Well, I've just got back from a couple of days in Dublin. Last night I finally found a session. I asked if it was ok to join in as I know they can be a bit funny about strangers joining in, but they were all real friendly, and actually enjoyed my bodhran playing. There was this bloke sat next to me with spoons and he was telling me how use have to use the bodhran as a part of you that you use to express yourself, which is spot on. He said you don't have to play every single beat, which is also true, and that the bodhran should enhance the accompanyment of the wune, not just drone in the background. Something which, since getting my new bodhran last year I have learnt to do and understand. It makes it a lot more interesting to play. I started playing the bodhran cos I was at a folk gathering with workshops and was bored, n thought, aye, that looks easy, I'll give that a go. Everyone has the same impression of the bodhran, but in all honesty it is NOT easy to play.

John, if you need a hand with the whistle or the bodhran, I would be happy to teach you....as long as you can get to gowdall, near goole.

Cheers,

JeZ xxx