The Hran I love.

Subject: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 04:15 PM

I love this stuff.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: GUEST,Mikey
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 05:01 PM

Pardon my ignorance - what is a Hran?

Mikey

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 05:10 PM

Bodhran.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: GUEST,999
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 05:26 PM

Lyrics to the song, "When I Grow Up" by Brian O'Rourke. AKA, "The Bodhran Song".

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: skarpi
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 05:28 PM

Gnu I love this
thanks

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 08:44 PM

Suggestion for a song;

Someday he'll come along,
The 'hran I love.
He'll help me sing a song,
The 'hran I love.......

In the manner of Billie Holiday.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 09:09 PM

i call mine beau for short...
or if it is made with dog skin
it is a bow wow ron..

hope none of them have
anthrax on them...

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 01:07 AM

Love it, gnu! It is so beautiful there and I love the hran, too. Wish I could've heard more of IT! I know most folks want them to blend in, back up, not sound too loud/overpower the other instruments and singers, but I LOVE listening to just a good bodhran played well!

Oh, and I thought this was going to be a parody of a song I heard years ago called The One I Love.:-)

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 12:06 PM

Thoroughly enjoyable on every level. Thanks.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 12:58 PM

McCann is good on Hran. The Chemical Workers' Song is another fav of mine. There are others.

If you like Hran, check out Wrap It Up by Four Men and a Dog. Gino Lupari does it. It's good. I can't find a YT of it, tho. It's one of two Hran tunes I could never play.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Howard Jones
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:43 PM

So why not call it "bodhran"? Where's this "hran" thing come from? Can we also expect some tunes on the tar, dle or stle?

Puzzled.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:56 PM

Whatever. Have fun with it, puzz.

Jaysus! Take the ciapan out of yer ass! Oh, that's the little stick you hit the Hran with.

Fook me! Ya can't say shit fer nuthin without someone callin ya down. Sometimes, I wonder why I bother to post any at all.

gnightgnu

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:16 PM

Pedants are everywhere, gnudarlin'...don't let it get to ya.

HowardJones, there's probably more than you will ever want to know about 'hrans in THIS THREAD

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: GUEST,Mikey
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 08:13 PM

Everybody has the absolute right to call a bodhran anything they like.

As someone who plays a bodhran (also whistle and English concertina) I find it difficult to understand why it can't be called by it's proper name, it's not as if it's a long word that needs shortening.

To be honest, I feel calling it a 'hran is faintly ridiculous.

I've asked some fellow musicians their opinion on the use of this strange abbreviation and I'm pleased to say that I'm not alone in prefering to call the bodhran by it's proper name.

Please continue to call the bodhran whatever you want, but consider that some of us would prefer to use the name that everyone recognises as being correct.

Play on!

Mikey

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Gurney
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 11:09 PM

I have a new 'itar, but I haven't played my 'rtina much, lately, and my 'stles and 'ltery I haven't even touched...;-)

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 01:15 AM

My 'olin and 'njo are in fine fettle.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 10:19 AM

Besides which,I was intrigued when I read the thread title and looked at it in the first place to find out what a 'hran' is when its at home. What I found was some excellent music and beautiful photographs.
I didn't find the abbreviation disturbing, but then I don't play the bodhran
I assumed that 'The hran I love' is some kind of play on the song 'The Man I love' (assuming, of course, that there is such a song. There must be.)
The Mudcat's ability to whistle up a controversy out of nothing continues to amaze me.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Stu
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 10:31 AM

How do you pronounce Hran exactly?

Hur-ran? Ra-awn?

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: John J
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 10:40 AM

How do you write it - 'hran?

I'll stick with bodhran.

JJ

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 11:56 AM

Thanks for the great links, gnu.

A bodhran/'hran/drum played well is a wonderful instrument. I look forward to being able to listen to the links.

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Howard Jones
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 08:09 AM

I wasn't intending to stir up a controversy, I was simply puzzled (and remain so) why you feel the need to abbreviate such a short word, and to do so in a way which is inconsistent with both English and Irish spelling. I have to confess that I find that initial H particularly irritating :), but that's just a personal reaction.

It appears from some of the other responses that I am not alone. But, hey, call it what you like, just don't expect everyone to understand you.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 06:15 PM

Hehehehehe.... yeah, I know. I am quite the rebel, me. Been calling it Hran here at this café for nigh ten years. The wanted posters are gittin yellow at the post office.

Hran on!

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 06:21 PM

Oh, BTW, that title, ``Hran On!`` is mine. For my first CD.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 05:10 PM

More ridiculous. Sue me. >;-)

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Micca
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 07:07 PM

Gnu, you might enjoy this too, One of my faves
as opposed to
The Hran I love is up in the folk club
the Hran I love is waiting there for me
There it is, aint it sweet
waving of its beating stick
and looking like its drumhead's as soft as silk
(tune the boy I love is up in the gallery)

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 07:57 PM

Hran, how very twee.

Dave H

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Gweltas
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 02:10 AM

Being Irish and also a Bodhrán player....... the original and correct name for the instrument suits me fine ! "Hran" is just a rather silly and pointless affectation IMHO. I am now wondering what other nonsensical words will be invented in place of the normal terms for tin whistles, banjos, fiddles, guitars, etc...etc...?????
Hmmmmm..........PerhapsI should start calling my Bodhráns "Eric" and "Fiona" Ha Ha !!

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 08:20 PM

With respect: I see no harm in a term of affection (not affectation) as applied by someone who knows and loves the instrument. No one else has been asked to change his or her terminology.

Does anyone else have links to excellent and tasteful bodhrán/hrán/Irish drum playing? Would you please be so kind as to post one or two of your favorites for the rest of us to enjoy?

Thank you.

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Gweltas
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 08:30 PM

Here is one of my favourites, Maeve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ChbigufBC8&feature=related
Sorry, I haven't figured out the bluse clicky stuff yet, so you'll probably have to copy and paste this into your browser ! Enjoy!

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 08:32 PM

Ah, maeve, thanks. Ye're a dear. I just wish I could still play the Hran as I could once upon a time. Since my misfortune, I find fortune in the modern technology of You Tube and the like to love again the Hran I love. To listen to such artistry upon a simple stretched skin with a stick is magical for me. I love it.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 08:32 PM

Thank you kindly, Gweltas!

Gweltas' link

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 08:34 PM

I know you do, gnu.

Take a listen to Gweltas' link, and enjoy!

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 07:14 PM

Have any of you found links for proficient female bodhran players to whom I could listen?

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 08:02 PM

Now, I am sorry to any that I might offend, but, to me, that "solo" is, as I was dastardly told once, "just bangin on a drum". It is exsquisitely technically proficient and quite inventive, and I enjoyed it as I am a Hranner... but it's not music to ME (operative word is ME) .... it's not leading a troupe... it's not supporting a troupe... it's banging on a drum... to ME. I could not dance to that. I could not sing to that. I couldn't even listen to that for very long if I was not a student of Hran.

A good link for Hran lovers and students. But not for many others. As my witnesses, those who publically display their derision herein this Mudcat Café.

Alas... post any and all links... I enjoy them all. EDIFILE ME, eh?

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 08:05 PM

Shekofeh

Miranda Rondeau

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 09:47 PM

Thank you, Jack. I appreciate it. I'll give a listen to your two links in the morning. The hand work is intriguing.

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Gweltas
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 02:21 AM

Here is another link, Maeve. This is Michelle Stewart, who has also posted some Bodhrán lessons on you tube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vtMK0q5ZWA
Check this out :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S4F6yDbUlY&NR=1
Again apologies for no blue clickys !!
I hope you find these to be useful.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 03:26 AM

Gnu, it's a solo within a wider performance. Like any drum solo. You're not meant to dance or sing to it particularly. It does show off JohnJoe's singular talents, but that's obviously the point. He normally employs those talents in the context of a band.

Many people who despair at the heavy and cack-handed bodhran playing in (I'm sorry, but it's true) the majority of sessions I've ever been to could look at what JohnJoe does and gain a new appreciation and respect for what the instrument is capable of. I've seen the same thing happen with Cormac Byrne of Uiscidwr when he has a bit of a freewheeling moment. When we saw JohnJoe's (now sadly demised) band Flook a few years ago, he had the whole crowd on their feet during his solo - I still remember my daughter jumping up and whooping and hollering, and she's been around mediocre bodhran playing (mine) all her life without taking a blind bit of notice of the instrument.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: maeve
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:22 AM

Thank you, Gweltas:
First Michelle Stewart link

Michelle Stewart, link #2

Ruth Archer- Thanks for an interesting observation.

maeve

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Allan C.
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:25 AM

Gotta say that every time I read the thread title I almost expect to see a discussion of one of those languages that C.S. Lewis invented in his sci-fi trilogy. That said, I'm glad it turned out to be what it is.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: gnu
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 08:33 AM

Ruth... I agree... but I also see the other side which many people hold and hold rather tightly at times. I wasn't in my intent in my last post. Sorry.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Jan 17 - 02:10 PM

Gnu! Ask, and ye shall receive. It might be several years late though.

The Show Is Never Over 'Til The Fat Man Raps

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Stu
Date: 09 Jan 17 - 03:17 AM

'Hran' would be pronounced 'Ron' so the title of this thread is "the Ron I love". Has a certain ring to it.

Subject: RE: The Hran I love.
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 Jan 17 - 09:22 AM

A couple of times I've stayed away from concerts featuring good performers because JohnJoe Kelly was tagging along.

He's a tedious one-trick pony.