Bodhran Tippers
Traditional use of the Bodhran is to strike it either with your bare hand, or using a lathe-turned piece of wood known as a beater, tipper, stick or cipin – there is a vast selection of available Bodhran tippers!
Some are made from felt, while others feature brushes, while some even create click sounds when struck with an iron rod. Which bodhran tipper you opt for ultimately depends on your personal taste.
Weighted beaters
Weighted beaters are similar to regular wooden beaters, except they come equipped with added weight. This can take some of the strain off your wrist when weaving, especially if using wood or plastic beaters without extra weight to compress your yarn – you could end up tiring or injuring yourself without it! Additionally, this weight helps you apply pressure evenly. According to Low Boy artist Billy Rymer this type of beater proved more efficient due to its flat striking surface; in fact, Billy credits this beater with helping him recover from an injury sustained while touring with Dillinger Escape Plan!
Brush tippers
A bodhran is an Irish drum that has become an indispensable cultural staple, with its distinctive beats heard around the globe, spreading joy and linking it with Irish traditions and culture. Bodhrans play an integral role in many Irish festivals such as St Brigid’s Day celebrations by adding its vibrant melodies.
The bodhran is played with both hands, using the heel of one to produce loud beats while using flat of palm to produce softer tones. Furthermore, fingers also come into play, producing gentle taps, slides and ornamentation sounds to fill out this instrument’s repertoire of sound.
New bodhran tippers feature thin dowels banded together. This design allows for more varied sounds to be achieved by altering their thickness; wide apart dowels will produce softer sounds with percussive clicks; closer together create harder sounds reminiscent of hard beaters; ultimately it is up to each player to choose which type best matches their playing style.
Felt tippers
The bodhran is an invaluable instrument that adds versatility and expression to any ensemble, offering something from urgent beats to melodious ringing sounds. Additionally, its intuitive nature makes it a great introduction for newcomers as no prior experience is necessary to begin playing it.
Felt tippers utilize small weights to assist players in striking the drum more easily. These weights are attached to the end of a bodhran stick made of brass or steel and allow the beater to swing more effortlessly in your hand, relieving pressure from wrist injuries. However, some players may find the weights too heavy, leading to strain on arms.
Wood can have very little bearing on how a bodhran stick sounds; what matters more is whether it fits comfortably in your hand and feels right for its size. Ebony, grenadilla, rosewood, eucalyptus snakewood and macassar are just a few examples of types available to use when crafting these sticks.
Split tippers
A split tipper is constructed from wood that has been cut at one end to create a dowel-like effect, producing a powerful click when striking the drum skin. Bodhran players especially often favor this beater since it offers similar sound qualities while being easier on their wrists.
Ebony-snakewood tippers provide another type of split tipper beater, using two thin skewers for softer sounds and can even be customized by inserting additional weight on both ends of its stick for extra control over doublets and triplets. This beater type makes an excellent accompaniment tool.
Other types of beaters beyond split and brush tippers offer different sounds. Some feature cores, which provide more precise impact with softened clicking noise; these special beaters include MoGrip and MONster series of beaters developed for specific playing styles and sound ideals by experienced bodhran players.
