The Irish Drum Bodhran
The bodhran is at the core of every Irish music session – whether in your local pub or your own living room.
This single-headed drum first gained attention during Sean O Riada and Ceoltoiri Chualann – now more widely known as the Chieftains – revival of Irish traditional music in the 1990s. Since then it has undergone multiple iterations through various innovative ideas.
Origins
Though its origin is uncertain, evidence points towards it having begun life as a working instrument before becoming musical. Wren boys would use them on St Stephens day (26th December) to entertain residents with music, song and dance in exchange for food, money or just plain fun!
The bodhran is an Irish folk music instrument adapted from Central Asia or Europe that resembles a frame drum. Originally it featured bells along its frame but as playing techniques improved and its sound cleaned up this feature gradually faded. Prominent players of De Dannann such as Sean O Riada, Mel Mercier and Johnny Ringo McDonagh all played instrumental roles in its evolution and spreading its popularity further afield.
Construction
Bodhrans are constructed using a circular wooden frame and goatskin drumhead, secured via nails, staples or glue. After being soaked and loosely stretched over the rim of the Bodhran’s shell, its skin must have some room as it will shrink upon drying; too tight will produce high pitches with weak tones.
The Bodhran is thought to have evolved from either working instruments, such as sieves used for grain harvesting, or another musical instrument such as tambourines. Artistic depictions of it in pre-famine paintings indicate its addition to Irish folk music more recently; most modern Bodhrans feature internal tuning designs which enable musicians to adjust its pitch.
Techniques
The Bodhran is a drum used as an everyday farm tool that has since become an iconic symbol of Irish music. Played either with hands or using a mallet called a Cipin, its simple design lends itself well to Irish musical performance.
The cipin allows its player to create a range of sounds from subtle, resonant tones to sharper beats. Advanced techniques include mutting and rolling as well as the use of complex patterns involving multiple tipper strikes.
When playing the bodhran, its beater should be held in the center of your head like you would hold a pen; its free movement should waggle freely but not slide between your fingers in your grip – this style is known as Kerry or West Limerick style; for a different take try holding both ends directly over the drum head (Dublin/Cavan style).
Sounds
Under the leadership of players like Peadar Mercier, Johnny Ringo McDonagh, Tommy Hayes and John Joe Kelly, Bodhran music reached new heights. Now used across many genres of music.
Bodhrans range in size from 14″ to 18″, typically covering 14 inches of square. Their skin is attached to a wooden frame and often covered with goat or calf skin for extra appeal and decoration. Sometimes this skin may even be painted to add depth.
A rhythm instrument, the Bodhran is designed to complement other instruments within music. From sobbing or joyfulness, to martial calls for action. Skilled players can even transform its sound from sharp urgent taps into more melodious ringing beats.
Rhythms
The bodhran can be played either with one’s bare hand or using a lathe-turned stick known as a tipper, beater, stick or cipin. When struck with both hands at once it creates an array of rhythmic hits from sharp loud beats to more gentle sounds produced from its flat palm surface.
As when learning any instrument, when playing the bodhran it is key to follow the music you are playing with. Listening to various musicians playing the instrument and trying to match its rhythms to those of the music will soon have you playing like a pro! Also make sure that every three to four months you apply dubbin or neatsfoot oil onto it for added lubrication which will keep its skin soft and supple and prevent it from drying out completely.
