…a lovely 18". I have no clue how to play it! But I am very willing! 
Does anyone know if the Absolute Beginners Bodhran booklet and cd is a worthwhile buy?
Or are there any good tips out there on the web?
Thank you!
Thanks for asking what I was afraid to, SilverStrand! 
Mine has been hanging on my wall for about a year and a half… maybe even two… I probably should learn how to play it.
You may want to check it to see if the skin hasn’t gotten too tight. Drums will self destruct if they aren’t humidified regularly.
Yes you should learn to play your bodhran, they are a blast. And don’t let their critics persuade you otherwise. 
Critics? CRITICS?? You won’t find any bodhran critics around here!
Hi SilverStrand
Enjoy playing your drum. I echo what Joseph says, don’t let anyone put you off enjoying your instrument.
To answer your question - any of the tutor books will give you the basics you need. Other than that what you need to do is pester the local bodhran players (those whose playing you enjoy) for advice and watch those that that you don’t and see what they are doing wrong.
The best advice I got when I started playing was (from an Uilleann piper, which is why I am now learning the pipes) to listen to the other musicians and play with them, not against them.
David
stefan hannigan has a great book for beginers - good luck and when you start playing with people remember to listen to what’s going on - what you leave out is as important as what you play! think light and shade
Thanks a lot for the advice. I ordered a tutorial online and I’ve been checking out sites that show examples of beginning beats. I have never played drums or any sort of percussion instrument so I am starting from complete scratch. But I am very excited to get started!
Explore your drum with hands first any which way you like. Just for fun. Get the feel of the vellum. Make friends.
Later you can develop using your index finger knuckle in place of the stick. This allows for more subtle playing. You do this by forming a gentle fist and then push your thumb into the inside of the index finger so that the knuckle of that finger protrudes beyond the other knuckles. Hold your knuckle at right angle to the drum and flick it with your wrists. However the thrust of it should come up thru your legs, pelvis and torso. The forearm/wrists just do the flicking. The power is from the feet.
You can also try this with loose open fingers.
Also, all this hand work will improve your ability with the stick.
Best advice is to listen to what’s going on around you. The bodhrán can be a highly effective INSTRUMENT if played as such. If not, it is only a highly annoying and much disliked noise maker. Treat it as you would any fine instrument - with sensativity and awareness of both it, and the music it was made to support (not lead mind you). But they can be a great asset to any session if played well. Best of luck!
FOR SALE: Pen knife. Used only once. No reasonable offer refused.
Hey Brian, if you can’t say anything nice, then make it really deep and cutting.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I feel STRONGLY about this!! 
<<The following is my opinion only, and I’m prepared to be shot down, but here goes:
- A good bodhran player HELPS to provide a rhythmic structure for the other players. A good bunch of musicians don’t NEED him, as they will have their own solid rhythmic drive, and he shouldn’t forget that they don’t need him.
- A good bodhran player plays occasionally, coming in and out, and often elects not to play at all. His ego should, like all musicians in a group setting, be there but on the back burner.
- A good bodhran player puts his drum under the table immediately if another, lesser, bodhran “player” gets going. In these circumstances a good bodhran player knows that the game ain’t worth the candle.
-
- And I won’t brook dissent - a good bodhran player does not play unless he has at least a passing acquaintance with the tune. “It’s a reel and I know how to play reels…” won’t do.
- A good bodhran player does not attempt to play tunes on his drum. About three bodhran players in the entire world should be allowed to do this, and only when I’m not listening. He is there to provide a solid rhythmic undercurrent. Please note the prefix UNDER in that word.
- Under no circumstances whatsoever does a good bodhran player lend his drum to anyone else in the pub - not for one single tune - even if under death threat.
- A good bodhran player may or may not play another instrument, but he knows the difference between reels, jigs, hornpipes and polkas and provides appropriate rhythmic accompaniment accordingly.
- Any bodhran player who attempts to play along with slow airs (you think I’m kidding don’t you?) should have his privates painted with honey and then be introduced to the dancing ants.
Apart from that I love all good bodhran players. Yep, both of them. Just before the lynch mob arrives, I should like to apologise for using “him,” “his” and “he” throughout for sheer convenience. The very worst bodhran player I came across was a woman. There, I’ve redressed the balance!
With the biggest possible 
Steve (bodhran OWNER) >>
That sounds reasonable to me. I am not too competitive anyways…in fact…I am a beginning musician so I still have the lack of confidence. So I remain very humble when it comes to playing the whistle or beatin the bodhran. And to get advice- from people who have been playing a lot longer than I -is very very helpful.
I really appreciate the advice, everyone! 
Hi Steve
Interesting post. As a bodhran player I would have a few minor issues with you re playing tunes on the drum as I like doing that - especially when somebody says that it can’t be done. I have even heard somebody play a slow air on the drum (a solo effort not screwing up somebody else’s air I definately agree with you there).
You did not stress the most important attribute that a bodhran player must have, the ability to listen - use your ears first, last and always, then the drum.
Have a happy and musical New Year.
David
- And always keep in mind that there is an undercurrent inferiority complex amongst other instrumentalists for its is well known that first came the voice and the drum …
Joseph: If I’m not mistaken, I learned that from you. And trust me, I’m an old dog, which means I can learn new tricks.
Steve: Well said. Especially #8!
Talasiga: You take this all WAY too seriously. Lighten up. 
Silver Strand: The best advice I ever received, please allow me to pass on to you, in all sincerity: Don’t be ashamed or afraid to be a beginner. We all started out in our ‘birthday suits’. 
Cheers!
By the way, I once heard some great IRTrad at a small pub in Galway city called “Taafee’s”. There were 3 musicians: guitarist, banjo & a bodhran.
And doing the heavy lifting all through that night was the man with the goat skin. He was incredible, and literally he alone made better musicians out of the other 2 guys.
So there! 
Methinks it is you who is taking Talasiga WAY too seriously. You too can lighten up by dropping your condescension.
I must say that I never saw anyone using their ears to play but if anyone has any pictures…
Really? I must’ve forgotten.
The single most important thing to learn is that you’re not needed. This is actually a blessing though; since you aren’t expected to be the metronome, you’re free to enhance the song. Throw in a few up-beat hits to play off the B part, or get sort of a contrapuntal rhythm thing going with a phrase or two, or whatever will help the song.
Oh, and playing with your finger is also very good advice. If I’m not sure how a song is played, I’ll switch to my fingers and play quietly (or play on my thigh for total silence) to figure out how I want to approach the tune. It’s always better not to play than to play poorly. I suppose that’s true for most things, but it’s MORE true for the bodhran.
Have any of you ever tried playing with the index and middle finger knuckles at the same time? It sounds pretty cool. Don’t hold the two fingers together though, let them naturally spread apart. You’ll get a nice double-hit sound.