One of the best types of instruments according to many is the Bodhran. It is an Irish drum that can be used to create a unique sound based on the type of tip that you may be using. They can be a challenge to learn to play, but the rewards of doing so, can be impressive when you hear the beats of it. If you haven’t heard its unique sounds before, then perhaps it is time that you do.
What is the Bodhran?
The Bodhran drum, was born during the mid-19th century and is thought of as an instrument that was fashioned from the tambourine. In fact, many consider it a “poor man’s tambourine” since it does not have the cymbals and such that are commonly on a “real” tambourine. It is also larger than the tambourines that we see used. Its drum ranges in size from 25 to 65 cm in diameter. Therefore, it is a lot larger than the drums we are used to seeing. The drum itself is made with animal skin or synthetic heads. The most popular is goatskin, which is tacked to one side of the drum leaving the back of it open for you to place your hand inside. This skin may be decorated to make the drum look more appealing. As you drum on it, your hand inside can change how the vibrations are heard, giving you full control over the pitch and timbre of each beat. At times, there may be crossbars inside of the drum, but most of the time they are left off. The skins are tightened or loosened to allow for the drum to be “tuned”. Overall, it is a simple drum to play once you know how to hold and use the beater if you do not wish to use your bare hand. This beater has what is often called a “tipper” and it can be made of a variety of different woods, which can also change the way the drum sounds.
How to Play the Bodhran
The Bodhran drum does not have a stand attached to it. The person playing it holds it on their knee and uses their hand inside of it to brace it. When playing, you can use the tipper to create different beats by tapping it with either end of the beater and speeding up or slowing down. You will have to practice some of the basic movements and how to hold the beater. Your beater should be able to wiggle in your hand while you are holding it in the center, and basically the same way as you would hold a pen. The first beat can be made as though you are touching the tip of a pen to an upright sheet of paper. You can then rotate your lower arm to flick and tap the “end” of the beater to the drum. If you learn how to do this, you will be able to learn other ways to make sounds with it.
Tipper and Beater Styles
Beaters come in a variety of sizes and lengths. They and the tippers can be made of a variety of woods that include Ebony, Rosewood, Greenheart, Lignum Vitae, Purpleheart, Wenge, Ipe, cocobolo, Flame Maple, and more. There are also some people who say that the Corian tippers are ideal if you want a loud sound. To figure out which one you want to use, you will most likely have to take each one for a test drive to see if it has the sound you are looking for.