My Bodhran is too tight

Subject: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Michael Dill
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:32 PM

My tuneable Bodhran from Seamus Keane is too thight even if the inner ring is totally loose. The German air is too dry and I always have to put some water on it if I want to have a good sound. Is there any possibility to loosen the skin permanent?

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: alison
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 09:43 PM

Hi,

I have the same problem here in the summer. I bought an Australian made tuneable becasue my Irish made one just hated the climate over here (played beautifully in Ireland.. still plays beautifully over here when it rains!!). In the winter and cooler weather it plays fine..... but in hot weather I have to loosen all the screws completely, and give it lots of water...... I don't know if you can loosen the skin permanently..... but to honest I'd wait a few seasons anyway .... it may play just fine at other times of the year.....

here's an earlier thread...

bodhran making - a tale of woe

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: MissMac
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 12:17 AM

I found that I have to condition my nontuneable bodhran with a good leather conditioner every two months when it is hot and dry out during the winter it is fine. I make sure that the skin is at a nice playing pitch prior to applying the conditoner and it seems to work. I have never seen a tuneable so I don't know if this would work for you or not. MissMac

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: O'Boyle
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 04:33 AM

Remo makes synthetic bodhran heads. They sound very good and have a consistent sound. The one drummer that truly like to play with keeps one around for when he can't get the natural one just right.

Rick

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: John Moulden
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 08:48 AM

Putting water on a skin to loosen it only works in the short term. In the end the skin gets even tighter because the oils are taken out of it. A good leather conditioner or even goose grease applied sparingly will slowly improve things. Even in Ireland (which is where I am) a skin needs care.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: PeteFletcher
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 09:49 AM

Hi, Leather conditioner is a good idea, but be careful how much you use or you could make the leather too soft. Taken to the extreme this would mean the leather kept on stretching until it split. I treat mine with hide food sparingly about twice a year.

Peter

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 08:14 PM

Am so glad some one started this thread; I have always used water on my nontuneable (ie, standard); the one time I tried lanolin-based skin cream on it, it got all greasy (not fatally, just didn't seem right). What is hide food, and where do you get it?

--MA

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Jack Hickman - Kingston, ON
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 08:43 PM

I have always used water to loosen my bodhran skin, usually by means of a spritzer, which distributes the water evenly and doesn't appoly too much.

Although I have yet to try it, I am told that the best treatment for a goatskin is "neats-foot" oil. It is an old-fashioned bootleather conditioner, and contains no foreign substances like silicone, which has a tendency to dry the skin. That's one of the problems with mink oil, which is often recommended for making the skin more supple.

I'm looking forward to reading the various recommendations which I am sure will come on this thread.

Keep the Faith.

Jack Hickman

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: PJ
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 09:57 PM

I am a student of Chris Caswell (of Caswell Carnahan fame) and Cormak Gannon (of Orla and the Gasmen) both are amazing bodhran players with very different styles.

Chris also makes bodhrans (along with harps and other instruments) and his advice to me has been olive oil on my newest drum, unitl it's broken in well. (My husband jokes that I should rub it in with a clove of garlic. I say the bodhran itself repels people without any help, thank you.)

Cormak uses water only, never oil, but living in San Francisco his drum benefits from the fog...

So when I'm playing in the city I use a drum that responds well to humid climates, or a synthetic head that doesn't care. Out of town I've loved the results of the olive oil treatment.

Hope this helps--

PJ

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:09 PM

Try a touch of basil, half a teaspoon of oregano, and a bit of fennel mixed in a quarter cup of red wine added to your olive oil and garlic. At least a dozen dagos like myself will pounce upon you and devour your bodhran. Your problem is solved and there's one less bodhran.(:})

catspaw

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: PJ
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:38 PM

OH MY!

That's awfully bold talk from a marsupial molester...

I'm sitting here trying to imagine the flatulent forthcomings of bodhran feeding frenzy. I can't begin to imagine, can you? Oh, probably so, I forgot; you play dulcimer... :) =O :)

PJ

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 11:27 PM

Yeah, and even worse...I BUILD them!!!

catspaw

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:06 AM

Hide Food is a lanolin-based creamy white leather conditioner made by Connolly Leather Ltd., London. I used it on the leather seats in my 1964 Rover sedan, and it kept them looking good until I got rid of the car in 1995. Hide Food is available in the U.S. at your local Rolls Royce dealer's parts dept. It is great stuff -- follow the directions and "apply it sparingly and often."

Bark Woof

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: alison
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 01:54 AM

OK....

Sparingly and often, but to which side? or both?

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 03:31 AM

I dunno, I just know about Hide Food, not bodrans. Maybe Peter Fletcher (above) can tell us...

Bark

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: PeteFletcher
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:28 AM

Hello again, Yes, that's the stuff - Connolly's hide food. I get it from a saddler's shop. OK to apply often to leather upholstry, but as I said above, don't use it too often on your drum skin. As to which side to apply it - I rub it onto the outside (playing side) but I don't know why.

Cheers Peter

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Margo
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 10:54 AM

Shouldn't it be "hyde" food?

I find all this very interesting because I am planning on buying a bodhran at the end of this month. We will be driving up to Canada and spending some time in Seattle. Of course this means a trip to Lark in the Morning. Not knowing anything about bodhrans, I wonder if some of you might give me tips on buying one......

Margarita

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:53 PM

I've been to Lark in the Morning's Mendicino store, but didn't know there were any others. After reading Margarita's note, I went to Lark in the Morning's website where I read up on bodrans (I didn't know they were Celtic drums -- I thought they were something that Indian women wore, and I first entered this thread hoping to study pictures of women wearing too-tight bodrans [for educational purposes]). Now I've learned the truth, thank you.

Bark

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mike Cahill
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 01:27 PM

You can make your own neets foot oil. From your friendly local slaughter house get three or four calves feet boil them up for a couple of hours and skim off the oil and fat that floats to the top filter this and allow to cool. It should seperate into a fat that hardens and an oil this is neets foot oil keep it in a jar with an air tight lid

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 01:38 PM

Thanks Mike. Sounds charming. I'll keep mine in the next county!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 07:56 PM

The oil, the slaughterhouse, the boiling vats, or the bodhran? (answer "e"--all of the above)

catspaw

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 08:11 PM

Never having heard a bodhran (are we blessed or damned in the Bay Area), all my opinions of them are gained from you other Mudphoaks: they are somewhat lower on the evolutionary scale than even banjos or accordions. So maybe the best thing to do is to remove the head entirely and play air-bodhran. --seed

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Bev Lawton
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 08:41 PM

I have been reparing and making bodrhans for a while now and the best substance I know to "feed" a skin is "LIQUID NIKWAX" this is a natural liquid wax that is actually used for high quality leather walking boots but it is used on all leather/skins in UK. It will be readily absorbed by a drum skin apply liberally from the OUTSIDE PLAYING surface - wipe any excess off. You do not need to do this often - every 3/4 months - too often will soften the skin and cause it to rip at the edges. One thing you can do to temporarily ease a skin is to keep a potatoe cut in half in the drum bag (it does work honest!). This problem vary's with the skin type and ther tends to be two popular skins used for bodrhans : 1. Calf Skin - this is thinner and dryer - tends to be on the cheaper drums - this is usually used on all the painted "celtic" drums flogged to the poor unsuspecting public/tourist trade! 2. Goat Skin - this is far thicker,resonant and hold the moisture better. This is usually left plain on drums as you can see it is a much better skin and less translucent than Calf's. 3. My personal favorite is actuall Deer skin as it is thicker still and produces a lovely LOW resonance. One method to loosen a PERMANTLY tight skin is to soak the skin untill it is very loose - tighten the tuning ring until it is HALF extended - allow the skin to dry naturally - ie NOT in the sun! If it is a new drum/skin I would not advise this as it will get a lot looser with playing. The only really permanent solution to thi problem is to move the skin on the rim. Take heart it is not a difficult job - it just needs care. A. If the drum has a cloth/wood/metal band holding the skin/covering the nails it has to be removed. B. Use a flat bladed implement such as a screwdriver etc Hold the drum with the skin facing/touching your belly so that the screwdriver gets pushed AWAY from you and more importantly THE SKIN OF THE DRUM! C. Slide the blade under the band and the nails and prise gently upwards (remember/mark the drum where the band split starts) D. You need to prise the nails up from the skin now. E. It is hard to do this in the same direction as removing the band ie with the skin towards your belly. You will need to VERY GENTLY wiggle the blade between the drum rim and the skin under the tack/nail head and lever it GENTLY upwards to get the tack up. It is better to angle the blade along the rim rather than at ninety degrees from the open end of the drum towards the skin ( a slip at 90 deg tends to mean the blade shoots forward THRU the skin - THIS SHOULD BE AVOIDED!!! ) If you angle the blade at approx 0 - 30 deg to the rim then a slip tends to just dig/tear at the edge of the skin and no real problem occurs. F. You may tear the skin over a few tacks - this will not matter as you need to use a combination of old and new holes when replacing the skin any way. G. Once all the nails are out you have two options. i. If the rim edge the skin folds over is a 90 deg all you need to do is to round the corner off approx 1/4 inch and replace the skin IN THE SAME POSITION. Continue from J. ii. If already rounded you need to move the skin. TO MOVE THE SKIN H. Soak the skin totally in water for approx half an hour. I. Squeeze skin dry - pat dry with a cloth. J. There will be a mark where the skin bent over the rim make sure you start tacking the skin about 1/8 - 3/16 inch TOWARDS the rim edge using this mark as a guide. K. Tack the next bit of the skin OPPOSITE the first tack ie accross the diameter. L. Next tack should be at 90 deg ie quarter from the first/second tack. M. You just keep halfing the distance between the tacks and then do the opposite side. N. Use a combination of existing tack holes in the skin and new ones. O. When all the tacks are done replace the rim band. P. Tighten the tuning band to HALF ITS extension and let the skin dry naturally. You should now be able to tune/detune the drum properly. Regards, Bev Lawton.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: PJ
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 09:49 PM

Sir Seed-- Blessed or damned in the Bay Area is a subjective question, why not make an informed decision after hearing some good local sessions? Tonight at the Starry Plough in Berkeley for instance! There's a regular named Bruce who knows the business end of a goatskin and I'll be there with my drum as well. It's a friendly session that welcomes newcomers, just check in with Shay Black if you know Irish tunes and want to play. Or come down for a pint and get a feel for the place, then bring the weapon of your choice next time. 3101 Shattuck Ave. (2 blocks South of Ashby in Berkeley) Roughly 8 pm - midnight Sundays.

Other bodhran venues include the Front Room, Plough and Stars, An Bodhran, Johnny Foley's, Durty Nelly's and the Abbey Tavern (all in SF). I highly recommend hearing Cormak Gannon (of Orla and the Gasmen) Saturday 6/26 at The Front Room. I'll give you directions tonight if I see ya.

Cheers The Bodhran Identity (PJ)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 11:17 PM

Well, mine is not a bodhran, it's a Native American drum about 14-16 inches across. It gets really dry here, all of the time, but I have it in the roomw ith all of my houseplants where the humidity is at least 50%, so it doesn't get too, too dry.

After reading some of the above, I am sure it is cow skin. About a year after I got it, it developed what looked like a tear at the edge, which ctarted to extend up onto the head. A NA whom I met at a fair, told me to put water on it, stretch it down over the rim, some more, then bind it all the way round with cord. That didn't seem to work very well.

I do have it bound round; I never have to dry it under a lamp or moisten it to get good sound; it always has good sound, but I am worried about the tear extending even further.

I have a small stick, kind of like the short one used on bodhrans, which I play it like a bodhran with, and a longer, trad. NA one.

Do any of you think the remedies above might work on it, too? I like the idea of olive oil. Am wondering if I'll have to scrap the head all together, for a new one; or get a smaller rim?

I even use it to play syncopation with a cd I have of dumbek playing, which is awesome in itself.

BTW, Catspaw, dulcimers, huh? Do you have them on any kind of website? Do you make harps, too, the kind with strings:-) I am interested in a small Celtic harp and bet's offered to trade her unused cello for one! She's a great big sister!

Thanks. This is really interesting.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:46 AM

Gee, PJ, you bodhran players have thin skins (that sounds like a bumper sticker). We banjo players are well accustomed to the good-natured put-downs*: Why did the banjo player sit and stare at his instrument for six straight hours? He was trying to figure out why it had all those wires above the fifth fret.

I got your message too late to plan for tonight, but next Sunday I'll try to make it. Should be no problem--as another teacher, I have Mondays off for a while. And I'll pass the word on to other local Mudcateers. --seed

*I guess they're good natured.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: PJ
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 02:52 AM

Glad to hear you'll be coming down next Sunday, guess I'll see you at Quinn's before then. I told several folks about Mudcat tonight, so we may hear from some other Bay Area folk on these threads soonly.

Don't worry for a minute about the thickness of my skin when it comes to bodhran ribbing-- I definately take it in good fun. For me it comes with the territory like blonde jokes and Southern jokes. I'm a one-stop, full-service joke opportunity center. Fortunately for me, I don't get most of 'em-- I either get confused by y'alls funny accent or I can't hear over the bodhran playing.

Personal favorites include:

How do you know a blonde has been using the computer? White-out on the screen.

If a married couple in Georgia get divorced, are they still legally brother and sister?

What's the correct instrument to play a bodhran with? An open pen knife.

It's all funny to you folks until a crime is committed: Tonight at the session I left my bodhran in the car (unlocked) for just a minute. Somebody broke in and left another one. ba da BUM (rim shot)

Got plenty of olive oil for my thin skin, take your best shot buddy... :)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: alison
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 04:00 AM

Margarita,

Don't buy one that is too big..... ideally if you are sitting down it should fit comfortably, partially into your armpit, (physically impossible with the big ones).

I like a 16 inch one myself (I can hear you giggling.. no comments please**grin**).... although 14 inches is pretty good and my 12 inch one is beautiful to play and has a really good skin to work. The 18 inch ones are too big for me... and I have seen some women my size (ie not very big) trying to play 24 inch drums........ and they simply can't do it!

Next question... do you want to play sitting down or standing up? If you want to stand you will need a cross piece (or two) to make it easier to hold the drum, this has the disadvantage that you have to avoid the cross pieces to "work" the skin on the inside of the drum. If you plan to sit... you don't necessarily need the cross pieces..... I do a bit of both, so I compromise and have only one cross piece.

Hope this helps

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Margo
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:36 AM

Thanks, Alison. Yes it does help. I want the option of sitting or standing, so I will pay attention to your advice. It's always nice when you go into the shop to have something to compare to what the sales person tells you! Margarita

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Alan B
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:49 AM

What a shame.
I thought this would be about a comic song like Charlie Drake's "My boomerang won't come back". I've read through all the contributions, and its actually about tight bodhrans!!
Clear oppotunity for a humourist here!

Alan B

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:54 AM

Ahhh, my Fair Alison, and don't I just love it when you talk this way.................LOL.

I love hearing all these opinions from so many bodhran players. It is a great instrument, the heartbeat of the Celts, and I am currently getting ready to buy a new tuneable from a brilliant drum maker in Canada, Fred Halpin. On my non-tuneable I use the skin preparation wax that Malachy Kearns (Also known as Malachy Bodhran) markets. It is a great preparation that conditions the drum nicely and keeps the skin with that wonderful low tone that I love so well. It is available through Elderly Instruments website. (www.elderly.com)

If you are going to buy a drum, it is a good idea to find out what the conditions are like where it was made and try to get one that is made in the same approximate conditions that you are in for the most part. This is why the Fair Alison's Irish drum is not all that thrilled with Oz.

Enjoy your drum. They are a versatile instrument, that will awaken a very old part of your soul, if you will let it.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:56 AM

Yep-- lotsa straight lines here. I'm still grinning at the thought of running down to my local Rolls-Royce dealer!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Dizzie
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:24 PM

Being a Scot I've always used some Dubbin on the old bodhran. What's the difference between a bodhran player and a chiropodist. The chiropodist bucks up the feet whilst a bodhran player.......... Dizzie

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 09:56 PM

I've never used anything on my bodhrans.The older & smaller of the two that I still have (a Mance Grady drum, from Rhode Island) is an 18" & now something around 20 years old. It travelled all over the U.S., Ireland & a stint on the Hawaiian Islands. I always carried an industrial heat gun & oiled it only with human oil from my hand when playing. My newer drum (maybe 4 yrs. old now), a 20" Grady with tuneable ring & slide bar, gets the same oil treatment. Both goat skins were healthy & hand picked by Mance & from decent & honorable families.
Alison, no giggles here. My 20" is great & if I'm ever in Oz you'd be welcome to a go on it. It's got a bit deeper of a sound than usual but that's what Mance was aiming for knowing my preference. This big drum can also have a gentle, soft or sharp sound even though it's size may be decieiving. It's range is greater than most I've played. Multi rim shots on the outer side & the inner side a well as playing the rim I find a bit better, maybe because the surface isn't as round as on a smaller drum. I'm not a big guy (5'5") so I don't think the petite would have a problem with it, maybe some adjusting & getting used to it's size in the begining is all. Because of the slide bar (see on the Bodhran Page under Grady) using the inner hand for backslaping becomes a style on it's own.

One more comment. If you're going to oil it, stay natural, chemicals &/or beer will eventually break down the skin.

Happy druming, Barry

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: alison
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 04:25 AM

Barry,

Which bodhran page?

I used dubbin once on one of my old ones.. and it left it slimey for ages.. didn't like it at all...... anyone tried avocado or jojoba oil?..... absorbs easily for massage... might not be as greasy as olive oil......... and no I haven't tried it on the bodhran yet...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 10:01 AM

I can't take it anymore. I've been reading this sucker for days and you've got some great suggestions, but this thread name is killing me.

Your bodhran is too tight? So are my underwear. Let's throw BOTH away!!!

Your bodhran is too tight? I know it's Irish, but give it some coffee and suggest AA meetings.

Your bodhran is too tight? Lose some weight and see if that doesn't help the fit.

Your bodhran is too tight? You're supposed to play it, not wear it you dumbass!

Your bodhran is too tight? Tell it a few jokes and see if it doesn't loosen up some.

I'll stop.....I'm feeling much better now......please accept my apologies.

catspaw (I didn't even mention the "thight" part)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Margo
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 10:35 AM

I like that Dizzie. It reminds me of a similar joke: What's the difference between a rooster and a lawyer? The rooster clucks defiance!

So am I to understand that oiling the skin is something that is done to keep it in good condition, the tight problem notwithstanding?

Margarita

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Fadac
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 10:35 AM

I heard someplace that bodhran is "headache" in old Irish.

-Fadac

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 02:15 PM

I seem to hear a voice across the Irish Caribbean lagoon...
"My bodhran is too tight, dear Liza (no, better make that Mary)...."
"Then oil it dear Michael....."
"With what....."
"With jojoba, dear Michael.."
Well, it could win Eueovision Song Contest! :)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 02:47 PM

Femme Fatale (Back of hand across forehead in a languishing way: "My bodhran is too tight." (sigh)

Handsome, dark stranger, with a black mustache, weilding a finely tuned tiple: "Oh, my dear...let me loosen it for you!(Uses the finely tuned tiple's "cutting edge" to slash the lacing of her "bodhran.) There does that feel better?" (Fondles her impossibly full, red tresses, which spill down across her shoulder, shielding her oh-so-creamy upper bosom)

Femme Fatale (small gasp of surprise, followed by a sigh of anticipation): Oh! My hero! Whatever would I do without you?"

Stranger: "Why, mia amore, what you have always done! Wait for me, until I return from the deeds of daring and fortune that I must do! Wait for me, as I ride my steed, Trusty, throughout the countryside ridding the land of vermin by strumming the luscious, hypnotic tones of my tiple, while I lead them into the ocean! Wait for me, cara mia, and when I come, your bodhran will be loose, I shall sweep you off your feet, into my arms (at this he slings the tiple over his shoulder, so that the strap holds it across his back), and Trusty, my steed, shall carry us off into the blazing red of the setting sun.

Femme Fatale (tears glistening in her eyes, one gently rolls down her incredibly high cheekbone) (another gasp): OH! Must I? What if the el calde comes to ravish me? Me, with my bodhran already loosened by your hand? Me, who has already waited and waited, drying up like an old woman with a too dry and too tight bodhran! How long must I wait for you to finish with this ridiculous obesssion of yours about tiplaying and rodent drowning!?? Oh! I warn you, Stranger, mio amore, do not leave me, again for long, as in the days of past. For, I'll not be here. The el calde knows full well how to loosen and loooo-bree-cate a bodhran as well as you! Perhaps he is even the better ravisher! Perhaps we shall see if this is true, should you leave my side again! (She flounces off to the other side of the room, looking out the window, and furiously fanning herself with a beautiful Spanish fan.)

Stranger (Working his jaw, pulsing with fury and desire, strides over to the Femme Fatale, grabs her in his arms and kisses her long on the lips): Madame, perhaps that will win your patience! May the taste and fury of my love linger on your lips of rosy hue. May your bodhran stay loose and ready for my return. I shall return and you shall be here, for I promise you I love you and without you and your loosened bodhran, I will follow the rats into the sea! Farewell, mia cara, and remember....if you choose to quench your passion and loosen your bodhran for any other, in the night you shall hear the haunting strains of my tiple, forever reminding you of the Stranger who loved you and went into the sea!"

(Up violins, romantic tones drifing into silence as the screen closes to a shot of stranger walking into the sea with his tiple strung across his back)

kat, who either will make a fortune writing romance novels or will go to Hollywood (NOT!)Heehee

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Fadac
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:22 PM

Kat,

Whisper is a Belgin, right?

Methinks perhaps that Femme Fatale, needs her Bodhran adjusted.

I think there is a song about an old German clock winder that could do the adjustments.

Then they rode off to the Butcher dance.

Didn't I see this on a Simpsons show?

-Fadac

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:26 PM

Fadac,

Sorry, I've not been reading the Belgian thread and who is Whisper? You're probably right about FF needing an adjustment and a clock winder might just do!

Oh, and I nev-ah plagarise! Perish the thought! I always watch the Simpsons, Lisa is my role model, but I've nev-ah, nev-ah seen such an episode, I swear!

kat

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Bert
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:29 PM

Nice one Roger. Too good for The Eurivision Song Contest.

KatL, Is that 'The pied Tiplayer of Wyoming?'

Bert.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:31 PM

Tsk! You found me out, Bert! Yes, a little known historical figure of Wyoming, originally from South of the Border.

How's your wife's mother?

kat

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Bert
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:35 PM

She's a lot better, thanks. Looks like I might get my wife back soon.

Bert.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Fadac
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 04:26 PM

For some reason I thought that Whisperer, was the name of our hero's steed. But I guess the name is Trusty, (sigh).

This reminds me of a short story.

Seems that there was this kight in the days of old. A brave hearted knight, but he only stood 3'2. Rather short even in the old days. They just could not find a sutiable mount for Sir Shorty, so they saddled up the Kings St. Banard, Trixie, and sent them out to do good deeds.

Sir Shorty hadn't been on the road a week, living rough, when a terable storm hit the land. It rained, it hailed (no one answered the hail.) it snowed, it sleeted, and the wind blew, and it was very cold too.

Sir Shorty, was out when he found an Inn. So he pushed the door open and came from out to in. (Yes, and Trixie too.)

Huge puddles of mud, snow, water, and all such muck fell upon the Inn's floor. The Innkeeper said, "I'm sorry but we are full up, every room is being used."

Sir Shorty, looked at the Innkeeper with sad eyes, Trixie looked with even sadder eyes, and drool.

"Aw, what to heck, I just can't send a knight out on a dog like that."

-Fadac

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 04:31 PM

Cute! Verrrryy cute!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 05:25 PM

Kat my dear, I love you like a sister, and just because of that, I will give you two weeks in my personal, permanent room at the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed........pack your tiple and enjoy yourself.

catspaw

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 05:47 PM

Ooooo, 'Spaw, if it's full of terminally screwed men, I don't know if it would do me any good! Hehehe!

BTW, did ya get my message?

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 02:47 AM

Now I think MY bodran is too thight thoo. Especially after reading Kat's stheamy passage.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Night Owl
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 03:17 AM

giggle!!!! Great sthory katL. now can you make it into a ballad and set it to music?? Catspaw could play "romantic tunes" on the possum for the final verse.....maybe.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Molly Malone
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 03:56 PM

Ok, I found this when I went to post on it, and I have a suggestion for people in dry weather...

I live in Phoenix, and it doesn't get any drier than here. We also play 8 weekend a year outdoors all day! My hubby and I have gone through 5 bodhrans in a year...and we've tried just about everything.

Lansinoh. It is pure lanolin, nothing else. Yes, you have to work it into the drum for a good long while, and you want to do it on the inside of the drum, or when you wet it water will bead up on the top. Also, make sure you use it on the outside egde, where the tacks hold the skin down... that area tends to get overlooked, and takes the most strain.

Where do I find this stuff, you may ask? Baby care isle. You'll figure out why when you get there.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 04:00 PM

I LOVE it when you all bring back these old threads, I get to *see* some of the people you all miss so much. And all the fun and knowledge that piles up in the corners.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Molly Malone
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 04:16 PM

ROTFLMAO
I just had a drum reskinned, and they said to only wet the middle of the skin, it's Pakistani goat.

Maybe I'm dense, but....meh???

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST,Rich(stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn'tknowanybet
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 05:40 PM

Better off tochange the humidity in the room if you can. Myself, I have a tuneable 14" Albert Alfonso bodhran from Dallas, TX (just where you'd expect to find a good Irish drum), and I have yet to find a room dry enough to render it unplayable. Margarita, if you're serious about the bodhran, Albert's the way to go but he's expensive ($390+s&h), so I would recommend him as a "just to see if I like it" drum. You can find him through celticmusic.com. His website includes pictures, testimonials from everyone from Mark Stone to Tommy Hayes to Johnny McDonagh himself! You will like the drum he sends you. Be warned you'l be on the phone with him alot longer than you plan to, he's a real character. If you have any more ?? you can reach me at [e-mail] Rich

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 05:56 PM

Neetsfoot note...

If yer gonna get it, don't buy it from a music store!

When I bought my bodhran from teh ottawa Folklore Centre, they tried to seel me a vial of the stuff for 10 bucks...
Fortunatly the guy at the cash register whisperd to me not to get it and followed me outside...

STOP SNIGGERING!!!!!!! I can hear ya all from here!! LOL!!

He was a bodhran player himself and andvised me to hit a tack & harness or fare supply shop... I bought a Liter and a half for under 20 bucks... and I still have tonnes of it... I have a feeling that this bottle is gonna oput live the drum!

Just tossing in my 0.02

{~`

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Troll
Date: 24 Feb 00 - 07:14 PM

I always thought that the best thing to loosen(?) a bodhrans head was a razor blade.

Seriously,for some reason neetsfoot oil is hard to find here in north central Fla. Thanx for the idea of a tack store. I never even thought of that. DUH!

troll

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 04:04 AM

I really gotta learn to type!!!

*sigh* {~`

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 06:14 AM

390 dollars for a bodhran!!?! I'm changing jobs immediately!

mcmoo

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Troll
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 07:33 AM

Theres one born every minute.But we shouldn't be too hard on them.After all, they ARE drummers.(bodhran players, I mean)

troll

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 09:10 AM

Well Troll beat me too it, however, I would add, before trying the razor blade, you may wish to back your car over it a few times while chanting the name, Seamus Ennis.
Tom Clancy used to offer to piss on tight bodhrans, when he himself was in the same condition, thought I never took him up on the offer.
Larry

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Molly Malone
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 10:22 AM

It's kinda hard to change the humidity (or lack thereof) outside, where I do most of my playing.

$390 for a bodhran??? Hell, you could buy a goat for that, can't you? You could skin several bodhrans! Hell, you could tatoo the thing before you skin it so that the pattern doesn't come off when you play! I pay $80, and then when I break a head I pay $30-35.

Molly
(whodoesn'tbuy patternbodhransbecauseshegoesthroughskinstooquickly

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 11:15 AM

Troll ~~~~ the razor blade method does not work . I repeat does not work. Is there anyone out there that can tell me how to patch a small 1/2 inch slit in a bodhran head?

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Molly Malone
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 01:24 PM

Don't try the fiber glass repair kit...doesn't work...but duct tape does!!! Doesn't look pretty, but by golly it works until you can get it reskinned/get a new one.

Gaffer tape works ok, but you have to replace often...it doesn't hold up to waterings and it's not great in the heat.

Athletic tape works well, too. Stands up to waterings better than gaff...

Yes, I've tried all of these. Like I said, we go through about 3 heads/year average.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Troll
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 01:34 PM

If it's a skin head, take a piece of hihe from a broken head and wet it; this will cause it to stretch. While it's still damp, attach it over the slit with HIDE glue.As the skin dries, it will pull the slit together.

troll

p.s. the razor blade does work. the head is slackened and there is the added advantage that the Bodhran cannot be played.

pax

troll

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Molly Malone
Date: 25 Feb 00 - 01:39 PM

You don't have to play the head, you know.

The base works well, too...hell, at that rate, PaulKnight plays on pizza pans, walls, chairs, guitars, lead singers...

Hey! They deserve it.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: DonMeixner
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 08:47 AM

This advice is all well and good but what does one do when their Sporran is too tight?

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: sophocleese
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 09:35 AM

Yes Don that is a problem. When the sporran is too tight there's not enough room for the tipper to work to its full capacity. After several experiments we have discovered that hide glue or duct tape are NOT helpful in this situation but soaking in water to let things soften is useful, at least until you can get acquire a new sporran, or loosen the buckles on the old one.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Troll
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 10:01 AM

If yer sporran is too tight it could be a sign that ya need to put down the beer, turn off the computer, and go get some exercize.I would not suggest such draconian measures under normal conditions, but that's what my Wife just told ME to do (not the beer 'cause I don't drink)and I'll be damned if YOU get to stay online,Don, while I am being dragged off to the health club!

troll

Coming Dear!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST,Spider tom
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 05:11 AM

On the subject of a dry bodhran:

I'm rubbing dubbin on me bodrhan
I think I'll put some more on
'Cause the skin is dry and lifeless,
Like the goat that wore it last.
If you treat it then you beat it,
Then you polish and repeat it,
It will sing a little longer,
Than if you leave it dry,
It will ring a little stronger,
And a new one you won't buy.
It will see a new tomorrow,
Be a bodhran fit to borrow,
You can even treat your beater,
Now, would I tell a lie?
If you ever split a skin,
You'll sit right down and cry.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: rangeroger
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 10:42 PM

Another anniversary refresh.These are also to lighten up the February Blues.

rr

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 03:37 AM

Thanks rr, enjoyed the refresh.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST,Mark. West Sussex U.K.
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 05:52 AM

You know the makers - contact them and complain. Send it back and have it fixed or re-skinned. Frankly I think custom makers would rather have the opportunity to correct the problem than have their reputations brought into question on a popular forum like this. You can fiddle around with water and all sorts of oils but it won't remedy the basic underlying problem. At its loosest setting a tuneable skin should be quite slack and I am sure Seamus Keane intended this when it was made. They and you are victims of a rogue skin than was too fat-rich when fitted and has since dried excessively beyond remedy. By the time you have chased around buying and applying all this gunk you could have a new or re-skinned instrument. Above all, don't do what Bev suggests until you get a snub from the makers. If you mess with it yourself they will wash their hands of the problem. You can contact Keanes through the web. Search "Bodhran Makers". Whatever Catspaw may say, there are hundreds of them worldwide.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: InOBU
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 08:07 AM

Get tight yerself and keep it company! Larry

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST,Gary Owens
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 08:15 AM

Malachy Kearns' wax works well, but whatever you use, playing surface only and try to apply as little as possible per application, playing for a few days in between applications - remember, you can put more on after you play for a few days to see if you got it right, but you CANNOT take it off. You can RUIN a Hran this way.

Most important is WHEN you do this. If you live in a variable climate like I do (Atlantic Canada) and you treat your Hran when it's dry weather, it will be absolutely useless during wet weather. Using a hair dryer or whatever is much more bothersome than having to add a touch of water - by the way, I use a damp cloth in such situations rather than any spraying device. Wait for the wet weather and "tune" it then.

Perhaps the most comforting thing I can offer you is the fact that you are not alone - very few people have a perfect Hran. Years ago, I too went through this dilemma with my first Hran - key word is "first"......

Good luck !!!

g

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:47 PM

I get tighter as the night wears on. No but seriously folks.

My skin (bodhran) does get tighter as I play it. A bodhran maker explained it in terms of heat-work drying out the skin. It figures.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:56 PM

It must be getting close to March, Everyone is taking down their drums off the wall ;-)

Rich

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 07:35 PM

I kinda' wonder what Michael did.......thread's a year old now...........Double r, thanks for the lightening refreshes!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: alison
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 10:20 PM

I don't know about using lasinoh on a drum.. but it works a treat on cracked nipples!!!! *grin* (hence the finding it in the baby aisle).... trust me I'm a midwife.....lol

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 05:56 PM

I guess the lasinoh is only here for the "crack".

I was told by Geoff Higginbottom - "neatsfoot oil" for reviving the skin but it tightens it.

I was told by the bodhran maker not to put anything on it, rely on the oils in your hands. Mine are pretty dry!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 06:20 PM

I bought my bodhran WITHOUT consulting the font of knowledge at Mudcat (stupid, stupid) and ended up with a tunable synthetic one because it has a deep tone and that's what I like. I'm pretty happy with it except I'm afraid to bring it to sessions because someone told me that "serious" traditional players have a universal disdain for synthetic heads. What do y'all think - do you ever see synthetic heads (bodhrans, I mean) at sessions?

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST,Matthew S/V Bodhran
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 07:43 PM

To Margo wanting to buy a bodhran in Seattle. If you're going to be here, stop and check out Dusty Strings in the Fremont District. Many wonderful things and sometimes for less.

As for the rest, if you can't play the bloody thing, who gives a damn what you put on it. If you can play it, then you'll know the secret of bodhran playing; knowing when not to play. I still play mine in sessions. It's easier after the fourth Guiness.

None the less, I may try some of these suggestions.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 09:49 PM

The cure for thightness is neathsfoot oil. The cuare for speling is a dicthionary.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 11:47 PM

Susan-Marie,
I started with a synthetic head bodhrán and played it for a good while. I like the sound of my Albert drum better, but the synthetic worked fine for a long time. To me, the synthetic head will always sound decent, but not necessarily ever sound great. If anything you'll find people objecting to bodhráns in general, not specifically synthetic ones. If you play in time, and not overly loud, no one should object to a synthetic drum. Jimmy Higgins who sat in with Altan last fall, plays a remo synthetic head, in a snare drum body. If Altan doesn't object, who will?

Rich

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Boab
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 03:21 AM

Tell the audience they can all start breathing again---it works, honest!:-)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: alison
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 08:29 AM

If you want a fantastic bodhran... check out Eamon Maguire

I got 2 when I wsa home.. they are wonderful

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 08:45 AM

I have an 18 inch tuneable Kevin O'Connell bodhran - which I love, it's a great drum, which is great for me, as I'm around 5 11, really long arms, and well, it's just the job. I have one bar, just so as I can keep a better hold on it if I move around.

I use dubbin on the outside of my tuneable bodhran skin around 2 times a year, and only a little.

On my other bodhran, a Malachy Kearns bodhran - I used water sometimes when it is a bit tight, but as I have used it well, I don't get too many problems with it now.

The more you use it the better it gets!

Ella

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: GUEST,Gary Owens
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:52 AM

Susan-Marie - IF they notice, tell them someone asked you to try it out for them to see if it was worth buying for a cheap price to start out with and ask the sessioneers to give an honest, unbiased evaluation. If you get a 50% favourable response, ignore the other 50%.

Last comment I made re waxing my first Hran got me to wondering, so I played it last night for the first time in well over six months. Even though the relative humidity was high yesterday, it sounded perfect for about 45 min and still sounded OK after an hour. Of course, not many people have six months to spare so my comments re a little at a time still go.

g

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 01:26 PM

Hi there. I have a seamus o'kane bodhrain aswell, although over here in england i dont really have any problems with my skin. If you want though try using kneats foot oil or dubbing, both of these will help to condition the skin and then you shouldnt have anymore problems with it. They recommend you do it every 6 months, it builds up a nice coat and looks really nice. only put it on the outside though. You can then just slacken or tighten it as you want normally with a screw driver. What do you think of your drum though? I love mine. I got it for christmas, I've never had one that i can get so many notes out of before!!

Good luck and enjoy.

Blessed be Emma xx

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 02:33 PM

Neatsfoot Oil.

1) get it from an equestrian centre, it pongs less.

2) someone thinks it loosens the skin, mine tightens a day after - so it probably depends on the skin.

3) Put it on the inside where it will roughen the surface and leave the outside alone for smoothness.

4) What do you call 6 bodhran players? Anything you want they can't hear you!

Subject: bodhrans
From: GUEST,1979
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 01:15 PM

I was just reading through some of the comments and it was mentioned that deer produces a nice deep sound. We have no deer in Newfoundland but the caribou which is essentially from the deer family i guess sounds equally amazing!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 03:15 PM

Guest 1979 - I suppose a moosehran would be even deeper ! Now, if ye could make them out of seals, it might help the cod and salmon a bit. Get GBS to promote it and you're on the way ! Of course, there'd have to be a disclaimer saying that no cute little white ones were used, just the big nasty ones. By the way, we're getting little info about The Irish Descendants. Will D'Arcy and Con ever play together again ? Any other news on them ?

gnu

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 03:34 PM

needs the seal of approval, gnu.

What does gnu skin sounds like - apart from "new".

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: 1979
Date: 02 Mar 01 - 06:50 AM

A moose is way to deep, can't deal with the skin. Have to take to much fat and layer off. Although I'm sure if you really worked at it you could make it sound good. I'm not sure that seal would work so well either, to much fat although maybe its worth a try! Thanks for the idea! I don't think that Con and Darcy will ever get back together, he's doin' to good with the Fables. I really wish some new good talent would start up, like Fine Crowd or Ryan's Fancy!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 01 - 09:24 AM

Mr. Red - Well, mostly it's a lot of grunting at my age, but some of the girls I goes wit'... well, that's too personal.

1979 - Any news on the younger O'Brian - can't recall first name - was in a duo called Anchors Away with another young fellow that played fiddle. Haven't been to The Rock for about six years, but I'll get back before I die, knock on wood.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 02 Mar 01 - 10:24 PM

3 years later and my $350 drum (now listed at $390) still sounds great, and it keeps gettin better. (at least I think so) I've put nothing on it but the oil from my hand. If I have to tighten it a lot, I'm careful to loosen it up before putting it away lest it end up getting dry and putting too much tension on the tuning ring and allen-screws. When I first suggested Albert's drums on this thread, a few people suggested I was nuts. If you went to buy a Martin guitar, you could spend over $2000. You could fill the back of a pickup truck with cheap student model guitars for that, but most guitarists I know, would probably go for the Martin.

OK, rant off.
To Mr. Red, regarding putting neatsfoot oil on the inside so that it roughens inside: A rough inside skin sounds like sandpaper when you move your hand along the inside, and a mic will pick that up. I move my left hand all over the inside of my drum, while playing. It's really one of the things that make the difference between playing a bodhrán and beating one. I'd seriously suggest you avoid anything that's going to make that less fluid.
Just my $.02,

Rich

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 02 Mar 01 - 10:36 PM

With regards to mooserán, I always wondered what an antelope bodhrán would sound like. I've heard various African drums (djembe, dhun-dhun, congo) made with antelope in place of goat, and they seemed to have a warmer, deeper sound. Just a thought.

Rich

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: maeve
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 08:48 AM

Time to refresh.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 08:57 AM

Why ?

eric

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too thight
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 09:14 AM

Try a little poteen.100

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 10:15 AM

Look on the bright side! You can easily get a song out of this, as "My bodhran is too tight" seems to fit right in with "Me Boomerang Won't Come Back" and "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." Since it's been awhile since either of those aired, a new entry in the same category would no doubt be welcomed by the masses who feel an aching emptiness in that particular musicological niche. (Is it nitch or neesh; I'm not cultured?)

Chicken Charlie

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 11:09 AM

Any idea what to do if your drum isn't tight enough?

This isn't a bodhran, it's a def - a Kurdish drum like a large bodhran with no crossbars and a "snare" made or linked metal rings that hang inside and jingle against the skin along the top edge. You play it with your fingers. I bought it direct from the maker's stall in the butchery section of the market in Urfa. But it was the middle of summer and the temperature was 45C with humidity near zero. In Scottish weather it's far too dull.

If I heat it up to dry it out and then apply an oil like neatsfoot or Nikwax, will it stay tight?

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: The Mole Catcher's Apprentice (inactive)
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 03:09 PM

My bodhran is too tight,
My bodharn is too tight
While I wave it round all over the place
and bash it till I'm blue in the face,
I'm a big disgrace to the Celtic race
My bodhran is too tight!

Charlotte (wondering where that came from)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: GUEST,Puck
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 09:20 PM

[Try again !!]

Try reducing the percntage by volume - Welsh Bitter is piss poor stuff - maybe that would help!

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 03:20 AM

"My Bodhran is too tight"
Why, won't it pay for a round.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 10:17 AM

You got it, Mole Catcher's App.! Which proves once again that nothing can be proven!?!

Chicken Charlie

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: The Mole Catcher's Apprentice (inactive)
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 02:57 PM

well someone mentioned Rolf Harris...and well, as they say...the rest just followed *LOL*

Charlotte (is one quarter Welsh, but good for the odd pint or six)

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: GUEST,Wood Pro
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 03:52 AM

hello dear,

try this...
www.ewoodpro.com

i guarantee you about its quality.

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: GUEST,michael
Date: 24 May 21 - 05:45 AM

a simple treatment for your bodhran skin will help to cure any problems. Regular application of O'Connors Irish Bodhran Cream should help to keep your drum skin supple and prolong life. You can find O'Connors irish Bodhran Treatment conditioning cream at tontojacks.co.uk

Subject: RE: My Bodhran is too tight
From: leeneia
Date: 24 May 21 - 12:20 PM

You can find info by Googling "care of rawhide drums".

This site seems good:

http://www.completedcircledrums.com/careAndFeeding.html