There is a certain innocence about the Irish people. And as the philosophers believe, there is eloquence in innocence. The quaint hardiness of the Gaelic twang, the spontaneity of merry-making and the effervescence of the music , all seem synergetic to the human spirit.
Ireland is known as western Europe’s music capital. Among the many forms of Irish music and dance is the popular dance music comprising Reels ( 4/4, 2/4) and Jigs (6/8). The tin whistle (a small flute), fiddle (violin), accordion, banjo, guitar, Uilleann pipes (pronounced ‘Ey-len’ pipes) are among the usual instruments it employs.
But surprisingly, none of these are considered indigenous, except for the frame drum called the Bodhran (pronounced ‘Bow-ron’ or ‘Baa-ron’).
There are many theories surrounding this simple drum and its origins. Many say that during the British colonial rule, kitchen or labour implements inconspicuously doubled-up as musical instruments. Often called ‘the poor man’s tambourine’, some say ‘Bodhran’ was once used in Celtic cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Wales and Brittany, to separate chaff from grain, (still used in India and other countries). ‘Bodhran’ also translates as ‘tray’ and ‘thunderer’ or ‘dull sounding’.
Many counterparts of this drum can be found in the Arab World, Central Asia, India and parts of Africa which led many to believe that they could have been predecessors of this Irish version. Although used mainly for entertainment, it is often employed in religious and cultural festivals such as St. Stephen’s Day during which the ‘The Wren Hunt’ takes place (December 26), St. Brighid’s Day, harvest festivals and May Day. In modern times, one can find several talented Bodhran drummers dazzling audiences as accompaniment to dance music and even playing heart-thumping solos at local pubs, concerts, streets and music festivals throughout the country.
Varying in size (18 inches as standard), it consists of a sturdy circular wooden rim made of chips of ash, beech or other wood stuck together, an animal skin top stretched across the frame, and an optional ‘crosspiece’, two bars of wood or metal stuck crosswise at the back. A ‘tipper’ or a smoothly carved wooden stick is used to play the Bodhran.
For right handers, the drum is placed perpendicular to the body with the rim resting on the left shoulder and leg. The left hand holding the crosspiece in the center, the tipper is held like a ball point pen in the center with the right. This is struck up and down at different areas on the surface and through wrist movement, multiple beats are also produced. The pitch can be changed to create beautiful melodic variations with the fingers of the left hand exerting subtle tension on the skin.
Traditional Celtic designs especially from the legendary ‘Book of Kells’ are found on Bodhran skins.
Instrument maker, scholar, player Malachy Kearns of Roundstone, Galway-Connemara is a living legend of the instrument.
