flat and rounded surfaces to allow drummers to customize the sound and feel of their drums. Being medium weight ensures they make an impactful hit on a bass drum head with every hit; their robust attack and volume make them suitable for those drummers requiring power; plus, these wood beaters made from solid maple are built to last and easy to clean; perfect for tom-toms, tom-toms without snare drums as well as small gongs or tam-tams! Finally, their durability means splatters won’t come between you and your music!
Aureluis Brothers Company in Braham, Minnesota produced these double-ended beaters from 1926-1949 – they remain the sole examples of this type that remain currently produced.
Beaters made of wood
The bodhran beater (also referred to as a tipper or stick) is used to strike the tin drum while playing. Although almost any material may be used, hardwood is typically chosen due to its durability and sound characteristics as well as how comfortable it feels in your hand.
Wooden tin beaters can create a strong and warm sound that works perfectly for reels and jigs as well as many styles of music. Plus, their lightweight design makes them great for beginner bodhran players!
Hot rod beaters are another popular bodhran beater option, featuring thin dowel sticks joined with tape. These beaters produce a softer sound than hard tippers while still offering percussive clicks and are adjustable so users can move closer or further apart for various sounds – something many professional bodhran players swear by!
Beaters made of metal
Metal beaters used on bass drum pedals come in various forms and materials. From cylindrical, club-shaped, straight, angled or even knobbed versions – some even boast padding – metal beaters come in many shapes, sizes and designs that ensure an effective hit on bass drum heads; sometimes these may even feature knobs, padding or other features to ensure an ideal hit on music genres such as rock or jazz. Metal beaters tend to be lighter weight than their wooden counterparts and more durable as well, often made of materials such as Tungsten Carbide or other material compared to hardwood beaters made of materials such as Tungsten carbide.
