Today the bodhran has become one of the most beloved instruments in Irish Traditional Music. Sean O Riada and Ceoltoiri Chualann orchestra were instrumental in popularising this instrument during its rise from ritual use to mainstream musical use during the 1950s.

Peadar Mercier revolutionized bodhran playing techniques and John Joe Kelly brought rhythms from other genres into its context. Today, innovative bodhran makers and tippermakers continue to refine the instrument.

Origins

The Bodhran is a frame drum made of goat or sheepskin stretched over a wooden frame. It was first mentioned in a 15th-century medical transcript which likened its sound to that of an overly full stomach; similarity is also drawn between this instrument and that of a Bodhran (drum).

Sean O’Riada revolutionized Irish music ensembles such as Ceoltoiri Cualann and later, the Chieftains by popularising and using the bodhran. Since then, its prominence has only grown further; becoming an integral component of Irish traditional music. Vibrant players such as Mel Mercier, Peadar Mercier and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh have helped develop new techniques while expanding its appeal outside Ireland.

History

While various drums have long been played in Ireland, the bodhran first gained recognition during the 1960s and 70s Irish traditional music resurgence due to musicians like Sean O Riada incorporating it into their ensembles and thus raising its profile.

It’s believed that the bodhran is descended from frame drums found throughout North Africa and its neighboring nations, or could even have come from indigenous agricultural tools that became drums over time.

Seamus O’Kane introduced thin Lambeg skins to his bodhran around this time, which not only increased sound quality but allowed for greater playing techniques and styles – such as various rim-tuning methods to reduce edge loading and dampen unwanted overtones.

Techniques

As accompaniment instruments, bodhran players must pay close attention to the music that they are accompanying. Be familiar with any tunes you will be playing on your drum, and attempt to match its rhythm to that of any melody instruments that may also be present.

The Bodhran is a round frame instrument with animal skin stretched over one end. To play it, a tipper stick must be struck to produce various sounds from it.

This masterclass course, recommended as a follow-on from Bodhran Basics, covers an expansive range of rhythmical accompaniments for Reels, Jigs, Slipjigs, Slides and Polkas – including rolls, backhand motion and syncopation techniques that form the Bo Diddley Beat.

Styles

The Bodhran is an iconic instrument from Irish folk music that has taken hold across musical genres worldwide. With its distinct rhythm and cultural resonances, its appeal reaches far beyond Irish borders to bring Celtic cultural expressions into wider public awareness.

Hand and stick styles vary widely, from using only the knuckles of one’s hand to using both ends of a “cipin”, also known as a beater, in Kerry Style to introduce rhythm into playing techniques further expanded by players such as Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh of De Dannan and Tommy Hayes from Stockton’s Wing.

An experienced bodhran player must be sensitive to other instruments and tunes, complementing rather than overshadowing them.

Rhythms

No matter its musical context – whether Irish traditional music or more contemporary performances – the bodhran is a versatile rhythm instrument with global appeal. Thanks to its adaptability to various musical genres and performances, audiences around the world continue to embrace it and enjoy listening to its sound.

Following Sean O Riada, Bodhran players such as Peadar Mercier (and Mel), Johnny McDonagh and John Joe Kelly introduced new melodic approaches to this unique drum.

Bodhran skins must be regularly oiled with either dubbin or neatsfoot oil in order to stay supple and preserve sound quality and tuning stability. Doing this helps preserve soundscape as well as keep tuning accurate.

Musicians

Through the years, there have been several legendary bodhran players such as Robin Morton from The Boys of the Lough, Christy Moore from Planxty and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh from De Dannan who have made immense contributions to expanding and popularizing bodhran around the world. Thanks to these players’ exploration and mastery of technique and style, many more people today enjoy playing this ancient instrument!

Their work led to the invention of an internal tone ring by Seamus O’Kane of Dungiven in 1975 that allows drums to be tuned precisely without depending on atmospheric conditions for tuning purposes. Tightened or loosen using screws, this system enables drums to be tuned specifically without altering playing styles drastically.

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