Drums
AfterBrian Clark Last updated: February 11, 2022

Bodhran drums are a great way to explore Irish folk music. The drum is a seemingly simple instrument, but finding a good one takes a little research!
The best thing is that it's meMeinl udaraljke 14" Extra Deep Shell Bodhran. It produces a beautiful, deep sound that is quite natural.
My cheapest bodhran would beWaltons Bodhran 18". Bodhran for beginners has a traditional flavor and is suitable for a big budget.
Top 5 Bodhran (2023)
1. Meinl Percussion 14" Extra Deep Shell Bodhran
The Editor's Choice- Extra deep for richer sound
Look at the price
5. Remo HD-8510-00 Fiberskyn frame drum
boosted bass
Look at the price
Let's take a closer look at them:
1. Meinl Percussion 14" Extra Deep Shell Bodhran
The best choice
Extra deep for a richer sound.
Look at the price in SweetwaterCheck out the price on Amazon
The Meinlo Extra Deep Irish Bodhran is a 14 x 6 inch frame drum made of hardwood shell. Because of its height, this bodhran produces a fuller sound that also sounds great when played by hand. There's not even a crossbar, making it easier to use your hands instead of a tipper.
Advantages
- Extra deep hardwood shell
- There is no bar to play with the hand
- It can be customized
Against
- Few!
The drumhead is made from goatskin to give it a more traditional sound. It is also equipped with an edge damping ring to reduce overtones. Another great benefit of the Meinl Bodhran is that it is adjustable. You need an Allen key.
Size | 14 inches |
A melodist | And |
header material | goat skin |
Although more expensive than others on the list, this 14 inch Meinl bodhran is definitely of high quality.
2. Waltons Bodhran 18"
An affordable option
Classic bodhran for beginners.
Check out the price on AmazonYou can find the price in the Guitar Center
The Waltons Bodhran is an 18 inch drum and is a good choice for someone new to the instrument. What you see is what you get with this drum.
His armor is made of high quality hardwood and his head is stretched goatskin. The sound is very traditional, it produces a nice tone.
Advantages
- Great on the budget
- Decent sound for the price
- Good solid construction
Against
- He can't please
Bodhran also comes with a hardwood mallet. The pole allows you to play comfortably while standing or sitting. Unfortunately, this is a non-adjustable bodhran.
Size | 18 inches |
A melodist | And |
header material | goat skin |
Given the price range and sound level, this 18" Waltons bodhran is worth buying if you are a beginner.
This Remo Irish Bodhran is a 16" x 14" snare drum featuring a Bahia bass drum head for a smooth attack and deep tone. Remo is a giant in the percussion world, so rest assured you're getting a good product. A synthetic drumhead is not the same as a goatskin drumhead, but it still produces a beautiful sound.
Advantages
- A deep, earthy sound
- Produces beautiful notes that change pitch
- 8-point adjustment system
Against
- The drumhead sounds a little different than the classic-headed bodhrans on this list.
Rem's bodhran has no bar on it. The construction is quite durable. In addition, the drum has an 8-point tuning system that is operated at the push of a button. However, Remo does not perform better here.
Size | 16 inches |
A melodist | And |
header material | Synthetic Bahia bass |
Remo is known worldwide for his percussion instruments. It is worth buying this relatively affordable bodhran.
Rooseback's BTN4MT Bodhran is great for Irish and Celtic music. The drum has a lightweight size of 14 x 3.5 inches and weighs 2.85 pounds. The drum skin is made of goatskin and the shell is made of very durable mulberry wood.
Advantages
- Light and robust
- Nice gameplay
- It comes with a tipper and an adjustment wrench
Against
- Few!
This is a very comfortable bodhran for everyone. It comes without a T-strap and features tuning hardware inside. The armrest makes it a very practical drum.
Size | 14 inches |
A melodist | And |
header material | goat skin |
If you are looking for a great sounding bodhran for a variety of music then this rooseback drum might be worth a look.
5. Remo HD-8510-00 Fiberskyn frame drum
boosted bass.
Check out the price on AmazonYou can find the price in the Guitar Center
Rems HD-8510-00 Fiberskyn is a more generic frame drum rather than a bodhran. However, the function remains the same. So if you're open to the idea, explore it.
The 10" Fiberskyn frame drum can be played by hand or with a hammer. It features a pre-tuned Fiberskyn drumhead and Remos Acousticon shells, a sonorous wooden shell.
Advantages
- Good for training
- Nice low projection
- The low weight makes it mobile
Against
- The design of the frame drum differs slightly from the classic bodhran.
This frame drum is mainly used for recreational and hunting purposes and has a nice, warm sound. If you are just starting out or need a practice drum frame, this is a good choice. Another advantage is the low weight and good workmanship.
Size | 10" |
A melodist | And |
header material | Fiberskyn |
Buying a bodhran drum is a great way to expand your percussion skills and immerse yourself in Irish folk music. Therefore, it is always beneficial to know more about the instrument itself.
Vrste Bodhrana
The bodhrans available can be divided into two segments. Traditional and modern. Traditional bodhranis are made from green wood, using goat or sometimes sheep skin as the drum skin.
In the modern bodhran, the synthetic drum skin dominates. The advantage of modern bodhrans is their adaptability. This is how you can change the pitch of your drum.
Should you get an adjustable bodhran?
Traditional bodhrans are particularly sensitive to moisture, even moisture. They tend to loosen when water is added and solidify when the environment is too dry. This can be a challenge to overcome.
In this case, adjustable bodhrans come in handy because you can adjust the tension of the drum regardless of the external circumstances.
How do you pronounce Bodhran?
Bodhran is an Irish instrument that is harder to pronounce than to spell. Common mispronunciations are "bod-ran", "bod-rawn" or "boo-ran". However, the proper way to say it out loud is a "bow." So start practicing if you want to play an instrument.
What is the name of the bodhran stick?
Bodhran is played by hand or with a special stick called a tipper or beater.
Ist Bodhran Ire?
Bodhran comes from Ireland. In fact, the word bodhran means drum in Irish. It was used as the original drum for the ancient Celts. Despite being an ancient drum, it did not gain recognition as a musical instrument until the 1960s.
Is bodhran easy to play?
When compared to other percussion instruments, the bodhran is an easier instrument to learn and play. Although it requires intricate hand movements and patterns.
There are three ways to play bodhran. Namely in the Kerry style where both ends of the tipper are used and in West Limerick where only one end of the tipper is used manually.
Various types of frame drums and bodhrans
In the Nordic countries and Russia there is an instrument called the Sami drum. In England there is a traditional folk instrument called the Riddle drum. Various types of frame drums also exist in the Middle East. The most common include riq, tar, bendir, etc. Lag-na is a traditional Tibetan frame drum while yike is played in Cambodia. Almost every country has its own type of frame drum.
One of the most interesting types of frame drums is the bodhran. This instrument is a traditional Irish drum. It dates back to ancient times and definitely had a strong influence on Celtic music. So it's no wonder their popularity extends beyond the borders of Ireland these days as Celtic music has spread across the world.
Common to all frame drums is the simple construction and the use of natural materials. The eardrum is mostly made of rawhide, mostly leather. The shell, on the other hand, is made of wood. Bent wood is usually formworked. Of course, in today's age of mass production, materials such as plastic and artificial leather are also used.
Bodhrans usually have a goatskin skin, but modern models can also be made of imitation leather. Many of them today also feature mechanical tuning systems, allowing you to tighten or loosen the skin to get the best sound quality regardless of the weather and atmospheric conditions.
If you think frame drums and bodhrans are fundamental instruments, you need to watch this video. The drum patterns may be easy to learn, but mastering them is extremely impressive!
judgement
Lots of things from budget to customizability to skin factor when buying bodhran. Since it is a niche instrument, it is better to go for quality.
I've broken down my top five bodhrans for you. Consider your needs and buy what is best for you.
FAQs
Who is the best bodhrán maker in Ireland? ›
Brendan White is a world renowned Bodhran maker from Youghal, Co. Cork in Ireland, who has been making Bodhrans for 30 years.
What size bodhrán should I get? ›Choose diameter depending on hand size. Bigger hands = bigger frame drum. There's nothing wrong with playing a smaller drum if you'd prefer. If in doubt, go for standard medium size like a 15″ or a 16″ bodhrán.
What is an Irish frame drum called? ›A bodhrán is an Irish frame drum consisting of a circular wooden frame covered with a goatskin head on one side. It is played by striking the skin with a small wooden stick known as a bodhrán beater, tipper or cipín.
What does the Irish word bodhrán mean? ›: a shallow handheld Irish drum.
What is a good bodhrán? ›Remo Bodhran 16” x 4.5”
This Remo Irish Bodhran is a 16” x 14” frame drum that uses a Bahia Bass drumhead for a soft attack and deep tone. Remo is a giant in the percussion world, so you know you're getting a good product. The synthetic drumhead isn't the same as a goatskin drumhead but still produces a nice sound.
Drum, Drom. A Gaelic word meaning a ridge.
What to look for when buying a bodhran? ›There are several factors to take into consideration when buying a bodhrán. For playability and comfort you should consider: Size (height and depth) and optional support bars (T, cross, single). Things that influence the sound produced are: Tunability, skin type/quality and height and depth.
Is it hard to learn Bodhran? ›While the bodhran is relatively easy to learn, some of its hand movements can be quite tricky. And since these hand movements and placements help you control the instrument's pitch and timber, it's obviously an important part of learning how to play it.
Is bodhran the same as frame drum? ›Bodhran. The Irish version of the frame drum is called Bodhran. The medium-sized drum typically has a crossbar inside the frame and is played with a wooden beater.
What is the name of the stick used to play the bodhran? ›The stick is often referred to as a cipín, which is also the word for a small stick or piece of kindling. Other names include beater and tipper. They can be straight pieces of strong timbers such as ash and holly, but often are bulbous at one or both terminals.
What is the difference between a hand drum and a frame drum? ›
Frame Drums are hand drums in which the diameter of the drum head is greater than the depth of the shell. They are found in many different cultures, each with their own unique playing techniques and sound concepts.
What is a Celtic hand drum called? ›What Is the Bodhran Drum? The Irish bodhran drum is a frame drum with a shallow body and a single-skin head. It is common throughout Irish traditional music and other forms of Celtic music.
Is the bodhrán Irish or Scottish? ›The Bodhrán is a circular frame drum most commonly found in Irish traditional music.
Why tape a bodhrán? ›Taping your bodhrán helps bring about a more harmonic overtone-to-basic tone relation and consequently a more melodic quality to the sound produced. In other words, it helps the bodhrán sound more like a musical instrument and ensures you'll always be welcome at a session!
What is the noise of bodhrán? ›There is a natural "swish" sound, but the skin attack sound is more dominant. The volume of the "swish" sound depends on the type of bristles and on how much the bristles are spread apart. The overall sound depends on the shape of the tipper head as well as on the bristles.
What is the hardest drum style to play? ›The hardest style of drumming to learn is jazz, followed closely by metal and latin. This is because jazz has one of the biggest ranges of material to learn to be a proficient drummer in an ensemble.
What is the difference between 16 and 18 bodhrán? ›Re: First Bodhran: 16'' or 18'' ? If you want it to sound like a bodhran, get the 18“ with one or two crossbars depending on how you wish to play it. If you want to sound like the timpani section of an orchestra, go for the tunable 14” or 16" without crossbars.
What is Irish alcohol called? ›Poitín (Irish pronunciation: [ˈpˠɛtʲiːnʲ]), anglicized as poteen (/pəˈt(ʃ)iːn, pɒˈtiːn/) or potcheen, is a traditional Irish distilled beverage (40–90% ABV). Former common names for Poitín were "Irish moonshine" and "mountain dew".
What is girl in Irish? ›“Cailín” is the Irish slang for “girl.” A lot of Irish people still use this word even when speaking in English. The plural, “Cailíní,” is also commonly used, for example, “I'm meeting up with the cailíní later on.” One of our absolute favorite Irish phrases!
What does Belfast mean in Irish? ›Belfast (from the Irish: Béal Feirste meaning "Mouth of the (River) Farset")is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of devolved government and legislative assembly in Northern Ireland.
What does the name Dublin mean in Irish? ›
An example is Dublin. Its name is derived from the Irish dubh linn (meaning "black pool"), but its official Irish name is Baile Átha Cliath (meaning "town of the hurdled ford").
What is the Irish name for Dublin? ›Read a brief summary of this topic. Dublin, Irish Dubh Linn, Norse Dyfflin (“Black Pool”), also called Baile Átha Cliath (“Town of the Ford of the Hurdle”), city, capital of Ireland, located on the east coast in the province of Leinster.
What kind of oil do you use on a bodhrán drum? ›The bodhran needs very little care. Try to keep it out of extreme heat and cold whenever possible. Olive oil, almond oil, bee wax or any other good quality natural oil should be rubbed only on the playing side of the skin. This can be repeated as often as you like.
What country is the bodhrán from? ›Although most common in Ireland, the bodhrán has gained popularity throughout the Celtic music world, especially in Scotland, Cape Breton, North mainland Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island. In Southern England tambourines were a popular accompaniment to traditional dance music.
Is 70 too old to learn drums? ›At the end of the day, it is never too late to learn to play the drums. Taking drum classes in adulthood will be one of the best journeys you take in life. Whether you are 30, 50, or 70, you can learn to play the drums, and Music House would love to help you learn.
What is the hardest Irish instrument to play? ›Bagpipes
It is a woodwind instrument that has been deeply ingrained in Scottish and Celtic culture since the 13th Century. The bagpipes produce a strange sound that people seem to either love or hate, but they are very difficult to play.
Traditional Irish Bodhrán | Beginner 1
1.5-3 Hours of Learning.
(A) Q: What size should I choose? If I am to suggest only ONE, I'd opt for a 16″ frame drum; It is the perfect size for all 3 playing styles. (Try the Cooperman Marla Tar 16” ~ a great drum for beginners that works well in all styles!)
What are the 3 main types of drums? ›In classical music, several types of drums are typically found that include the bass drum, tenor drum and side drum, all of varying sizes that produce a range of sounds from deep tones to higher pitched sounds, and struck with drum sticks or mallets.
What do drummers call their sticks? ›A drum stick (or drumstick) is a type of percussion mallet used particularly for playing snare drum, drum kit, and some other percussion instruments, and particularly for playing unpitched percussion.
Is a bodhrán a drum or a fiddle? ›
The bodhran is a traditional Irish drum.
What is the loudest hand drum? ›Overview Of Djembe
This unique shape makes djembe one of the loudest hand drums. Although the drums vary somewhat in size, they are typically around 35 cm in diameter, 60 cm tall, and 9 kg in weight. Traditional djembes are carved from a single piece of hardwood with a drumhead covered by untreated rawhide.
The first drums made from natural objects such as alligator skin appeared during 5500 BC. They first came about in Neolithic cultures originating from China but later spread to all of Asia. This period also saw the creation of Bronze Dong Son Drums in Vietnam during 3000 BC.
What makes a drum kit vintage? ›The Not So Modern Drummer and DrumSellers.com policy is "A vintage drum, drum set, cymbal or other percussion instrument or hardware is considered to be vintage if it is thirty years old or older, OR if it's model that is out of production".
What do you play a bodhrán with? ›Bodhráns are the essential percussion accompaniment to traditional Irish music and are what gives it that distinctive Irish feel. A bodhrán is played using a stick, also known as a tipper or beater, or with the hand. Bodhrán sticks can vary in size, from 6” to 12”, depending on the particular style one is aiming for.
What is a Native American drum circle called? ›Shamanic Drumming
While drum circles have evolved into a fun cultural activity, they still retain some of their spiritual roots. One form of drumming circle, the shamanic drumming circle, centers around Native American cultural drums and rattles.
There are three different types of Irish percussion instruments. The spoons, the Irish drum, and the Celtic bones. The "spoons", as an Irish percussion instrument, are the later cousins of the ancient, Irish bones.
What is the best brand Irish flute? ›The Cygnet Irish Rosewood Flute is currently the most popular beginner wooden flute in my Irish flute store. It's designed specifically for playing Irish music, with beginner players in mind.
Are Waltons Bodhrans good? ›Waltons bodhrans are renowned for their quality. Whether you are just starting out or an experience player, we have the drum for you.
What is the most popular Irish instrument? ›The Fiddle
The fiddle is arguably the most popular Irish instrument for banging out some Irish traditional music. Many Irish trad songs feature fiddle music as it's one of the fundamental Irish instruments in folk music.
What is the easiest Irish flute to play? ›
We usually recommend Martin Doyle flutes for beginners in the key of D. They are by far the best value for money wooden flutes on the market. If that's too expensive buy a good Delrin one.
What is the rarest flute in the world? ›The contrabass flute is one of the rarer members of the flute family.
What is an Irish flute called? ›Theobald Boehm completely redesigned the flute to more easily access the chromatic scale. The Boehm flute has a cylindrical bore (with a parabolic bore in the head) and uses keys to enable the tone holes to be in the ideal place and to be of the ideal size.
What is the difference between 16 and 18 bodhran? ›Re: First Bodhran: 16'' or 18'' ? If you want it to sound like a bodhran, get the 18“ with one or two crossbars depending on how you wish to play it. If you want to sound like the timpani section of an orchestra, go for the tunable 14” or 16" without crossbars.
Where are Walton bodhrans made? ›Authentic Irish instruments made in Dublin from high quality materials. We offer great value and fast delivery. Waltons have been making high quality Irish folk instruments for more than 90 years from their base in Dublin so they are the first company to look to when thinking of purchasing a Bodhran.
What are the different types of bodhrans? ›There are two basic design styles used in bodhrans today. One is based off of traditional bodhrans, with a shallower shell, crossbars, and a larger diamater. Another, more modern style has been developed over the last few decades. It features a deeper shell, smaller diameter head, and no crossbars.
Is it hard to play the bodhrán? ›While the bodhran is relatively easy to learn, some of its hand movements can be quite tricky. And since these hand movements and placements help you control the instrument's pitch and timber, it's obviously an important part of learning how to play it.
What is a bodhrán stick called? ›The stick is often referred to as a cipín, which is also the word for a small stick or piece of kindling. Other names include beater and tipper. They can be straight pieces of strong timbers such as ash and holly, but often are bulbous at one or both terminals.
What is the easiest Irish instrument to learn? ›Tin whistle
The tin whistle enjoys its fair share of popularity. In most primary schools across Ireland, the instrument is learned from a young age since it's readily available and easy to learn.
The Irish Flute
The Irish wooden flute follows the fingering layout of a tin whistle and shares similarities with the recorder, so finding the notes shouldn't be a problem if you learned either in school. If you're already a seasoned tin whistle player then you'll be flying in no time!