Monday, November 15, 2010

Bodhran And Irish Music

By Douglas Etri

There are a lot of things in this world that we know nothing about. For instance, we hear a lovely tune yet we do not know what kind of instrument produced it. We go to a concert and appreciate the songs played by the band, but we do not recognize the instruments that they are using. These instances show us how the world has changed. From the standard apparatuses that were used in the past, people are now discovering new instruments that they have not tried. The crowd and spectators want something new from them. Thus, they try to experiment on instruments not familiar to them. A perfect example of this is the bodhran.

This instrument is an Irish drum and is known to beget the beat of standard Irish music. It is also famed as the heart and soul of Irish rhythm. This drum has a wooden body with a goatskin connected to one side. The other side of the instrument is hollow and is used to manage the pitch. The drum is full of history since it was used by the Irish forces as their battle drum, and it was used to declare the entrance of the army.

There are two types of bodhran, and these are the fixed or tunable head. If you want the fixed type, all you have to do is pick up the drum and begin playing it. However, if you want to go for the tunable head, you will need to change the tightness of the head skin for you to have the tune that you desire. You also have to be careful when you play in different humidity or temperature as this can change the head tension. The instrument also comes in a number of sizes to suit the liking of the artist. The smaller drums are easy to carry and have a crispier sound. The larger ones have a deeper sound. It gives more area for a person to control the pitch by placing his or her hand on the hollow part.

If you are a fan of Irish music or you simply want to try out something new, then you should not miss this instrument. You can play different tunes that are based on your style. With this instrument, there is no need for you to learn the basics. Once you get the drum, you can immediately start tapping it and you will surely get into rhythm in no time.

The bodhran is now being used by more musicians all around the world. You can play this instrument during parties in your home, during your alone time, or when you want to share your skills to others. This is the best juncture for you to explore your creative side by playing instruments that you have not tried playing. This drum will surely awaken your senses, and let you discover the artist in you. Once you play the melodies that you want, you can right away use the tipper or the double headed drumstick for you to play fast and complicated rhythms.

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