Creating Tones on the Bodhrán
Watch this video to see how the hand inside the drum moves
Suzanne Berends is the kind of bodhrán player we should all seek to become. Her style isn't flashy. It just rock-solid. She always delivers the right pattern at the right place in the music. Emulate her technique and you will become a much sought-after bodhrán player. This video is especially helpful because throughout the two tunes the camera is focused on her hand inside the drum. You'll see how she moves her hand to create tones on the drum.
Her husband, Tijn Berends, is a master of bouzouki and harmonica. Check out his YouTube Channel for more examples of exquisite performances. https://www.youtube.com/@TijnB42/videos
Her husband, Tijn Berends, is a master of bouzouki and harmonica. Check out his YouTube Channel for more examples of exquisite performances. https://www.youtube.com/@TijnB42/videos
Rolf and Eamon are masters of the bodhran. They set high performance standards and deliver their work with wonderful humor.
Both players have great influence on bodhran performances of other musicians. Each has a signature bodhran that is available with the same specifications of the drum they use in performance. I own an Eamon Murry bodhran. It's really great! Check out each player online for more performances and their personal websites.
In this performance you'll hear a wide range of tones played.
One note before we get into technique. The type of skin used on the head makes a huge difference in how easy tones can be created on a bodhran. If tones are you thing, look for a bodhran with a Lambeg skin. This type of skin is very responsive to tonal playing.
The skin of some drums will produce only an open or closed sound. If you are frustrated because you can't seem to get tones out of your drum, the cause may be the skin type, not your playing.
Both players have great influence on bodhran performances of other musicians. Each has a signature bodhran that is available with the same specifications of the drum they use in performance. I own an Eamon Murry bodhran. It's really great! Check out each player online for more performances and their personal websites.
In this performance you'll hear a wide range of tones played.
One note before we get into technique. The type of skin used on the head makes a huge difference in how easy tones can be created on a bodhran. If tones are you thing, look for a bodhran with a Lambeg skin. This type of skin is very responsive to tonal playing.
The skin of some drums will produce only an open or closed sound. If you are frustrated because you can't seem to get tones out of your drum, the cause may be the skin type, not your playing.