Thursday 15 March 2012

My Bodhran


Last summer My Rare One went to Nova Scotia to visit friends. While driving around Cape Breton Island, she bought a large 18" bodhran drum as a surprise gift for me back in Alberta.

A bodhran (baw-RON) is an Irish frame drum played very fast with a wooden tipper. It provides the distinctive rhythms often featured in Celtic music.


The bodhran drumming technique is challenging to learn. And, of course, it takes a lot of practice to become proficient. Luckily for me, I've found an excellent bodhran teacher here in Edmonton to teach me the basics. I'm enjoying trying my hand at this new style (for me) of drumming.

Here's a really short clip of what a bodhran sounds like in the hands of a skilled drummer -- Caroline Corr of The Corrs. Needless to say, I sound nothing like this! But maybe someday?

25 comments:

Sulky Kitten said...

I'm familiar with the bodhran! I'm Irish and when we went to Irish dances (ceilidhs)when we were kids there was always someone playing the bodhran. It is definitely not as easy as it looks!

Snap said...

Practice practice practice. A great sound!

CorvusCorax12 said...

love the sound

mxtodis123 said...

Love the sound and would love to hear you play when you are ready.
Mary

jaz@octoberfarm said...

i have a bodhran. it was given to me in ireland. but no, i can not play it. i love cape breton. we stayed with teddy in antigonish a few years back!

Workingdan said...

I can see how that might be challenging. I like the sound of it too!

Annie said...

That would be a real workout for the arms! Good luck with it :)

DEZMOND said...

I bet your neighbours love your bodhran :)

Yvonne said...

I love this instrument. I almost bought one when I went to Ireland the last time.

Jane said...

This is a new one for me - very interesting. I didn't think a hand could move that fast! That's a workout.

mermaid gallery said...

looks very cool....and sounds even better....good one to learn!!

Jeanne said...

Love the sound! A beautiful rhythm that strikes a chord deep in the buried memory of the soul. :0)
Practice, Practice!

A Beer for the Shower said...

As a Celtic music nerd, I'm very familiar with what the bodhran is, and I think that's incredibly cool that you play, even if not as proficiently as one of The Corrs.

Southpaw said...

That is so cool! You have to really have good hand control to hit those beats! I'm impressed that your learning. Maybe we'll see a youtube video of you playing one day...

Robin Larkspur said...

That sounded so good, and amazing. I bet you can do it almost as well; especially since you are lucky to have a teacher! Good luck. We expect a video, too, and be sure to wear the same outfit!!!

Judy said...

Soon, we will watch a video of you and yours...and you will be wonderful...

Copyboy said...

Alas work doesn't let me play with sound. Tonight I'll check it with volume.

Tricky Nag said...

What a gorgeous sound!
I look forward to your YouTube video!

The Dancing Crone said...

What a great present! I look forward to downloading your first cd!!

Riot Kitty said...

I think I need one of these for work.

Anonymous said...

I love this instrument, I have a friend who does the drumming circles and the bodram has such a lovely sound, it resonates in my chest, maybe my soul.

laughingwolf said...

good stuff, deb ...you can do it!

not once, in all the years i lived in nova scotia, did i manage to get to see the capers... [what cape bretoners call themselves]

even missed the annual 'celtic colours', much as i wanted to go :(

yellowdoggranny said...

wow...so cool.

Rose - Watching Waves said...

Cool! You so often introduce me to something new; this time it's the bodhran. It is a resonant thumping sound to me. Is it hard on the knuckles?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Rose -- No, if you play it right, your knuckles don't touch the drum so everything's fine!