Bodhran (Irish Frame Drum) Tutorial

An introduction to the bodhran (Bow-rawn) Irish frame drum, by Jesse Ferguson, the Bard of Cornwall. This is a re-recording of my earlier tutorials.
My CD is available at: www.cdbaby.com/cd/fergusonjesse
My facebook page is: www.facebook.com/bardofcornwall

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bodhran
• introduction
• tutorial
• Irish
• frame
• drum
• Celtic
• folk
• Scottish
• percussion
• roots
• Bard
• of
• Cornwall
• Jesse
• Ferguson

[YourPhilOfCanada]

I wish I had seen this video about 3 months ago because I had already bought a cheap drum for $50 just to start practicing. Of course the tension can't be adjusted on this thing, and I've noticed that it's hard to get a good 'bounce' with the tipper, and as I try to play faster, I end up dragging it on the surface instead of getting a good 'beat'. But... ce la vie, I'll have to go with it for now! :-(

[BardofCornwall]

@YourPhilOfCanada All may not be lost if you buy a cheaper drum. I've heard that very fine sandpaper rubbed carefully over the skin can remove the raspiness. Be careful, though, not to go too deep. I haven't tried that myself, so you may be taking your chances. Also, the lanolin oil can really help an overly tight skin.

[lesaitch32d]

Many thanks, Jessie. You put in lots of useful detail that many of the other tutors leave out. Keep up the good work!

[mayhemlok]

Great tutorial! Thank you for all the demos. I've been wanting to get a bodhran for quite sometime and got an excuse to finally get one!Now, I didn't have an opportunity to get out and personally look into one. However, I just purchased one from Mid East, a name I've trusted with other great percussion instruments I own. It's 18 x 3.5, tunable, and has the "crossbar" along with a side bar attached to that. Just mentioning that to hear your thoughts. :)

[thesaint6169]

i agree with what you said about finding the tipper that suits you. i have about a dozen tippers and out of them i have 2 or 3 that feel very comfortable in my hand when im playing

[TheMakemFolksinger]

intresting instrument workshop,, drop in to my channel if you get a bit free time cheers  The Makem Folk Siger Dave

[HunnyKidd1973]

I like the fact that you use a variety of tippers. You said that we could find a tutorial of how to make the one with squiers. I would love to find that, any suggestions?

By the way, we don't have a drum kit in church so I use my bodhran. It is interesting and I need to learn more.

[mymTHEgrey]

did you make your wrist band, dear ?

[abehan]

It's pronounced bough-rawn, not bow-rawn. As in "when the bough breaks". Great vid though, thanks!

[TheRantingBrit]

@BardofCornwall I sanded the skin on my drum. Made it much nicer. Taping the edge of the drum also takes away that nasty ring you get on cheap drums.

[krazycheetah13]

Jesse please please please I am begging you do The Minstrel Boy with Bodhran, I love the song and I think you would be able to do a wonderful rendition of it.