Irish musicians commonly opt for the bodhran as their go-to percussion instrument, reinventing its original function of tambourines while expanding its rhythmic possibilities. While its origins remain unclear, some suggest it could have evolved from North African frame drums brought over through trade relations.

Glasheen examines these diverse roots of the bodhran with this captivating four-part documentary series. From Scandinavian frame drumming and Cornwall’s Crowdy-crawn (adapted sieve), this fascinating musical instrument can be found across cultures worldwide.

Origins

The bodhran is an integral component of Irish traditional music. With its deep, resonant tones providing rhythmic depth to the music and versatile design allowing its use across a range of musical genres and styles.

Origins: the dance’s exact source remains uncertain, though its development may have begun as an item used for carrying items like peat and potatoes – with people playing it rhythmically to create rhythmic sounds – or that may have come from other cultures and been brought over to Ireland.

Bodhran players can alter the pitch and timbre of their sound by striking it with a beater. Hitting with both ends directly above your head, known as Kerry style; placing just one end above the head known as top-end style are just two methods they use.

History

Colin Harte draws upon interviews with drum-makers, professional musicians and amateur players alike in order to trace the development of organology and playing styles on the bodhran over its history. Additionally, he explores its global roots; noting similarities with drums from northern Africa and the Middle East.

Initially the bodhran was designed as a utilitarian frame drum; over time it evolved into a musical instrument. With its ability to quickly transition from urgent taps to melodious ringing beats, the bodhran is popular among Irish traditional musicians and its exact origin remains unclear; some suggest goat skin stretched over wooden frame may have inspired its design while another theory holds that the instrument may have come from Cornish crowdy-crawn frame drum.

Techniques

Lower head covers most of the playing load – up to 90% – while upper head serves to filler notes or play triplets in triplet sets.

Traditional methods for drumming involved striking it with one’s hand only, which remains popular among beginners. More experienced drummers may use a stick known as the cipin or beater to dampen and alter its pitch of sound production and alter its pitch as needed.

The bodhran is strikingly similar to frame drums found across northern Africa and the Middle East, and may have developed from skin trays used to carry peat or as winnowing baskets. Christy Moore, Mel Mercier, and Sean O Riada pioneered advanced playing techniques which propelled it into Irish music’s spotlight.

Styles

Before 1950, the bodhran was used more as an agricultural implement than as a musical instrument. Only when Irish composer Sean O’Riada included this overlooked percussion instrument in his ensemble Ceoltoiri Chualann did its reputation begin to grow.

Starting in the 1960s, Peadar Mercier and John Joe Kelly revolutionised bodhran playing with rhythms from other genres and melodious ringing beats from other musical traditions. Innovative bodhran makers and tippermakers further contributed to changing its sound – using compressor tuning systems which modify frequencies and overtones has brought forth new sounds from this ancient instrument.

Materials

The bodhran is an iconic Irish folk drum with deep cultural roots. Its rhythmic beat propels generations of musicians through traditional folk music to modern genres alike. Its distinctive sound enchants audiences both within traditional genres as well as across a broad spectrum of modern musical forms.

Traditional Bodhrans were constructed of stretched goat skin over a circular wooden frame and secured with tacking or glue, but more modern versions are more complex musical instruments with features like tunable drumheads and features to adapt to changing music trends. Their edges may also be wrapped with electrical tape to reduce edge loading and dampen unwanted overtones for improved overall sound of their instruments.

Appearance

The bodhran is at the core of Irish music, be it at a pub session or formal performance. It personifies Ireland’s spirit and soul and has become one of the most beloved instruments within Irish traditional music.

Bodhrans have been around since ancient times, yet their use was made popular during the folk revival in the 1960s by artists like Sean O Riada. Bodhrans are versatile drums which can be played with either hands or sticks for different genres and applications.

The name bodhran likely stems from Irish word bodhar, meaning dull sound or drum. Additionally, the term may refer to the wren that was hunted on St. Stephen’s Day due to its association with treachery.

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