I play the bodhran in sessions and I although I am not brilliant practise does improve technique more than anything else. Don't use alcohol to moisten the skin if your boodhran is nt tuneable. This seems a favourite trick in our pub which has coal fires and a dry atmosphere but it does the skin no favours. I use a small water spray sparingly. To summarise, keep practising and go for it. Do not get upset if the person next to you empties a pint over your head because he can't stand the noise-it's probably not meant personally!