I play fiddle and years ago I heard a phenomenal bohdran player at a Celtic fest on Gabriola Island. He never performed, was only helping someone practice, but I've never forgotten what I heard. It was quite astounding and now that I"ve found your vids, I do believe I'll buy my wife a bohdran! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing talent!
Thank you so much. I have had my small Bodhran for a year without having much success in playing it. Saying the rhythms out loud has made all the difference. My family bought me a new larger Bodrhan for christmas - I can't believe how excited I am! Thanks again!
Personally the repetition is fantastic. I'm learning to play alone, and it's really great to be able to play along with a video. The repetition is useful as practice. Yours are some of the only videos which are actually useful to watch. Most people aren't actually good teachers - you are. I also wanted to mention the photography - it's great to finally watch a video where I can actually see what's going on with the tipper!
Wow...I've had my drum for 8 months now, and this is the first time anyone has made any sense of the beats! I love the repetition - it helps cement tlhe proper way of playing. Thanks for breaking this down so well - I'll be back for more lessons - your posts here are really helping me learn to play!
That's one we made. My husband, Mark, and I owned and operated Cape Breton Bodhrans when we lived in Nova Scotia. Even though we have a workshop set up now we're back in Scotland we don't have any time to spend in it these days. Thanks for the compliment. I do love my drum. Yours is a beauty as well Kishana.
I know you get this a lot, but you're awesome. I've been wanting to play bodhran for years, and finally got one yesterday. Been practicing with it all day, and yours is the first video that actually helped! Thank you so much!
I have been practising the bodhran a few years, yet by far, you are one of the most easiest persons I have come across for explanation - excellent video, love the repetition, please keep up the good work, very helpful :)
Thank you so much for teaching us. I just bought mine. Without people like you it wouldn't be possible for me to learn how to play. Greetins from brazil.
I've got a bodhran since 3 days and I'm very happy to discover your excellent videos - very easy to understand because the technics are explaned so well! Thank you a lot for all!
I picked up a bodhran that has been sitting around my parents' house for 20 years, probably, and have been having a blast learning how to play with your videos! Perfectly paced, very informative. I play the violin and the harp and have been an Irish step dancer since I was a kid, but percussion (at least with my hands) is entirely new to me! What a fun challenge.
Wait, Nicole, you're not giving yourself credit! In Irish dance, the hard shoes are percussive instruments. If you've competed at a feis with a live musician, you're both complementary parts of the music!
Michelle, just purchased my first bodhran 2 days ago, and was overwhelmed until I saw this vid. Very informative and helpful, slowly starting to master this rhythm. Tried part two and struggled around 100 bpm but this gives me hope that i can get there. Thanks, Misha
I am definitely loving these lessons, and yes, the repetition is great. It forces me to play along and progress on my own time. If I am still hazy after a certain point, I can go back and play along with that session. Thank you so much for these!
Buying an instrument is a very individual purchase, but here's a starting place:The most popular sized bodhrans used to be about 18" diameter and 3.5" in depth.Drums are now smaller in diameter and have deeper shells which make it easier to achieve multiple octaves. I would suggest a good diameter size for a first drum for avg sized adult would be 16" and a depth from 5" to 6". Hope this helps narrow it down a bit for you.
Thank you so much for this video! It is the best because you are going slowly so beginners like me can watch the strokes! Others still go SO FAST and it is very hard to watch! With this, I can actually see the strokes and the counting really helps! Start with slow baby-steps before all the fancy moves. Thanks again a million!!
Wow. Thank you so much Michelle. This is exactly what I have been looking for. You are very thorough, slow and methodical in how to show and teach. THANK YOU very much. I am a fresh beginner. I look forward to more videos!
Hi Michelle. Many thanks for your clear, concise , informative videos. The use of reptitions is brilliant. They allow me to get to grips with the subject matter. Brilliant!
Billiant videos. Clear, concise and informative. Your use of repetitions is so helpful. It gives beginners such as myself the chance to get to grips with the subject. Many thanks.
Hi Michelle. Many thanks for posting such clear, concise and informative videos. I find the repetitions so helpful. They give me a chance to get to grips with the lessons. Keep up the good work!
Hi Michelle. Brilliant videos. Clear,concise and informative. The repetitions are very useful. They give me time to get to grips with the lessons. Thank you so much.
I've got to say,this was brilliant. I've always wanted to learn the bodhran,This turned out ,for me to be a great starting place. I love the repetition, it helps to get it right. Thank you
HI just subscribed and am awaiting my first bodhran from ebay this week. Not really purchased a drum because I want to master it as I'm not that musical, I was looking for "a drum" for some theatre classes I'm doing and I need a practical drum I can do varied beats on. But watching your videos, I actually excited by the prospect of it's arrival and learning some basic rhythms on. The repitition is going to be most helpful for me to learn with.
Hi Michelle. Many thanks for your excellent videos. Your use of repetition is extremely helpful. It allows me to get to grips with the subject matter. Keep up with the good work. Best wishes Quickasucan, Liverpool.
I just got into renaissance music no to long ago, and am learning about the different instruments played. I have chosen the mandolin. My primary instrument is the 5 string bass guitar, but after hearing some renaissance music on last.fm, I was really hooked on some of it. Now seeing this video on the Bodhran makes me want one, so I can keep good rhythm and timing when I record my renaissance music
How are you doing, now that 5 months have passed?? I am just getting started. My drum is on its way. Currently I am using the shish-kabob stick trick I learned from this instructor. It really works! Trying to figure out my comfort zone in holding and striking the 'drum' surface.
Thank you so much for posting this vid as well as part 2. I have a book but I find it very hard to do the Jig rhythm the way they instruct (down up down, up down up) plus it's hard not having a visual to go off of. I find your way much easier and you're a great teacher. I will be practicing a lot and will check back in a week ^.^
Thank you very much! your lessons are incredible helpful! I started a month ago, but I haven't had much time, so... I'm just starting... I think I've got this Rhythm, but now... I don't know how to play it in a song... Could you tell me a jig I can try to do so? Or maybe a lesson with "background" music?
Brilliant !! Many thanks to make me have hope of participate in the next meeting at Beaghmore Stone Circle in winter I shall buy a Bohran and keep practicing.. thanks you again
My pleasure. I took up the Bodhran October last year. Discovering your Lessons put me on a positive path to learning this instrument and attaining an understanding.
Down, down up two three works perfect. Down down up... ehmmm what? ;) So going with: Down, down up two three, down down up. Btw: I find that just saying it out loud, putting the Bodhran aside, I can practice the foot tap.
I play fiddle and years ago I heard a phenomenal bohdran player at a Celtic fest on Gabriola Island. He never performed, was only helping someone practice, but I've never forgotten what I heard. It was quite astounding and now that I"ve found your vids, I do believe I'll buy my wife a bohdran! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing talent!
Thank you so much. I have had my small Bodhran for a year without having much success in playing it. Saying the rhythms out loud has made all the difference. My family bought me a new larger Bodrhan for christmas - I can't believe how excited I am!
Thanks again!
Personally the repetition is fantastic. I'm learning to play alone, and it's really great to be able to play along with a video. The repetition is useful as practice. Yours are some of the only videos which are actually useful to watch. Most people aren't actually good teachers - you are. I also wanted to mention the photography - it's great to finally watch a video where I can actually see what's going on with the tipper!
I like the explanation of saying it! Helps a lot preparing as a beginner. Go raibh maith agat!
Wow...I've had my drum for 8 months now, and this is the first time anyone has made any sense of the beats! I love the repetition - it helps cement tlhe proper way of playing.
Thanks for breaking this down so well - I'll be back for more lessons - your posts here are really helping me learn to play!
That's one we made. My husband, Mark, and I owned and operated Cape Breton Bodhrans when we lived in Nova Scotia. Even though we have a workshop set up now we're back in Scotland we don't have any time to spend in it these days.
Thanks for the compliment. I do love my drum. Yours is a beauty as well Kishana.
I know you get this a lot, but you're awesome. I've been wanting to play bodhran for years, and finally got one yesterday. Been practicing with it all day, and yours is the first video that actually helped! Thank you so much!
Just got a bodhran and have been working on getting rhythms and the repetition helps me. I appreciate the videos for sure.
I have been practising the bodhran a few years, yet by far, you are one of the most easiest persons I have come across for explanation - excellent video, love the repetition, please keep up the good work, very helpful :)
I like this
Thank you so much for teaching us.
I just bought mine. Without people like you it wouldn't be possible for me to learn how to play.
Greetins from brazil.
I've got a bodhran since 3 days and I'm very happy to discover your excellent videos - very easy to understand because the technics are explaned so well!
Thank you a lot for all!
Like many others...I've played on and off using youtube 'teacher'...You are the Best! I've found. Please keep it up.
I picked up a bodhran that has been sitting around my parents' house for 20 years, probably, and have been having a blast learning how to play with your videos! Perfectly paced, very informative. I play the violin and the harp and have been an Irish step dancer since I was a kid, but percussion (at least with my hands) is entirely new to me! What a fun challenge.
Wait, Nicole, you're not giving yourself credit! In Irish dance, the hard shoes are percussive instruments. If you've competed at a feis with a live musician, you're both complementary parts of the music!
Michelle, just purchased my first bodhran 2 days ago, and was overwhelmed until I saw this vid. Very informative and helpful, slowly starting to master this rhythm. Tried part two and struggled around 100 bpm but this gives me hope that i can get there. Thanks, Misha
I am definitely loving these lessons, and yes, the repetition is great. It forces me to play along and progress on my own time. If I am still hazy after a certain point, I can go back and play along with that session. Thank you so much for these!
Buying an instrument is a very individual purchase, but here's a starting place:The most popular sized bodhrans used to be about 18" diameter and 3.5" in depth.Drums are now smaller in diameter and have deeper shells which make it easier to achieve multiple octaves. I would suggest a good diameter size for a first drum for avg sized adult would be 16" and a depth from 5" to 6".
Hope this helps narrow it down a bit for you.
Hey Michelle,
I think that the repetition helps to "get the hang of it"...to get the feel for what you're trying to teach. Thanks for the lessons!
Thank you so much for this video! It is the best because you are going slowly so beginners like me can watch the strokes! Others still go SO FAST and it is very hard to watch! With this, I can actually see the strokes and the counting really helps! Start with slow baby-steps before all the fancy moves.
Thanks again a million!!
Wow. Thank you so much Michelle. This is exactly what I have been looking for. You are very thorough, slow and methodical in how to show and teach. THANK YOU very much. I am a fresh beginner. I look forward to more videos!
just got my bodhran today, and used your video for my first lesson. Thanks so much
Hi Michelle. Many thanks for your clear, concise , informative videos. The use of reptitions is brilliant. They allow me to get to grips with the subject matter. Brilliant!
Billiant videos. Clear, concise and informative. Your use of repetitions is so helpful. It gives beginners such as myself the chance to get to grips with the subject. Many thanks.
your are a brilliant teacher. my playing has come on loads by watching your videos. thank you for all your time and effort
Love the repetition! Extremely helpful as I am still a beginner. Thank you!
Hi Michelle. Many thanks for posting such clear, concise and informative videos. I find the repetitions so helpful. They give me a chance to get to grips with the lessons. Keep up the good work!
Hi Michelle. Brilliant videos. Clear,concise and informative. The repetitions are very useful. They give me time to get to grips with the lessons. Thank you so much.
thank you for making this simple. I like music but my gift is to play without sheets of music. but you helped me to regain the rythem,
Hi. Really clear, concise, informative videos. I particularly appreciate the repetions. They give me a chance to get to grips with the lessons.
I really like the repetition and the words to say along. It helps so much!
Excellent videos. Clear, concise and informative. The use of repetition is very helpful. Keep the videos coming.
I've got to say,this was brilliant. I've always wanted to learn the bodhran,This turned out ,for me to be a great starting place. I love the repetition, it helps to get it right. Thank you
HI just subscribed and am awaiting my first bodhran from ebay this week. Not really purchased a drum because I want to master it as I'm not that musical, I was looking for "a drum" for some theatre classes I'm doing and I need a practical drum I can do varied beats on. But watching your videos, I actually excited by the prospect of it's arrival and learning some basic rhythms on. The repitition is going to be most helpful for me to learn with.
Hi Michelle. Many thanks for your excellent videos. Your use of repetition is extremely helpful. It allows me to get to grips with the subject matter. Keep up with the good work. Best wishes Quickasucan, Liverpool.
Yes -- thank you! You are doing a great service for all of us trying to learn to play this wonderful instrument. :D
The repetition is good and gradually increasing the rhythm is a great way to learn! Will we get to play along to a tune eventually?
Thank you for the videos Michelle -really helpful and useful. I'm using these to learn how to play and I'm loving it!!!
thanks a lot for this wonderful and useful video! your lessons are very accurate and easy to understand, i thank you so much for what you've done!
I so agree with you! I am just getting started and had so much trouble with other vids. These are SO much better!
I just got into renaissance music no to long ago, and am learning about the different instruments played. I have chosen the mandolin. My primary instrument is the 5 string bass guitar, but after hearing some renaissance music on last.fm, I was really hooked on some of it. Now seeing this video on the Bodhran makes me want one, so I can keep good rhythm and timing when I record my renaissance music
How are you doing, now that 5 months have passed?? I am just getting started. My drum is on its way. Currently I am using the shish-kabob stick trick I learned from this instructor. It really works! Trying to figure out my comfort zone in holding and striking the 'drum' surface.
very helpful. And the repetition really helps it stick.
This video really helped my out with....well everything about the Bodhran. Thank you.
thanks for all the wonderful videos, i will
have a bodhran very soon and i am practicing!!!
i subscribed, greetings from Panama
Love your Mother of All Jig rhythms. I can get to 80 beats per min! Great wee video especially part 2. Many Thanks. - Mary
Thats the best learning video I've watched. Thanks a million!
Thanks! Love the repetition and saying it works well. First time playing percussion.
thanks for sharing this, been trying to get lessons here in france but nothing, so your vids really help
I SO love that song!! Just learned singing it. Now I am trying to learn the Bodhran to it, too!
Thank you so much for posting this vid as well as part 2. I have a book but I find it very hard to do the Jig rhythm the way they instruct (down up down, up down up) plus it's hard not having a visual to go off of. I find your way much easier and you're a great teacher. I will be practicing a lot and will check back in a week ^.^
Thanks so much Michelle, great video!!!
Loved it! I'm going to Ireland next month and I'm thinking getting one bodhran ;) Thank you
I like the look and heft of your tipper. Please tell me where I can purchase one like it.
i love the repetiton as i am a complete beginner and REALLY helps!
Where can I purchase a tipper like yours. I like the look and size of it.
Thank you very much! your lessons are incredible helpful!
I started a month ago, but I haven't had much time, so... I'm just starting... I think I've got this Rhythm, but now... I don't know how to play it in a song... Could you tell me a jig I can try to do so? Or maybe a lesson with "background" music?
Good! D D U D U what does that look like in musical notation?
who built that beautiful drum?!
I'm new to the Bodhran an new patterns are hard for me, so I love the repetition
what music are you using for a theme tune, it's beautiful!!!
Brilliant !! Many thanks to make me have hope of participate in the next meeting at Beaghmore Stone Circle in winter
I shall buy a Bohran and keep practicing.. thanks you again
Great....I love it.
my drum has more of a twang when i play it. is there any way to make it sound more like yours?
Wow, saying it really helps! It's magic! Thanks a lot!!
Thank you for reminding me to keep breathing!! Oh, how often I remind my own cello students to keep breathing.....sigh....
repetition is AWESOME!
amazing
Thank you, Gail.😀
My pleasure. I took up the Bodhran October last year. Discovering your Lessons put me on a positive path to learning this instrument and attaining an understanding.
This drum is 15 1/2". I personally wouldn't go bigger than 16" anymore.
It better when you count it as down down 1 2 3....in my opinion I find that easier.
yup magic fairy dust it is :D brill thank you :)
since i folow your lessons i try to play cry of the celts
verry hard
Go raibh maith agat!
look and my video and tell me how i did i bought my bodhran yesterday
Down, down up two three works perfect. Down down up... ehmmm what? ;)
So going with: Down, down up two three, down down up.
Btw: I find that just saying it out loud, putting the Bodhran aside, I can practice the foot tap.
isn't the beater called a "tipper"?
Kinda like the fiddle bowing rhythm....
Me too :)
Go raibh maith agat