The Bodhran is a Staple in Irish Music
The bodhran is a single-head frame drum featuring a goatskin membrane covering one end of its shell. A staple in Irish music for centuries, its design continues to adapt as players develop new techniques and materials for playing it.
A skilled bodhran player should complement the melody of music rather than overpower it; therefore, most groups don’t require or desire more than one bodhran player.
Origins
Although various kinds of drums have long been played in Ireland, the bodhran gained tremendous traction with the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s thanks to Sean O’ Riada including it in his ensembles.
Today, bodhrans can be found throughout the Celtic world with influential players like Flook’s John Joe Kelly and The Chieftains’ Peadar Mercier expanding playing techniques. Innovative makers such as Seamus O’Kane and Darius Bartlett have also played key roles in developing this instrument.
Traditionally, this instrument is played while sitting, using the beater or “cipin”. As the beater strikes the drumhead with forceful strikes from its beater (cipin), bass notes are created while higher pitched tones such as those produced by its rim generate higher-pitched tones.
Styles
There are various styles of bodhran playing, each one distinguished from another by different techniques adopted over time by players.
The Bodhran is a frame drum with goatskin or synthetic heads and struck using a stick known as a beater. There are two primary playing techniques – Jig Stroke and Reel Stroke.
Modern bodhran players are highly versatile, possessing skills across various musical genres and styles. Peadar Mercier of The Chieftains stands out as an influential example, known for his high tonal variations that define his playing style.
Techniques
Irish music relies heavily on the Bodhran for accentuating and embellishing tunes’ natural rhythms, and can utilize techniques that feature emphasis and ornamentation of natural rhythms of tunes to distinguish itself from its competitors. Depending on player preference and musical context, its role may range from being subtle yet driving forces or just background noise.
A bodhran is played with its drumhead on its side, resting against one leg (usually the left leg if you are right-handed) and supported by a special stick known as a “beater.” The beater strikes the rim of the drumhead to create various sounds and is often supported by one bodhran player only; often with brushes similar to those found on Indian tabla for striking purposes. Most groups prefer one player at once as their drummer’s responsibility should be matching tempo and embellishing rhythm rather than driving a beat like rock drummers would need. A variety of styles exist within musicians’ repertoire from traditional finger-style to brushes similar to what are seen on Indian tabla.
Materials
Traditional bodhrans are traditionally constructed using goat skin or another animal hide. More recently, synthetic materials have become more popular as these materials provide less weather change-sensitive sound output while providing consistent tonality across their lifespan.
The versatility of the bodhran has broadened its appeal beyond Irish music. Artists across genres have used its use to add depth and contrast to their compositions, elevating and complementing them in concert with one another.
The bodhran is an instrument which requires skill and practice to master, with advanced techniques allowing players to control its tempo, pitch and tone. Legendary players like Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh, Kevin Conneff and John Joe Kelly have pioneered new approaches with this frame drum instrument and inspired an entirely new generation of bodhran players.
Sound
The sound of the bodhran adds rhythm, depth and energy to Irish music. Bodhrans’ versatility makes them suitable for traditional as well as contemporary musical styles, making bodhran players available both solo performances or group ensemble performances to showcase their skill and technique; additionally they can be utilized during studio work for recording tracks with unique tonality.
At one time, the bodhran was played using only one’s hands but these days most commonly uses a stick called a cipin instead. There are a variety of playing techniques; Kerry style involves holding both ends directly above your head while holding your cipin in one hand; other famous Bodhran players such as Peadar Mercier with The Chieftains, Johnny Ringo McDonagh from De Dannan and Planxty as well as Robin Morton from Boys of the Lough have developed further playing techniques over time.
