Tuning a Bodhran
Adjust the tension on a bodhran so that the tone produced is low.
Check the tension without putting your hand on the drum head. If the head is too slack the drum will have terrible tone – like banging on a paper bag! Some players tune the head to a specific pitch.
Set the pitch as low as possible to create a clear tone, not just a thump sound.
Experiment a little and you’ll soon find the sweet-spot.
It is imperative that the tension on the head be uniform all around the head. Here’s how to do that.
o Set the low pitch that creates the best sound on the drum.
o Place one finger lightly on the center of the drum head. LIGHTLY
o tap the drum head with the tipper near the rim. Move around the rim testing the sound at point equidistant points. Adjust the tension so that the pitch of the drum at each of the four points is the same. Best to crisscross the head rather than moving around the circle of the rim.
Now the drum will be in tune with itself. This procedure will ensure that the drum yields the clearest, loudest voice and provide for the large range of pitch.
VERY serious players may use a device called a drum dial. This is a measuring device that reports the tension on a drum head in pounds/square inch. It will help to accurately tune a drum. These devices cost about $60 and are available at retailers that sell drums. If you also play banjo, you’ll find that a drum dial is valuable in setting up the head tension on that instrument too. https://www.drumdial.com/
That said, most all players use the finger-tap method to tension a bodhran head. It’s quick and reliable.
Check the tension without putting your hand on the drum head. If the head is too slack the drum will have terrible tone – like banging on a paper bag! Some players tune the head to a specific pitch.
Set the pitch as low as possible to create a clear tone, not just a thump sound.
Experiment a little and you’ll soon find the sweet-spot.
It is imperative that the tension on the head be uniform all around the head. Here’s how to do that.
o Set the low pitch that creates the best sound on the drum.
o Place one finger lightly on the center of the drum head. LIGHTLY
o tap the drum head with the tipper near the rim. Move around the rim testing the sound at point equidistant points. Adjust the tension so that the pitch of the drum at each of the four points is the same. Best to crisscross the head rather than moving around the circle of the rim.
Now the drum will be in tune with itself. This procedure will ensure that the drum yields the clearest, loudest voice and provide for the large range of pitch.
VERY serious players may use a device called a drum dial. This is a measuring device that reports the tension on a drum head in pounds/square inch. It will help to accurately tune a drum. These devices cost about $60 and are available at retailers that sell drums. If you also play banjo, you’ll find that a drum dial is valuable in setting up the head tension on that instrument too. https://www.drumdial.com/
That said, most all players use the finger-tap method to tension a bodhran head. It’s quick and reliable.