So since we've had a couple threads going on and off about bodhran, I decided hey...why don't we have an actual thread specifically for bodhran. Brilliant, no?

So I hereby name this offical thread of bodhran stuff. *smashes champagne bottle against wall*

So talk about drummy stuff!

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"We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us."
-Charles Bukowski

"Bad as I am, I'm still here."

Out of a vague sense of curiosity (and I whistful yearning that I could play), approximately how much does a bodhran cost?

I know it's not much of a question, but I felt like starting off the replies to this thread!

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Aruial

"Her hair, it was red, and her bonnet was blue."

I think it's a great question! Depending on the size, quality, and type of drum, they can range from about $50 to $500, maybe more, depending. A tuneable drum will generally be more expensive than a standard one.

If you're interested in buying, you can probably find one on ebay for about $20-30, and if you're just picking it up, I wouldn't worry about getting a tuneable. As far as size...I play an 18 inch rosewood tuneable with a 4 inch depth. I've seen adults play much smaller ones...my teacher has a 14"...but you can't get the range of pitch you can out of a larger bodhran. I'd stay with a 16"-18" diameter, and a depth no less than 4", otherwise it will have a very shallow sound. it has crossbars in the back...either like an X or like a T. Most have an X, but I've seen drums with just 1 bar straight across...and they're really difficult to hold on to. The drumhead should not be cracking or transparent anywhere.

If you want to look at some REALLY nice drums, google Coopermans Drums. They're a custom drum company in Vermont that makes some of the best bodhrans in the world.

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"We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us."
-Charles Bukowski

"Bad as I am, I'm still here."

quote:

Originally posted by Branwyn32:
I've seen adults play much smaller ones...

What are you implying, Bran? A bit childish are we? (<-- I had to bring Mini Gene with me. It just isn't the same without him.)

So, to stay on topic, I just have to say that to me, bodhran looks to be the hardest instrument to learn. It's on my list though.

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And we wake up in the breakdown of the things we never thought we could be...

..
i've always been told i walk to the
beat of a different drum....well,i finally found out which drum it is...
the bodhran....i have an 14 inch non tunable...i happen to carry it with mee to a gbs concert and as luck would have it the b'ys had the next day off and decided to hang out at a local irish pub after the show....well every one except sean...any way i got bob to take my beaters and sean initialed one and signed the other....but the best was yet to come... i got real brave and bold and ended with every one's signature on my bodhran... even danny signed it!!! chris gave a couple of pointers ,too...
alan wrote "beat the drum"...
i play every chance i get.. we live close to th ocean and before may1 and after nov1 we are allowed to have bonfires on the beach... we always take our drums....w also have a couple of african drums and a dijerido....
it's most fun on when the moon is full...but i guess that's another thread..
nansea

That's an awesome story Doylefin! I hope can have a story like that someday.

Anyway's I wanted to post in here cause:

I BOUGHT A BODHRAN!!!


I'm soo super excited and I can't wait for it to get here. I got it off ebay and all I gotta say is horray for paypal cause I got no credit card. Just wanted to let you all in on my little purchase.

*skips merrily out of thread singing 'bodhran, bodhran, bodhran'*

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Why don't we all get in the bathtub. ~ Séan on the podcast

Congrats, Jana!

I'll be stealing mine back from my sister any day now....

Thanks for the info, all.

Jana,
I am so jealous. Congratulations anyway though!

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Aruial

"Her hair, it was red, and her bonnet was blue."

quote:

Originally posted by DOYLFIN:
..
i've always been told i walk to the
beat of a different drum....well,i finally found out which drum it is...
the bodhran....i have an 14 inch non tunable...i happen to carry it with mee to a gbs concert and as luck would have it the b'ys had the next day off and decided to hang out at a local irish pub after the show....well every one except sean...any way i got bob to take my beaters and sean initialed one and signed the other....but the best was yet to come... i got real brave and bold and ended with every one's signature on my bodhran... even danny signed it!!! chris gave a couple of pointers ,too...
alan wrote "beat the drum"...
i play every chance i get.. we live close to th ocean and before may1 and after nov1 we are allowed to have bonfires on the beach... we always take our drums....w also have a couple of african drums and a dijerido....
it's most fun on when the moon is full...but i guess that's another thread..
nansea

Sounds Beautiful Nansea! Where are ya at because I want to come listen! Last weekend I was jonsing for a bonfire. I'll have to look into the rules about having firepits in the backyard in Halfax.

Congrats Jana!

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We belong to the sea
To the waves you and me
Living in the ocean so blue
Aqua

Good for you Jana!

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we're here we might as well dance! - unknown

No matter what you've lost, be it a home, a love, a friend, like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again - Stan Rogers

I went surfing the 'net today and I came across a handy site:

Bodhran Dojo

It's not too bad for beginners, in my opinion. It has a few handy links and stuff. Check it out! I did....

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"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." ~ A. Lincoln

"Age is no guarantee of maturity." ~ L. Blackwell

"A word to the wise isn't necessary, it's the stupid ones who need advice." ~ B. Cosby

**New GBS fanboard in the works...PM me for info & note that not all enquires will be accepted**

Congrats to everyone on the bodhran aquirements! And Nansea, what an awesome story! Can I come to your bonfire for some drumming too?!

Thanks for the linkage Bonnie!

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"We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us."
-Charles Bukowski

"Bad as I am, I'm still here."

Hey folks!

Been pretty busy, but I saw this post and had to chime in! First off, many thanks to Amanda for starting the ball rolling.

Hearty congrats to Jana- you've started a wonderful journey, my friend! Stick with it, you'll get even more joy than you expect.

Hey nansea- awesome post! Smokin' cool GBS encounter, and your description of your moonlit ocean-side drum jams had me drooling! Keep making that magic.

Nice link, Bonnie- many thanks! Just took a peek at it, looks like lots of good stuff.

Aruial, Delaney- one word for you- DOITDOITDOITDOITDOIT!
When the opportunity arises and you get the chance to start playing, don't pass it up! I play many different drums, and bodhran is my favorite- you won't be disappointed!

My little contribution to the thread- I just know everyone here plays along to the b'ys albums- here's an additional group to drum along to. Solas- they are a simply amazing Celtic group, and I feel one of their distinctions is their ability to lay down an absolutely rock solid, driving rhythm- they are expressive within that groove, but the heartbeat never varies. Great stuff to drum along to!

All right, my limited free time is rapidly dwindling, and I need to play some bodhran and mando! Type at you later! *scampers off*

I think I'm just a drum slut...er fiend...

My first drum was an empty oatmeal container.
My next drum was a sorry attempt at making my own frame drum.

then I broke down and started buying em. I went with doumbeks's first mainly because they are the most commonly used ones in the SCA (if you know what that is sweet! ^-^ If you don't...ask!). Moved on to djembe's not long after that. I own 7 different sized doumbeks/djembe's now in what I call my "drum family". Each one has a personality all it's own and have "nicknames" to reflect that. Friends like to tease me and say I am a drum circle of one...if only I had enough hands to play! Never taken any formal lessons though. Everything I've learned I've done through attending drum circles and watching others play.

But was always drooling over bodhran's. The right one finally came to me just a few months ago. The first time I saw it, I loved it because it had hand-carved oak leaves and acorns on the side and had a great sound. Not a tunable one though, but that's okay. I paid $45 for it...my arm gets tired playing after a few minutes though because the style of playing is so very different than playing doumbeks/djembe's.

Funny thing though--drum fiend that I am...I started guitar lessons two months ago and the first question my teacher asked me was, "so what (if any) instruments do you play?" and my answer without thinking was, "Unfortunately none...er no wait...I play drums!"

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January 20th, 2009...the end of an error

Ok...so let me start by saying that I am very new to OKP and somewhat a new GBS fan. Oh, forgot to mention...I am NOT musically inclined either. My husband LOVES GBS and wants to get the drum that GBS uses in a lot of their songs. I have NO idea what it is called, where to find one, and how much to spend on one. Been thinking about getting it for a Christmas gift. Can someone please educate me on the drum, as to not make an a** out of myself when I go and try to find one. Thanks for your help!
Hanna