A bodhran-playing friend told me that he plays the Scottish bodhran, rather than the Irish model. I was hooked and asked what the difference.

He:"Well an Irish bodhran is quieter." Me:"Why?" Him: "It's covered with goat skin" Me:"And the Scottish one?" Him: "Covered in the skin of an Englishman" Me:"And why's that louder?" Him: "You couldn't possibly hit it hard enough"