The bodhran is an Irish frame drum made from animal skin. Since the 1960s, this versatile instrument has become an essential element of Irish traditional music.

An expert bodhran player can make even a simple tune into something beautiful with their playing, yet there are certain considerations when using one.

Origin

The Bodhran first made its debut as a utilitarian drum in rural Ireland before transitioning into musical use during Ireland’s folk music revival of the 1960s, popularized by musicians like Sean O Riada’s Ceoltoiri Chualann band.

Colin Harte draws upon interviews with bodhran players and tippermakers across northern Africa and the Middle East to outline its history, organological development, playing styles and repertoire – this book serves as a definitive resource for exploring this remarkable instrument.

Function

A bodhran is at the core of Irish music, symbolizing centuries of cultural transformation and rhythmic innovation within its circular frame. From rustic folk roots to polished modern performances, its development from an essential stage instrument into something far greater has led it through several styles and techniques over the course of its long history.

A bodhran is a hand-held frame drum played using a stick known as a cipin (cipinet, tipper or beater) and one’s hands. Skilled players of the bodhran can produce deep bass tones, sharp slaps, muted clicks, rolling rhythms and melodic phrases on it – not forgetting heel of hand and palm flat as additional sound sources!

Techniques

As with any percussion instrument, playing the bodhran requires practice and some patience. For optimal results it should be played while sitting down. A stick known as a “tipper or cipin” should be used to strike the drum while your other hand dampens skin on its open side to adjust pitch and sound characteristics of the instrument.

Kerry style bodhran playing is by far the most common technique, which involves rotating your tipper so it strikes every number on the bodhran head. Once you master this, more intricate patterns and fills will soon follow; when this happens, your bodhran playing really starts to shine! Practice is key! Even expert bodhran players didn’t become master players overnight!

Sound

Under the hands of an accomplished player, the bodhran can produce an array of sounds ranging from sharp urgent taps to melodious ringing beats and sobbing sobs or even martial calls to action.

Though its global roots may lie elsewhere, the bodhran has an inimitable sound associated with Irish culture. Furthermore, its versatility allows musicians to push past traditions while tapping into contemporary creativity.

Since Sean O Riada revived bodhran, it has undergone dramatic change. Thanks to innovative players such as Peadar Mercier, Johny Ringo McDonagh and Tommy Hayes pushing its limits even further; many now consider it to be its own genre of music!

History

The bodhran is commonly believed to have originated as an Irish variation on European tambourines in the 1950s; however, there have been records of frame drums with goatskin playing heads being in use much earlier. Following Sean O Riada and Peadar Mercier’s popularisation of Irish folk music in the 1960s as well as bands like Ceoltoiri Chualann and The Chieftains emerging during that era, widespread usage of bodhran became widespread within modern Irish music.

As such, bodhran playing techniques have rapidly evolved over time. One such innovation from Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh allows players to dampen the sound by covering the rim with electrical tape; an approach widely adopted among bodhranists today.

Popularity

Since the 1960s, due to traditional Irish music pioneer Sean O Riada’s innovative use of this underappreciated instrument, its popularity has skyrocketed. Today it’s an integral component of Celtic music – whether folk or modern – connecting past traditions and modern creativity.

In the 1970s, bodhran master players such as Robin Morton from The Boys of the Lough, Planxty’s Christy Moore, Stockton Wing’s Tommy Hayes and De Dannan’s Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh developed new techniques that have cemented its international recognition and made the drum an international phenomenon. One such innovation included using thin Lambeg skins which reduce edge loading while increasing articulation.

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