Chieftains and Bodhran

Subject: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Weskora
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 09:19 PM

I've just found a website for those interested in the Chieftains : www.escape.ca/~skinner/chieftains/chief.html and one about the bodhran : www.ceolas.org/instruments/bodhran/ By the way does anybody here play the bodhran ? Where did you buy it and how much did it cost ? How long did it take you to be able to play "a little bit" ? Thanks. Weskora

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:12 PM

Hi Weskora,
An average, non tunable bodhran, fair quality can be had for $75 - $140 US. It is not difficult to keep a beat if you have a modicum of rhythum and a fair amount of determination. I would suggest a good video, and take your time. Do not move off a beat until you have mastered it. It seems that most people run up against their first "wall" on a 6/8. If you stick with it, you will master it. Don't be in a hurry to go fast. Technique is far more important than speed.

I would recommend "The Bodhran Video" with Stea/fa/n Hannigan as a good tutorial. I am sure there are others, but this is the one I used and it worked well with me. It is put out by Ossian. If you canna find a source where you are at, try Elderly Instruments. They have an excellent web page and you can order on it. Good luck, and remember, practice outside.****grin****

All the best,

Mick Lane

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:15 PM

I guess I failed at my attempt to insert a html link. Perhaps Joe Offer can fix my feeble attempt.

the address for elderly is www.elderly.com. Or use your search engine and type in Elderly Instruments.

Mick

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: alison
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:51 PM

Hi,

the "Bodhran book" along with either the audio tape or video is a great way to learn. Most people I've taught pick it up really quickly.

You don't need a bodhran... try with a strong bit of cardboard and a wooden spoon...... works pretty well.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: rick fielding
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:04 PM

good luck weskora. Don't know where you live, but if there is a drum store in your vicinity you might find a bodhran. Just don't call it that, they might not understand. Try asking for a "big hand drum". You can get them with synthetic (plastic) heads very cheaply, (maybe 20 to 30 bucks) and those are okay to learn on, but when you're ready to leave the house you'll need a "real" one. A short piece of dowling can substitute as a beater in a pinch.

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:28 PM

And if you get to the point of buying a "real deal" bodhran, consider investing in a Halpin. He is out of Gloucester, Ontario and makes a tunable that is amazing. He developed a half cured skin and a tuning device that is amazingly simple to use unlike many tunables. The tone of his drums is simply fantastic. I have never played a better sounding drum. If you have ever heard "Celtic Thunder", Jesse Winch plays a Halpin. I have tried most of the better known drums, and numbers of hand mades, but have never heard or played a sweeter drum than Fred makes. They go for about $300, but if you are a serious bodhran player, it is worth every dime.

Fred Halpin has a web page here

Mick

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:41 PM

Let's see if I can get it this time. For Halpin's homepage

click HERE

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:44 PM

YYYYYIIIIIPPPPEEEEEEE!!!!! I got it. I am catching up to Sandy. *****grin****

Mick Lane

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Jan 99 - 12:18 AM

Hi Weskora, I've been playing bodhran close to 20 yrs, mostly on drums made by Mance Grady (Providence, Rhode Island). My most recent is a 20" frame that's tunable & has a slide bar on a steel brace. Playing this new drum (it's about 2 now) has been as near to heaven as I'll get in the next 20 yrs. Didn't have any of the modern tech to help me get started, I had better, some great players willing to share their expertise. I've only played with a medium size stick, nothing fancy but extremely heavy. If I could shape one from stone I be using that. The stick you use will probably become a very personnal choice, try out as many as you can & try as many styles too. If you sing try using it to back yourself up with. Someone who showed me alot about rim shots (using the wood frame) also cautioned me not kill the music with them. I guess many feel that to much drum can do the same thing. On the Irish-Trad group (don't know how to link you to it) this quite the disscussion on bodhrans. You might also try the Bodhran Page if you haven't already been there. Like any other instrument, you never stop learning as long as you start. Barry

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jan 99 - 07:06 PM

I've always had lots of rhythm, raised in an musical family, etc. When I finally got my first drum, it was a large Native American hand drum, with a skin top, non-tunable. While I loved playing it and keeping a syncopation going with others, it was at a Pagan May Eve celebration when I really got into playing it like a bodhran. We'd driven out on the prairie, around the backside of the mountain, to a little pond amongst some rough and tumble standing stones. As I stepped out of the car, I saw a small piece of wood, all gnarled and weathered, just about the size of a handy bodhran stick. I picked it up, saw that it resembled the most ancient of the full-Goddess symbols, large breasts and belly full of promise. Thinking how appropriate for May Eve, I dubbed her my goddess.

Later on, when I had my drum, I tried the Goddess out one day as a stick and it sounded great! When ya' live in the remote and wild places ya' get good at improvisin'! Now, I'll hafta try to save up for one of those Halpin's!

Keep up the beat! Tritely yours,

Kat

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: mm
Date: 10 Jan 99 - 06:10 PM

Custy's Music Shop in Clare, Ireland has bodhrans for £32 upwards. www.custysmusic.com

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Alice
Date: 10 Jan 99 - 09:32 PM

see the thread I just refreshed called "Bodhran Making - A Tale of Woe"

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Jack Hickman
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 12:23 AM

Just to give a plug to a couple of new bodhran makers who operate in Kingston, Ontario. They use the name ``"Rattlin`Bog" bodhrans, operated by Tony O'Loughlin and Cliff Gillespie, and they are continuing the tradition started by Ron Murphy, who recently decided to get out of the business.

I am the proud owner of one of their drums, and I have played a bodhran for about 20 years, and I am sold on their drums. They are sturdily made with good quality materials, and have a solid natural tone. Pricewise, they run around $120-$150 Canadian. Of course, the Halpin Tunable is the ultimate, but for a purely traditional instrument, the Rattlin' Bog is hard to beat.

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Dani
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 11:10 AM

Oh, Alison! What a fabulous idea! I'm playing it now. I actually found a small box from a mitre box, and the wooden spoon is just right. A great way to try it out in the privacy of my own kitchen!

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: alison
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 08:49 PM

Hi Dani,

good on you.... it's a good way to start to see if you can get the rhythms going... then you can decide if you want to spend the money on the real thing.

If anyone this side of the world is interested I have some good addresses for bodhran makers in Oz and New Zealand,(the bloke in NZ makes the best tippers I've ever played with.)

The other tip I give to students is not to try to play along with the Chieftains first off..... they're just too fast (usually) can be very frustrating for a beginner.

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: Dani
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 06:22 AM

So if a person was to play in their kitchen, mind, who WOULD they play along with??

PS - bottom of a sturdy basket works fine, too. Not such a scary noise.

Subject: RE: Chieftains and Bodhran
From: alison
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 06:45 AM

It's a case of trial and error, some session type stuff works better than others.

I like Kevin Crawford myself because it's just him playing a flute.... then you work out your rhythms to suit...... (after all the bodhran is supposed to be playing the same rhythm as the tune.. usually).... the less instruments there are... the easier to hear the tune.

Personally I also like Stockton's Wing.

Slainte

alison