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01 Feb 03 - 12:24 AM (#879775) Subject: Bodhran From: GUEST,Vrdpkr I'd like to replace my fiberskin bodhran with a good skin one. Any tips/ suggestions what to look for? Favorite makers/ Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Vrdpkr |
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01 Feb 03 - 12:39 AM (#879779) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: alison there have been threads on this in the past.... but my favs are Eamonn Maguire (in Belfast) and Davy Stuart (in New Zealand) slainte alison |
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01 Feb 03 - 02:48 AM (#879820) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Bee-dubya-ell I'll second the Davy Stuart. I don't even play bodhran but I covet my friend Charlie's Stuart. My wife's the bodhrani in this household and she plays an American-made Cooperman. She has the 18" Non-tunable Model, but they also make a 18" Tunable Model. Note that Davy Stuart's prices are in New Zealand dollars. His 18" drum is currently around $174 USD - cheaper than the Cooperman tunable. Bruce |
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01 Feb 03 - 05:20 AM (#879846) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: forty two Without a doubt go to Seamus O'Kane. He has got to be one of the best in Ireland and used by many top players http://www.tradcentre.com/seamus/index.shtml Suggest you also go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bodhranii/ |
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01 Feb 03 - 05:37 AM (#879853) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Banging Bill For my money you can't beat a WALTONS. Mine is Goatskin and Birch. You should be able to get one from any reputable music shop anywhere in the world, but if you are having difficulty here is the address Waltons 2-5 North Frederick St Dublin 1 Ireland. Alternatively try Roundstone Musical Instruments Malachy Kearns IDA Craft Centre Roundstone Co Galway Ireland e-mail bodhran@iol.ie www.bodhran.com Tel (095) 35808 |
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01 Feb 03 - 06:35 AM (#879875) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/bodhran/ is the The Bodhran Page and it lists a number of makers and has advice on various aspects of the instrument. |
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01 Feb 03 - 08:40 AM (#879913) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST Not an instrument I play but as they are only 15 minutes down the road from me, I'll give Mog a mention. One of our session regulars plays one and it sounds great. I gather he has made drums for people including Gino Lupardi (Four Men And A Dog) so I would assume they are top quality instruents. Jon |
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01 Feb 03 - 08:50 AM (#879918) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: artbrooks I'm far from an expert player, but I do have a tunable from Malachy Kearns (address above) that I like. Where you are (country/location) is a factor...its nice to go to the shop and bang on a few before you buy. |
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01 Feb 03 - 12:49 PM (#880077) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu One thought... if you don't get a tunable, don't get any artwork as they are easier to "tune" and maintain. If you go to a shop, take an experienced Hranner with you, if possible, because much can be told about the head with an experienced eye. I've got two of Kearns', one tunable, and I like them both. |
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01 Feb 03 - 01:45 PM (#880113) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Tig Not got any current favourite makers as my well beloved bodhrans (a big one and a little one) are now 25 years old and still going strong despite a lot of playing. I would recommend getting a tuneable one if you can afford it. They save a lot of hassle in sessions etc as you don't have to share your ale or find the hot air dryer in the loos - so long as you don't loose your key. Mine have good old fashioned wingnuts to tune them with so I don't have that problem! Also go for a good goatskin - you need to try before you buy if at all possible as every bodhran is different in feel. |
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01 Feb 03 - 04:39 PM (#880233) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Beccy I love my Roundstone by Kearns... Can't beat it.(pun intended.) |
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01 Feb 03 - 07:53 PM (#880366) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Mr Red My Welsh one (Marcus Music) is tuneable with toggles, don't need a key. The more scarlet one is of Gurt Mint (Bristol) manufacture and I carry several alien keys - one is ball ended as it finds the hexagon aperture more easily and you can turn (not crank it) it at an angle as the ball acts like a constant velocity joint. Did we establish where GUEST,Vrdpkr is located ? I would also consider the rim profile, if you are paying good money get one with a rounded rim for duarability from wear and rim shots. |
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02 Feb 03 - 12:51 AM (#880489) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Vrdpkr Thanks for all the info. We are in Northern Arizona so too much humidity is seldome a problem. My wife plays harp and we do a lot of celtic/cowboy tunes. We like to try to show how tunes and songs traveled and changed from the Old World to the Wild West. I'm working through all the web sites and sure do thank everyone for the input. We're a long way from music stores that carry this kind of gear and so we do a lot of mail ordering. Just need to know what to look for. Thanks again. Vrdpkr (verde picker) |
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02 Feb 03 - 07:39 AM (#880542) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,mark dunlop Hi Vrdpkr. I play (semi-pro) and teach bodhrán, so here's what little advice I can offer, for what it's worth. Unless you're pretty serious minded about playing (as opposed to "hitting" the drum, I'm sure you know the type of person I mean) I wouldn't spend loads of money. Assuming you are a serious kind of guy, the most you really need to spend is £150 - TOPS. Seamus O'Kane, mentioned earlier, makes absolutely the finest drums I've ever played. He's the drum of choice for players of the calibre of John Joe Kelly, Mark Maguire, Martin O'Neill etc(and I play one too). One of his would cost about £150. Anyone who makes drums and charges more than that is ripping you off. Seamus will ship to America, though you may have to wait a wee while as he always has a waiting list. Eamonn Maguire also makes good drums. I would recommend either of these (Northern Ireland) based makers as I have drums by both. Purely for the reason that I don't have one, I couldn't actually recommend drums by the likes of Eoin Leonard, John Jackson, Charlie Byrne, Mog, Dave Gormlie, or Brendan White, but they are all reputable makers. Personally, I'd avoid Roundstone and Waltons (don't want to say anything slanderous) just as a personal thing. You won't find many "professionals" using either of these, trust me. If you don't mind spending the money, Seamus O'Kane is your man every time, and he's a true gentleman and a nice guy into the bargain. m.d. |
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02 Feb 03 - 09:24 AM (#880579) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: alison I don't know what part of the world you are in... but I certainly wouldn't buy any of the Waltons that the music shops in Oz import... the skins are almost transparent..... and useless for our extremes of temperature...... and the ones (can't name any makes) they sell to the tourists back home (Ireland)... you could spit through...... if you're somewhere hot you'll need a thicker skin to be able to adapt........ slainte alison |
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02 Feb 03 - 09:46 AM (#880584) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: artbrooks Vrdpkr, there is a shop in Prescot, "The Drum Shop", that sells bodhrans, but their selection is pretty limited. Since you will have a differential in both altitude and humidity to deal with, make sure your maker knows this...he might be able to ship the drum with extra slack in the head, and it will be nice and tight when it gets to you. If not, make sure it is tunable, and shipped with the pegs loose. You can wet it, with water or Bad Brown Beer (aka Guinness) to remove the tinny tone of a tight drum, but whatever you do, don't overdo this...it will split right in half when it drys again. (A former Prescott voice of experience.) |
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02 Feb 03 - 03:31 PM (#880789) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Mr Red If you are somewhere hot you need a thicker skin? All bodhran players need a thicker skin - or a range of jokes that look like they are a downer on the drum but twist the other way at the last minute. |
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02 Feb 03 - 03:37 PM (#880797) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,SharonG I don't play bodhran... but my best friend does and she instantly discarded her Roundstone drum after her first encounter with a Brendan White drum. She has had it for almost 2 years now and loves it as much as she did when she first tried it. We live in southern Arizona, where we have as little humidity and higher temperatures then northern Arizona. Brendan recommends the use of olive oil on the drum, and that is what she has been using to keep it soft. If you have more questions, post them and I'll alert her to this thread. Just wondering-have we met? - I'm in Round the House and we do get up to Prescott and Flagstaff occasionally. Sharon |
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02 Feb 03 - 03:55 PM (#880816) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: artbrooks Hi, Sharon...Becky was here calling last night...and I'm waiting for the new CD. |
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02 Feb 03 - 04:38 PM (#880839) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST Hi Art Just to make sure we're still talking about bodhrans- Claire WILL be playing that Brendan White drum on the new cd...and loving it! but since we're just planning it now, don't hold your breath. Studio time is scheduled for late March and April. Sharon |
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02 Feb 03 - 04:45 PM (#880843) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Bardford A Canadian source for quality, tunable, hand-crafted drums is: Davey Drums With the CAN/US $ exchange, you can get a very nice drum for a couple hundred USD. And please, please, please don't pour Guinness on a drumskin. Waste of good drink, and it dries out the skin. Here's a handy mnemonic that just came to me in rare flash of inspiration- "GIDWOB": Guinness in drummer, water on bodhran. Cheers, Bardford |
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02 Feb 03 - 08:02 PM (#880982) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,vrdpkr Sharon, Maybe. I'm sure I'd like to meet you. Do you go to the Cowboy Poetry Gatherings in Az? We'll be in Sierra Vista next week. We'll be the only ones with a harp. We mostly play around the Verde Valley for Elderhostle programs. If you haven't been, you should go. Great music, great poetry, all-round good entertainment. If you play one of the contra dances in Cottonwood, we'll try to connect. Harpy Trails Ken |
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02 Feb 03 - 09:46 PM (#881021) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,SharonG We don't generally get to Cowboy stuff, but always go to the Sharlot Hall Festival in Prescot in October, and the Tucson Folk Festival in May. I'll be in Phoenix next weekend taking my son to an Irish dance competition. We haven't played the Cotonwood contra dance yet- maybe we should.... Sharon |
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02 Feb 03 - 09:51 PM (#881023) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Séan Without any doubt, as both mark dunlop and the person 'forty two' said earlier, I would have to agree that Seamus O'Kane bodhráns are the best, probably the best bodhráns in the world. The calibre of musicians who choose to play and recommend Seamus O'Kane's bodhráns speak for themselves, namely John Joe Kelly (Flook), Cathy Jordan (Dervish), Christy Moore, and too numerous an amount of marvellous bodhrán players to go into further detal. But as mr dunlop inferred, he has a backlog of orders, so unless you are really serious about playing the bodhrán, ie' if you want some painted celtic-knoted paddy-whackery,l then maybe you should go for an inferior maker, as Seamus O'Kane's bodhrán's are the cream of the crop, by a long shot. However, if you are a genuine bodhrán player and want to have the best available piece of equipment there is on the market, you can only to my knowledge order them exclusivley from his website, which was metioned earlier I think. What the heck - to save you scrolling up its: http://www.tradcentre.com/seamus As mr dunlop said, Seamus is a complete gentleman, but a VERY busy man, so if you choose to order from him, be extra nice as some of the best bodhrán players in the world are also waiting to get their hands on one of his marvelous bodhráns. Hope this is of use to you |
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02 Feb 03 - 10:39 PM (#881045) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Marc There is another thread about Musical whores or prostitutes, but I figured I'de make my comment here. GUEST,Vrdpkr, I make one hell of a nice drum. Actually it is a decent drum, right in the ball park mentioned earlier. I'm in RI., and understand humidity changes. I don't know how to make a 'blue clicky thing', and am not sure how much I should advertise here. But If you send me a PM. We could talk and I could recommend a couple makers out that way. |
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02 Feb 03 - 11:30 PM (#881067) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: artbrooks Marc. go to "make a link", below, and do a link to your own website. Discrete advertising by members is ok (and I'd be interested myself) |
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03 Feb 03 - 07:32 AM (#881210) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu YES ! Please do Marc. Or, at least, post the address here. |
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03 Feb 03 - 11:31 AM (#881381) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Kaleb I have to agree with Sharon. I've have my Brendon White drum for about a year and a half now and I love it. The response and tonal range are amazing. Here is his site.
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03 Feb 03 - 11:33 AM (#881384) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: IanC Why not make one yourself? They're not that hard! ;-) |
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03 Feb 03 - 12:12 PM (#881427) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Claire Hi, I am Sharon's bandmate with the Brendan White. Yes, it is a really wonderful drum with a rich deep sound but no floppy boom. Just a note to the dry climate folks about caring for your drum. I almost never put water on my drum. I find that it dries out the skin in the long run. BrendanWhite recommended olive oil in a series of e-mails that we exchanged shortly after I bought the drum. It has been very successful. It breathes (still takes water after oiling), never goes rancid, and smells like a good salad after oiling. I oil at least once a month mostly on the outside, but a little on the inside too. I put about a teaspoon of oil on the drum. Besides that I tune exclusively using the tuning screws, not with water. Here in the desert the water evaporates so quickly, that it is very hard to maintain the correct amount of moisture, so I recommend sticking to oil. Best to all, Claire |
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03 Feb 03 - 03:12 PM (#881628) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu Marc !!!!! C'mon. Post it ! I'm in New Brunswick, just a spit away, and I'd love to visit your website. You never know... I still have room for two Hrans on my fireplace mantle. Especially from one who understands humidity changes. |
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03 Feb 03 - 04:06 PM (#881688) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,toribw who should be working I absolutely love my Albert Alfonso drum. Tonal quality is excellent, they're terrific in all climes because of the tuning mechanism and Albert's a great person to deal with. Also, if you're the adventurous type, there are Metloef drums which are made from kangaroo skins. They've got unique sound properties and are fun to play. Good luck! |
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03 Feb 03 - 06:03 PM (#881802) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Marc Hi I'm Marc Bernier, some of you might know me. The blue clicky link thing does not appear to be working for me. So you may visit me at marcbernier.com. I'll work somemore with the blue clicky thing when I get home from work. |
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03 Feb 03 - 06:06 PM (#881805) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu http://marcbernier.com/ |
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04 Feb 03 - 12:05 PM (#882316) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,vrdpkr Claire Thanks for the info. I'll remember about the olive oil. Where did you find your bodhran? We'll be coming through Tucson this week and I always like to stop at Rainbow Guitars and Folkshop. My favorite toystores. Marc Nice drums! Nice website, too. I'm glad they let you toot your own horn on this site. (So to speak.) toribw Thanks for the tip on Albert Alfonso. I'm kind of Cuban Celtic myself. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Love this site. Love this community. Thanks all Harpy Trails vrdpkr |
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04 Feb 03 - 12:55 PM (#882379) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Claire I purchased my drum in Ennis, County Clare at Custy's -darn they don't have a annex in Tucson, yet. However, Brendan White has a web site, and you can goodle it. I would not suggest the double skin in our climate. It is difficult enough to keep one skin happy. Folkshop and Rainbow probably don't have what your looking for. As for the Alfonso's drums, I regret having to report that my friend got one of those and it has never loosened up for him. I think this is probably a flook, but worth a mention. Also, goat skins are great, but before you order, check if they are the smelly kind (differently cured). Then check if the smell makes you gag, which I have a problem with, not everyone does. You would hate to order a fabulous drum and then have a negative reaction to it based on smell. Good luck, Claire |
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04 Feb 03 - 04:57 PM (#882579) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,marc Thanks gnu I think I'm haveing a problem on my end. Old tired machine. |
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05 Feb 03 - 07:30 AM (#882974) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu marc... did you get my PM ? |
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04 Feb 10 - 10:38 PM (#2830441) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,any bodhran teachers in AZ Out in Cochise County, here. Wondering if anyone teaches the basics of the bodhran? |
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04 Feb 10 - 11:05 PM (#2830453) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: artbrooks You might try Claire Zucker in Tucson - from the group Round the House. There is a YouTube thing here. Best thing, IMHO, is to get a CD with good bodhran tracks and play along - I'm partial to old Chieftains stuff, myself. |
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05 Feb 10 - 07:28 AM (#2830488) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Stu Mark Dunlop has it right. Avoid Roundstone and Waltons, anything from Pakistan of thereabouts as these are not good quality drums. Also worth looking at are Belgarth Bodhrans and Hedwitschak Drums. I don't know if he still makes them, but Brian Howard at Howard Music makes superb drums; I have a 16" non-tunable that is fantastic, and I gave my mate (a very experienced player) my 18" tuneable as I wasn't using it enough and he's a great musician. |
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05 Feb 10 - 03:49 PM (#2830923) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu HEY! Anybody out there named Owens that wants a Kearns and a tuneable Kearns with the family crest? I haven't been able to play for a long time because of a ganglion and arthritis. And I am not willing them to my greedy, ungrateful bastard relatives. |
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06 Feb 10 - 08:54 AM (#2831308) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Stu I'm decended from Welsh Owens - what does the family crest look like? |
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06 Feb 10 - 09:16 AM (#2831331) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu Boar chained to tree... the Latin translates "Force is useless." I believe our roots trace back to Wales also. |
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06 Feb 10 - 07:51 PM (#2831880) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: quokka Damn it gnu!! didn't read your post properly and thought you had a bodhran with the Kearns family crest on it -that's my family name!! |
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07 Feb 10 - 10:14 AM (#2832062) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu Pretty close. >;-) |
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07 Feb 10 - 01:09 PM (#2832207) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Tim Leaning So is it better to have the thicker skin on the drum or the player? |
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20 Jan 11 - 05:09 AM (#3078465) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,S. Mir Ent. Dear Sir, We are S.MIR ENT. Sialkot Pakistan, Manufacturer and exporters of all kinds BODHRAN, Woodan frams and leather sheets,other woodan made parts of musical instruments, looking a chance to serv you. Thanks & Regards Jamil Mir. cell. +92 3088886336 |
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20 Jan 11 - 08:35 AM (#3078553) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: maeve refresh |
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20 Jan 11 - 07:00 PM (#3079001) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: buddhuu Depends on your style. For standard Kerry style I love my 16" tunable Belgarth. The thickest skins you could hope for but, once played in, capable of a surprising range of tones. About £200, but IMHO a bargain. Personally I've little time for flashy, top-end stuff, so no suggestions for drums for that genre. |
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13 Feb 11 - 07:07 PM (#3094677) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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. |
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14 Feb 11 - 05:32 AM (#3094899) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Mr Red 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. |
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14 Feb 11 - 07:04 AM (#3094937) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Fred McCormick 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. |
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14 Feb 11 - 08:00 AM (#3094961) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Rog Peek My but Mr. Red certainly 'got your goat' Fred! Mmmmmm I suppose I'd better get my coat now...... Rog |
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14 Feb 11 - 11:35 AM (#3095078) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Fred McCormick Rog. Please do. |
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14 Feb 11 - 12:22 PM (#3095106) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST 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 |
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15 Feb 11 - 05:29 AM (#3095527) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Fred McCormick 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. |
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15 Feb 11 - 11:15 AM (#3095718) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST Yes i thought it might be linked to 'bodhar' alright. My dad is no gaelic scholar |
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13 Mar 11 - 03:27 PM (#3113033) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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. |
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25 Feb 13 - 05:30 PM (#3483666) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Guest Mr NASH Australia 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 beaganirishdrums@hotmail.com |
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25 Feb 13 - 07:01 PM (#3483685) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu At 6:30 the bracing can be seen. Given what happens just prior, I assume it is "punch bracing". >;-) Thanks for the vid. |
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26 Feb 13 - 12:10 AM (#3483763) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: JohnInKansas 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 |
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26 Feb 13 - 08:28 AM (#3483886) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Mr Red 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 |
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26 Feb 13 - 03:03 PM (#3483981) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,BrendanB 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! |
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26 Feb 13 - 03:19 PM (#3483985) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST 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. |
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26 Feb 13 - 03:22 PM (#3483986) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,BrendanB Sorry, bloody iPad! |
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26 Feb 13 - 09:03 PM (#3484080) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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! |
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27 Feb 13 - 05:42 PM (#3484468) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Marc Bernier 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. |
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28 Feb 13 - 09:02 AM (#3484653) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Lavengro 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. |
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28 Feb 13 - 01:28 PM (#3484743) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu I believe Malachy Kearns makes em by hand as well. |
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28 Feb 13 - 01:31 PM (#3484746) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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. |
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01 Mar 13 - 09:46 AM (#3485087) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Lavengro 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? |
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01 Mar 13 - 02:19 PM (#3485162) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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. >;-) |
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01 Mar 13 - 02:55 PM (#3485174) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST 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 |
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01 Mar 13 - 04:15 PM (#3485194) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Lavengro @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 ;) |
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01 Mar 13 - 07:23 PM (#3485235) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,JTT 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. |
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01 Mar 13 - 09:08 PM (#3485260) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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. |
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02 Mar 13 - 05:28 AM (#3485371) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Lavengro As played by John Joe Kitty? |
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02 Mar 13 - 05:39 AM (#3485378) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu 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. |
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03 Mar 13 - 06:31 AM (#3485752) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Tattie Bogle 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! |
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03 Mar 13 - 06:46 AM (#3485760) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Tattie Bogle 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 |
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03 Mar 13 - 06:57 AM (#3485764) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Lavengro 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! |
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03 Mar 13 - 07:07 AM (#3485770) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu I had heard the name but I've never heard him play. Glad I did. Thanks. |
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03 Mar 13 - 07:13 AM (#3485775) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: Tattie Bogle 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!) |
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03 Mar 13 - 07:42 AM (#3485784) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: GUEST,Lavengro 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! :) |
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03 Mar 13 - 07:50 AM (#3485785) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu I am a member of People for the Eating of Tasty Animals. Ditto on the couldn't resist thing. |
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01 Jun 13 - 12:28 PM (#3521580) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu Best Hran Solo Ever!!! Speakers on ten. |
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01 Jun 13 - 06:19 PM (#3521678) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu Oh-oh... I did test the link but that don't mean squat I guess. I'll try to get it right. Sorry. |
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01 Jun 13 - 06:23 PM (#3521681) Subject: RE: Bodhran From: gnu One more try. |