A bodhran is an Irish drum designed to be easy and straightforward for any player, featuring only minimal features: wooden frame with goatskin stretched across one side, an open ended end and no additional flashy features.
Bodhrans are one of the easiest musical instruments for beginners to pick up, making them a great gateway instrument to traditional Irish music.
Meinl 14 inch
Bodhrans are one of the oldest musical instruments ever invented, making them an excellent first instrument choice. A Bodhran is a frame drum with goat skin head which you play by tipper (also called cipin).
When choosing a bodhran, it is essential to select one suitable for your hands. Smaller sizes are best suited for children and adolescents while adults often opt for larger instruments.
As part of your selection process for the perfect bodhran experience, you must also select suitable beaters. Bodhrans come in all shapes and sizes; similarly beaters do too.
Your options for beaters include kangaroo skin, deer skin and synthetic materials – each designed to produce different sounds while remaining comfortable to play. A high-quality beater should create the sound you are after while remaining easy on the hands when playing it.
Remo 14 inch
Bodhrans, originally created in Ireland and made popular again with Irish traditional music since their revival during the 1960s, are also immensely popular throughout northern Africa and the Middle East.
There are a wide range of bodhran styles and sizes available; each can vary in terms of appearance and size. For novice players looking for their first instrument, the Remo 14 inch Bodhran may be an ideal solution.
Finding a drum of the appropriate size is key to becoming an accomplished bodhran player. Though you’ll likely encounter different options on the market, smaller drums may prove easier for beginners to handle and are thus recommended.
Remo bodhrans feature durable skin designed to accommodate both hands and wooden beaters, creating an audible thump unique to this instrument.
Roosebeck 18 inch
Bodhrans come in different sizes, making selecting one for beginners quite a challenge. You should take into account factors like height and depth measurements, skin quality/type, optional support bars (T, cross or single), tunability etc when making this decision.
For beginners, an ideal bodhran should feel comfortable to hold and play, producing an impressive sound while offering maximum tunability and featuring high-grade skins.
Traditional Bodhrans were typically constructed out of goatskin, though more modern options may include other animal skins or synthetic materials. Bodhrans with quality animal skin produce far more authentic sound than those constructed using synthetic material.
The Best Bodhran offer an easy entryway into traditional Irish music, but for best results it requires serious study of this instrument. If you want to create stunning melodies then learning it correctly is key for producing beautiful music.
Trinity College 18 inch
Bodhrans are Irish frame drums that create the heartbeat of Irish music. These durable instruments can be played by anyone with just some hand strength.
Traditional Bodhran sizes range from 18 inches (46 cm). More recently, 16-inch models are becoming more widely popular, as they provide easier manipulation and wider tonal range.
An important aspect of choosing the appropriate bodhran is selecting one with high-quality goatskin skin for maximum sound production. Although synthetic-skinned instruments exist, their sound cannot compare.
Bodhrans without tuning systems may be less expensive and suitable for beginners. Although this choice is ultimately yours, if you want to take up playing seriously then one with a tuning system might be preferable.
Non-tuneable bodhrans can be affected by changes in temperature and humidity, which may cause their skin to loosen or tighten and alter the sound. A tuning system allows you to keep your instrument always sounding its best!
