The bodhrán is an Irish drum consisting of a stretched animal skin on a circular wooden frame played by hitting the skin with one’s hand or a stick, called a tipper. This drum has an ambiguous history that is highly contested but is agreed that the drum was established as an instrument in the 1950’s. The manipulation of the drum skin to produce different sounds to be more effective when blended into a band of other traditional Irish instruments. The physical creation of a bodhrán is a talent lauded as much as the playing of the drum. This pastoral drum fits into two folklore categories, that of music obviously, as well as material as it is a product as well as a craft.
History of the bodhran
The bodhran is believed to have evolved from an Irish pastoral tool used for winnowing chaff from the wheat harvest. This tool consisted of a round wood frame that had an animal skin stretched over one end and with a hand or stick would beat the skin. It is believed that this winnowing tool was used for the harvest, then after the day's work was done it would then become an instrument holding a dual purpose for farming families.
Controversy?
The bodhran is considered controversial for a couple of reasons. The first is the sudden popularity of this instrument in the 1950's and the second is that few musicians are considered proficient in playing the drum with proper rhythm for a traditional Irish instrument band. Being only acknowledged as an instrument in the 1950's causes pause on counting it as a classic Irish instrument. Proficiency and the ability to keep beat with the other classic instruments in an Irish band are incredibly important to the Irish music culture.
Creating the beat
A bodhran is created by making a round frame from wood, typically ash or oak, then stretching an animal hide, typically goat or sheep, over one end of the frame and tacking it into place. The size of the frame and type of the hide can change the sound of the drum. This drum is usually played from a seated position but can be played standing as well. Rhythm is kept by holding one side of the drum with one hand then using a beater (tipper) or other hand slide or tap on the skin of the drum. It creates a deep sound.
Click here for a sample of this drum's sound.