When I teach bodhran workshops I always include a section on etiquette... but the same goes for any instrument or voice... if you can't hear whoever is singing / playing lead- then you are too loud.

a towel works well to dampen the noise..... also leather ended tippers are great for playing quietly..... as I have said before a friend of mine made herself one using a piece of dowling. she cut the fingers off a pair of womens leather gloves, stuffed them with kapok and superglued them to the ends of the stick.... voila!

people do think the bodhran is an easy instrument to play - it is certainly easy to get a noise out of...... but "playing" takes practice....

slainte

alison