Bodhran and other ethnically-oriented percussion lessons available for all levels. Our qualified teacher has an immense passion for music education and an individual approach towards every student.

When buying a bodhran, it is essential that it comes from stores with knowledge about this instrument. Stores where bodhrans are wedged among electric guitars and drum kits may lack enough information on them for purchase.

Diameter

Selecting the correct drum size is of utmost importance; smaller drums sound much thinner than their larger counterparts.

Contemporary ideal diameter range is between 13-3/4 and 15-3/4 inches, and frame depth plays an equally vital role. A deep rimmed drum produces bassy sound; while shorter arms may prefer shallower frame drums for comfort.

Tunable bodhrans provide superior sound quality, so try opting for one with this feature. You will immediately feel the difference in how the tones sing and your ease of playing.

Frame Depth

Frame depth should also be an essential consideration when purchasing a bodhran. Too shallow of a drum may make playing it challenging while too deep can sound muddy and obscure its sound quality.

A thick enough rim will allow you to comfortably move your hand around and play different tones on the drum, and avoid drums with too thin of rims, which would cause harsh and brittle sounding drums.

Finally, steer clear of bodhrans with corporate logos, cute Celtic art or beer ads painted onto their heads. While supporting local businesses is great, this type of paint doesn’t improve the sound or voice of a drum. Instead, search for natural heads sourced sustainably – you’ll enjoy better tones and an authentic drum sounding performance.

Internal Crossbars

Internal crossbars may divide opinion among players of bodhran drums, but they’re not necessary for stand up playing. Though structural in nature and serve to stop frame movement, they don’t alter sound in any way – instead acting only as visual cues to ensure stability for a drum frame.

Some bodhran manufacturers add an internal crossbar for additional stability or aesthetic reasons; it is wise to test various models both with and without this element in order to find one that feels and sounds the best.

Listen carefully to as many live bodhran performances and recordings that have not been altered using signal processing techniques (compression, EQ and limiting). Recordings may hide flaws while live performances will accentuate them; listen closely also to how the player holds his or her instrument; this will tell you much about both it and their voice.

Tuners

The bodhran is an ideal instrument for beginner players as its learning curve is much less steep than other instruments such as flute and violin. Beginners can start playing the bodhran immediately – perfect for anyone interested in traditional Irish music!

When purchasing a bodhran, selecting your ideal drum requires careful consideration and listening closely to live performances or audio files that have not been heavily edited through compression, equalization, limiting, or other studio techniques.

Avoid purchasing any bodhrans with corporate logos, Celtic art designs or beer ads painted onto the head. Paint does not improve voice production and will eventually wear away over time; always opt for natural skin head bodhrans instead.

Head

Bodhran players either love or loathe interior crossbars on their bodhrans. A drum without crossbars feels much more natural to play while drums with crossbars may promote bad playing habits that lead to hand problems down the line.

Avoid purchasing bodhrans with painted or decaled heads as these will not only look cheap, but will have an adverse impact on its sound.

If the bodhran you’re considering has a painted or decaled head, ask that it be removed and reskinned before buying it. Shaved skin produces the best sound and tone on a bodhran; the process takes one or two days and needs patience; during that time period the skin should contract considerably, turning yellowish-white in hue as its tissues shrink significantly and turn whitish-yellow in tone.

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