Tasteful Bodhran Playing

Is There Such Thing as 'Tasteful' Bodhran Playing?

If you are familiar with Irish music, Celtic music, and the like, then you already know why I ask this about Bodhran players.

Imagine this...

The penny whistle, the guitar, even the harp make such beautiful, sensitive music. Then in walks a Bodhran player.

OK, the drum is
loud,
misunderstood, and oft times
OBNOXIOUS.

This lens will hopefully 'frame' this Irish hand drum in a way that the average player can (at least) begin to understand its beauty (and its limitations).

Bodhran Lens Table of Contents

Amazon: Bodhran

Bodhran & Bones

Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)

YouTube vids of Bodhran Player

Guido Plüschke Bodhran Solo Vollmerz 2006

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What Do You Like About The Bodhran?

Bodhran Poll

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YouTube: Bodhran Players

John Joe Kelly Bodhran Solo Irishfest 2004 - www.bodojo.com

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The Bodhran on Amazon

Bodhran

Absolute Beginners Bodhran Tutor

Amazon Price: $32.95 (as of 07/13/2009)

Wikipedia: the Bodhran

Bodhran Drum

The bodhrán ,Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary ; plural bodhráns or bodhráin) is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65cm (10" to 26") in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45cm (14" to 18"). The sides of the drum are 9 to 20cm (3½" to 8") deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side (synthetic heads, or other animal skins are sometimes used). The other side is open ended for one hand to be placed against the inside of the drum head to control the pitch and timbre. One or two crossbars, sometimes removable, may be inside the frame, but this is increasingly rare on modern instruments. Some professional modern bodhráns integrate mechanical systems similar to those used on drums found in drum kits.

It is usually with an allen wrench that the bodhrán skins are tightened or loosened depending on the atmospheric conditions.

read the rest of the Wikipedia article