There's a fine, fierce, bodhran maker and player here in Bathurst who uses all the predictable types of thick and thin tippers. Then when you least expect it, he pulls out a skinny little paint brush and creates a totally new sound for quieter accompaniment. This is how he survives those threatening scowls from session players who want to tune bodhrans with lighter fluid.

He says the secret (well, no secret now!) is to insert a heavy screw in the non-brushy end of the paint brush to create a counterbalance. This lets him get into it, but with a lighter sound.

Personally, I prefer the simplicity of playing the fiddle. Drumming is far too subtle for me!

Bruce