Bodhran

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 07:07 PM

I really do miss being able to play.... sniff.

I remember the times in my kitchen that Chris would get on the whistle or Charley would get on the guitar or Jim would get on the fiddle and we would play a duet or all together. Somethin about that whistle and hran man... just speaks to my soul.

I sold my guitar and mandolin, gave most of my whistles away and recently had an offer to buy one of my hrans... but, I can't really part with my Hrans even though I can't play anymore. I dunno why I can't part with my hrans... sniff. They sit on the mantle and in front of the fireplace lifeless. They are only memories. ?

BTW... that link... too fancy for me... it's good, well, okay, but I prefer a more subtle Hran that gives you the music intended without, if I can be so bold and, indeed, condescending (forgive me) "overplaying", but that's just me.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 05:32 AM

I have seen one Bodhran-maker selling them with a double layer of deer-skin - he rated the sound. Very elastic they was. I last saw him doing Bodhran workshops at Chippenham FF (UK - 1998??) called himself King something or other.

There was a minor fashion for greyhound due to the surfeit of dead dogs in Ireland. You can play at race speeds. ho ho. The greyhound was deemed agricultural and attracted EU subsidies so they bred them to excess and killed the slow ones.

BUT I prefer the original goat. Which just goats to show........ no kidding.

I'll get my coat.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 07:04 AM

I've tried posting a reply to Mr Red once already and it hasn't landed. So here goes a second time.

I find your attempts at humour pretty sick making, and I do not see anything funny about sensate emotional animals being slaughtered just because the most destructive animal on the planet considers them surplus to requirements.

I have a retired racing greyhound, and I took him on to avoid his being put down, simply because he had become too old to race and thereby to continue making money for his owner. A more loyal, devoted companion you would not find anywhere.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Rog Peek
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 08:00 AM

My but Mr. Red certainly 'got your goat' Fred!

Mmmmmm I suppose I'd better get my coat now......

Rog

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:35 AM

Rog. Please do.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 12:22 PM

My dad told me what the first sylabble of 'bodhrán' (see Munster Irish pronunciation of bodhrán) referred to dog-skin (as in bow-wow-wow) and I never was sure if he was serious or not. I think it may be related to Irish word bodhar (meaning deaf)

I've heard great sounds produced from a bodhrán with a transparent synthetic skin of some kind.

Beware if you are thinking of venturing out to a trad session with your bodhrán by the way http://www.thesession.org/discussions/index/search?name=bodhran

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 05:29 AM

It doesn't. The collected opinion of Gearrfhoclóir Gaeilge-Bhéarla and of the Talbot Press English-Irish Dictionary are that it means a deaf or slow witted person, or a winnowing drum, or a (kind of) tambourine.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 11:15 AM

Yes i thought it might be linked to 'bodhar' alright. My dad is no gaelic scholar

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 03:27 PM

Bracing I have never seen before in seen on the drum on the right very close to the end of this clip. Has anyone else got any unique bracing pics/vids/whatever?

Thanks for sending me the link Bente.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Guest Mr NASH Australia
Date: 25 Feb 13 - 05:30 PM

Beagan Irish Drums, Australia. as good as any worldwide. Hand tunable in either goat/ kangaroo. I've got a SOK/ Metloef and Heddy and my Beagan beats the lot of them. Lee doesn't have a website but is on Facebook or email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 13 - 07:01 PM

At 6:30 the bracing can be seen. Given what happens just prior, I assume it is "punch bracing". >;-)

Thanks for the vid.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 12:10 AM

While I wouldn't want to create something to worry a lot about, it should be noted that according to my recollection there have been three (?) separate reports in the US of "deadly" Bodhrans or other "skin" products, since this thread started in '03.

The infected skins used were all reported as goatskins and were apparently all imported by small "ethnic" shops - but not all within a single ethnic group. The infection in all cases was anthrax, which is still a problem in some places from which "questionable imports" might come.

Established instrument makers would be unlikely to be any problem, and an instrument that has obviously been "well played" probably is safe; but it might be advisable to exercise some caution about an item with "skins" (of any unidentifiable kind) at an "estate sale" to dispose of the property of a deceased player/person ... (?).

Of course the ultimate hazard would be a road-kill skin on an armadillo shell frame.

John

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 08:28 AM

we had a death from anthrax here in the UK not that many years ago. It was a bodhran maker and the skins were questionable.

Mine were dyed red, not sure if the dye or the tanning kills anthrax, but they haven't killed me - or any music session AFAIK

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,BrendanB
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 03:03 PM

I really would recommend a tunable drum. I've got one which I bought on spec from the Newcastle Drum Shop (UK). Don't know who made it but after a bit of work it has turned out really well. I sanded down the skin and treated it with Flexolan, a lanolin based leather treatment. If it had not been tunable I would have edged it with wide black scotch tape to cut down on overtones but I can handle that by tuning. What I like most is that I can play it quietly and get that deep 'push' without being intrusive - and it only cost £75 plus a couple of hours work!

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 03:19 PM

I really would recommend a tuneable drum. I bought one on spec. from the Newcastle Drum Shop in Newcastle (UK). Its a 14 inch deep shell tuneable drum and I am really enjoying it. The first thing I did was to gently sand off the head on both sides and treat it with Flexolan, a lanolin based leather treatment.   If it was not tuneable I would have edged it with a wide black scotch tape to cut down on overtones but I can handle that by tuning. What I like about it is that I can play it quietly and still get that deep 'push' without being intrusive. I am not sure what, if any, influence the rim may have. Mine is rosewood and heavy and I have convinced myself that this contributes to the rich sound, it is certainly more punchy at low volume than my 18 inch non-tuneables. All that for £75 and a couple of hours work.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,BrendanB
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 03:22 PM

Sorry, bloody iPad!

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 09:03 PM

BrendanB... WOW! You got a steal of a deal for a tunable that works well. Mine cost a tad more. One is a custom Kearns. Worth every penny and more until arthritis rendered it (ME) useless except for the kitchen and, even then, useless after twenty minutes tops even after my joints are greased with ale. After too many ales, it isn't only the arthritis that results in me saying, "I am done for tonight."

I still sport two Kearns Rhans on the fireplace mantle ends but they are ornaments bearing the Owens Family Crest. My other Hrans sit on the floor. My ciapan collection from far and wide sits on the mantle along with the many I have made. Sad but there it is.

Rhan on!

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Feb 13 - 05:42 PM

I agree with Gnu. I'm an American & I don't know the present exchange rate. But 75 bucks (in any currency) for a tunable drum sounds like a great deal. Good for you Brendon.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Lavengro
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 09:02 AM

You will not go wrong with a Seamus O'Kane (the man lives in a place called Drum for goodness sake!) or one by his son Dara. The good thing about O'Kanes is that they are still built in limited numbers and not cranked out with the quality suffering just to meet demand and turn a profit.

Some of the well known makers in this thread now churn out cack that is unplayable and leaves countless beginners giving up and hanging their bodhrán on the wall.

Belgarth also make very playable (but very different to O'Kane) drums. The main difference is that the O'Kanes use a lambeg skin (which some back in the day really didn't like for political reasons)and so are very thin and responsive across an entire range from top end "pops" to bottom end "booms". Metloef also make excellent bodhráns but they are pricey.

In terms of making a cheap bodhran sound better there are lots of tips on the bodojo site.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 01:28 PM

I believe Malachy Kearns makes em by hand as well.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 01:31 PM

Believe it or not, I have a synthetic 16 that sounds pretty good. Sounds VERY good in the rain. >;-) And, if a hunk of cedar "pops" at a campfire session and an ember hits it I won't cry.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Lavengro
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 09:46 AM

Well you are very lucky. Because I have never met a synthetic bodhrán that didnt sound like a childs toy!

Speaking of playing in the rain, I did used to own a 16inch with a greyhound skin head. It wasn't tuneable but seemed far more forgiving of the damp that any goat skin I have owned. That is to say every other bodhrán I've owned. Fiberskyn aside that is.

Anyone know what those Remos are like with the black synthetic head?

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 02:19 PM

My Remo has a white head. Yes, it sounds pretty dull (thuddy) but if you work at it for a while you can discover how to improve the sound quality even tho it cannot be improved very much thru technique. Still sounds a HECK of a lot better than a custom made Kearns with an ember from a cedar log on it... you can't even hear the Rhan over the screaming. >;-)

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 02:55 PM

I tried a Remo synthetic head and it was comprehensively horrible. Whatever I tried it had a dead sound. I used rhythm king heads on my last drum kit and I used an electronic kit happily for a few years so I am not biased against synthetic heads but I can only warm to goat skin bodhrans. (I know it may be irrational but the idea of a greyhound skin drum I find completely repellent. I've had greyhound lurchers and salukis so it's an emotional thing I suppose.)

BrendanB

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Lavengro
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 04:15 PM

@Guest

"I know it may be irrational but the idea of a greyhound skin drum I find completely repellent. I've had greyhound lurchers and salukis so it's an emotional thing I suppose"

I'm not surprised by the reaction, and I wouldn't begin to judge it. When I had the drum almost everyone used to ask where I got it, kind of implying that I went out under cover of darkness hunting hounds! The truth was far more mundane, I bought it in a shop. I have also owned quite a few lurchers, but to me they were working dogs not pets so maybe that gives me a different perspective? Then again maybe it's the food thing; we eat goats but not dogs (in the west)?

I would draw the line at a 6inch kitten skin bodhrán though ;)

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 07:23 PM

In Ireland 'bodhrán' is taken to come from 'bodhar' (pronounced bower, rhymes with flower), meaning deaf; the Irish term "he has me bothered" comes from the same word, "bothered" reflecting the old/middle Irish pronunciation.
Bodhrán translates to 'dildurn', a farming implement used for winnowing grain - you poured in a layer of grain and bounced it, allowing the covers of the ears to fly away in the wind. This was turned to musical use for dances, in much the same way that a pair of spoons was used as percussion.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 09:08 PM

Lavengro... I assume a kitten could sound anywhere from a soft purr to a yowl... such range should be considered, even if for small venues.

Hold the mail... if you don't know how far into the inane my warped sense of humour can go, you ain't been at this here Mudcat Café long enough.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Lavengro
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 05:28 AM

As played by John Joe Kitty?

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 05:39 AM

I am not familiar with his work. But, I am sure The Chieftans will collaborate with him on a future project if he is of note.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 06:31 AM

That could be some FLOOK (fluke!)He is already of legendary note this side of the pond without having to become a Chieftain!
Just watch this: very well filmed as well as played, to show pretty will what BOTH hands are doing: solo comes in about 1.55.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9HyB5yNS1A
And what a lovely chap: got a wee try of his drum as did another bodhranista friend after a gig he did at our local club!

Incidentally, note that he plays sitting down, as do most of the really great players: not like the 3 fellas in "Whack it" mode shown in the video at 1st March 2011: you have much better control of your drum and opportunities for left hand stuff if you sit!

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 06:46 AM

Oops that should have been "pretty well"!
And here's another blinder of a clip from Mark Maguire (also mentioned in the above posts): poor picture but audio is good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCJHlMw0SAQ

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Lavengro
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 06:57 AM

At the end of the 90's John Joe totally changed the way I play bodhrán after I saw him playing. And as Tattie Bogle says a nice guy.
He lead the way for a lot of players to not accept what they previously thought were the limitations of their instrument. Whenever I hear someone telling jokes about bodhrán players, and when that joking is done with a serious edge, I always just think "Oh well, you've never met a decent player, and are ignorant of what the instrument can add." There is a sliding scale of ability on the bodhrán the same as any other instrument.

There is a lot of mystique and (IMO) nonsense talked about the bodhrán, it is after all just a drum, regardless of origin and mythology. I personally have played with Folk, Bluegrass, Blues and Cajun bands on bodhrán and it has worked with them all. Because it is just a drum.

And just to finish off Flook (contrary to popular belief) still get together for the occasional gig. Keep an eye out and don't miss the opportunity. Saw them again a few months back and a group of four better musicians you will not find! I do like Gnu's sarcastic observation though; made me laugh!

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 07:07 AM

I had heard the name but I've never heard him play. Glad I did. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 07:13 AM

And just to complete the run of 3, here's Martin O'Neill - quite different - to start with anyway - in this one from the other 2!Although you can't see his left hand in this one, you can see what it's doing - just watch that skin!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlP2aWgOEfw

Completely agree with you Lavengro: I try to ignore the well-worn bodhran jokes as the tellers are only trying to wind you up. While you perhaps would not want a big solo like this in the middle of your pub session (unless one of the great maestros walked in!) it does show you there's "more than one way to skin a cat" (oops, sorry, couldn't resist that!)

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: GUEST,Lavengro
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 07:42 AM

You know what? If we carry on like this it's only a matter of time before we start getting nasty emails from members of PeTA! :)

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 07:50 AM

I am a member of People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

Ditto on the couldn't resist thing.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jun 13 - 12:28 PM

Best Hran Solo Ever!!!

Speakers on ten.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jun 13 - 06:19 PM

Oh-oh... I did test the link but that don't mean squat I guess. I'll try to get it right. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Bodhran
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jun 13 - 06:23 PM

One more try.