Choosing a Bodhran Stick
A bodhran stick is an integral component of any instrument, as it should fit comfortably and evenly in your hand and be able to strike different types of drum skin in different ways. Some models feature hard tippers while others may feature split tippers.
The Bodhran is a frame drum with goatskin covering and wood strips intertwined to produce sound production. While it can be played by hand, most often its sounds are produced using short sticks known as Cipin or Tipper to play it effectively.
Hard tippers
The Bodhran is an iconic drum, but the striker you use to play it has an immense effect on its sound production. This is particularly true for tippers – wooden batons used by players to strike its skin – whose tips should be chosen accordingly for maximum impactful playing experience. Finding your ideal beater will have an enormously beneficial effect on both playing style and music selection.
Hard tippers are typically longer and wider than other bodhran sticks, offering greater surface area for striking to create strong resonant tones. Furthermore, their hardened ends facilitate producing double strike effects favoured by many modern styles.
Some hard sticks may be too heavy and put unnecessary pressure on your hand/arm when playing for extended periods, leading to fatigue. Therefore, it’s wise to try different sticks until finding one that suits both sound and feel. Some players prefer lighter models with softened ends for a mellower sound experience.
Split tippers
The Bodhran is an integral part of Irish culture, connecting its music to audiences around the globe through its beats. An ideal instrument for beginners starting out, its versatility allowing players to express their creativity and style. Selecting an excellent Bodhran Stick and Tipper are key to finding one that best complements each player’s individual playing style.
Wood selection plays an integral role in how bodhran sticks sound, but other considerations also come into play. Some use electrical tape to reduce edge-loading and dampen unwanted overtones while others feature weighted ends for easier hitting of skin with force.
Other types of bodhran sticks feature brushes or split tippers with cores designed to deliver precise impact with a slightly softened clicking noise, making them especially helpful when employing double-stroke techniques and clicks.
Hot rod tippers
Even though tippers are frequently blamed for damaging drum heads, many factors affect how long a drumhead lasts – from its age at time of slaughter, composition, humidity levels and how often it is handled and touched to when handling.
As such, your tipper choice can have a dramatic impact on how your drum sounds and plays. Our bodhran stick collection offers a selection of tippers to accommodate every playing style or preference.
Hot rod tippers, composed of thin dowels tied together, are popular among bodhran players due to their soft sound with percussive clicks when struck. Some new bodhran sticks even allow users to tighten or loosen the dowels for greater sound output flexibility; when closer together they produce softer tones with less click, while wider apart they produce harder hits similar to hard beaters.
