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Here is a list of the topics covered in this beginners’ bodhrán course:“Bare back” bodhráns are recommended, i.e., those bodhráns without the cross bars, as they tend to get in the way.
Must try that when I get home tonight.I’ve seen the bodhrán played using the thumb and index extended outward from the palm whilst the three fingers between were curled under. Bottom-end style: Bottom end bodhran playing uses the same technique as top end playing; the only difference is the player mostly strikes the bottom end of the instrument. I just want to clarify in case you are in doubt that you are very welcome to ask such questions here and there is nothing wrong with your question or your grasp of English.
Don’t worry about mastering the tuning system or dialing in the perfect tone when you’re just starting.
While traditionally bodhrans were non-tunable, more recently tunable traditional bodhrans have been made.Whether or not a crossbar appeals to you will probably depend on your style of playing.
It’s built much like a traditional bodhran, but doesn’t feature any crossbars. If you’re reading this, the chances are you’re not one of them.1.
You certainly haven’t shown any rudeness.Tadamasa, thanks for introducing yourself. Too cold or dry and it’ll sound tinny.
– Brian. Over the years, a newer style of bodhran has emerged from the traditional design.
It takes away the ringing, overtone sounds and gives more of a clear note. Multi-rod sticks, which I believe I may have invented when I took a broken multi-rod drum stick from a bin in a rehearsal room some 20 years ago and whittled it down are great.
Several months ago, I attended a bodhran workshop by Johnny Ringo McDonagh, and he said there that playing without tippers is very important to notice subtle difference of sounds. The 18 inch goatskin head gives a beginner player plenty of room to thump away, and the shallower shell feels very comfortable to hold. It features a deeper shell, smaller diameter head, and no crossbars. It has a shallower shell than most modern bodhrans, and features a T-shaped crossbar in the back.
Sometimes, different isn’t a bad thing at all!This is the more traditional cousin of the 14 inch Meinl bodhran from above. They make very affordable instruments that still sound and play quite nicely. Seamus O’Kane, the bodhrán maker from Derry made it standard on his bodhrans, later and it has since become very popular, some might say too popular. First of all I would like to thank all who have contributed their thoughts and opinions on my last thread " Don’t want to become strung up on strings"… Thanks to ye all, I have pick up my friends guitar and its painful typing at this very moment… not to mention I had to do 8 pages typing yesterday to add to that!!!
As you would kick over the upper knob to the drum to get the triplet, he is doing the same thing with his thumb. Nothing will happen for about a minute and then the skin will get soft and lower in tone. I’d definitely agree with Bliss about using the knuckle as I’ve seen a few players use their knuckles and made a fine job of it at that. For the first half do it very slowly and then gradually in the second half increase the tempo. Also laminated wood has no need for the bars from a structural point of view.
I tried it and it works, but I honestly don’t know why that would be preferable to using a tipper, but I think that answers the question.yeah, the video is about a beat behind the sound. I use a nylon brush sometimes to soften the sound but I am an advocate of using a proper tipper. These bodhrans have a smaller diameter head, usually 12-16 inches. The Remo 14 inch bodhran is a deeper-shelled modern bodhran, and makes the most of its wonderful head. They are stimulating my brain to figure out the technique. Can anyone figure out how Seamus Tansey plays triplets in the following video with his hand?A perfectly reasonable question, if you ask me….to which I do not know the answer.Sorry for being without introducing me and not telling the purpose of the question.I can’t answer your question Tadamasa, but I’m sure others will be able to help shortly. Bodhran playing, hand or beater? HinnerkRue 41,232 views. As you get used to your bodhran, you’ll learn how you like it to feel and sound. While they do have cheaper options than this one, most of their lower-end models are made with tourists in mind. They have a remarkable variety of bodhrans, both tunable and not, for sale. Most importantly play with other people, that’s what you got into it for, right?In one sense this is a minefield, in another it’s about humility, respect and common sense. Some players brace their non-tipper hand against the crossbar as they move that hand around the skin. Once you’re a little familiar with the sound, helps to watch it with the sound muted.Thanks, BigDavy. There’s a little bit in the lesson about the ‘wiggle’ movement your hand should be doing, like as if you’re shaking water off your hand.
Bodhran playing, hand or beater? Having extra space is especially important for beginners, since their tipper control isn’t as precise as advanced bodhran players. It seems to work well for me.Finger drumming can be ok for some applications however it won’t lend much volume to the drum. With innovative ways to accelerate your learning and bring you the experience of authentic Irish pub sessions, we invite you to join us and keep Irish music alive, wherever you are in the world.You can call it ‘the thing you play the bodhran with’ or ‘stick.’ Some people will refer to it as the beater. There is a whole new headache of a thread there for ye. Their thumping rhythm provides a great accompaniment to jigs and reels, and they’re welcome at sessions around the world.
Some people incorporate the bars into their playing by using them to push against to get more leverage on the skin, but mostly they are surplus to requirements for the modern playing style. The bodhran is one of the best instruments for a beginner to get started in Irish music.