The Bodhran is at the core of Irish music. Due to Sean O Riada’s championing and that of virtuoso players like Peadar Mercier, Mel Mercier, Tommy Hayes and John Ringo McDonagh it has gone from relative obscurity to worldwide prominence.

Played using a small stick called a “cipin”, this game typically employs both ends of the stick to play Kerry style or use only one end as “top-end style”.

Origin

The bodhran drum is at the core of Irish folk music. Though its exact history remains unclear, its presence can be found prior to the Irish folk revival movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Early versions of the bodhran were played using only their hands; today a stick known as a cipin is often employed instead and should fit perfectly between thumb and baby finger of any drummer’s hand.

The Bodhran is an iconic instrument with multiple styles of playing. Ranging from traditional rhythms, to groovy session accompanist and complete drum set arrangements, its iconic profile has increased immensely over time and can now be found at virtually all Irish musical gatherings.

Construction

As to its history and development in Ireland is unknown, speculation includes a modification to tambourines or agricultural devices used for winnowing wool. North African frame drums similar to bendir are believed to have inspired it’s creation as similar frame drums are played there. After stretching and shaping of skin is complete, it should be left for at least two days to dry naturally in sunlight to maintain its characteristic pale hue.

No matter its origins, the bodhran has become an essential element of Irish music since its introduction. Combining subtle accompaniment with energetic percussive bursts for performance amplification. Its unique sound has even attracted musicians outside Ireland; often popping up in genres far removed from its Irish roots such as rock and fusion music.

Tuning

Handed musicians (right-handeders will use their left) use one finger of one hand (typically right) to touch different spots on a drum’s cibin, altering its tone and pitch. Furthermore, playing specific parts of a drum allows musicians to alter its dynamics and amplitude as well.

The bodhran rose to fame during the Irish folk music revival of the 1960s. Prominent players such as Sean O’Riada helped promote its use as a musical instrument during this era.

Bodhrans come in all sorts of sizes and materials today. Some models can even be tuned using a hex key, providing musicians with even greater musical versatility. Made from goatskin or synthetic skins, tunable bodhrans offer even greater musical versatility when used across musical genres.

Techniques

The bodhran is played using a stick known as a cipin. While traditionally, its beater used their hands, more recently players often prefer using cipins that match up to player thumb length and outstretched baby finger length for optimal playing results. By moving around this stick on its stick head, players can produce various pitches by striking different regions on it at different times of day or by moving their cipin between their fingers to strike various parts of it at various intervals on its drum head surface.

Recently, many bodhrans feature adjustable tuners built into their frames – an innovation inspired by banjo design that was introduced by Seamus O’Kane for use in bodhran making. This system helps reduce edge loading and dampen unwanted overtones.

No matter whether or not you tune your bodhran, it is essential that skin tension be checked periodically. If necessary, loosen up by turning one full turn of tuners.

Styles

The bodhran is at the core of Irish music. With its simple design and expressive potential, its rhythmic pulse ties musicians and audiences together, driving lively reels or emotive ballads.

Performers often hit their bodhran with either their bare hand or with a stick known as a tipper, beater or cipin. Some performers use varied wrist movements to vary their beat and hit different pressure points on the skin at different intervals.

Electrical tape covers have become a standard practice on bodhran rims since Johnny “Ringo” McDonogh first pioneered this innovation. Covering reduces edge loading risks and dampens unwanted overtones for greater control over one’s sound while protecting from hairdryers or fireplaces that may damage them and result in skin failure.

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