Bill Troxler
A great resource for information about Celtic music and the bodhran in particular is Paraic McNeela's blog.
https://blog.mcneelamusic.com/
Video Instruction
You won't have any trouble finding on-line bodhran instructors. Many are excellent. Search YouTube to find them. I have a few favorite video instructors. I have experience with all of the courses listed below. I have found each one to be valuable. You may find these unique approaches helpful too.
Eamon Murray
I am a long time fan of Eamon Murray's playing. He has a great sense of humor and is a marvelous teacher. The Eamon Murray Signature Line Bodhran is one of my favorite drums. It delivers an astonishingly wonderful voice. It's stable. Beautiful too. Check out Eamon's drum at this link: lhttps://www.eamonmurray.ie/drums
Find his "Bite-Sized Bodhran" videos on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/bodhran
A subscription to Bite Sized Bodhran will deliver a weekly, SHORT, video about playing techniques and fills. For intermediate and advance players Eamon's class is spectacularly effective and efficient.
Eamon is the percussionist in the Irish band Beoga. http://www.beogamusic.com/
Ruairi Glasheen
One of my heroes of the bodhran world. Ruairi Glasheen is a professional percussionist, composer, teacher and filmmaker. Visit his YouTube channel to view his work. This link takes you to his 16 part series on How to Play the Bodhran. Ruairi's Channel is a great place to start for beginners and a informative place for anyone who is interested in Irish music and the drumming tradition of other cultures.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkErKXjoTBKiOE08DHgHwMewGGm7FZvew
Modern Bodhran
This course is taught by Marissa Waite. First of all she is a fine player and teacher. Second, she's got impressive creds. She studied under Martin O'Neill at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She holds a BA from that respected institution. This woman knows her stuff and communicates it beautifully. I especially appreciate that she delivers the most modern techniques of playing a bodhran. Her courses are available for beginners, intermediate and advanced players.
Michelle Stewart
The clarity and precision Michelle Stewart.brings to teaching bodhran is like no other. If you are a detail person, Michelle Stewart is the teacher for you. MIchelle and her husband used to make and sell Cape Breton Bodhrans. Safe to say, she knows the bodhran inside and out.
Contemporary Bodhran
https://www.youtube.com/user/mattbellmusic/featured
Matt Bell is a highly skilled percussionist and excellent teacher. His wide range of styles is impressive and very helpful in developing basic skills as well as advanced techniques. He offers both free and subscription instruction.
On Line Academy of Irish Music
This subscription service provides instruction in all of the instruments you'd find playing in a session. OAIM offers two levels of bodhran instruction.
Books
There are so many excellent textbooks available these days. Where to start and what to leave out!!!
Here are a FEW of the texts I have found useful over the years. However, I confess that when it comes to studying bodhran, I am one of many who respond best to aural instruction - in person or online.
Steáfán Hannigan
Steáfán is a highly respected, multiple-instrumentalist focused on Celtic music. He plays bodhran, ullleann pipes, low whistle and more. I have had the great privilege of working with Steáfán on the faculty of Common Ground on the Hill. He is an amazing artist and fabulous musician. Steáfán published one of the first instrumental books on the bodhran. It remains a classic and definitive text. It was the first book I used to study bodhran! That text has been updated and expanded. Steáfán Hannigan's bodhran books are excellent. Find them a music store that supports Celtic Music. Or, get them online.
For several summers I've had the priviledge of teaching with Steáfán at Common Ground on the Hill. He is a stunningly brilliant multi-instrumentalist a superb teach.
The Bodhrán Book
https://www.amazon.com/Bodhr%C3%A1n-Book-Bodhran-Steafan-Hannigan/dp/0946005400
Bodhran Basics
https://www.amazon.com/Bodhran-Basics-Steafan-Hannigan/dp/0946005877
Andy Kruspe
I first met Andy in Ireland at the week-long, intensive bodhran school, Craiceann Andy is a professional percussionist. A marvelous musician and gifted teacher. If you learn best by using a book, Andy's books are excellent tools for you. His books are available for digital download through his website. He also offers hard copy versions there too.
https://www.andykruspebodhran.com/teaching
Andy also co-authored a book with Martin O'Neill on contemporary bodhran performance. It's available in digital download at this link.
https://www.martinoneill.com/shop/in-session-one-digital-download/
At £20 this is an extraordinary value. You charts in PDF format and mp3 audio files. A wonderful learning tool.,
Additionally Andy Kruspe is the US Brand Ambassador for Hedwitschak Drums. If you have a question about any of the models offered by Hedwitschak Drums, ask Andy. He is not a retailer. But can guide you to an authorized dealer and to the drum that might be best for you.. Contact Andy at andy@idchsv.com
Bill Woods
His two books on playing bodhran are well crafted. They come with downloadable practice files.
Bodhran: The basic - A beginner's Guide
https://www.amazon.com/Bodhran-Basics-Beginners-Guide-Playing/dp/0786687800
Bodhran - Beyond the Basics
https://www.amazon.com/Bodhran-Beyond-Basics-Bill-Woods-ebook/dp/B011SH275E
Drums
I don't recommend any drum that I have not owned or at least played for a while. That means, my list of suggested drum makers is short. There are an astonishing number of world class makers building drums. Many of the mass produced drums can be very good too. A drum with a diameter between 14" and 16" is a good choice. 18" diameter drums are very large and can be awkward to handle. These large diameter drums are traditional and generate a BIG sound. But, most contemporary players prefer smaller diameter drums which can be responsive to interior hand pressure to generate various melodic tones.
When buying a drum make sure it comes with a case. I recommend tunable drums that have natural, skin heads. Bodhrans with synthetic head material are here. Lots of very cheap and terrible sounding synthetic head bodhrans flood the market. DON'T go there. I've owned a few. They aren't worth the money. Matt Bell and Christian Hedwitschak are leading the way with excellent bodhrans that use synthetic heads. Plus the head can be changed on the fly. Amazing. That said, this caliber of drum is very expensive and probably out of budget range for most players.
Drums without tuners are traditional. However, the modern convenience of being able to adjust the head tension to compensate for temperature and humidity changes is well worth the added expense. Get a tunable drum if you can!
Starter Drums
A tuneable, drum made by the Ethnic Musical Instruments Company can be an excellent starter drum. You'll need to sand and tape the head. After that you should have a very serviceable drum. Find these drums at any retailers. Amazon is a good place to look. You can buy direct from, Ethic Musical Instruments but usually the retailer price is lower. If a bodhran is advertised as having a "roosebeck" frame, it was probably made in
Pakitsan by the Ethnic Musical Instrument company. Roosebeck is a member of the rosewood family.
http://www.ethnicmusicalinstruments.com/Bodhr%C3%A1n_c_3393.html
Mid-Range Drums
McNeela Bodhrans
I own several McNeela products including two of his Wave bodhrans. The whistles, drums and fiddle I have bought from McNeela Music exhibit excellent qualities of manufacture. If you are on a tight budget, take a look at the McNeela 14inch deep rim, non-tunable bodhran. The top of the line McNeela bodhran is the "Wave". I'm a huge fan of the mellow, warm tone delivered by McNeela' Wave bodhrán fitted with a double, lambeg head.
https://mcneelamusic.com/bodhraacutens.html
Meinl Percussion
14"x6", natural skin drum that's tunable, removable crossbar. I'm not a great fan of the sound of this drum. But, many like it. Find it at retailers, Sweetwater, Amazon or eBay
CoreLine by Hedwitschak
The price is at the highest end of "mid-range" The quality is at the custom level.
https://www.bodhranmaker.eu/bodhrans/coreline?lang=en
High End Drums
Hedwitschak Drums
Even if you aren't in the market for a high-end drum, a visit to Hedwitschak Drums is a great idea. Christian Hediwtschak's work is cutting-edge, innovate and of extremely high quality. His website is very informative.
https://www.bodhranmaker.eu/en/
Visit Rolf Wagles Bodhran-Info site to view most of the Hedwitschak drums for sale.
https://www.bodhran-info.de/en/
I own Christian's FireBall model. This drum has two skins. One skin is lambeg. The other skin is his "DragonSkin Velvet". This combination produces a highly articulate drum with beautiful, mellow tones and a lot of "pop". https://www.bodhranmaker.de/seite/472561/fireball.html
My new HEDge Bodhran from Christian has become my go-to drum for playing outside. The HEDge his "vegan model". No animal components used in the construction of the HEDge drum.
https://www.bodhranmaker.de/seite/648351/hedge-new-and-vegan!.html
Eamon Murray Bodhran
The Eamon Murray Signature Line bodhran made by Christian Hedwitschak. This is a 13-3/4 inch diameter drum with a 6 inch deep rim. The drum is made with a lambeg skin for the head. "Lambeg" refers to a large ceremonial drum found in Northern Ireland. A lambeg drum is a type of bass drum
and usually played during a procession. Players march with the drum strapped onto their shoulders. Lambeg heads tend to be VERY responsive to interior hand pressure.
A drum diameter of less than 14 inches may seem awfully small. The standard diameters range from 15 to 16 inches. But, the small diameter with the lambeg head delivers great sound and plenty of volume while reducing the distance the interior hand has to travel while playing. For me, the combination of lambeg head and small diameter are worth the cost.
https://www.eamonmurray.ie/drums
Metloef Irish Drums
I own a custom 14-inch Metloef drum with a kangaroo head. This drum has a stunning high end voice. It delivers a sharp POP! A wonderful sound and a joy to play. Look for this builder on FaceBook.
https://www.facebook.com/metloef.drums/
Drum Makers to Explore
These two builders are on my short list. I admire their work.
McHugh Percussion
Carlow, Ireland
Instagram @mchughcustompercussion
https://www.facebook.com/mchughcustompercussion/videos
https://www.youtube.com/@mchughcustompercussion/featured
mchughcustompercussion@gmail.com
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+353 87 115 315
Bridget Drums
Ontario, Canada
https://bodhranca.wordpress.com/
Prices are around $500 Canadian
Email: bridgetdrums@gmail.com
Instagram Bridget Drums
Telephone (705) 571 1336
Tipper, Beater, Báta, Cipín
It's the thing you hit the drum with and it goes by these several names. Generally "tippers" are lightweight and used by top-end players. There are far more tipper, beater, cipin, báta makers than bodhran makers! Optional features in tippers seem endless. My only advice is to experiment. Length, diameter, material, shape are all highly personal choices. Tippers are not a "one size fits all" sort of thing. But here are a couple of ideas to start your search.
Paraic McNeela Explains the different types of tippers
https://blog.mcneelamusic.com/the-best-bodhran-beaters-for-traditional-irish-music/
Ruairi Glasheen Tippers
Have to be THE most comfortable tipper in the universe! Love the sound. However, these are short tippers. Only 9 inches long. For me, that's short. I prefer a tipper to be between 9-1/2. to 10 inches long. I own two of Ruairi's tippers. Would be perfect for me if they were just 1/2 in longer!
https://ruairiglasheen.myshopify.com/
Stevie Moises & Rolf Wagles
https://www.tippermaker.de/index.php/en/
https://www.bodhran-info.de/en
Stevie is an innovative tipper maker. He is a brilliant craftsman and a superb percussionist. He builds all tippers that are sold with Hedwitschak drums. Stevie was a founding member of Troyan Drums. Troyan is a world class maker of kit drums located in Germany. Check out the videos on Stevie's website. Take a close look at the video showcasing the singer-songwriter Christian Lux. Listen to the amazing bodhran playing Stevie provides as backup to her guitar and voice.
Stevie's tippers are available through Rolf Wagles website. Visit Rolf's website for tippers, cases, books and accessories. While you are there, checkout Rolf's signature drum made by Christian Hedwitschak.
https://www.bodhran-info.de/en
McNeela Instruments
McNeela Music in Dublin, Ireland sells many Celtic instruments including bodhrans and tippers. I own two McNeela Wave Bodhrans withlambeg heads. One is a doubl skin drum and it has become my go-to bodhran. Great voice and very responsive. I also own and use several McNeela tippers. Well made and nicely priced.
https://mcneelamusic.com/bodhran-beaters-tippers/
Dry Bone Music
https://www.bonedrymusic.com/top-end-thin-bodhran-tipper-cippin-beater-s/177.htm
This company is famous for its extensive inventory of bones. But, they also sell bodhran tippers. Dry Bone Music is one of the few places offering bodhran tippers made from discarded violin, cello and bass bows. These tippers are lightweight. Some top-end style players love these feather-weight tippers.
Do It Yourself
It is fairly simple to build rod tippers. It's not expensive and doesn't required wood working skills. Look for instructions on YouTube.
