Annoying Bodhran, what to do?

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: alison
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 12:28 AM

that's the problem ...... its easy to get a noise out of... so any fool can try... but it is more difficult to "play"

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 11:37 PM

I have never heard one played well. It always sounds off somehow. Must be a difficult instrument. Al

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 09:08 PM

there's an precision instrument manufacturer in uk who makes a device eminently suitable for muting inappropriate drumb playing. its called a stanley knife!

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Gareth
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 05:28 PM

Or you could shout "Pull" and give it both barrels !

Gareth

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 05:11 PM

The absolute first rule for bodhran players should be this:

Never, ever, under any circumstances, regardless of how friendly they are, regardless of how cute they are, and regardless of how drunk you are you to loan a bodhran to anyone at a session unless you know for a fact that they know how to play the thing!

My wife made the mistake at one of our recent sessions of passing hers to a guy who swore repeatedly that he knew how to play one but just hadn't brought his with him. Yeah, sure. Within 15 seconds I was ready to gore the guy with the pointy end of my banjo. She has made a solemn promise never to do it again.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 04:03 PM

I've mentioned elsewhere that I had the honor of watching PJ Swanno hold an entire crowded pub enthralled with nothing but a flashing smile and a brilliantly played bodhran. And she neverr used it to intrude on another's playing, which is a situation I would think would be well-solved with a pint of 10W30 motor oil.

Blessings on right-minded bodhran players all, sez I. don't forget that banjo players and accordion players (and I married one!) have a similar cross to bear! :>)

A

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: PageOfCups
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 01:49 PM

Somewhere way back there someplace, Rich said:
I was at a couple of sessions while on a visit to Chicago last year, where one of the session leaders commented that it must be tough to be a bodhran player and have to prove you're not one of those "Bodhran-owners"(His term, not mine) every time you play someplace new.

THANK YOU!!

I'm a fair-to-middling bodhran player who played flute from fourth grade through college in marching bands, concert bands, orchestras, wind ensembles, and woodwind quintets. I know how to listen. I know how to follow a melodic line. I know when to keep strict tempo and when to vary it. (I'm housebroken, too. ;-) ) And the person Rich quoted was right: it stinks to have to prove myself every time I open my case.

I understand the whole "bodhran-owner" concept. I've seen it way too many times at sessions. It p*sses me off that these un-musical clods make my life difficult by ruining the reputation of my chosen instrument. I've even left sessions because I couldn't get a tipper in edgewise due to bodhran "players" who have to play loudly on Every Single Blessed Tune.

Somewhere less far back, Emma said:
Many people say bodhrans should be seen and not heard. And in a sense I agree in certain situations. I won't play in songs unless there are ten thousand other people playing instruments and the tune has the right rhythm to play bodhran to.

Looks like we're in competition for the title of world's most polite bodhran player! :-) You go - er, not go, in this case - girl!!

Despite there not being ten thousand others playing, I got brave & asked to play at a pub session when I went to the Fleadh in Ennis this summer. An obvious Yank, an unknown quantity, and I was still welcomed. I tried to make a good impression as well as have fun, and I believe I did both.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,toribw who should be working
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 12:54 PM

At our local session, the four or five bodhran players who come regularly have learned to take turns on tunes that are suited to the bodhran. Luckily we (as I play -- yes, play-- the bodhran myself) all were able to come to that agreement easily and without any rancor. For some reason, our session seems to attract reasonable and (mostly) respectful bodhran players.

However when one brought a djembe and was trying out some new rhythms, that person was told quickly and in no uncertain terms to lay off. The djembe is a thing of the past.

Sometimes telling someone directly is the only way to go. It's not always fun, but it has to be done. Politely, if at all possible.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 12:25 PM

i was at a ff in wakefield [uk]some time ago.

i went to a vg irish session in the pub & there was a young irish button acc player.

as usual, i joined in with the tunes on guitar.

when the b/c player started a new tune, i joined in with that one too. he stopped playing, turned to me & asked if i could stop playing as he couldn't hear his own instrument.

i must say at the time i felt hurt & very disgruntled- but i did stop playing.

not so long afterwards, maybe a couple of weeks later, at another session back home, another incident occured where someone was drowning out a tune/song leader by playing too loud [& badly]

nobody said anything to the 'offender' but it could be seen by people's expressions how they felt.

this caused me to reflect on my own experience with the young accordian player & felt instead of resentment, actual gratitude to him that i'd been told [very politely & reason why given] to shut the f*** up!

the moral of this drawn out tale is, i learnt a lesson & subsequently realised more consideration for others in sessions & possibly if we tell our own 'offenders' in a direct, practical & polite way to stop/ tone down their behaviour, we may in fact be doing them a favour as well as ourselves- ie they may pause to THINK more what they're doing/ HOW they're playing.

i know i'm a much better joiner-in now, so well might they be too, if we just tell them & make it clear.

comments,

cheers

mr h

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Declan
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 11:32 AM

I wasn't going to bother responding to this thread, because it looked like the situation had resolved itself, but if the guy is still making a nuisance of himself he needs to be told.

People like this man (and there are many of them, who play many types of instruments, but the bodhran seems to attract more than its fair share) tend to ruin any session they sit into. If he won't/can't stop doing this, it is him rather than you who should move away from the session. I don't generally enjoy conflict of this type myself, but there often comes a time when it just has to be done.

The etiquette in English folk sessions tends to differ from sessions here in Ireland. If someone is playing a bodhran (or any other instrument) offensively in a session they will tend to be told fairly quickly. Its obviously nicer to have a quiet word in someones ear rather than to tell him off in front of others, but sometimes the point is best made in the heat of the moment. I suspect that if someone is this insensitive in the first place, if you tried to have a quiet word at a different time they would claim to not understand what you are talking about.

As to not singing in time, in general the correct tempo for a tune or song is the one that the singer or player who is leading the tune starts off in. Its the job of any backer (I'm a guitar backer myself) is to accompany the tune or song in the key and rhythm that the lead player/singer chooses. If the bodhranai is asked to lead off a song or set of tunes then they can set the tempo, I somehow doubt if anyone is going to ask this particular person to do this, on that instrument at least.

As has been said before, if you don't want accompaniment say so. In those circumstances if someone insists on playing against your wishes, and this annoys you, I'd have no hestiation in stopping singing until they stop, and if they don't get the hint, in making it clear that that is what you are doing.

I've been asked to stop backing singers myself occasionally (thankfully not too often) and while I don't always take this with good grace when it happens, on reflection, in the sober light of the next day at least I realise the person was probably right.

Have the courage to confront the person if it bothers you, rather than running away from the situation. I bet most of the other people who attend the club will thank you for it.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: PeteBoom
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 11:26 AM

I'll trade you an annoying banjo player (who can't keep time) for your bodhran thumper and bone whacker... It would make a nice change - ;-)

P

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 08:55 AM

Just as a point of interest, the guy who made me start this thread last year STILL goes to the same folk club and STILL hits his bodhran in attemted accompaniment of anything remotely musical.

Consequently I don't go to the club half as often these days.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: fogie
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 06:07 AM

So you lot think youve got problems- weve got the world's authority on quadruple bones playing in some of our sessions, and the worst thing is that shes reasonably good , but only plays at one volume, and always flat out. Whats more shes completely impervious to all of our gentle suggestions, and any criticism is water off a ducks back. Were all clubbing together to throw the poor thins out of the window and substitute rubber ones!

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 05:29 AM

clearly, there's a gap in the market here.

any makers of borin beaters thought of making them from polystyrene?

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: MMario
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 01:19 PM

most of the references I can find to "duff" are for an islamic single sided wooden framed drum played with the hand.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: English Jon
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 01:07 PM

Anyone know anything about Duffs?

not as in plum, or up the:

A duff being a square frame drum, precussor to the Bodgrhdgrandghrn, prevalent in England in the 1200/1300s.

All I know is that it was played with a single stick, and from the shape of the stick we can presume only one end of it was used.

EJ

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Ditchdweller
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 01:01 PM

Is the Bodhran also known in Dorset as the Riddle Drum? I seem to recall somone telling me it is mentioned in one of Thomas Hardy's books.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 01:04 PM

boughRAWN >>> RAWN. Bough varies. Some say Bo-rawn or something midway between the two. Accent usually on first.... depends on time of night = number of drinks. See post from Rich 23 june 3:02PM to see "Bodhranist" properly (it's his Mudcat handle). I prefer Hranner. I realize this is an Anglisization, or bastardization, but I'm not much for being too strict, about anything.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Midchuck
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 11:59 AM

Cheer up, it could be worse. Some people have trouble playing the things, so they put a neck and strings on them and think they're improving them, while they actually make them furr, furr, wuss!

Neither shall ye slaughter the goat and stretch its hide across wooden barrels, then beat upon it with wooden timbers on the two and the four. This is the task of the mandolin, and to usurp it is unclean, and damnable unto the seventh generation.

- from the Ten Commandments of Bluegrass

Peter

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Hawker
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 05:37 PM

Bodhran Jokes:
What do you call a bodhran player who doesn't play in a session?
A gentleman

There was this chap walked into a session in a bar in Northern Ireland with a package under his arm, which he carefully placed under his chair, he then sat in the session and listened. After a time, the curious person next to him asked...."Whats in the package?" to which the whispered answer was cagily given: "2 pounds of semtex" The questioner, looking much relieved said:"Thank Christ for that, I thought it was another bodhran!"

What is the difference between a bodhran payer and a foot bath?
One bucks up the feet.....

What is a definfition of perfect pitch?
Throwing a bodhran down a well without touching the sides

Or even, throwing a bodhran down a well and not hitting the sides or the banjo already at the bottom!

I am tempted to say that the best bodhran joke is on those people who really believe that they can play in time!

Lucy

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: PeteBoom
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 12:06 PM

I don't know - as one who plays bodhran and plays at whistle and a few other instrument, I think it is safe to say that most people I've met who have recently taken up the drum (thanks Riverdance... thanks a LOT...) would be best off by playing it with a pen knife.

The general gist is, if you've got a clue, you'll be welcomed into a session - sometimes invited to join in with a band that is actually performing. Be patient and practice - don't try and sound like Mr. Whatzit in whatever band's CD you just picked up - odds are he's been playing a LOT longer than you. Find a teacher who will be willing to work with beginners, then go for more than a couple of lessons and be willing to pay richly for the shared knowledge. Odds are your teacher paid dearly to get it, show enough respect for your teacher and their skill to reciprocate.

That is the polite version of what I tell people at festivals who ask "Gee - I want to learn to play that thing. How do I go about it?"

OK - I'll get off the soap box -

Regards -

Pete

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 11:34 AM

Well put Rock Chick; I agree with your sentiments, as I'm sure a majority of singers and musicians. By the way, what do you call a person who plays the bodhran? A bodhranist perhaps? Time for another thread perhaps.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: rock chick
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 09:59 AM

I play the Bodhran, and I am good at playing, but I only play when invited too, which is quite often, However I do object to people playing(thinking they are playing) when in fact all they are doing is banging, also when more than one person plays, all using different beats, if a mess, an embrassemment for those who CAN play. It gives us good Bodhran players a bad name also more important it gives the instrument a bad name, when in fact if played correctly it like any other instrument can be beautiful to lisen to. If I was you just tell him outright, if it offends him, so what, he is offending others.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 04:30 PM

OOOOPS... I meant to say that there is a list of jokes there.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 04:29 PM

Don't know if anyone posted this Hran link... The Bodhran Page is at, I hope this works....

Click here

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Bernard
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 03:32 PM

Difference between a bodhran player and an onion?

You cry when you slice up an onion...

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 08:36 AM

I found these as well
What do you call a groupie who hangs around and annoys musicians? A bodhran player.
What is the difference between a bodhran player and a terrorist? Terrorists have sympathisers.
What do bodhran players use for birth control? Their personalities.
What's the best thing to play a bodhran with? A razor blade.
but not as good as some of the others

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 07:15 AM

All these inappropriate bodhran playing stories reminds me of my favourite. I was sitting in a session in Redcar with Jane Sherburn (one of my all-time favourite bodhran players) and Kate Rusby (what a name-dropper I am). None of us had our instruments with us so we were just listening.

Then this wassack comes in, unraps the bodhran from the brown paper bag (he must've just bought it) sits down in the middle of the session and attempts to play. After indulging in some girlish humour with Kate (that's your boyfriend, that is!) Jane could stand it no longer. She firmly asked 'Could I have a lend of your bodhran, mate?' and then played it brilliantly and handed it back. The chap just got up and walked out, to the relief of the whole session and comments like 'ee lass, you'll go straight to heaven'.

Not that I dispise the bodhran player. I hope he's a brilliant player by now. I offer the story as a cautionary tale. If you're not very experienced, tell the others in the session/singaround/whatever. Sit at the back and do join in quietly. The others will understand. They'll offer help. They were at that stage themselves once.

Les

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Finny
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 05:54 AM

This is pretty crass, but maybe you could suggest he use it as a bedpan!

Finnabhair

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 04:10 AM

Bodhran jokes.

As in any large joke collection most of them are just bad. One missing on that list is:

Why are men better bodhran players than women?
Because they've already mastered the wrist movement.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 03:44 AM

CAn you suggest some suitable jokes then? I know several bagpipe jokes, but I haven't heard a bodhran one. (And am I doubly cursed? I play bodhran AND Melodeon, although not at the same time, usually)

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Hawker
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:03 PM

Hi
As A bodhran player myself, I get really pissed off with people who give the rest of us a bad name.
I know when to play and when not and it's pretty obvious to me that this chap doesn't. Who MC's the club? perhaps talk to this person, maybe he could start the evening off by saying that it's lovely to have such a wealth of talent in the room, and that it looks like a good night of music and song yet again, however, would participants respect the wishes of singers who prefer to sing unaccompanied.
As a singer also, it is not a case of singing out of rhythm, it is a case of singing with feeling and altering the pace of the song to add expression, if he tries that retort again, suggest that the same is also true of a good bodhran player, which if he was, he would understand.
If all else fails, get a G penny whistle and just blow it, using any fingering, when he "plays" or sings
He may not get the message, but he may begin to understand how you feel!
Last resort - tell a bevvy of bodhran jokes whilst introducing your song, if he then joins in, point to him and say - see, I told you so!
Good Luck
Lucy

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 07:35 PM

Just come in on this after being off line for several weeks. I agree with Peg and Rich - the art of playing the Bodhran is knowing when not to play, and/or to play with sensitivity for the music and the other musicians. One player I heard about was causing a nuisance by playing along with everything: when he went out to the loo, leaving his beaters on the table, they were taken outside to a conveniently-placed river to play "Pooh-sticks" with! I also remember my early efforts in one of the Council rooms at Sidmouth FF in Mog's workshop - about 60 of us hammering away, when one of the council workers came in to ask if we could make less noise! Tattie B

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 06:44 PM

I think Irish drums (whatever you want to call them) are criticised too often. Most of us folkies are only fair musicians (at best, ok. some are great but many are not but can still be enjoyed), and it can look very self aggrandising to put others off or down, and I well remember a rather precious actor-singer telling a very good guitarist that he found his playing "rather distracting".

I think the safest course is to say in advance if you do or don't want people to join in, and to warn them it there are unusual things coming such as an arrangement with a chord that is not the usual one, or an accelerando on a particular part of the song, or if (like me) you do the "Wild Mountain Time" in 4/4 rather than 3/4.

By and large I think of folk music as participative. It may be necessary to vary that but it is probably better to be cautious. Offer to tune the guitar that is driving you mad. Get someone else to tune the banjo that is driving you mad. Point out that you are playing a recorder in medieval pitch and that it is NOT a semi-tone off modern pitch. But if you have to ask someone to stop you have to - once you are sure that you are not being precious and self-important. SOmetimes you have to. But examine your conscience first.

he story that started this thread may well have been one of the occasions when a firm stand was essential - but it could (with the benefit of hindsight, which is always easier) have been avoided by saying in advance that you were doing a song that was not in strict tempo and so was likely to be better without rythm accompaniment. The reaction to such an ADVANCE announcement would warn the alert if they were pushing into a session or being self-important (which some, but not all, unaccompanied singers can be). One reason I tend not to do unaccompanied songs is that you do have to be doubleplusgood to make them a good experience for the listener(s).

Be careful. You probably were. If you were, then you did what you had to do. But in many cases it is not necessary to exclude accompanists. I know one "jam session" (so advertised) when an excellent guitarist thoroughly surprised me by joining "Haul away for ROsie" (which a friend and I were doing unaccompanied, like most shanties, and in B as it happened) and the blues feel to the sequence he added put a whole new light on the song for me and I thought it was great. I might have said that shanties were usually unaccompanied and I woudl have missed a very enjoyable experience.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,McCracker
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 03:03 PM

Perhaps this person is retarded. The mentally defective are known for doing this type of stuff. But then again, if he is making snide comments about being out of time, probably not. I don't think that it would be out of line to do pretty much what you did. Just what part of "unaccompanied singing' does this cretin not understand.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: RichM
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:54 AM

As a fellow accompanist to Irish music (I'm a guitar player), I'll tell you what I like and don't like about the bodhranists.

I like a bodhran that tasteful, fits in, is in time with the music--and lifts the pulse of the music.

I don't like:

-bodhrans not in time--get with the rythmn!

-bodhrans played too loudly. Fit the volume to the tune.
-bodhrans, conversely, played too softly. I know, I know--some people would consider that a blessing! Again, fit the volume to the tune.
-bodhrans that beat a heavy four-to-the-bar beat. It's an instrument capable of more subtlety than that.
Find the pulse! Pulse goes beyond the signature rythmn of the tune--every tune has its own pulse, which could be longer than the bar, or shorter. Find it. Play it. Don't drag the lead instruments out of THEIR pulse.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:17 AM

I was told by an Irish friend that bodh was like bough and ran has a long a as in the name Sian, or the ar in barn, or alternatively like aw as in lawn. The accent is on the second syllable. SO something like boughRARN or boughRAWN would be an approximation (only). I expect it varies in different parts of Ireland anyway.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: KitKat
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:04 AM

Boddingtons is now manufactured by Interbrew (used to be part of Whitbread but no longer). They are based in Magor, South Wales and pay enormous attention to consistency of flovour and quality. Of course, if you happen to think it's crap, what they make is consistent crap.

pat

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John P
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 07:50 AM

Coyote Breath, Argh! please don't start calling it a hran! It's annoying enough having gnu calling it that all the time!

gnu, how do you pronounce that, anyway? I always hear the word with the "h" (and the "d") being silent or nearly so. In any event, the second syllable of the word would start with the "d", wouldn't it? Or maybe the "r"?

Other annoying shortenings of instrument names:
ano
tar
tern
lo
dolin
bec
pet
ouki
jo
bro
bard
bla
ute
olin
ola
cal
tle

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,Jude
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 07:35 AM

John J - I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as a drinkable pint of Boddys since Whitbread took over....
Me, if local I'll stick to Speckled Hen, Wadworth's 6X or Flowers Original and in Sidmouth's Anchor Middle Bar ... the Exmoor Gold will do nicely....
.. none of which should be wasted on detuning bodrans
...... Ah - detuning bodrans - that's what its for, I always wondered why people bought Watney's ( it's so awful it couldn't possibly be to drink)

Jude

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 06:21 AM

Coyote breath: When we bought a bodhran to take out to Dubai, we were advised to take one with a robust, i.e. thickish, skin, as it would be less affected by the humidity. That was in 1979-ish, and we still have it - it did seem to do the trick. (inscribed Nick Driver Goat). No fancy celtic designs though.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 05:05 AM

This is my understanding of the Boddington's/ Whitbread situation, I'm sure others will correct me where I am wrong and where there are omissions:

Boddington's is (was) a traditional Manchester Brewery of really good beers. Some years ago Whitbread a really major player in the uk brewing industry became a substantial, then a major shareholder. This was financially good news for the brewery but seriously bad news for the drinkers of Manchester. Whitbread it should be said, have a reputation for brewing bland beers with little or no character. In the mid 70s Boddington's had a major quality problem with a huge batch of beer produced for the Christmas rush. They had a new member of staff who unfortunately made a mistake. (In the uk mistakes are not regarded as part of the learning curve.) Since that episode in the 70s, the beer quality / taste has certainly changed for the worst. All very sad. The good news is that such big-brewery antics have spawned loads of small breweries who produce some really excellent beers. Shame about Boddies though. Although they have a very high profile in the uk, I suppose there beer has had to be 'dumbed down' so there is more of a national appeal to it.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:18 PM

if he travels across the Bay to the Starry Plough and does his boor-ran thing... I'll tell my daughter to be alert this Saturday especially. Did he come over on his own? Is there a chance he'll come to Missouri? We have a "blue" grass festival on the 30th at Centennial Farms in Augusta, Missouri. I can imagine him playing "it" at the festival. Perhaps we could get the Missouri Valley Coon Club's dogs, chase him along the Augusta Bottoms road. Then, again, he might just fit in.

Well, I must agree this is enough about boorish bodhran players. If its all the same, I'd like to know more about this Boddingtons/Whitebread thing. It sounds like a Monty Python routine.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 01:20 PM

Wow, glad things are turning out. I bet he gets deported from america for playing his bodhran all the time!! That would be funny.

Do u think it mite get the message through?

Tell your organiser good luck with this guy.

Hope it all turns out for the best

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 04:16 PM

Sapper 82: I'm afraid you're right, what is worse is that I know only 2 pubs that keep the Whitbread/Boddington brew in a drinkable state around these parts: The Railway @ Heatley near Lymm (the folk club pub) and the Mark Addy in central Manchester. The only other decent pint I've had is at The volunteer in SIDMOUTH! Emma: well our bodhran man is away in San Francisco (that's in America you know), so things are certainlt temporarily better. The club organiser is going to 'have a word', I just hope it doesn't get anybody's back up too much. I rather fear it might.

Ho hum.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 03:38 PM

Cheers John, has the situation improved yet?

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Ditchdweller
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:32 PM

Boddington's Bitter?? Thought Boddington's hadn't brewed ale for years since Whitbread took over the brewing!!

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 01:54 PM

Well put Emma, I support your views on the use of the Bodhran 100%. You're my kind of Bodhran player!!

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 05:11 PM

Hey there everyone....

Ok, I won't admit to being a bodhran player...well, no I will actually,

I'm proud to be one!!

When people play all the time whether they're welcome to or not it makes me cringe like hell, this bloke sounds like one of those people!!

Many people say bodhrans should be seen and not heard. And in a sense I agree in certain situations. I won't play in songs unless there are ten thousand other people playing instruments and the tune has the right rhythm to play bodhran to.

I'm actually too scared to go into a singing session and play bodhran as I know people would take it off me and fill it with cider...like a replacement for micca's tankard!! No, the truth is I would rather sit and listen or join in singing chorus'.

BOdhrans suit certain situations and certain tunes, but otherwise i think we should just sit back and listen.

I think somebody needs to have a little quiet chat with this bloke, and if he doesn't listen then he obviously doesn't have any feelings relevant to the situation and needs telling firmly.

It is better to say something than to have him drive everybody away from the circle.

GOod luck

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 03:36 PM

Like I said before, everyone craps on us but still they still ask us to play (on some tunes). In a way, I don't understand. Maybe with me it's different. The lads I play with... I mean, REALLY play with, are Irish Trad and Troubles players. These tunes are suited to Hran.

Anyway, this is about dead. See you all at the session. Rich.... Hran on !!!