I just finished reading that 7/8 thread that kind of spiraled down to be a bodhran bashing thread. Lots of people seem to have the view (and I don’t necessarily disagree) that nothing can ruin a session like a bad bodhranist.
I’ve got to say though, that the opposite is true also. A brilliantly played bodhran can really inspire and make a session fantastic. A few weeks ago, I attended a session that basically had the same crew that I play with every week with the addition of Mance Grady. Mance’s playing elevated that session to something sublime. I had him start off my set with a few minutes of rhythm, when I came in a huge cheer erupted. Later in the week, three different people came up to me to say that I sounded the best I ever had on that night. I had to reply that it was Mance’s playing that helped me find the soul of the tunes I was playing.
I don’t know if this topic is thread worthy, but let’s hear your bodhran love story
No, I think you picked that up wrongly, Peter. I think you'll find that the general concensus of opinion here, at session.org is in fact, that - "nothing can ruin a session like a bad musician"! It just so happened that that particular thread ended up chatting about Bodhran players.
If you've ever been caught in the horns of a double headed Piano Accordion dilemma/session, you'll know that, in a situation like that, you would be just praying for them to suddenly change into a couple of Bodhrans, instead.
I think most of us have had nasty experiences with BAD musicians playing any of the ITM instruments, but it's the loudest ones which can, inevitably, do the most damage & as Bodhrans are about as cheap an ITM instrument as you can get, there are a lot of them out there, to be abused!
I wouldn't go as far as to say I could write a Love Story to a Bodhran!
I attended two terms of bodhran classes with Lucy Randall at the Hammersmith Irish Centre in London. A lovely character, great teacher, and she really shows what a bodhran can add to a tune.
I believe she will have a MelBay book out sometime this year too, and she has a CD Book and Tutorial out called The Goatwhacker's Guide.
Bodhran comes as a third instrument after fiddle and melodeon, but I still want to do a good job when I'm playing, and not just be another thumpity merchant, of which we all know too many.
"I had him start off my set with a few minutes of rhythm, when I came in a huge cheer erupted" Hooorraaahhhh ... someone's playing a god damn tune at last ...
But OK, "nothing can ruin a session like a bad musician". But it's precisely because there are so many non musicians out there who bash bodhrans that I single the bodhran out. Can we not say, "nothing can ruin a session like a loud non musician"?
And stories of great bodhran players just instill a deep sense of saddness within me. A deep sense of what might have been. What we could be hearing had that genuinly talented person put in that little bit more effort and learned to play an instrument instead of just banging away. What a waste
I love a good bodhran - I'm with the 'bad musician' can ruin a session team. I wouldnt be complaining if John Joe kelly walked into my session that is for sure.
Aye Strathfoyle, met up with Martin & family at Roscrea, Tipperary, last Summer.
I've known Martin for over 25 years but Mrs Ptarmigan & I were in the middle of the Roscrea Castle all afternoon, dressed up in our Medieval gear, for a festival.
Anyway, when Martin came in, I wondered how long it would take for him to recognise me in me glad rags - but he didn't!
Eventually, after about an hour, I just walked up to him & said - Hello - his face was a real picture, as it finally dawned on him, who I was!
I admire a really good percussionist in any style of music and I love the sound of a bodhran. The problem is that it looks easy, a quick route to joining in the fun.
A few decades ago, my wife wanted a bodhran. I bought her one, but she never took it seriously, so I gave it a try. It was harder than I had expected, but I eventually developed some competence. I gave it up because I didn’t want to budget the time it would take to maintain and advance that competence. Mediocre percussion is not worth doing; it just drags down the ensemble sound. But when it’s right, it can add a powerful spark.
“If you didn’t get a chance to see Michael’s incredible drum set, you can tell from the picture here that it was not just thrown together to break a record!" - "The World's Largest Drum Set"
"Congratulations, Michael! You are one of a kind!”
Ptarmigan....I could well imagine the expression on Martin's face ! Besides being an excellent bodhran player he used to be a fun guy, great craic. When you next see him ask him has he still got that horse "Hoof-Hearted"........a real thoroughbred !
At the end of a gig, all the girls flock around the bodhran player and ignore the rest of the band, that's why all the bodhran bashing goes on. Get a life!
Many excellent percussionists play the kitchen sink, try Junkyard Jem in Mic Conway's National Junk Band, Greg Sheehan etc. Where have you people been?
"Everything Plus The Kitchen Sink".
This amazing drum kit consisted of 105 playable pieces, including a kitchen sink!
The sink was the only "gimmick" item on the entire set; everything else was authentic and playable and included:
7 bass drums, 19 tom toms, 3 snare drums, 8 octabans, 2 timbales, 4 electronic drums, 25 cymbals, 16 bells and blocks, 20 various percussion items and 1 kitchen sink, all mounted on 61 pieces of hardware!
Michael had been amassing the set for nearly 10 years and purchased everything from Drum Headquarters.
There were 37 Tama drums (and 47 pieces of Tama hardware), 25 Paiste cymbals and sounds, 16 LP items, 6 Kill On Command bass drums, 21 various brand pieces and all the drums were equipped with 39 Attack drumheads.
Just picture that lot set up in the corner of your session pub, the next time you walk in!
So -- why is the bodhran the maligned instrument of ITM? Is it because it's not an instrument? No. Is it because it's a recent arrival on the ITM scene? No, the bouzouki follows it. Is it because it doesn't add to the music? No. Is it because it's not popular? Certainly not -- it's very popular. Well then... what could it be?
One very strong indicator for what makes the bodhran so despised is to look at who despises it. Is it the ITM fans at large? No, they love it. It's actually other musicians that hate it so.
So picture if you will someone coming across a session and loving what they see -- a bunch of friends sitting around a table drinking and sharing this amazing music. They might think, "I want to be part of this." So they look around the circle at the instruments wondering which one they could possibly play. Ahhh... that drum thing... I could do that.
How many of you musician have been at a session where in walks someone with a bodhran that has a painted Celtic crane on it and the person says they've been playing along with their CDs for a whole month now -- and they’re ready to join the session? I've never seen anyone show up with a concertina and say that... or a fiddle, flute, accordion or any other melody instrument. Only bodhrans (or guitars -- another often maligned instrument for similar reasons.)
So what is it then, could it be that the instrument doesn't add anything? No, in the right hands it adds an amazing amount. I'd say the main problem with the bodhran is the guilt by association it has with the multitudes that have made errant assumptions and abused the instrument terrorizing sessions the world over. Other ITM instruments require much more practice before you can even begin to keep up with the music, but with a bodhran -- anyone can bang on it.
Jeeeeeez Button, that's one very Sad Love Story! I thought this thread was supposed to be cheering up the Bod players, not making them feel even more depressed?
I know, what about a caption competition?
Maybe that would cheer them all up?
So, here's a photo & let's see who can come up with an amusing caption to lift the spirits of - 'da drummers':
I'll start you off.
I think Christy is saying - "Geeez, Malachy you obviously know feck all about playing these yolks, sure yer only hitting the wrong side of the skin!"
"Here, Christy... let me have the thing and I'll run it through my single-blade Startrite automatic bodhran slicer here. I've been awarded a community improvement contract to destroy all these bodhrans."
Nice to see a that he bodhran isn't truly despised universally. I know why most people hate the bodhran and it's been clearly stated throughout this thread so I won't sit here and chew old soup about it. I would like to pass on a bit of advice to those who do wish to pick up the bodhran though. Don't assume that it is an easy instrument beause you see some ould sot like meself sittin there making it look easy. It takes years to get it right and it takes countless hours of listening to tunes not only recorded but live as well to pick up on the nuances and ornamentaion found in every tune. Also every musician will tell you that no two play the same tune alike. So don't be at home listening to the humours of carrigaholt, or some other tune, and then try to play it live with others beacuse it most likely isn't the same. I really do love playing traditional Irish music and percussion happens to be my true forte so the only outlet for me is the bodhran, despised by some though it may be.
Well said, Phantom and newlife. At last a sound, reasonable defence of the bodhran.
I just play it so that I can constantly say to loads of "musicians" "I,m the only one who can join the Chieftains/ Altan/ flook/Lunasa/ Bothy Band etc etc in the morning and actually improve them, albeit on a humble bodhran".
I know it's not much of a motive, but maybe I am a shallow person.
Bodhran Love Stories
Bodhran Love Stories
I just finished reading that 7/8 thread that kind of spiraled down to be a bodhran bashing thread. Lots of people seem to have the view (and I don’t necessarily disagree) that nothing can ruin a session like a bad bodhranist.
I’ve got to say though, that the opposite is true also. A brilliantly played bodhran can really inspire and make a session fantastic. A few weeks ago, I attended a session that basically had the same crew that I play with every week with the addition of Mance Grady. Mance’s playing elevated that session to something sublime. I had him start off my set with a few minutes of rhythm, when I came in a huge cheer erupted. Later in the week, three different people came up to me to say that I sounded the best I ever had on that night. I had to reply that it was Mance’s playing that helped me find the soul of the tunes I was playing.
I don’t know if this topic is thread worthy, but let’s hear your bodhran love story
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by iampeterfonda
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
No, I think you picked that up wrongly, Peter. I think you'll find that the general concensus of opinion here, at session.org is in fact, that - "nothing can ruin a session like a bad musician"! It just so happened that that particular thread ended up chatting about Bodhran players.
If you've ever been caught in the horns of a double headed Piano Accordion dilemma/session, you'll know that, in a situation like that, you would be just praying for them to suddenly change into a couple of Bodhrans, instead.
I think most of us have had nasty experiences with BAD musicians playing any of the ITM instruments, but it's the loudest ones which can, inevitably, do the most damage & as Bodhrans are about as cheap an ITM instrument as you can get, there are a lot of them out there, to be abused!
I wouldn't go as far as to say I could write a Love Story to a Bodhran!
...but how about a Cartoon?
Here's one with a Bodhran ..................& five sticks of dynamite:
http://www.generalcomics.com/free-funny-birthday-cards-printable-greetings/30.php
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
I attended two terms of bodhran classes with Lucy Randall at the Hammersmith Irish Centre in London. A lovely character, great teacher, and she really shows what a bodhran can add to a tune.
I believe she will have a MelBay book out sometime this year too, and she has a CD Book and Tutorial out called The Goatwhacker's Guide.
Bodhran comes as a third instrument after fiddle and melodeon, but I still want to do a good job when I'm playing, and not just be another thumpity merchant, of which we all know too many.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"I had him start off my set with a few minutes of rhythm, when I came in a huge cheer erupted" Hooorraaahhhh ... someone's playing a god damn tune at last ...
But OK, "nothing can ruin a session like a bad musician". But it's precisely because there are so many non musicians out there who bash bodhrans that I single the bodhran out. Can we not say, "nothing can ruin a session like a loud non musician"?
And stories of great bodhran players just instill a deep sense of saddness within me. A deep sense of what might have been. What we could be hearing had that genuinly talented person put in that little bit more effort and learned to play an instrument instead of just banging away. What a waste
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
I notice there's no full stop at the end of that paragraph Michael.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
I love a good bodhran - I'm with the 'bad musician' can ruin a session team. I wouldnt be complaining if John Joe kelly walked into my session that is for sure.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by bb
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Or Junior Davey. My own favorite is a Glaswegian, Martin Mc Hugh. Last I heard he's somewhere in Ireland living.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Strathfoyle
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Aye Strathfoyle, met up with Martin & family at Roscrea, Tipperary, last Summer.
I've known Martin for over 25 years but Mrs Ptarmigan & I were in the middle of the Roscrea Castle all afternoon, dressed up in our Medieval gear, for a festival.
Anyway, when Martin came in, I wondered how long it would take for him to recognise me in me glad rags - but he didn't!
Eventually, after about an hour, I just walked up to him & said - Hello - his face was a real picture, as it finally dawned on him, who I was!
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
I saw John Joe in a clip on the web. I suppose he is ok.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
I admire a really good percussionist in any style of music and I love the sound of a bodhran. The problem is that it looks easy, a quick route to joining in the fun.
A few decades ago, my wife wanted a bodhran. I bought her one, but she never took it seriously, so I gave it a try. It was harder than I had expected, but I eventually developed some competence. I gave it up because I didn’t want to budget the time it would take to maintain and advance that competence. Mediocre percussion is not worth doing; it just drags down the ensemble sound. But when it’s right, it can add a powerful spark.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
“If you didn’t get a chance to see Michael’s incredible drum set, you can tell from the picture here that it was not just thrown together to break a record!" - "The World's Largest Drum Set"
"Congratulations, Michael! You are one of a kind!”
http://www.drumheadquarters.com/images/fillers/LargestDrumset.jpg
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Ptarmigan....I could well imagine the expression on Martin's face ! Besides being an excellent bodhran player he used to be a fun guy, great craic. When you next see him ask him has he still got that horse "Hoof-Hearted"........a real thoroughbred !
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Strathfoyle
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
In my defense, it was supposed to be a thread about tunes in 7/8, but the Bodhran bashing started and I couldn't help it.
# Posted on February 24th 2006 by Why Bother?
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
At the end of a gig, all the girls flock around the bodhran player and ignore the rest of the band, that's why all the bodhran bashing goes on. Get a life!
# Posted on February 25th 2006 by mcknowall
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"The world's largest drum set"
Is it my eyesight, or IS the kitchen sink included?
# Posted on February 25th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Many excellent percussionists play the kitchen sink, try Junkyard Jem in Mic Conway's National Junk Band, Greg Sheehan etc. Where have you people been?
# Posted on February 25th 2006 by mcknowall
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Well spotted oldstrings:
"Everything Plus The Kitchen Sink".
This amazing drum kit consisted of 105 playable pieces, including a kitchen sink!
The sink was the only "gimmick" item on the entire set; everything else was authentic and playable and included:
7 bass drums, 19 tom toms, 3 snare drums, 8 octabans, 2 timbales, 4 electronic drums, 25 cymbals, 16 bells and blocks, 20 various percussion items and 1 kitchen sink, all mounted on 61 pieces of hardware!
Michael had been amassing the set for nearly 10 years and purchased everything from Drum Headquarters.
There were 37 Tama drums (and 47 pieces of Tama hardware), 25 Paiste cymbals and sounds, 16 LP items, 6 Kill On Command bass drums, 21 various brand pieces and all the drums were equipped with 39 Attack drumheads.
Just picture that lot set up in the corner of your session pub, the next time you walk in!
More info here:
http://www.drumheadquarters.com/pop_pages/LargestDrumset.htm
# Posted on February 25th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
So -- why is the bodhran the maligned instrument of ITM? Is it because it's not an instrument? No. Is it because it's a recent arrival on the ITM scene? No, the bouzouki follows it. Is it because it doesn't add to the music? No. Is it because it's not popular? Certainly not -- it's very popular. Well then... what could it be?
One very strong indicator for what makes the bodhran so despised is to look at who despises it. Is it the ITM fans at large? No, they love it. It's actually other musicians that hate it so.
So picture if you will someone coming across a session and loving what they see -- a bunch of friends sitting around a table drinking and sharing this amazing music. They might think, "I want to be part of this." So they look around the circle at the instruments wondering which one they could possibly play. Ahhh... that drum thing... I could do that.
How many of you musician have been at a session where in walks someone with a bodhran that has a painted Celtic crane on it and the person says they've been playing along with their CDs for a whole month now -- and they’re ready to join the session? I've never seen anyone show up with a concertina and say that... or a fiddle, flute, accordion or any other melody instrument. Only bodhrans (or guitars -- another often maligned instrument for similar reasons.)
So what is it then, could it be that the instrument doesn't add anything? No, in the right hands it adds an amazing amount. I'd say the main problem with the bodhran is the guilt by association it has with the multitudes that have made errant assumptions and abused the instrument terrorizing sessions the world over. Other ITM instruments require much more practice before you can even begin to keep up with the music, but with a bodhran -- anyone can bang on it.
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Jeeeeeez Button, that's one very Sad Love Story! I thought this thread was supposed to be cheering up the Bod players, not making them feel even more depressed?
I know, what about a caption competition?
Maybe that would cheer them all up?
So, here's a photo & let's see who can come up with an amusing caption to lift the spirits of - 'da drummers':
http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/bodhran/images/malachy3.gif
I'll start you off.
I think Christy is saying - "Geeez, Malachy you obviously know feck all about playing these yolks, sure yer only hitting the wrong side of the skin!"
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
How about -- "Check it out... if you play it like this it sounds like there's hundreds of bodhrans right over your head."
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Or
"Christy, what do you think of this, my top of the range, Cheese Supreme - Deep Pan Pizza!"
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"Aye no problem Christy; I'll make you a dacent pair o' shoes out of this oul' goatskin"
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"Here, Christy... let me have the thing and I'll run it through my single-blade Startrite automatic bodhran slicer here. I've been awarded a community improvement contract to destroy all these bodhrans."
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"There it is, then. You can carry 20 pints in this model without spilling a drop, five in each quarter."
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Gaelic writer
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"Christy, when you use a Stanley Knife, you should slash the skin from the inside, out!"
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
"Better get busy, John de Chastelain is due withing the hour ..."
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by Conway
Re: goatskin hero laid low
well,this certainly made me laugh out loud BUT:
should you be of a nervous disposition/under 21/little sense of humour then do not follow this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4748292.stm
now that's what even pushkin would have called a love story...
i nearly hesitated to say 'i'll get my goat'.
nearly.
# Posted on February 26th 2006 by biggus dave
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Nice to see a that he bodhran isn't truly despised universally. I know why most people hate the bodhran and it's been clearly stated throughout this thread so I won't sit here and chew old soup about it. I would like to pass on a bit of advice to those who do wish to pick up the bodhran though. Don't assume that it is an easy instrument beause you see some ould sot like meself sittin there making it look easy. It takes years to get it right and it takes countless hours of listening to tunes not only recorded but live as well to pick up on the nuances and ornamentaion found in every tune. Also every musician will tell you that no two play the same tune alike. So don't be at home listening to the humours of carrigaholt, or some other tune, and then try to play it live with others beacuse it most likely isn't the same. I really do love playing traditional Irish music and percussion happens to be my true forte so the only outlet for me is the bodhran, despised by some though it may be.
# Posted on February 27th 2006 by newfie percussionist
Re: Bodhran Love Stories
Well said, Phantom and newlife. At last a sound, reasonable defence of the bodhran.
I just play it so that I can constantly say to loads of "musicians" "I,m the only one who can join the Chieftains/ Altan/ flook/Lunasa/ Bothy Band etc etc in the morning and actually improve them, albeit on a humble bodhran".
I know it's not much of a motive, but maybe I am a shallow person.
# Posted on February 27th 2006 by bodhran bliss