Scots-Irish Music
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The Bodhran
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Co. Antrim Bodhran s3
  
     
 
Many folk think, mistakenly, that Traditional Music & Bodhrans go back hundreds of years together, when in fact, they only really started to be used alongside traditional music on a regular basis as the folk revival started to gather momentum, in the 60's & 70's!
 
     
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Just to put you in the picture, I borrowed this quote from a piece by ‘Queens University's – School of Anthropological Studies’. To read the whole piece go to: s3

"Similar to Frame-drums used in many parts of the world, the Irish Bodhran was a ritual instrument used in south-western Ireland during the ‘hunting of the wren’, on St. Brigid's day, the Bodhran was popularised as part of the Irish traditional ensemble by the Chieftains during the 1970s. It has since become popular in Scotland and further afield, and is used by the orchestra both to accompany songs and to provide rhythmic variation.

Bodhrans heads, like those of Lambegs, are made from goatskin and Bodhran makers in Ulster often acquire skins from Lambeg makers.
Dungiven Bodhran maker Seamus O’Kane has been influenced by Lambeg makers in his construction techniques, producing drums with deep shells and very thin skins, and experimenting with skins chemically treated by Lambeg makers, to produce a higher pitch and more responsive character"

Paul McAuley, the Co Antrim maker of the Bodhran pictured above, says this:

"I decided to devote my full-time career to the making and perfecting of handcrafted locally made Bodhráns and I liaise closely with the makers of the traditional Lambeg drums and share the skins according to size and availability."

The playing of both the Lambeg & the Bodhran has come together nicely with the performances of the Ulster group 'Different Drums' who use both in their stage performance: s3

Listen to how they expertly marry the Lambeg, Bodhran & Snare Drum in this track: s3

  
     
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But what does a Bodhran sound like?

Solo, it sounds like this: s3

With Flute & Guitar it sounds like this: s3

Check out the history of the Bodhrán here: s3

You'll find more interesting background information on this Wikipedia page: s3

Here are a few extracts to put you in the picture:

"The bodhrán is an old drum but a young musical instrument. Although it has existed in Ireland for centuries, it was introduced into traditional music performance only in the 1960s, and became common only in the 1970s.

I've heard differing opinions on the ultimate origin of the bodhán. Some writers believe that the drum originated in Africa and came to Ireland by way of Spain. Other people believe that it originated in Central Asia, and was carried through Europe to Ireland by the Celtic migrations.

What is not in dispute, is that the drum languished for centuries outside the realm of musical performance. It was used in warfare and in various local celebrations, mostly as a noisemaker or primitive rhythm instrument. Until modern times, it was used by mummers and wren-boys in various local festivals. It apparently served double-duty as a husk sifter and grain tray.

Until the 1960s, it was uncommon outside southwestern Ireland; it was introduced to modern traditional music to Sean O Riada, who used it in his arrangements for Ceoltóirí Chualann and the Chieftains."

Now, someone once asked the question - Why was the Bodhran not absorbed into Appalachian Music??

Well, now you know, the reason was because basically, it wasn't considered to be a musical instrument until fairly recently!

But today the Bodhran is regularly played with all forms of Traditional Scottish & Irish Music & I know it sounds just wonderful with Fifes, Flutes & Bagpipes.

  
     
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