I was playing the bodhran the other night- For those of you who are still reading - I was playing the bodhran the other night during a session/gig with a couple of fiddle players. These youngsters like to kick it up a notch, which can be fun and challenging. We'd just started our third set of the night, and were midway through a set of moderately-paced reels when my stick arm seemed to get quite heavy and tight. Almost to the point where I couldn't maintain the rhythm, let alone control the stick with any finesse. You know when your leg falls asleep? Kinda like that without the tingly bits. No pain or discomfort, just a dead weight.

I got through the set of tunes which I thought would never end, did a bit of stretching, shook the arm out, and things were fine after that.

My playing is not generally forced or stressful - usually it is loose and relaxed, so this was surprising and unusual. Different from the arm fatigue that can happen after a long night of fast tunes.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had similar experience. Bodhran jokes not neccessary, but (sigh) expected. What the hey, it's Friday.

Cheers,
Bardford