bodhrans in sessions

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 12:08 PM

I know that I am interrupting y'alls little hatefest, but it seems to me that many people dislike the bodhran because they have never heard it played right.

I wish I could give you a link to a video I came across where a man was doing it wrong. It was in a pub, and the drum was much too dry. It had all the resonance of a piece of 1/4-inch plywood. (It didn't help that every instrument was out of tune with every other.)

Here's a link to how a bodhran should sound:

not too wet and not too dry

Notice the resonance? Notice the audience getting quiet and listening?

We see 'Milwaukee' in the background. That's my hometown.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 12:27 PM

"I know that I am interrupting y'alls little hatefest,"

Not me leeneia, just as valid as anything else that people bring to group music. Can bring great tone, drama and rhythm. I am also keen fan of the spoons.

Everyone brings joy to a session, some when they arrive and some when they leave. Now where is my banjo?

L in C

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Stu
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 12:54 PM

"No the english are."

Oh dear.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: maeve
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 01:31 PM

I love the sound of a well-played bodhran. I'm aiming for that sound in my own playing. My post was a tongue-in-cheek suggestion as to how I myself might be able to keep on practicing my developing bodhran skills while my broken arm heals. I have great respect for my bodhran teacher; thus the reference to "a tipper of the hat"

There are several musicians posting here who are seeing the humour without being put off by the ignorance that occasionally trickles in.
My policy is to ignore the malicious or blatently obnoxious posts; preferring to beat my drum rather than other people with whose opinions I differ.

Respectfully,

maeve

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: gnu
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 03:32 PM

Ya know... I have the utmost respect for Kelly... he is a fine player, and his Hran is amazing (ya don't get a goat like that every day).

But, it did stike me as I watched that vid... forgive me if this sounds a tad uppity... that sometimes, non-Hraners might be just a wee jealous of the fact that someone like Kelly can elicit such a myriad of tone and tune from "just bangin on a drum."

Hran on! >;-)

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 07:19 AM

A surfeit of any instrument can be detrimental.
A dominant instrument can be just as annoying. You want a list?
A badly played instrument kills the atmosphere.

But as for giving-up a seat for a prima donna.
When they prop their violin case on the seat you want, or put it on the floor so there is nowhere for your feet. Courtesy is a two way street.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:00 AM

I play the bodhran and guitar and think that people should be able to play whatever insterment they want execpt eletric guitars and banjos becasue I beleive that a banjo is just a bodhran with strings and the same with fiddle players one sounds the same as another and tit for me a bit boring but then you get these folk music snobs who think that they are better than everyone else and then they come on to this website and tell everyone about how snobish they are

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Stu
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:06 AM

The best bodhran player I have ever seen (apart from my best mate Den) is Martin O'Neill, who plays with Julie Fowlis. He's a sublime player, non-intrusive and sensitive, allowing the tune to come to the fore. He also got an actual tune out of his drum; something many claim to be able to do, but he's the only one I've ever seen doing it.

The good players know the tunes, and generally play another instrument as well as the bodhran.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: skarpi
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:25 AM

Hallo all ,

I play guitar and Bodhrán , and I learned in a session I went to
in Newcastle C-down in N-Ireland , in a pub called Mahara-inn ,
that the bodhrán is not a lead instrument and I should always
start to play after the first bar : also I play soft on the drum
and not with heavy sound .

I do not go to many session ,but we do have a sessions in Reykjavik
once a week now and one of the Bodhrán players is bothering me when I play and sing on my guitar , but I try not to get to him , but I have asked him to listen and play a little softer . :>) .

and other thing why should I stand up or give up my seat ??
why dont people just come in earlier ??

skarpi

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:47 AM

have not heard of good manners

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:54 AM

some people including me don't drive so we have to reliy on public transport or else ask some how is going to the session if they can give you a lift so please don't assume that everyone has a car becuase some of us don't and if there a seat then give them one if not then tell them where the seats are ist's known as good manners. Why are some people really rude, I smetimes feel like giving them a good slap with my bodhran stick, but then their brain(if they've got one!) would understand this.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Megan L
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:57 AM

Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Skarpi knows he is one of the gentlest and most mannerly men ever to enter the mudcat.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:31 AM

if you're at a session and there are seats there then it's good manners to give up you seat I would, wouldn't you.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:38 AM

what has your comment got to do with bodhran players at sessions

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:44 AM

"I'm seeing a lot less squadrons of bodhrans than I used to (around Edinburgh)."

Ah Ha Jack, so Llig's message must be getting through to folks up there! ;-)

Cheers
Dick

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: skarpi
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:49 AM

Why are some people really rude,good manner s ??

now listen Goatfell , if read my message again , and I am sorry
I forgit to tell that when Bodhran is not lead instrument then we dont need to sit in the front do we ??

I am not rude and yes I know good manners and I always stand for older people when I travel by bus ,, but when chair is needed in session I simply get another chair for you , such an easy way :>)

what has your comment got to do with bodhran players at sessions

first I play bodhran , I dont sit in the front , I always respect those who play the tunes , I never start play until they have finished
the first bar ,

Like I said , I am not rude , and I know my manners , so like I said read my message again .

So Goatfell , I dont know from witch side of the bed you went this morning , but I hope you have a good day . :>)

all the best from Skarpi

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 12:52 PM

Here a last minute clip of Mance Grady ending the Berkely Percussion Festival.

Barry

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: Geoff Wallis
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 01:29 PM

'and the same with fiddle players one sounds the same as another'

Dearie me!

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 01:52 PM

Barry.... that link will not work for me. Last I heard from Mance was on one of his tapes. Fine technician. I saw him in Boston many years ago... much better live than any recordings. Then again, that's usually the way.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: terrier
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 02:22 PM

Re Mance Grady.. how did he do that? Brilliant! I suppose it's like any other instrument, some people can and some can't.
I was in Scotland some years ago working with HarmoniumHero(John Kelly). We were in a pub having an afternoon drink and the barman was trying to accompany some piped music on a Bod, not making a very good job of it. Kelly was staring at him and eventually the guy gives the Bod to John and says "can you do any better". John may not be as good as Mance Grady, but he gave the barman a lesson on what you CAN do with a one sided drum if you practice. The barman took in good humour and stumped up some free drinks for us.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: maire-aine
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 02:43 PM

I'd like to echo what Skarpi said. Sugarfoot Jack, what exactly is eating you? Is there some particular incident, or have you seen some trend involving bodhran players that you want to draw to people's attention?

Regards,
Mary

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 03:01 PM

"John may not be as good as Mance Grady..."

Here now... none of that. Hranners don't say those kinds of things eh?

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: terrier
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 03:36 PM

Oops! Did I speak out of turn? :)

Why is a Bodhran better than a Boomarang?

When you throw a Bodhran stick, it DOESN'T come back!

That's just a poor joke, OK, no offence :)

As a piano accordeonist, I've taken a lot of stick over the years at sessions, if it's not too big and taking up too much room, it's playing in the wrong key for the melodeons, etc.etc. As far as bods go (Should I be calling them Hrans now?)a poor player can be a real pain but I'd happily have a good Bodhran player sitting next to me in a session, no reason why they should be relegated to the back of the room.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 04:04 AM

thank you Skarpi.

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: goatfell
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 04:05 AM

I didn't realize that you were a bodhran player too, better that banjos (bodhrans with strings)

Subject: RE: bodhrans in sessions
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 02:29 PM

I LOVE IT! Thanks Kendall.