Actually gnu, I like shortening the name to "hran" since there is no ambiguity about the pronunciation of that syllable of the word. It's universally pronounced like the name "Ron", right? It's the first syllable that gives people fits. Is it pronounced like the "bow" of a ship, the "bow" on a Christman present, the "bah" in Bah Humbug or the "bu" in butter? Kind of depends on which side of the Atlantic you're on and who you first heard the word from. The only thing for certain is that regardless of how you pronounce it, the next player you meet will pronounce it another way and look at you like you're an illiterate rube. Just calling it a "hran" is one way to solve the problem. Or you could do like my wife and just call it "a fucking Irish drum, smartass!".