We have a drum for auction. This is almost exactly the same as the one now played by Kevin Crawford, the great, famous flute and bodhran maestro player from Clare! Just think, if you get the drum, you will be able to play just like him! 
WOW!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3767277725
Have a look, and thanks for helping us out!
Rob
www.metloef.com
Hi Rob, I feel you left out some important information and as this forum is for flute players I think it would be appropriate to be clear and honest about all the aspects.
General warning!
The addiction:
It may seem like a fun and harmless thing to do which is why itās so dangerous. The addiction is in most cases instant, but the effects of playing the Bodhran can not be seen until weeks later. The initiation is usually by a friend or some nice bloke at the pub that hands over their drum so that you can tap along for a few tunes. In some cases the addiction can be so strong and rapid that the urge of not giving it back can be overwhelming. In the beginning stage, it might start of with some simple rhythms like Wa-ter-me-lon or Pine-app-le, Ap-ri-cots. As harmless it may seem this will soon lead on to more complex rhythms, back beats and in worst cases Neo drumming. This addiction can hit anybody, even if you are a brilliant and beloved flute player like Kevin Crawford. Many talented musicians have been lost in the past; some can today be seen sitting on the side walk playing snare drums, tambourines or even a djembee.
The pain:
The Bodhran bug bites HARD and it wonāt let go. The meditative and hallucinating effects connected to the abuse of complex rhythms are the backside of any type of drumming. Intense playing or rapid stick handling is closely related to emotions of pain and agony. This can often be seen in the facial expressions of a drummer during a session or concert (even more common among jazz drummers than ITM players). Many players try their best to hide their addiction by fighting of these demons of pain while paying which will put them in a stage of deep concentration, often with the tongue in the corner of the mouth. In pure luck, I managed to capture a shot of Kevin just as the Bodhran bug got him. Iāll hope it will serve as a warning example.
The effects:
Even tough the effects of Bodhran playing are not known some general empirical conclusions can be made regarding the change in social behavior. We have seen perfectly normal C&F members picking up the Bodhran and within a few months selling their flutes, whistles or pipes on Ebay. Further, after starting drumming their post rate drops rapidly and instead of spending time in this community they lurk in obscure places likes like www.drumdojo.com or www.bodhranii.net. This antisocial behavior can also be seen at sessions where groups of Bodhran players tend to hide in the background never really knowing when to play or when not to. It is really tragic when an addiction of this kind affects a brilliant flute player like Kevin Crawford. It is clear from the photo above that he suffers. He use to be one of the front figures of Lunasa. Now after the Bodhran bug got him the only way to keep him happy is to let him play the drum or sit in the back corner tapping the rhythm with his foot. Itās a disgrace.
Now when we cleared all this, good luck with your auction Rob!
/MarcusR
Does Kevin play that make of drum as part of a sponsorship deal with the maker ? ( he asks pointedly !).
Hi Rob,
Nice drum! I saw Lunasa in Pasadena, and he did a solo with your drum, he even made the same faces!
Andrew, I think thatās how it works, give him a drum to ādrum up buisness!ā
I was going to give him a flute, but he already had a couple of nice onesā¦
Jon
Ahhh sponsorship- nah, its nothing like that at all. Kev just found that he drum suited him, thatās all. I donāt really have any endorsees or anything like that. Of course, there is always that idea of āif I have the same instrument as that person maybe I can play MORE like that personā, when the truth is usually found in the techniqueā¦! Except in this case, where if you buy this drum you will actually be able to play as well as Kevā¦
Of course, it never HURTS to have someone like that on the drum because then you find the order basket filled up with āI want a drum like thatā. I mean, look at Mike Grinter (minus the fact that he actually DOES make great flutes!).
Anyways, thanks a bunch for your interest. Howās the flutes coming, Jon? Doing keyed Rudalls?
Rob
Just found some pics of the flutes, Jon- tasty! Have any out in Texas yet?
R
Hi Rob,
No keys yetā¦ I am putting together a wish list for all those tools and bits and pieces needed to hand forge keys.
No flutes out in Texas yet, but maybe an RAF will come through there at some point.
Your drum did sound niceā¦
Jon
I saw Lunasa in Pasadena
Hey cool, I was at that gig too! Caltech, right? Seeing Kevin play drum is hilarious!
Max
Ya,
He really played it upā¦
I also saw them in Portland the month before, Kevin Crawford came out and played bohran with the Battlefield Band for one tune, sounded good with the Highland pipes.
Jon