The Bodhran is an Irish Drum
Though it may look easy, the bodhran is actually an intricate and complex drum. The surface of its drumhead is usually painted with designs ranging from GAA county colors to family coats of arms; to beat it you use a drumstick known as a “cipin.”
Peadar Mercier, Tommy Hayes and John Ringo McDonagh pushed Irish music forward with revolutionary techniques that revolutionized bodhran playing today. Thanks to these pioneers of Irish traditional music and their innovative techniques that redefined what bodhran playing means today.
Origin
The bodhran is a circular frame drum played either barehanded or with beaters, sticks, or cipins. It may have evolved from pre-Christian shamanic drums.
Though framed drums had existed since prehistoric times, only with the Irish folk music revival of the 1960s did this instrument become recognized as an integral component of Irish musical life. Ceoltoiri Chualann (The People’s Music Group), led by bodhran player Sean O Riada gave this humble farm tool its new-found recognition.
O Riada elevated the drum playing of this instrument to new heights by incorporating classical music elements and developing exciting new styles, pushing traditional Irish percussion boundaries, and breaking new ground with his playing. Subsequently, innovative drummers such as Peadar Mercier (and his son Mel) and Tommy Hayes helped propel it further along its journey as an essential Irish musical instrument.
Design
The bodhran is a type of frame drum composed of wood or other rigid structures with leather covering, often made of goat skin. This drum can be played either by striking its frame directly with one’s hands or with an instrument called a beater, tipper, or cipin stick.
Bodhrans have since become an essential element of Irish traditional music and its rhythmic core, evolving into an intricate modern playing style. Their rise from humble roots to concert halls and theaters can be traced to Sean O’ Riada who brought it into public prominence during the 1960s.
Although its precise origin remains unknown, bodhrans are widely thought to have originated in North Africa where a similar instrument known as bendir is played. Additionally, they could have evolved from Indigenous agricultural tools.
Materials
The traditional bodhran is composed of cured goat skin stretched over a circular wooden frame. While sometimes used to produce music, more often it was employed simply for noisemaking purposes – Celtic warriors would pound these before going into battle, or used as cheering instruments for football games.
Now bodhrans have evolved into serious musical instruments with many professional models featuring mechanical tuning systems. Loosening up a tight drum head is easily done by lightly rubbing with some clean water; too much moisture causes it to tighten back up again.
By applying pressure to their head with their hand, players can change and shape the tone, adding to the melody of a song. Ebony beaters are widely-admired for their dense feel and quick response while walnut offers warmer yet more melodious tones.
Techniques
The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum which is played across many cultures worldwide. Since its revival with folk music in the 60s, bodhran players now enjoy access to an abundance of techniques available to them for playing this instrument.
As a bodhran player, the key is having an understanding of tune forms and structures as well as having an internal sense of time. Furthermore, having knowledge of traditional Irish music will enable bodhran players to lift the music rather than simply keeping it going.
The Bodhran is played using a tipper stick held in one’s right hand like a pencil and which gives this instrument its distinctive sound.
Styles
The Bodhran became popular during the mid to late fifties due to renewed interest in traditional Irish music and its revival, introduced by Sean O’Riada for Ceoltoiri Chualann (later Chieftains).
A drum can be played either with one’s bare hand or using a stick known as a cipin. Bodhran players use their left hand to hold onto this stick with thumb and pinkie curled under and baby finger bent crookedly for maximum sound output.
The Bodhran is played using various styles that offer high tonal variations. As it’s such a versatile instrument, the bodhran can be used in anything from restrained session accompaniment to energetic drummer. Recently it has also adopted some techniques from Middle Eastern frame drumming which may or may not be well received at sessions and should only be implemented with caution.
