The Bodhran

Irish music has been around since before St. Patrick, and it is evidenced by the countless tunes still played and recorded today. Whether it's the ancient hymn Slane (a.k.a. Be Thou My Vision) or gaelic tunes like Buchaill On Eirne, celtic music remains a popular music genre around the world. It's arguably the top selling "world" music in the market.

Celtic music involves popular acts like the Oysterband, Enter the Haggis, the Chieftains, Great Big Sea, Spirit of the West, or the Dubliners. All these bands at some time utilize the instrument named the "Bodhran."

The bodhran is a frame drum, simple in structure and intended to accentuate rhythm. It isn't in and of itself something that keeps rhythm apart from other instruments, instead its purpose is to bring to the forefront the beat. This varies in folk music from a reel to a jig to a ballad.

This hub is designed to familiarise those who have never heard of this instrument with its multi-faceted ability and cultural influence. Considering America is predominantly irish-descended, it's no wonder that this instrument is a popular hobby among those who either cannot afford other drums or haven't the time to sit down to a full drum set. It also allows each of us irish descendents to return to a place we romanticise about.

The following portions are going to demonstrate different styles, both modern and traditional, and popular musicians who play the Bodhran.

The Bodhran is a small frame drum that sits upright on your thigh as you play. You usually hit the drum with a stick called the 'tipper.' The tipper is a weighted stick on most occasions, although a completely even, straight stick can be used. Often it's 9" in length, though some tippers are less than 6" or more than 11" (on rare occasions). The frame itself can be as large at 26" and as small as 10" (I have yet to see smaller played by anyone other than children),

The standard drum size is between 16-18" and about 6" deep, although depth can easily be as much as 14". The wood is often rosewood or maple, occasionally softer woods are used but are not really sutiable for the bodhran's purpose.

The drum has been used as an instrument since ancient times, possibly hit with bones instead of a wooden beater, but the history remains true to the fact that it has always been made of sheep or goat skin. It was revived in the late 1800s for popular play and has since made impact on the folk music world of all genre. It's made appearances in middle eastern and african music in the last century as well, although the drum  is often hit with the player's hand instead of a tipper. 

In my opinion, this is by far the most superior style of playing. Anyone, musical or not, can see with their own two eyes that this style is not only ancient but also versatile. The rhythms one can achieve backing a full folk-band is the best of any bodhran style available. Some popular musicians who play traditionally are listed below:

Kevin Connef: This drummer is a member of the Chieftains and is regarded as one of the premier bodhran players in all of the seven celtic nations. His style is basic, efficient, mastered, and toned to where he is not only a pleasant addition to the "gods of celtic music" but also a standout on his own.

Sean McCann: The guy I learned the bodhran from is the drummer for Great Big Sea. Couple efficient playing with good vocal ability and innovative pop-style drumming, and you have one of the more believable acts in celtic music. Sean is someone I'd love to meet one day and play alongside of. His playing is classified as traditional although he leans towards modern drumming at times.

Steafan Hannigan: I was once ridiculed by someone who learned off this man's videos. I was told my wrist wasn't bent enough and that I wasn't traditional enough. From the start my tastes were bent away from his style after meeting this "student", but later that year Steafan himself confronted me over the internet and told me to relax, those "students" are just morons. He then went on to tell me I was a good bodhran player, which is the epitome of compliments in this playing field. It's an exclusive bunch of dogmatic instrumentalists, and to be considered good enough for praise from this group is in and of itself a blessing. He is a good drummer and plays many other instruments as well. Classy and a top nothc musician, this man has defined much of America's celtic music scene. 

This is a modernized version. Top end playing is progressive and designed to be rhythmic instead of merely accenting rhythm. The style blends weakly with other musicians and is better suited for solo play. Many newer bodhran players are adopting this style. It ignores both ends of the tipper and instead relies solely on the one end. This is why it's called "top end" or also the "bo style."

Musicians like Jon Joe Kelly or Abe Doron play this way, and while it's highly impressive it's less versatile in a setting like a band. This style tends to use drums with thinner skin and thus allowing a "pop" noise at times.

It's simply a matter of preference what style is chosen to be played with, but in the end it depends on what you're trying to accomplish that often determines your style. Many people find it difficult to play with both ends and often adopt the top end style to play along with other musicians. It works, but as I said before, only truly good bodhran players master the art of the top-end drum style with a full band around them.  

I hope you've enjoyed this article on the bodhran. Feel free to examine for yourself the history of the instrument and the music it has accented for so long. Thanks to the many great musicians who have kept its legend alive all these years and those who have brought it to the forefront of the folk music scene.