What is a Celtic bodhran drum?
The bodhran (pronounced bow-rahn) is one of the lesser known drums of the folk music world, but it is becoming increasingly common and is now a staple of traditional Irish and Celtic music.IdentificationThe bodhran is a round frame drum typically between 15 and 20 inches in diameter and about 3 to 6 inches in width. Bodhrans are typically made of wood and can be fitted with either a single- or double-skinned head.HistoryThough the bodhran has been in existence for centuries, the modern bodhran was not popularized in Irish traditional music until the 1960s by Sean O’Riada, a famous Irish composer.TechniqueThe bodhran is played with a double-sided wooden stick, also known as a beater or tipper, which is held like a pen. The drum is usually played sitting down.Playing StyleBodhrans typically emphasize the beat structures that are unique to Irish dance tunes, such as jigs, reels and hornpipes. Typically they are struck not only on the downbeat, but also on subdivisions of the beat.Tuneable
