The Irish Drum: Connect With Your Roots
Bodhrán Beat
‘Amie Bodhran’ photo by Conor Lawless
The Irish hand drum creates the rhythm of an Irish jig… is it hard to play?
The Bodhrán, Ireland’s Unique Sound
Do you have a heritage of Celtic roots like I have? Or do you just love the blood-stirring music driven with the thrumming of an Irish drum?
Connect with the history, and maybe discover a part of your own talent, marching to the beat of your own drum.
Playing my Irish drum
A Bit O’ History
These were originally drums of war, and not used in instrumental performances until fairly recently in time.
As a warfare noisemaker it is quite ancient. The Gaelic word is said to mean “thunderous” according to sources I found. It certainly would be an apt description of the sound of the larger drums which have a distinctive and powerful tone.
Others say the name translates as “deafâ€. For “deafening” power of the sound, maybe?
I found it interesting that in the development of this type of percussion instrument, the original purposes may have been as agricultural tools that were sifters used for winnowing grain. People have often borrowed from common objects to make into makeshift musical accompaniment. The beginnings of the Bodhrán may have been just that.
Construction
Underside of the drum, showing the crossbars
The Irish drum is considered unique because of the use of a two sided stick (the tipper) which is used in a one handed method to produce the rhythmic sound. This striking style is different from the myriads of drums that are found worldwide, and makes it purely Irish.
The modern instruments made today are often “tunable” with tuning screws and a ring. Some have crossbars and some don’t. And thus, the instrument is changing, as is usual when musicians wish to gain more sounds and improve techniques.
Two musicians often mentioned are Sean O’Riada and Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonough, who popularized the use and extended the scope of the originally more humble bodrhán.
Learning How To Play
To answer the beginning question… is it hard to learn how to play? No, it is quite easy. The hard part -as with many things- is learning to play well, but that is helped with lots of practice and some instruction along the way.
If you already have a drum, but need some instruction in how to play it, consider getting a DVD to play along and learn.
Not everyone likes this style of teaching, but this is the method I have seen in the Celtic festivals group lessons and the one the man, who sold me my drum, used. It consists of showing you the very basic way to beat the drum and then having you play along.
Basically if you wanted to, you could play along with any Celtic song. A DVD has the additional advantage that you can see the technique of an expert and copy visually. Always a time honored way to learn.
There Are Styles!
Not just in the construction or decoration, but in the manner in which the sound is made.
- Kerry Style. This most common one is the one I learned. A rhythmic swing of the wrist uses both ends of the stick to produce sound, the left hand can be used under the skin to mute or modulate the “voicing” of the drum.
A short guide to this style. - Limerick. Using one end of the stick with the speed of striking producing the triplets. The “end of the stick is swung across the head to strike once in each direction”
- Roscommon. The knuckles of the hand are employed in making sound. Making a softer sound than a stick, the hand is curved so that the back of it hits the drum. It has a loose wrist just as if using a tipper. Clare style is a variation on this one.
A complete description of the many styles and variations of playing, which I found fairly clear to follow, included in the ceolas site.
Goatskin Gives A Mellow Tone
18-Inch Bodhran With Goat Skin Head, African Brown
Goat skin will be a traditional drumhead material, and though it doesn’t come with the nice Celtic decoration that mine did, you could use inks and a stencil to give it your own design.
This type of drum will produce a good sound with its generous size and traditional materials.
Irish Fest Group Lessons
Group lessons at a Celtic festival- look at all those drummers drumming!
Once Upon A Time, At A Celtic Gathering
The biggest Irish festival in the world
It wasn’t always so… long, long ago the Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio was a wee little local festival arrayed along a creek in a small park. But it was so interesting and lively – with Celtic bands, wares to buy, refreshments to try, and lots of Irish step dancing, that it rapidly grew into one of the premier Celtic festivals in America.
It was one of my favorite festivals to attend, and apparently lots of others felt the same. Soon it was growing out of its small venue, until it took up over a large portion of grounds, with crowds , top name Celtic music bands, and all sorts of features and entertainments.
But back in mists of time and place, when the festival was still a wee one, I bought my first traditional Irish hand drum.
It happened this way…
I went to the Dublin, Ohio Irish Festival – held annually. It was held the weekend of Aug. 4th, on a soggy Friday… appropriate for the celebration of Ireland. We had rain, mists, and green surroundings with a huge turnout of people seeking the good times to be found to the strains of Celtic music, and a county fair-like atmosphere. And guess what?!! I bought a bodhrán!
Yes, I am let loose upon the countryside with my very own Irish drum now. Heh, heh, hee, hee! A sad sounding player I may be, but am practicing with hope and faith.
Many of the craftsmen at this festival are exceptionally fine. Beautifully carved wood, finely crafted musical instruments including dulcimers and harps, well-made flutes and pipes. It was a great opportunity to learn about, and obtain the drum that has become an important part of modern Celtic music.
What Creates The Driving Backbeat Of Irish Music?
Why, the Bodhrán, of course. Perhaps not a “driving backbeat”, exactly, but this is the typical hand drum that accompanies the flute, the viol, and the other instruments in an Irish band.
While I love to hear the fiddle, it was the drum that I decided to buy- for reasons of cost, and because who doesn’t like to bang on a drum?
I was to learn that there is a lot more to playing the Bodhrán than just banging on it with the little stick (knob tipper) that comes with it. I wish I had more skill, but I did learn a bit about the playing of this percussion instrument that adds the heartbeat to the Irish music I love to hear.
I’ll admit to you that I am not a musician, and for much of the year my drums (eventually, yes, I bought another) remain as wall decorations. On occasion I take them down and enjoy trying my hand at creating rhythms and accompanying Celtic music just as if I was sitting in a pub with the rest of the band.
Ready for an impromptu drumming session, whenever the muse should inspire.
Perhaps someday I will be brave enough to actually do it publicly, in front of an audience! As of now, my daughter is the family drummer and she is pictured with my instrument in hand.
Accessories for your Drum
This is one type of beater for your drum. Rosewood, and better quality than the ones that come with a drum, usually.
With a smooth shaft, it could be customized with the “rubber band” tip wrapped at the center for greater control. If you are a beginner use a better tipper to start with.
There are plenty of shapes and sizes, this one is very much like an antique type found in Glasgow. It is the size and shape that I’ve been using.
Celtic Design and Symbolism
The particular instrument I bought is decorated with the Celtic design of wolfhounds. Representing the four seasons or four directions, and representing hopes of loyalty and intelligence.
Start Your Musical Journey
Notice the kit has a drum, tipper, and case (to keep the drumhead in good condition). PLUS a lesson CD to start off with the drumming techniques.These are the basics you need to launch your musical journey.
Nothing could be better than starting off with a beautifully decorated instrument along with a protective case and instructions on playing. I think this is ideal for anyone who doesn’t have access to a Celtic festival nearby, and maybe even if you do!
There is a knack to using the beater, and the main thing is to keep your wrist loose (at least those were the instructions I learned). The sound of a hand drum with a skin head is somewhat changed by the hand placement on the skin at the back of the drum.
Though a drum can be tuned I have never had that particular skill, since my drums aren’t equipped with tuning screws.
Perhaps you will  learn to tune yours, then play the tunes by beating with the graceful swinging action of up and down strokes.How to tune your bodhran
If not, it will hang decoratively on the wall and then taken down for the occasional drumming expressions and exercises.
What Does The Bodhrán Sound Like? – Listen to this Irish Music
About Those Tippers
There are a number of variations that change the sound of a drum, and the tippers are one component. They are called different names, all pretty much the same thing:
- cipin – the Irish word, which means “kindling”
- beater -describes the motion used
- tipper – name most players call the drumstick
Mostly made of turned wood, these sticks are sized according to the size of the drumhead. Some are thin and light which makes them fast and quiet, some are weighted in the middle.
The beaters come in different lengths and made of different woods, rosewood is very often a favorite material of practiced drummers. (Or bodhrán-stricker, bodhránner, drummer, and bodhrádóir , as they may be called)
Waltons Bodhrán beater – Size 1
Walton’s makes some nice drums! Here is their version of a beater. Tip: A rubber band tied around the center of any tipper can help prevent slipping.
This style doesn’t need the rubber band, and its knobbed ends mimic the original beaters that were made of double-ended knuckle bones.
Expect to hear different sounds from the varied styles of tippers. Some players have an array of favorites.
Meeting A Marvelous Pair Of Charming Craftsmen
I have to write of the marvelous experience of buying from two most charming Irishmen, Michael and Paul Vignoles of Claddagh, Galway, Ireland. The beautiful bodhrán I purchased is most certainly a lasting reminder of the two lovely Irishmen, both kind and helpful, and expert in making a product that will give years of enjoyment.
These craftsmen create uillean pipes, as well as drums of differing sizes. They most graciously offered on-the-spot instruction in playing and information on the instruments, and there were some demonstrations on how to play at the festival as well.
Irish Bodhrán Links
- Michael Vignoles Website
Welcome To Michael Vignoles.com! Here you can purchase top quality Irish Bodhrán drums and Uilleann Pipes along with other items all made in Galway, Ireland. All Bodhrans and instrum - Drum Making
Create your own drum, customized to you!! You design and decorate the drum. You tie-dye the goatskin head. You put the goatskin on the drum yourself and take home your new drum! Put your energy into your creation!
