Bodhran Head Care
The drum builder will probably provide instructions on how to care for and how to break in a head. ALWAYS follow those directions.
A synthetic head requires little or no maintenance.
Natural heads are some type of animal skin. During dry winters drum heads can suffer just as human skin does. You MAY wish to apply a small amount of a good quality moisturizer to the exterior of the head. The operative words are “small amount” and “good quality.” Don’t use a cheap watery product.
Here are some options for treating the drum head.
1. Many players use a product called “Dubbin”. It’s a leather conditioner. It’s not all that easy to find outside of the western states and Canada. It is available through Amazon.com. Visit the Dubbin website for more information: http://www.pappysdubbin.com/products.html.
2. I use anhydrous, pharmaceutical grade Lanolin on my drum head. Lanolin is the oil extracted from the wool of sheep. Lanolin is available on line from Australia. My supplier is Koru Naturals http://www.korunaturals.com/. It costs about $9 for a two ounce tin. It is unlikely you would ever need ore throughout your entire playing life! Some players use Lexol leather conditioner (NOT leather leaner). But, for the money, I like pure lanolin better.
3. Some players use shea butter on drum heads. Shea butter is the fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. Shea butter is not difficult to find. But, make sure you get shea butter and not a compound or lotion that just contains shea butter.
No matter what moisturizing product you choose, be sure to use a small amount and rub it into the head thoroughly. Make repeated applications. How much is enough? A rule of thumb is when the head will not accept any more conditioner, that is when you can no longer rub in even a small amount into the head; you have put enough into the skin. Don’t be afraid to rub vigorously and hard. You may feel the friction in your fingers and the drum head may heat up and slacken. That’s okay. A warm hide will accept the moisturizer better.
The interior of the drum head can benefit by the occasional application of a small amount of talcum powder. This helps your hand to slide around and reduces the noise of movement.
A synthetic head requires little or no maintenance.
Natural heads are some type of animal skin. During dry winters drum heads can suffer just as human skin does. You MAY wish to apply a small amount of a good quality moisturizer to the exterior of the head. The operative words are “small amount” and “good quality.” Don’t use a cheap watery product.
Here are some options for treating the drum head.
1. Many players use a product called “Dubbin”. It’s a leather conditioner. It’s not all that easy to find outside of the western states and Canada. It is available through Amazon.com. Visit the Dubbin website for more information: http://www.pappysdubbin.com/products.html.
2. I use anhydrous, pharmaceutical grade Lanolin on my drum head. Lanolin is the oil extracted from the wool of sheep. Lanolin is available on line from Australia. My supplier is Koru Naturals http://www.korunaturals.com/. It costs about $9 for a two ounce tin. It is unlikely you would ever need ore throughout your entire playing life! Some players use Lexol leather conditioner (NOT leather leaner). But, for the money, I like pure lanolin better.
3. Some players use shea butter on drum heads. Shea butter is the fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. Shea butter is not difficult to find. But, make sure you get shea butter and not a compound or lotion that just contains shea butter.
No matter what moisturizing product you choose, be sure to use a small amount and rub it into the head thoroughly. Make repeated applications. How much is enough? A rule of thumb is when the head will not accept any more conditioner, that is when you can no longer rub in even a small amount into the head; you have put enough into the skin. Don’t be afraid to rub vigorously and hard. You may feel the friction in your fingers and the drum head may heat up and slacken. That’s okay. A warm hide will accept the moisturizer better.
The interior of the drum head can benefit by the occasional application of a small amount of talcum powder. This helps your hand to slide around and reduces the noise of movement.