The Bodhran Irlandais
The bodhran has become one of the most significant Irish musical instruments over time, garnering much praise and discussion about its history and place within Irish music. Much has been written on its subject.
A frame drum that sits upright on a performer’s thigh. Utilizing a stick called a cipin, players can alter both pitch and sound characteristics by manipulating its tension.
Origins
Though now widely recognized, the bodhran first achieved international prominence as a musical instrument during the folk music revival of the 1950s. Prior to that it was used by wren boys for ritual hunting of birds on St Stephens Day.
This drum stands out among frame drums in that it’s held vertically on a player’s thigh with one hand (typically left hand for right-handed players) firmly resting against its skin to control tension and tone/timbre; additionally it can be dampened to create various rhythmic effects.
Throughout the 1970s, virtuoso bodhran players such as Robin Morton of The Boys of the Lough, Peadar Mercier from The Chieftains and Planxty’s Christy Moore from Planxty all made significant advances in bodhran playing technique that have revolutionised it since. Since then, Celtic music circles around Scotland, Cape Breton and even further have widely adopted and taken up playing bodhran worldwide.
Design
Modern bodhrans are typically constructed of goatskin stretched over a wooden frame and feature transversal bars to hold the drum, as well as mechanical tuning systems that can be adjusted by musicians according to atmospheric conditions.
This style of frame drum is not unique to Ireland; similar ones are found throughout North Africa and the Middle East as well as being similar to tambourines.
Bodhrans come in various sizes and designs. From accordable to non-accordable versions with dure and rugueuse skins or even softer ones. From Celtic designs to vibrant colors. Even some natural blemishes add character and enhance the instrument.
Skins
Many types of skin can be used for bodhrans, with goat skin being the most popular choice. Once stretched over the hoop and secured with nails or tacks, goat skin bodhrans require regular repairs due to wear-and-tear. This drum was first acquired at NMI in 1942 but now needs significant attention due to a jagged tear at one side of its centre.
Multiple theories abound as to its roots: some believe that it evolved from an agricultural skin tray, while another holds that its foundation lies with a frame drum used in Arabic music – this explanation seems plausible given Ireland’s trade links with Mediterranean nations.
Ringo favors large diameter bodhrans made of old goat skins for their rich sound quality and narrow frames, as he believes these produce more rich sounding bodhrans.
Techniques
The Bodhran has quickly become one of the world’s favorite instruments used for Irish music, drawing musicians from around the globe to use this highly versatile instrument. Bodhranistes (musicians) may press against its underside of skin with different pressure to produce sounds ranging from urgent beats to melodious ringing beats depending on how hard pressure is applied by their players. Industrial Bodhrans manufactured in factories do not feature key fastening systems found on hand-made ones.
The bodhran is played using a wooden beater known as a cipin or tipper, which comes in two variations – Kerry style and top-end style. Both styles require holding both ends directly above the drum head – though certain stick manoeuvres and hand movements may prove challenging to master.
Music
Ireland is relatively new to traditional Irish music with the Bodhran being one of its recent additions. Although commonly associated with circular perforated skin sieves used for winnowing grain, this instrument has not become established as its own distinct instrument yet; though it does feature in numerous musical customs.
A bodhran is played sitting down, with the drum held erect on one’s thigh and struck with various points by striking its beater. Holding both ends over your head at once is known as Kerry or West Limerick style; when one end over is held over while one at back of drum it is known as top-end style.
The range of sounds that the bodhran can produce is immense. From sharp urgent taps to melodious ringing beats that convey emotions such as sobbing or martial call to arms.
