The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum similar to a tambourine without its small cymbals, played with a short double-ended stick known as a beater or cipin.

Sean O Riada is widely recognized for re-introducing the Bodhran into Irish Traditional Music, inspiring Peadar Mercier (followed by son Mel) to bring it back into popular repertoire and take it even further with bands such as The Chieftains.

Origins

The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum of uncertain origins; its history remains obscure. It may have served as a pagan sacrifice drum or been employed by medieval Wrenboys groups who entertained locals with music and dance for food or money on St Stephen’s Day.

Sean O Riada introduced the bodhran into modern Irish traditional music with his group Ceoltoiri Chualann in the 1960s, and it has since become widely played worldwide. This versatile instrument has two playing styles: Kerry and top-end; Kerry is played with two fingers against a solid surface while top-end involves covering its rim with tape to reduce “edge loading” and dampen unwanted overtones for more melodious and delicate playing.

Design

Bodhrans are round drums covered by stretched goatskin. Similar to large tambourines without the jingles, Bodhrans feature swirling Celtic spirals or GAA county colors with family coats of arms painted onto them for decoration.

Bodhrans are often played sitting down, with the drum resting erect on one of their players’ legs and being hit with an opposable beater called a tipper which features two ends to strike it in different ways.

A skillful bodhran player can precisely control pitch and sound characteristics of their drum, creating the same sounds of a standard drum kit while closely following the melody of songs.

Sound

At first, the bodhran was played using only one’s bare hand; however, soon afterwards a more adjustable instrument was devised to improve tone. Nowadays, however, its sound can be modified using a stick known as a “cipin,” which fits comfortably from thumb to baby finger; players can create various styles by tipping this instrument up or down against the drum drum.

Sean O Riada, Peadar Mercier (the inventor of tunable bodhrans), Tommy Hayes and Johny Ringo McDonagh have taken the bodhran to exciting new levels within Irish traditional music by developing innovative techniques.

Technique

A bodhran is played using a small wooden beater with two ends that can either be held centrally, or one end can be over the head for top-end style playback. A player can use his or her free hand to produce sounds or dampen down the drum drum as desired.

A bodhran may sound quite noisy when used to keep time, yet can produce beautiful music in the hands of an accomplished musician. Unfortunately, many novice players take up the instrument without prior musical training, doing themselves and the music an injustice in doing so.

Styles

Historically, bodhran players used only their hands. Nowadays however, most prefer using a stick known as a “cipin,” which typically features two soft drum brushes attached at its ends for use when playing various rhythms with and without beaters.

An instrumentalist’s technique choice is integral to developing their individual style on the bodhran. A player can alter both tone and pitch of his instrument by shifting hand placement on its skin with changing pressure settings, and by striking specific regions on the drum head for different sounds.

Popularity

Bodhrans have only recently made their mark in Irish music, but since Sean O Riada introduced one into Ceoltoiri Chualann they have gained tremendous momentum. Innovative players have taken this instrument to new levels.

Played properly, a bodhran can produce multiple pitches and rhythms, as well as accommodating various musical genres with its playing style.

Typically, the bodhran is played using a beater with both ends secured above its drum head; either end can be struck. Striking it against either edge of the drum head results in Kerry or West Limerick style; when held centrally with both ends above it and struck on both ends at once is known as top-end style.

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