The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #128898   Message #2890038
Posted By: ruairiobroin
19-Apr-10 - 03:53 PM
Thread Name: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
In a good Irish Trad session, whatever a bodhran player adds, it will not be rhythm . Good sessions can make the pauses sound as loud as kettle drums and whatever fancy techniques and contortions are performed on the drum will do little to enhance the quality of the tunes. Sadly the good bodhran player (there are some) often does music a disservice, by making what they do look easy, thereby encouraging every clotheared hangeron to think they should join in too.
If you're going to play spend your first few years listening and watching the good ones Not the potwalloping gobshites with a mechanics kit to set themselves up and a toolbox of peculiarities to assault the goat. Good players recognise the importance of silence, sublety and simplicity. players like young Robbie Walsh or Colm Phelan know the whens, wheres and hows you'll find them on youtube. Also if you intend to accompany yourself singing , on your head be it but if you intend to accompany somebody else singing, for your own sake ASK. All the best R