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?
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?
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!
ReplyDeletePractice practice practice. A great sound!
ReplyDeletelove the sound
ReplyDeleteLove the sound and would love to hear you play when you are ready.
ReplyDeleteMary
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!
ReplyDeleteI can see how that might be challenging. I like the sound of it too!
ReplyDeleteThat would be a real workout for the arms! Good luck with it :)
ReplyDeleteI bet your neighbours love your bodhran :)
ReplyDeleteI love this instrument. I almost bought one when I went to Ireland the last time.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new one for me - very interesting. I didn't think a hand could move that fast! That's a workout.
ReplyDeletelooks very cool....and sounds even better....good one to learn!!
ReplyDeleteLove the sound! A beautiful rhythm that strikes a chord deep in the buried memory of the soul. :0)
ReplyDeletePractice, Practice!
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.
ReplyDeleteThat 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...
ReplyDeleteThat 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!!!
ReplyDeleteSoon, we will watch a video of you and yours...and you will be wonderful...
ReplyDeleteAlas work doesn't let me play with sound. Tonight I'll check it with volume.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous sound!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your YouTube video!
What a great present! I look forward to downloading your first cd!!
ReplyDeleteI think I need one of these for work.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletegood stuff, deb ...you can do it!
ReplyDeletenot 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 :(
wow...so cool.
ReplyDeleteCool! 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?
ReplyDeleteHi Rose -- No, if you play it right, your knuckles don't touch the drum so everything's fine!
ReplyDelete