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The Instrument and
Playing |
The Bodhrán arrived into
the popular area of music in the late
1950's, although I'm sure it was being
played up and down the country at some
small gatherings. Its close cousin the
tambourine was a lot more popular, but
its use has nearly died out. The author
has been using the tambourine for 20
years and remembers hearing old
recordings of percussionists from the
West of Ireland using the instrument and
some years ago Seamus Tansey, the Sligo
flute player doubling on the tambourine
on an L.P. recording.
Be that as it may, the
Bodhr5n is now the prominent percussion
instrument in traditional music today.
The Bodhrán is as valid as
any other instrument despite what its
detractors claim. OK, its not a
front-line instrument like the flute or
accordion. OK, you can't play a tune on
it (although I'm sure that supreme
percussionists such as Tommy Hayes could
get very close). But in the hands of
gifted, sympathetic percussionists, it is
both extremely exciting and a joy to
hear.
So remember, when you pick
up your drum and 'tipper', it is an
instrument of subtleness you are
handling, not an old tin tray that you
are banging away at!
Playing
The playing of
any instrument requires getting to know
the implement - and practice, practice,
practice!
It is recommended, that before lifting
stick to skin, that you familiarise
yourself with the weight and balance of
drum and stick. Balance the drum in your
left hand, feel its weight, get it
comfortable in relation to your body.
When holding the drum it is best to be
seated in an upright position. Hold the
bodhran with the hand against the skin on
inside. This dampens the sound and also,
by pushing against the skin, gives
different tones to the drum.
Resting the rim of the
drum against your left shoulder and on
your left leg (reverse for left handed
persons)
Next take the stick in your
right hand (reverse for left handed). Now
hold the stick as if holding a ballpoint
pen, but in the middle. Now point the
stick (writing point end) towards the
skin at nearly right angles. This is the
end of the stick with which you will
strike your first and all important beat.
This may feel really awkward
at first -but perservere- it is the 
best way to produce that
unique Irish sound of the Bodhrán.
Divide the drum, mentally,
like a clock - 12 o'clock, 9 o'clock,6
o'clock, 3 o'clock.
There are two areas on which
to make a start. Once you have mastered
these then the "drum is your
oyster".
I have suggested two areas because you
may feel comfortable with one or the
other to practice on.
1
The 9 o'clock area
(backend of drum). Point beater
end to 9, bring stick down and
strike at 7.30 and allow stick to
follow through past 6 towards 5.
That is the downward stroke The
upward stroke follows immediately
afterwards, bringing the stick
back from 5, hitting once again
at 7.30 and following through
past 9.
2
The 3 o'clock area
(front end drum). Point beater at
12, bring stick down and strike
at 3, follow through to 5, and
reverse for the up stroke.
Remember - when striking the beat
you must hit the skin towards the
middle, not at the edge. NOW
PRACTICE - down, up, down, up,
down, up, down, up. Loosen up the
wrist, balance the stick, keep
the shoulder straight - Remember
its all from the wrist!
Reels
Now we can learn a
reel. The reel beat is basically
placing your
practice beats into
two groups of four e.g.
The black dots over
the first down stroke indicate
you must hit this beat harder
than the others.
So its 
When you have
mastered that - double the speed.
I suggest you acquire recordings
of good traditional musicians -
go for solo artists, either
FLUTE, ACCORDION, or FIDDLE. Its
much easier to play with a solo
than a big band. Also obtain
recordings of good Bodhrán
players such as Tommy Hayes or
Ringo McDonagh. Remember LEARN
tunes. It is ESSENTLAL!
Jigs
Now we can learn a
jig. The jig consists of 6 beats
to the bar,divided into two
groups of three.
This time the
accented beat is on the 1st
stroke in the first
section - the down
stroke, and the 1st stroke in the
second section
- the up stroke -
complicated? Not really -
When you have
mastered that - double the speed.
jigs are much harder than reels,
so you have to devote much more
time tothem. Now try this
Three sets of three
both an extra beat added for a
flourish. it makes a nice tidy
beat.
You can now try
placing the flat of your hand
against the back skin of the
drum, this will alter the tone,
especially if you take your hand
on and off at intervals. Try it!
Hard? Yes, you have got to learn
to rebalance the drum - but just
Practice!
End Piece
Hopefully we have
started you on the road to many a
good session of music. Because of
the size of this booklet we
cannot bring you the secrets of
playing Slip jigs, Hornpipes,
Polkas, Waltzes, Mazurkas, Rock
and Roll or any of the other
varied rhythms of the world.
These you will have to seek out
in other publications or just go
along (without the drum at first)
and watch the best Bodhrán
players in your area.
When you do venture
out with your drum, go with the
intention of beaming! Don't try
and dominate a session with one
or two rhythms. Don't try and
drown out other musicians. There
is nothing worse for both
musicians and audience than a
selfish Bodhrán player
'thundering' away. Musicians and
audience soon learn to avoid
Bodhrán players in this
category. Oh! And by the way
avoid 'packs' of Bodhrán
players, unless you are at a
football match.
So on behalf of
Malachy and Anne Kearns.
"Keep on
Tipping"
Beannachtai Ó
Chonamara!
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