Until I started research for this page I didn't realize there was a controversy over bodhran drums on multiple levels. Are they ancient or are they new to Celtic music? I think I'll have to leave that to you to decide for yourself. I'm not sure, and I don't think anyone today is really sure either. There are strong opinions on both sides of that question.
Before I go on I have to show a video of some excellent playing by left handed player Eamon Murray
Enjoy.
Controversial History
It looks like there is no agreement on the origin of bodhran drums.
You'll find that some believe the bodhran in some form or another started out in Central Asia. It came to the Celts in Europe and came to ancient Ireland when they migrated.
Others believe the bodhran was an African instrument that found it's way to Ireland by way of Spain centuries ago.
Still others think it is purely ancient Celtic in origin. They believe it is the offshoot of an old farm implement. This implement was a skin with holes punched through it stretched around a round wooden frame. This tool was used to separate chaff from grain.
Lastly, some think the bodhran is a modern instrument that is nothing more than a tambourine without the jingly parts. Tambourines have been found on early nineteenth century Irish paintings. They can also be heard on 1920 recordings of traditional Irish music.
Regardless of the origin of bodhran drums it was Sean O Riada with the Irish band Ceoltóirí Chualann that made them popular in today's Celtic music. Back in the early 1960's Sean declared them an ancient Irish instrument and began to use them in his music, and that was that. They were further popularized in the music of the Chieftains. Before this time the drums were not used in traditional Celtic music. Or were they? I'll leave you to ponder that question.
Some say they were used as ancient war drums. They were used more or less as noisemakers in celebrations like St. Stephens day and other observances.
All this controversy is probably making your head spin. I know just the cure. Here's a video of one of the best bodhran players today John Joe Kelly of the band Flook. Notice how he controls the tone of the drum with his left hand.
The Construction of Bodhran Drums
Old bodhran drums were made from green wood bent in a circle and held together with cross bracing on the inside. The drumheads were goatskin, sheepskin and even greyhound skin.
Today's drums are constructed in such a way that they don't require cross bracing, although some still use either a cross brace or a single brace. This is a matter of a player’s personnel preference. The skins used on drums today include donkey, reindeer, calf, elk, buffalo and some still use goatskin.
The stick used to play the bodhran is called a Tipper. The varied tone of the drum is achieved by the location of where the tipper hits the drum and the position of the other hand inside the drum against the drum skin.
Some bodhans are made to be tunable with either an inside or outside ring around the drumhead that is adjusted by screws. This gives the player a wide variety of tones that can be played on the drum by tightening or loosening the skin.
Here is one last controversy for you to ponder. Many people believe only one bodhran drum should play in a band at a time. They say more than one ruin the music. Yet others think the bodhran shouldn't be played in traditional Celtic music at all.
So, where do you go from here surrounded by all this controversy? I know.....another video.
I'll leave you with a video of what a Bodhran sounds like when accompanied by other instruments. The drum player is Colm Murphy the band is De Dannan. Remember to keep all your foot tapping under control.
