How to Play the Bodhran Stick
Bodhran players utilize a small stick known as a beater to strike the goatskin head of their drum. Its shape, weight and material can significantly influence playing styles, tone and dynamics for this instrument.
Experimenting with different beaters will help to refine your grip and wrist motion, as well as your rhythmic choices – lightweight beaters are great for fast jigs while wooden beaters may work better for slower pieces with deeper resonance.
The frame
The Bodhran is a frame drum played worldwide. Constructed with goat, calf or synthetic skin stretched over a wooden frame and featuring a hand hole on one side for dampening (known as tipping or cipin) this instrument can produce very low bassy to high pitched tones in its soundscape.
Stevie offers several sizes of frames that cater to individual player preference. He also provides specially-designed tippers developed in collaboration with experienced and famous bodhran players.
The drumhead
The drumhead of a bodhran determines its tone and vibrations. Players can manipulate its pitch by shifting their skin hand from below the head up onto its top end; this technique is known as top end play and may help amp up or enhance its sound.
The beater (also referred to as a tipper stick or cipin) plays an integral part in shaping the sound and playing style of a bodhran, from texture, speed and rhythmic nuance to playing style and sound quality. The choice of beater can significantly affect these characteristics.
Quality bodhran beaters must be lightweight and responsive to touch. Experienced players often carry multiple beaters for sessions; this isn’t unnecessary as different rooms and humidity levels affect bodhran tone, so having several options available allows players to adapt without altering their core techniques.
The beater
A bodhran is a straightforward frame drum, yet in the hands of an experienced musician it can produce beautiful rhythms and sounds. Its primary role is accompanying music; not driving out an aggressive rock beat but rather complementing and adding colour to tunes’ rhythms.
A beating stick (also called a tipper) is at the heart of every bodhran, controlling its articulation, speed, texture and rhythmic character. Selecting an ideal beater goes beyond convenience – it will define both sound and style for years to come! So choosing carefully and thoughtfully is vital.
Try various beaters carefully and pay attention to professional bodhran players for inspiration. Their playing styles will reveal which beater works best for them; therefore pay attention to any characteristics highlighted during performances such as:
The skin
Your bodhran’s skin is an extremely fragile component, so it is recommended to treat it periodically with Drum Diddly Bodhran Cream to add moisture and prolong its life as well as keeping its tone consistent. Apply using soft cotton cloth or sponge.
Some bodhrans come equipped with tuning clamps similar to those found on snare drums, enabling users to tighten or loosen the skin as desired in order to alter pitch and tone. Unfortunately, this may not be the most sympathetic approach when dealing with natural skinned instruments; furthermore it may lead to tuning issues down the road.
Storage solutions should also include protecting the bodhran with a gig bag or case to help minimize changes in temperature and humidity which may wreak havoc with its skin. In particular, in dry climates it would be prudent to store it alongside a humidifier in order to preserve its skin quality.
