How Do You Play The Irish Bodhran?
For such a simple looking instrument there are numerous techniques that can be adopted when playing a bodhran. Starting with the most simple of playing methods, play can grow more complex when experience has been gained. This article will explain the basic technique that can be used for playing a bodhran. Sit down, balance the bodhran on your knee and support it with you upper body and arm. Placing one hand against the skin behind the drum. The free hand uses the tipper to strike the drum. Hold the tipper the same way that you would hold a pen. Twist the arm gently from side to side (almost like you are shaking a tin) being careful not to bend the wrist. Make an arc movement with the tipper so that the head of the tipper hits the drum once on the way down and again on the way up. This is the basic stroke and, with practice you should be able to keep a regular rhythm, tone and volume. Time your strikes to the rhythm of the beat. To make your playing more expressive you can syncopate the
