rich, it is a shame that a number of bodhran players have got the instrument such a bad reputation as it is an excellent instrument in the right hands. Another factor I have noticed is that some people take up the bodhran with the attitude "I don't think I can play an instument but I can play a rythym" - roughly translated as "I don't really want to spend any time learning or listening to others, I just want something to bash so that I feel as if I'm part of the session".

Jon