Bodhran FAQ

Most of the information covered here is from the Roundstone Secrets of Bodhran Tutuor or the Waltons booklet that come with each respective Bodhran.

What does the name Bodhrán mean and how is it pronounced? The Bodhrán which takes its name from the Irish word bodhar meaning 'deafening' or 'haunting' is one of Ireland's oldest instruments and can be traced back as far as the 14th century where it is mentioned in Rosa Angelica a medical text of the time. Bodhrán is pronounced Bow-Rawn. You could consider yourself a Bodhránai instead of just a Bodhrán player - it is pronounced 'bow-rawn-ee'.

The Bodhran falls into the category of a Frame Drum. It is made from a circlet of wood and upon which is stretched a treated in most cases, goatskin.

What is the history of the Bodhrán? It is well known in the Celtic Worlds that a skin tray was in universal use for over one thousand years, and in fact was still being used in parts of Ireland during the 1950s. This tray was suitable for winnowing (separating chaff from grain) or for drawing turf (peat) on the bogs. It could also be used for a sieve through the simple process of punching holes in the skin. The tray became associated with the pagan festival of samhain, the winter solstice and at a later date the feasts of May Day and Wren Day. This impliment had various names, one of which is Bodhrán which translates as ‘tray’, but also as ‘thunderer’, ‘deafening’ and ‘dull sounding’.

Despite or maybe because of it's role in pagan ceremonies the Bodhrán remained outside the mainstream of Irish musical tradition until it was received as a serious instrument by the composer Sean Riada and his group Ceolteiri Chualann in the nineteen sixties.

Since the nineteen sixties, many new playing styles and techniques have evolved amid great debate about it's origins and place in Irish music.

So we instantly have a connection between the work instrument and the musical instrument. But what is the secret of the Bodhran. Was it a drum first, that became a useful work instrument, or was it the other way round?

Was the Bodhran a drum of purely Irish origin, of Celtic origin, or did it arrive courtesy of other cultures? There is some evidence to suggest that the prototype for the Bodhran arrived here through the Roman Empire or through Arabic traders. One can see Roman murals depicting musicians and dancers usuing frame drums including the ‘tambourine’.

The frame drum is used today in many countries including Native Americans and many other indigenous peoples throughout the world. The majority of these drums are used purely in religious or cultural festivals, and it is mostly in Ireland and only fairly recently, in the last 30 years, that the frame drum has reached a high degree of sophistication.

It may well be that the Bodhrán appeals to so many people because of it's pagan origins summoning up from somewhere deep in our collective Celtic past a sense of natural rhythm and abandonment we have all but lost.

What is the Roundstone Bodhrán made of? The Roundstone Bodhran is made of genuine Goatskin and native Irish Beech. The skins are treated in hydrated lime mixed with ingredients that are a close secret to every bodhran maker. They are soaked for up to 10 days in a solution of lime sulphide which softens the skin. The skin is stretched under tension onto a wooden frame. The skin is then glued on and then tacked on. This prevents the skin ripping off when exposed to excess heat. The skin is stretched, when new to give room for residual stretch.

Which is the best drum for me? The 18" bodhrán is the traditional size of the bodhrán most commonly used by the full time professional as it has a larger area to play on and a deeper tone.

The 16" bodhrán provided it has top quality Goatskin is excellent for tonal quality and is easy to carry. It is a good size to start with or to have as a second bodhrán.

Although the 14" bodhrán and smaller bodhráns may not have the deep tone most players long for, they do have a beautiful tonal quality all their own. Children may benefit from a smaller size bodhrán as it would be easier for them to hold while playing.

The 8" bodhrán is the 'Baby Bodhrán' and a good place to start for the really little Bodhránai.

Keep in mind when purchasing a bodhrán, the most important part of the drum is the skin. The goatskin is the favourite, and most expensive, because its thickness and durability is unbeatable.

What about the Tunable Bodhráns? The skin of the Roundstone Tunable Bodhrán is attached to the outer rim. Using the tuning knob/knurl. It is possible to move the inner rim in the direction of the skin. This will tighten the skin. By loosening the knobs/knurl again the inner rim will retract away from the skin and the tension across the skin will lessen and pitch of the skin will become lower.

To tighten or loosen the tuning knobs you just use your index finger and thumb or you can just roll a finger across the knob/knurl.

A tunable bodhrán will allow you to easily alter the pitch of the bodhrán. When playing for a long periods of time, at a pub or on stage the surroundings, particularly heat can tighten the skin of your bodhrán. By loosening the knobs/knurls you can lower the tension so maintaining a balanced sound throughout the night. Also many find it particularly useful when changing from playing with a group to doing a duet with whistle or flute to tighten the knobs so raising the pitch just a little. This softens the tone of the bodhrán just a little.

Bodhran Care and Maintenence:

With a little bit of attention and care your Bodhran should last you a lifetime.

Genuine goatskin is a natural material that expands and contracts slightly with changing temperatures and responds to changes in the weather. It has an infinite variet of subtle ‘veining’ and it’s rich lustre becomes more beautiful with age.
When a skin is new it will be affected by the smallest change in humidity or temperature. Those living in areas where the temperature stays at 75 - 80 degrees for long periods of time will have to pay more carefull attention to the drum skin so that it doesn't become to tight to the point it may split.
Your new Roundstone comes with a small packet of treatment (leather softener) for the skin, but you can use ‘dubbin’ (used on football boots) or ‘saddle soap’ or some such substance to keep them supple. Use this treatment at regular intervals on the outside of the skin, this will keep the skin supple and protect it from excess moisture, but the best way is with use.

What should be done if the skin feels too tight? If it is too tight, dampen the inside skin slightly and evenly with a cloth and water (not the outside and give it time to work. It takes five minutes or so for the moisture to alter the skin, so don’t overdo it.

If you are playing out and the room is hot and the skin becomes to tight then dampen it with two or three tea spoons of water, beer, wine or perspiration on either side of the shin.

What if the skin feels too loose? Never play the drum when it is too soft or limp, this will produce a dent in the skin, or a nice hole.

You can bring it back to playing tension by gentle and careful use of a heat from a blow dryer or held high enough above a candle, etc.

Caution: Never leave the drum in strong sunlight or very hot conditions e.g. near radiators, or in a car on a hot day as this will over stretch the skin and it will not be correct at normal room temperature.

Keep the drum when not in use in a case or the carry box it came in in a cool place so that the skin can relax.


Bodhráns, Bones, Spoons, Tutor Books with CD and DVDs Bodhráns, Bones, Spoons, Tin Whistle Tutor Books with CD and DVDs		Bodhrán FAQ The Irish word means 'deaf' or 'haunting'. Bodhrán is pronounced Bow-Rawn. You could consider yourself a Bodhránai instead of just a Bodhrán player - it is pronounced 'bow-rawn-ee'.