Do folk people like the Bodhran?

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: JHW
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 03:04 PM

Mostly I would say folk people don't like the bodhran for very reason that your regular bodhran user believes "Surely you just bang it with a little stick, don't you?"
Wonderful to hear as a solo instrument played by one who can.
Bodhran players yes. Bodhran users no thanks.

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 02:12 PM

"I'm thinking of learning the Bodhran, but I'm wondering how it will be received."

What do you mean, "learning it"? Surely you just bang it with a little stick, don't you?

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 01:57 PM

We used to dance to a band that had an excellent one-handed Bodhran player. A real asset.
Now we go to a session that has several bodhran players, some of whom can keep time. Its interesting the different sounds they can get by using a brush thingy instead of a beater sometimes.

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Darowyn
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 01:44 PM

Do folk people like the bodhran?
Of course they don't!
You will always find someone in the folk world who hates anything.
Whether it's a guitar, spoons, something electric, a banjo, a bouzouki, accompanied ballads, unaccompanied ballads, Irish songs, American songs, brass instruments... anything at all.
The reason is always the same though.
They say it's not what they call Folk.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 01:41 PM

They make a great tray for carrying a round of drinks for the musicians.

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 01:17 PM

Yes, as long as they are not played in sessions.
Mine looks great hanging on the wall.
Suggest you look out Con 'Fada' O'Drisceoil's song, 'The Spoons Murder' and apply the sentiments to the bodhran.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 12:43 PM

Always wanted to play one,but couldn't quite get the hang of it !! So I now play Cajon instead,and am loving it !!

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 12:31 PM

Leadfingers. No, the bodhrán seems to go way back, but its use was mainly and mercifully confined to parties of wren boys until Sean O' Riada incorporated it into Ceoltóirí Chualann in the 1960s. Indeed, I may be wrong, but I think the first real public airing it got was in the sountrack of the film Playboy of the Western World, for which O' Riada arranged the music.

Crane driver. Wise words. The reason most people, me included, have come to detest the bodhrán is simply that it's all too often seen as an easy option by people who aren't capable of playing anything else. The result is that bodhráns are typically too loud, badly played and far too numerous.

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 12:28 PM

Frame drums have been used all over the world for a long time.

It's the bad players who make people dislike it, in the right hands it's a pretty good instrument.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 12:25 PM

No particular feelings one way or another - but I once heard a bodhran player start to join in with three women singing Babes in the Wood. At the time I thought the idea crass (and the singers soon gave him "the look") but now ... well, it's a very broad church out in folkspace, and such a combo might be thought of as innovative. Which reminds me of the Geiger Brothers (anyone remember them?) Gary on lead bodhran, Garth on rhythm bodhran, Glenn on bass bodhran and Jonathan Ague on drums. Their 'Shadows Walk" as priceless.

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 12:09 PM

Surely the Bodhran , like the Bazouki has only recently become an Irish instrument !

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 11:06 AM

Depends how well you play it. The fact that you are 'thinking of learning to play' is a good sign - too many people seem to think you don't need to learn, you just hit it.

Don't try to play along with everything. And don't join in when there is already lots of percussion - I saw one festival 'session' with one fiddler and six bodhrans - not a good mix.

Of course there will be banter and insults - the bodhran is one of the instruments that is traditionally maligned, like the banjo and accordion. Played well, they can really lift the music - played badly, they can swamp it.

So it's not an English folk instrument? Neither is the guitar. It's what you do with it that counts.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 11:02 AM

Apooologies fer the appaulling speeling abuve!

Subject: RE: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 10:59 AM

I don't think anyone would bitch about it being an Irish instrument in an English folk setting. I don't think, in tgeneral, that we're that parochial!

It's not *that* different to a tabor, after all.

I think what upsets people is the bodhran being plpayed *badly* , as it often is. When it's over-intrusive, or not following the music (the bodhran should follow the music, not give the beat to it)then it can ruin a song or tue very quickly.

So I reckon it would be welcome...IF you learn to play it properly in private before trying it out in public!!!

Subject: Do folk people like the Bodhran?
From: GUEST,FraggleRock
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 10:21 AM

I'm thinking of learning the Bodhran, but I'm wondering how it will be received.

I mainly mix in English folk circles, and don't want to be criticised every time I get an Irish instrument out.

So, my question basically is: Would it be welcomed or frowned upon?