Rocpadz Drum Sets.

Bodhran Drum

Celtic Music -- Mandolin, Mandola, Bouzouki

Consider the instruments used by your favorite celtic group -- certainly, there's a fiddle ... and there may be a tinwhistle and perhaps some bagpipes.  There's probably a guitar and a bodhran (a sort of handheld drum) -- but what about those other stringed instruments?

You may find a mandolin or a mandola in the group -- and perhaps a bouzouki.  In fact, a bouzouki may take the place of the guitar.  What makes these instruments useful in celtic folk music?

First off, you're probably familiar with a mandolin.  It's a small (pretty much violin-sized) strummed or plucked instrument -- you can finger chords on it and strum it, or you can pluck individual strings to play a melody.  Mandolin's are common to most types of folk or country music.  They have essentially the same scale length as a violin (the strings are about the same length) -- in fact, it's normally tuned exactly like a violin -- GDAE!  This makes it very easy to learn both instruments. 

The mandolin has a high, ringing tone.  When playing accompanying chords, the mandolin's high pitch and sharp attach have an almost percussive effect ... making it an excellent rhythm instrument. Since the mandolin isn't loud when individual notes are plucked, most solo playing requires a fast and repeated picking technique.

The mandola is a little larger than the mandolin -- giving it a lower pitch.  Some tune it a fifth down from a mandolin -- CGDA.  Some folks even tune an entire octave lower -- although the scale length isn't really long enough for proper intonation.  The lower tones alter the effect of strummed chords -- instead of a sharp and ringing attack (like a mandolin), the effect is much closer to a guitar where the chords flow naturally to the background.  Sharp and bright chords jump to the forefront of a song -- sometimes this is good, but usually you want your rhythym instruments to be complimentary, not a featured solo instrument.

If lower is better for chord playing, then why not go all the way to an octave mandolin?  Tuned like a mandolin to GDAE ... except an octave lower ... the octave mandolin also has a scale length close to a guitar.  And here's where we start running into problems!

How far can your fingers stretch?  Most chords on a guitar span 4 frets at the most -- with 3 being the most common maximum stretch.  Mandolin chords often span 4 frets -- with some having a 5 fret span.  When played on a short scale mandolin, this stretch isn't a problem.  When the scale length approaches 2 feet or so (about a guitar's scale length), the required fret stretch is simply too much for most players.

A bouzouki has this same problem -- originally used for Greek folk music, a bouzouki is tuned like an octave mandolin.  This lower tuning makes it ideal for a celtic rhythm instrument -- except for the required fret stretch.

Because of this, you often see bouzoukis or octave mandolins tuned differently for celtic music -- GDAD.  Chord fretting in this tuning is much easier and the longer scale length (a few inches longer than an octave mandolin) results in deep, long sustaining chords -- making a bouzouki a perfect rhythm instrument for celtic music!

About the Author

Joey Robichaux operates Celtic Sheet Music, where mandolin players can freely download over 3,000 celtic tunes!

Meinl Bodhran Frame Drum $139.99 Meinl Bodhran Frame Drum

Meinl Professional Bodhran Frame Drum Bag $49.99 Meinl Professional Bodhran Frame Drum Bag

Remo Irish Bodhran Drum with Bahia Bass Head $159.99 Remo Irish Bodhran Drum with Bahia Bass Head

Meinl Bodhran Frame Drum 18 $139.99 The Meinl Bodhran is made in the classic Celtic style. The drum is held by means of the wooden cross bars and is usually played with the double-headed tipper (sold separately, #580701). Internal tuning system ensures you find just the tuning you want.

Trophy Bodhran 14 in $24.99 The Bodhran is the traditional Celtic drum that provides the vital pulse of Celtic music even in modern times. The Grover-Trophy bodhran stays true to the time-honored build. It is played with a double beater that allows one hand to produce complex rhythms, while the other hand adds tonal expression by muting or applying tension to the inside surface of the head.

Trophy Bodhran 18 in $34.9 The Bodhran is the traditional Celtic drum that provides the vital pulse of Celtic music even in modern times. The Grover-Trophy bodhran stays true to the time-honored build. It is played with a double beater that allows one hand to produce complex rhythms, while the other hand adds tonal expression by muting or applying tension to the inside surface of the head.

Trophy Bodhran 14 In $24.99 The Bodhran is the traditional Celtic drum that provides the vital pulse of Celtic music even in modern times. The Grover-Trophy bodhran stays true to the time-honored build. It is played with a double beater that allows one hand to produce complex rhythms, while the other hand adds tonal expression by muting or applying tension to the inside surface of the head.

Trophy Bodhran 18 In $34.9 The Bodhran is the traditional Celtic drum that provides the vital pulse of Celtic music even in modern times. The Grover-Trophy bodhran stays true to the time-honored build. It is played with a double beater that allows one hand to produce complex rhythms, while the other hand adds tonal expression by muting or applying tension to the inside surface of the head.

The Irish Drum: An Bodhran $17.99 Track Listing: 1. Opening Jig Set: The Rose in the Heather/The Rambler/Bill Collins' Jig, 2. Holding the Bodhr n and Beater, 3. Beating the Bodhr n, 4. Jig Beat Explained, The, 5. Kesh Jig - Basic Jig Beat, The, 6. Kesh Jig - Triples Added, The, 7. Kesh Jig - With Rim Shot, The, 8. Saint Anne's Reel - Basic Reel Beat, 9. Saint Anne's Reel - Triples Added, 10. Saint Anne's Reel - With Side Work, 11. Saint Anne's Reel - Varying Beater Positions, 12. Saint Anne's Reel - Rolls Added, 13. Kesh Jig - Bodhr n As Notated, The, 14. Kesh Jig - Free Style Bodhr n, The, 15. Saint Anne's Reel - Bodhr n As Notated, 16. Saint Anne's Reel - Free Style Bodhr n, 17. Hornpipe - Off to California, The, 18. Polka - Egan's Polka, The, 19. Slide - The Scattery Island Slide, The, 20. March - Napoleon Crossing the Rhine, The, 21. Slip Jig - Drops of Brandy, The, 22. Jig Playalong: Langstrom's Pony, 23. Jig with Bodhr n Accompaniment: Langstrom's Pony, 24. Reel Set Playalong: The Humours of Scartaglen/The James Street Reel/The Monaghan Twig, 25. Reel Set with Bodhr n Accompaniment: The Humours of Scartaglen/The James Street Reel/The Monaghan Twig, 26. Hornpipe Set Playalong: The Home Ruler/The Smoky Chimney, 27. Hornpipe Set with Bodhr n Accompaniment: The Home Ruler/The Smoky Chimney, 28. Polka Set Playalong: Din Tarrant's Polka/Seamus Cussen's Polka/Munster Bank, 29. Polka Set with Bodhr n Accompaniment: Din Tarrant's Polka/Seamus Cussen's Polka/Munster Bank, 30. Slide Set Playalong: Bunratty Boys/The Lonesome Road to Dingle/The Clog, 31. Slide Set with Bodhr n Accompaniment: Bunratty Boys/The Lonesome Road to Dingle/The Clog, 32. March Set Playalong: The Centenary March/The Mountains of Pomeroy, 33. March Set with Bodhr n Accompaniment: The Centenary March/The Mountains of Pomeroy, 34. Slip Jig Playalong: The Kid on the Mountain, 35. Slip Jig with Bodhr n Accompaniment: The Kid on the Mountain, 36. Closing Reel Set: Sporting Paddy/Bodhr n Solo/Foxhunter's Reel

Irish Drum : An Bodhran $14.09 No Synopsis Available

Trophy 14 and 18 Bodhran Set $49.99 The traditional Trophy Bodhran drum provides the vital pulse of Celtic music even in modern times. Play the Bodhran with a double beater with one hand producing complex rhythms while the other hand adds tonal expression by muting or applying tension to the inside surface of the drum's head. The Trophy Bodhran Set includes a pair of nicely crafted Bodhrans in 2 sizes for rhythmically complex patterns.

Trophy 14 And 18 Bodhran Set $49.99 The traditional Trophy Bodhran drum provides the vital pulse of Celtic music even in modern times. Play the Bodhran with a double beater with one hand producing complex rhythms while the other hand adds tonal expression by muting or applying tension to the inside surface of the drum's head. The Trophy Bodhran Set includes a pair of nicely crafted Bodhrans in 2 sizes for rhythmically complex patterns.

Waltons Walton Music Bodhran WM1900 Irish Hand Drum $55.19 The Walton Music Bodhran is handcrafted from the finest woods, and the head is made from real goatskin. This 18" bodhran comes with a tipple, or hardwood beater.

Waltons Walton Music Bodhran Wm1900 Irish Hand Drum $55.19 The Walton Music Bodhran is handcrafted from the finest woods, and the head is made from real goatskin. This 18" bodhran comes with a tipple, or hardwood beater.

Remo Irish Bodhran Drum with Bahia Bass Head 16 In x 4.5 In $159.99 Remo's deep-shell Irish Bodhran is available in both 16" and 14" diameters, with a 4-1/2" deep Acousticon shell. Each drum is fashioned with an internal tuning system and a synthetic Bahia Bass drumhead. The Bahia Bass drumhead produces a soft attack and deep bass tones and is pliable to produce pitch bending notes. Remo's Irish Bodhran includes a hex tuning key and tipper drumstick. The Bodhran is the historic drum of Ireland and is the primary rhythmic accompaniment for the folk music of the Emerald Isle. The Bodhran is typically low pitched and is played with a double headed wooden mallet called a cipín, tipper, or beater (sold separately).16" diameter4-1/2" depth Acousticon shell

Remo Irish Bodhran Drum with Bahia Bass Head 14 In x 4.5 In $123.99 Remo's deep-shell Irish Bodhran is available in both 16" and 14" diameters, with a 4-1/2" deep Acousticon shell. Each drum is fashioned with an internal tuning system and a synthetic Bahia Bass drumhead. The Bahia Bass drumhead produces a soft attack and deep bass tones and is pliable to produce pitch bending notes. Remo's Irish Bodhran includes a hex tuning key and tipper drumstick. The Bodhran is the historic drum of Ireland and is the primary rhythmic accompaniment for the folk music of the Emerald Isle. The Bodhran is typically low pitched and is played with a double headed wooden mallet called a cipín, tipper, or beater (sold separately).

Remo Irish Bodhran Drum With Bahia Bass Head 16 In X 4.5 In $159.99 Remo's deep-shell Irish Bodhran is available in both 16" and 14" diameters, with a 4-1/2" deep Acousticon shell. Each drum is fashioned with an internal tuning system and a synthetic Bahia Bass drumhead. The Bahia Bass drumhead produces a soft attack and deep bass tones and is pliable to produce pitch bending notes. Remo's Irish Bodhran includes a hex tuning key and tipper drumstick. The Bodhran is the historic drum of Ireland and is the primary rhythmic accompaniment for the folk music of the Emerald Isle. The Bodhran is typically low pitched and is played with a double headed wooden mallet called a cipn, tipper, or beater (sold separately).

Remo Irish Bodhran Drum With Bahia Bass Head 14 In X 4.5 In $123.99 Remo's deep-shell Irish Bodhran is available in both 16" and 14" diameters, with a 4-1/2" deep Acousticon shell. Each drum is fashioned with an internal tuning system and a synthetic Bahia Bass drumhead. The Bahia Bass drumhead produces a soft attack and deep bass tones and is pliable to produce pitch bending notes. Remo's Irish Bodhran includes a hex tuning key and tipper drumstick. The Bodhran is the historic drum of Ireland and is the primary rhythmic accompaniment for the folk music of the Emerald Isle. The Bodhran is typically low pitched and is played with a double headed wooden mallet called a cipn, tipper, or beater (sold separately).

Bodhran $20.74 Accomplished and renowned percussionist Steafan Hannigan details all the intricacies of traditional Bodhran playing. Nothing is taken for granted or forgotten, making this a suitable manual for beginners with its gentle and careful progression through the techniques using numerous examples and exercises. Learn the many, varied bodhran techniques through expert and detailed instruction. Also included is a selection of repertoire pieces which add depth to your playing, plus sections on the history of the Bodhran and Irish music, including construction and maintenance. All clearly presented with illustrations, photographs and diagrams. A CD of demonstration tracks of all the pieces in the book played by Hannigan himself is also included. This allows you to hear examples of the exercises and pieces as they should sound.

A Bodhran Tutorial by Ray Gallen: Irish Heartbeat $14.41 Ray Gallen has honed his skill on the traditional Irish drum, the bodhran, for over 20 years, and has toured extensively in both the U.S. and Europe. In this tutorial, the well-respected artist lends his expertise to beginning players.

World Beat 18 Tunable Bodhran WB239 $89.99 World Beat WB239 18" Bodhran Husk sifter The bodhran (pronounced "bow-rawn") is a popular Irish frame drum that, for most of its history, served as a lowly husk sifter: that is, a pan used to shake the husks off grains. Gaelic peasants first converted the sifter to a musical instrument by replacing its wire mesh head with stretched goat skin.The heart of traditional Irish music Although the bodhran is the heart of traditional Irish music performed today, it was only as recent as the 1960's that it could be found outside southwestern Ireland. A bodhran is played by tucking the drum between the left arm and the chest, as the right hand beats the skin with a double-headed stick called a beater, tipper, or cipin (the Gaelic word for kindling).

World Beat 18 Tunable Bodhran Wb239 $89.99 World Beat WB239 18" Bodhran Husk sifter The bodhran (pronounced "bow-rawn") is a popular Irish frame drum that, for most of its history, served as a lowly husk sifter: that is, a pan used to shake the husks off grains. Gaelic peasants first converted the sifter to a musical instrument by replacing its wire mesh head with stretched goat skin.The heart of traditional Irish music Although the bodhran is the heart of traditional Irish music performed today, it was only as recent as the 1960's that it could be found outside southwestern Ireland. A bodhran is played by tucking the drum between the left arm and the chest, as the right hand beats the skin with a double-headed stick called a beater, tipper, or cipin (the Gaelic word for kindling).