Irish Bodhran For Sale
The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum used as the principal percussion instrument in traditional Celtic music.
The Bodhran is an innovative drum designed by drum-maker Seamus O’Kane that features an internal tone ring that can be tuned with screws for variable atmospheric conditions. This innovation was pioneered by Seamus himself.
Roosebeck Bodhrans
Roosebeck offers an extensive selection of tunable bodhrans. A basic bodhran consists of a frame drum with an natural goatskin head. Tunable models typically include a metal T-bar for tuning head tension; usually made out of sheesham or mulberry wood for optimal playback.
The bodhran, often referred to as the heartbeat of Irish music, is one of the most expressive percussion instruments used in Celtic folk music. Skilled players use real-time pitch and tone control to produce deep bass thuds, high-pitched crackles, rolls that sound similar to snare drums, subtle ghost notes, as well as real bass notes.
The bodhran is easy to learn; most players can hold a beat after only a few practice sessions, though mastery takes years. The basic seated position involves placing the drum upright on your left thigh (if right-handed) and striking its front with a tipper–a short wooden stick traditionally held by your right hand and used to strike its front surface with. Meanwhile, your left hand braces against its back to control pitch and tone while your right strikes its ends alternately on its head.
Waltons Bodhrans
Waltons, an Irish family business founded over 90 years ago in Dublin, have been crafting high quality folk instruments for over 90 years now. Each instrument produced is of superior quality that will last years beyond. Waltons offers an extensive range of bodhrans to meet every level of player, including tunable models as well as standalone drums and packs which include everything needed to begin playing one of Ireland’s most beloved folk instruments – the bodhran! Bodhrans made by Waltons feature solid wood construction with goatskin heads as well as carrying boxes and hardwood beaters for transportability!
Bodhran Accessories
Though it has existed since antiquity, the bodhran was only widely recognized as a musical instrument during Ireland’s traditional music resurgence of the 1960s. Its deep tone provides a rhythmic backbone for musicians performing reels, jigs and ballads with changing hand pressure on its skin to vary pitch and dynamics while weaving intricate patterns into an ensemble performance.
Double-skinned bodhrans offer more tones and deeper sound than single-skinned models, as well as being more comfortable for players to manipulate the tone through pressure-controlled playback. Their soft touch at the back enables users to manipulate it more subtly.
Before every performance, moisten the back of your drumhead with some clear water to increase its responsiveness and create dynamic Celtic rhythms. Be careful to not overdo this step as too much moisture could make the head sag and lose resonance; alternatively warm the drumhead using warm palm or place near a radiator to lightly warm and tighten its skin.
Bodhrans for Sale
Selecting the ideal bodhran is a personal decision. Many factors play a part in its sound and playability: skin type/quality (goatskin, lemo, kangaroo or greyhound), shell height and depth and optional support bars such as T, cross or single support bars can impact its sound and playability. The ideal bodhrans will produce quality deep mellow tones; should feel comfortable in hand and play easily while being easily tuneable (animal skins change tension with temperature) while synthetics don’t suffer this issue but don’t produce as deep or deep tone tone production either!
We carry an excellent selection of Roosebeck and Waltons bodhrans, along with all the accessories needed to get playing. Our beginner- and expert-friendly models are great options if you are just getting started with playing. Give us a call and we can advise which model would best fit you, or try one of our Bodhran Packs which contain everything needed to start playing immediately!
