Eamonn Murray has become one of the key figures in Irish music, having worked alongside Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine among many others.

Once upon a time, performers used their hands alone to hit their skin; today most use a stick known as a cipin which comes in various lengths and produces different sounds.

Lambeg

Lambeg Drum is one of the world’s most distinctive drums, boasting its distinctive sound. Hand-crafted and individually painted by only a select few Ulster artisans, each drum embodies its own special intonation and personality – it becomes an heirloom passed down through generations.

The drum has long been associated with Protestant celebrations and parades – most prominently those held on July 12 by the Orange Order – as a symbol of cultural pride and national identity. But today it’s also used in Catholic festivities, representing Northern Ireland’s diversity and showing its communities at their finest.

Imagine an ensemble of drummers carrying large drums on their shoulders and tensioned drum skins almost to breaking point marching down Markethill Street in Co Armagh in competition or for fun – and it’s hard to beat a Lambeg parade for color, excitement and spectacle!

Vellum

Vellum paper combines delicate texture with tough durability for use in paper-crafting, scrapbooking and stationery creation projects. Available in an assortment of colors and finishes, Vellum can also be used as an overlay over another paper material or alone as part of your creative projects.

Vellum may make for great book covers, but it may not be the optimal solution when printing books. Vellum tends to be more costly and lacks features found in other formatting software packages – not to mention being only compatible with Mac computers.

Vellum, a type of animal skin that allows some light through, is commonly found in illuminated manuscripts and key secular records such as the Domesday Book from 1086. Unfortunately, however, its durability cannot compare with that of papyrus.

Wood

A wooden frame drum with a goatskin head, the bodhran is at the heart of Irish music. An ideal introduction instrument, it doesn’t require tuning; simply play it using either beaters or tippers to produce its sound; many different types are available ranging from hard tippers to teardrop or ellipsoid heads for producing sounds from within its playing surface.

When selecting a non-tunable bodhran, look for one with a deep rim and thin skin. A thin skin will produce an excellent deep yet warm tone perfect for beginners.

Tunable bodhrans are essential for anyone aspiring to take their playing to the next level. Being more responsive to hand pressure and providing greater tonal variation than non-tunable models, tuneable models provide you with a powerful tool for expanding your bodhran capabilities.

Leather

A well-trained player of a bodhran can transform it into an inimitable melody instrument, creating everything from urgent plodding beats to melodious ringing sounds. A great bodhran will also allow its player to support other melody instruments without overwhelming them all.

When choosing a bodhran for music, it is essential that you consider its size (height and depth), skin quality/type, T/cross/single bar options as well as whether or not it can be tuned. A tuneable bodhran will respond more readily to hand pressure while permitting changes to its tone in spite of changing weather conditions – something which is particularly helpful when working alongside other musicians.

Metal

This bodhran is ideal for percussionists looking to explore traditional and contemporary styles with ease. The deep shell construction enhances sound development for an enhanced playing experience and features an easy tuning system and damping ring which reduce unwanted overtones.

Veneered shells provide superior strength and are less likely to warp, which contributes directly to sound production. Selecting an instrument with more expensive veneer can make all the difference in sound production.

Your budget dictates which beaters you can choose to achieve the sound you desire; hard tippers to hot rod dowel beaters each produce its own distinct tone. Plus, there is an assortment of accessories available that can help get more out of your drumming experience.

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