The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum that has become increasingly popular across a variety of musical genres, thanks to its distinctive sound and playing technique.

The bodhran is played using an up and down wrist motion, creating an effective technique to strike both downwards and upwards strokes on its lower head cipin.

Origins

Since the 1960s, bodhran has enjoyed a revival in popularity, thanks to Sean O Riada incorporating the instrument into Ceoltoiri Chualann and thus increasing awareness.

The Bodhran is a frame drum with a goatskin head attached by tacks to a wooden base called the Gallowglass. A tuning system similar to banjos has revolutionized making bodhrans, enabling drummers to quickly tune them without taking apart their drum frame.

Skilled bodhran players can add energy and vitality to any session with intricate patterns on the drum, creating distinct beats and dynamic sounds for songs. One notable use is Clannad’s beautiful and moving track “The Blood of Cu Chulainn,” where its pulse underpinned this epic tale of Ireland’s past while becoming an emblem of cultural pride.

Construction

The Bodhran is a 14-18 inch circular drum composed of goat, calf or synthetic skin stretched over a wooden frame and featuring an integral cross piece to act as its handle when playing.

Before the bodhran can be assembled it must first be soaked in water and left to dry for two days – this process helps soften and remove oils from its skin, as well as stretch it. After drying again it should be stretched before being exposed to sunlight in order to help bleach its finish.

Traditional Bodhran instruments featured internal jingles or bells to produce various tones, but over time their sound has evolved greatly as a result of innovations in instrument design and playing techniques. When played by skilled musicians, Bodhrans can express a range of emotions from sadness to laughter or even martial call to arms.

Tuning

A great bodhran features even tension all around its drum head, creating an ideal low tone that doesn’t sound thumpy but has a distinct bass tone character. Experimentation will help find that perfect pitch.

The drum can be played using one’s hand, fingers or with a stick known as a cipin. Recently, bodhran masters like Ronan O Snodaigh of The Boys of the Lough and Planxty’s Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh from Planxty have developed techniques for playing this humble farm tool into sophisticated musical instruments.

An effective and quick method for raising tension on a non-tunable bodhran is holding it near a source of heat such as radiator or hair-dryer for short period of time. As soon as it cools off, its skin should tighten significantly and pitch should rise as quickly. Repeated this as needed.

Sound

The bodhran can produce various sounds depending on how much pressure is applied by its drummer, creating sounds ranging from urgent taps to melodious ringing beats that emote various emotions. When played by a skilled player, its sounds can elicit anything from urgent taps to melodious ringing beats that express many different moods and sensations.

Traditionally, bodhran was played using only one hand; nowadays however, most performers beat it using a stick known as a cipin that should measure between thumb to outstretched baby finger length for extended playing sessions. This ideal weight allows most performers to comfortably endure extended performances.

A bodhran’s sound can vary depending on the quality of goatskin used for its construction. A quality instrument will also feature a crossbar across the back to provide stability during extended playing sessions and some are even internally tuneable so players can tighten or loosen its skin from within its rim for precise pitch control.

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