Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How easy is it to play the Bodhran
A: It is said that the bodhran is one of the easiest instruments to
learn but one of the most difficult to master. If you have any sense of
rhythm, you should pick up the basics very quickly especially if you can
play another instrument.
Q: How do I get started
A: The best way is to join a bodhran group such as Curiad Y Drwm.
Learning by oneself is possible but you may not progress as quickly and
may well pick up bad habits. If you do a search on the internet for your
local area you may well find a suitable group.
Q: If I choose to go it alone, what aids can
I get.
A: There are a number of DVDs on the market - Stephan Hannigan and Tommy
Hayes tuition videos are generally recommended.
Q: How do I know what instrument to buy and
how much should I pay.
A: This is one of the advantages of joining a group as you can try out
different types of bodhrans before making a decision. In general you
should expect to pay between £70 and £140 for a beginners bodhran. It
should be tunable and have a reasonable tone from the start. For those who play instruments already, getting the note 'D' for the
base note on the Bodhran is desirable. However if you really haven't
played a Bodhran before
then a cheaper Bodhran would be great until you have decided you love to
play. Some makes
to look out for are Christian Hegewidgstak, Belgarth, O'Kane and Roddy
Turner