I'm a Dubliner returned after 21 years abroad. I've played and recorded bodhran with a number bands over the years but longed to get back to Ireland for the oul' pub sessions I played in in the 70's. Horror! many pub "sessions" in Dublin are now paid "gigs" disguised as sessions to cater for our tourists and as often as not, new faces are not so welcome as they were in times of yore. The guitar has taken the place of the bodhran which is considered non grata. I like guitar too but ..
Help! Is the bodhran banned?
You'll always be welcome at the Culturlann sessions in Monkstown particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday nights where you'll find a good mix of instruments and there's definitely no pecking order between bodhrans and guitars, or any instruments for that matter!
Can I trade a couple of bodhrans for a couple of your guitarists please - they seem to be alive and breeding successfully on the South coast of England!
Alas, yes...at one of the sessions I play we always seem to have at least a couple of truly clueless tub-thumpers.
OTOH I have the pleasure of sharing a tune now and then with an older fellow from Mayo who plays the bodhran very well. Some of the wannabes would do well to spend time with him but that kind of advice usually falls on deaf ears. It's their loss.
Hello Joe - sounds like a nightmare, it's like red squirrels and grey, tubthumpers pushing out the players. I also reckon that most good bodhran players start a melody instrument to learn the tunes, and as they improve start playing the melody as well as the bodhran. As the thumpers spread there is less chance to play bodhran, so good bodhran players turn into ex bodhran players who now play fiddle, whistle etc.
I venture to suggest that most folk enjoy a well played bodhran, and that to ban all bodhran playing would not benifit the music. Like somebody said in a previous post - what about the first guy to bring a bouzouki to a session?
I think Joe has posted an interesting thread - is the fact that bodhran is not welcome at open sessions in Dublin the thin end of the wedge or the only way to free all players ( including bodhranii ) from the curse of the ignorent goat wacking fool.
I agree with clunk999: Being experienced on a melody as well as a rhythm instrument helped me to a certain degree when I began playing bodhran. Among other things it reminded me that tunes have their individualities and eccentricities, and a "one-size-fits-all" approach to accompaniment really doesn't do the music justice.
Consequently, I've also found that bodhran playing has helped me to think more about keeping the rhythm constant when I play melody.
I guess one hand _does_ help the other, in this sense.
I agree with everything that has been written here. I personally find the bodhran a very difficult instrument to play correctly. And I have been studying it for years. I don't go to sessions for just this reason. Too much latent animosity built up for drummers, most of it well deserved, and I harbour a great deal of it myself... towards the banging slaggers who lack the self restraint and discipline to actually learn the tunes and really master the instrument before announcing their arrival. Good percussion is as high an art form as the most accomplished fiddle, guitar or flute. I truly believe this, (amidst the guffaws), And the great ones are a much scarcer commodity than skilled musicians at almost any other piece. But somehow, drummers, as a personality type, don't get that.
There is large session (or maybe it's more of a melee) held in Portobello, Edinburgh every Thursday. I sometimes go along when I can't be bothered going into town. There's probably too much of everything that we don't need there i.e 4 bodhrans, set of bongos, more drummy stuff, 4 or 5 guitars and several singers who INSIST on getting their turn. There are also a few of us who like to play tunes in between but, if you hit the right night, it can be sometimes worth the visit. I even try to introduce more interesting material when some of them feel like shutting up.
On a recent visit, a couple of singers were performing an unaccompanied ballad when they were assisted by the four bodhran players (The bongo man had gone to the bar). Rough justice?
Notwithstanding the above, I have nothing against good players of the bodhran, good guitarists or singers. However, you will probably all understand my misgivings about the aforedescribed type of session.
One of the problems with this instrument is the misconception that "anyone can do it" where in some cases people will purchase one and then immediately seek out the nearest session - maybe an exaggeration but only a slight one in far too many cases. Were this approach adopted with fiddle, concertina, pipes or any other melody instrument then they might also soon develop a bad press! As has already been said in this thread, a well played bodhran can add considerably to the dynamics of most sessions.
As usual, Geoff has met these sort before and is very, very happy to sit next to them and nip in and out of 9, 6,4,3 quavers and crotchets to the bar at every tune change and generally sod about.
Alternate jig, strathspey, waltz, slow hornpipe with 5/4 and you will soon loose them - encourage decellerando and decreascendi and they will soon be playing on their own or showing themselves up.
Secretly arrange with those that can do it, to have a 2 beat rest in between each tune or finish the set at bar 2 (dead easy - try it with John Ryans).
Shout key changes to them - that really confuses dummers as they wonder what is going on.
If all else fails, try asking them "Do you play any musical instruments?"
As nasty and Danny will know (probably only too well!) one of my party pieces if the atmosphere seems to require it at any given time (Jayz ... it's hard on th'oul intuition, this sessioneering whojamaflip) I'll give Cúnla a gulder (usually adding a scurrilous final verse or two carying the tale into territory where the clargy hardly dare venture).
If there's a bodhrání in our midst I usually ask if they can start me off with a jig beat. As she who purports to be nasty hints, the result can be a bit disappointing.
However when the boul' Davy shows up at one of our local gatherings, the shoe's on the right foot and no mistake.
"Slow or fast?"
"Slowish."
"Fancy?" (And here he'll batter out a rhythm so full of nuances you'd be picking your lower mandible off the flags ...) "Or plain ..." (at which point he reverts to the straight "Liverpool -Manchester" paradigm - just giving the p-word its second airing in a few days).
"Plain to begin with and then I'll let you take it away half-way through ..."
An outstanding player and, like any gifted flayer of the buck-goat's epidermis, a credit to any session!
Some of you may remember Kevin (aka - Caoimghgin) from his postings here. Well, he just moved to town and we've been tearin' away for the past month or so. Doin' the liver dance. Had a funny thing happen involving him a bodhran recently.
At the Sunday sesh a few weeks ago a mystery thumper appeared. Kevin and I had been joking about how we were going to invent a bodhran condom, "padded, for their comfort," to encourage safe thumping.
Well, turns out, we had been talking about this a little too loudly. She turns up at the pub on an off night when, of course, we're there drinking.
Kevin runs into her:
Him: "Hey, you're bodhran girl!"
Her: "Hey, you're condom guy!"
Him: "Would you like us to make you one?"
Her: "No. I've been practicing the rythm method."
Asheville is great. I can't brag on it enough without name dropping or sounding like some proud mother, though I'm pretty late in coming here.
It's a fairly small crowd compared to some of the larger east coast cities, but the quality can more often than not be excellent.
It's quite the success story for creating a trad scene. There's not really a long standing tradition of Irish trad here (it's all old-time, which is also a great scene here) but a small crowd moved here about 10 years ago and nurtured it into something really great. It's the real Irish trad that you can't describe but know it when you hear it.
The major advantage to being smallish is that it's a very social crowd, as well. There are several sessions and lots of house parties, etc; it just keeps getting better and better. We actually enjoy hanging out even while not playing music! It's (along with Charlottesville, VA) already the place to be in the South East and I wouldn't be surprised at all if in the next few years it becomes one of the places to be, nationally. And that's just the Irish trad scene... It's a great place to live or visit.
That'd be all right with us. It has become inevitable that people will move here. We just like to encourage as many of the right people to move here as possible.
Well, like anywhere that alternative-types go to and blaze a trail, the annoying "wrong" types end up not being them but the hipsters, trustafarians, and yuppies who are drawn to coolness like me to a Guinness. Better the banging of bongos than the squealing of sports car tires or the roaring of the motorcycle tourist. Happily, Asheville remains quite diverse. I assure you, I have never worn patchouli and I feel quite comfortable. The musos here are as normal as binge drinking, universally underemployed, practitioners of a somewhat obscure Western European folk tradition can be.
Are you sure they're just not drawn to you and your coolness, Jeremy? Yes, that must be it. *grin* And your turnips, of course. Oh, wait, sorry, no patchouli.
The boul' Davy that Aidan and Danny mention - I know him and, yes, I'll second that.
And lets not forget our own Conán McDonnel. The perfect gentleman - he can play the bodhrán, but doesn't.... and what's more, when he *does* play it, he plays it like a gentleman.
Joe - could you expand a bit on how the bodhran is not welcome in Dublin, I mean were you just not allowed to take it out of the bag or frozen out whilst playing? I was thinking of going over to Ireland with my family in the summer, and was hoping to find a friendly session scene, but have heard various tales such as yours, and am worried that the "no bodhran" sign is spreading too fast!
As far as other parts of the world I can only comment on Scotland. On the whole bodhran playing is welcome, particularly in small sessions at folk clubs away from the central belt ie Glasgow and Edinburgh. Have only been frozen out once, but that was at a famous music pub that has no doubt attracted more than its share of thumpers. I Think that to survive, the local members have a sort of inbuilt defence system that kicks in as soon as an uknown "bearer of round bag" turns up.
would be glad to hear of your further thoughts.
Catching up on other comments after being away -
John J - further to your comments about the singer and the four thumpers, at the session I was at recently, a fiddler played a lovely set of strathspeys accompanied by two other people. One with TWO shakey eggs the other with a djembe AND tamborine. I know that such horror stories have been done to death on this site, but it was the response of the fiddler that I wish to relate. On finishing his set, he paused, put the fiddle in the case and used said case to beat out a good strong rythm that exactly fitted the next set, then retired to the bar.
Jerbal - rythm method - funny story! but surely any tune that finishes just before the end must be very frustrating for all concerned.........
John J, talking of bodhran horror stories, a few weeks ago I was at a Saturday evening session in a pub I hadn't visited before. A small room in which there were 7 or 8 melody instruments and 6 bodhrans. All but one were relative or actual beginners and were there because they'd been to a workshop in the morning and someone had invited them along to the session "for a play". The exception was an excellent bodhran player named Jenny from Northern Ireland, and I got the impression she wasn't very happy with the situation. Oh, and there was also a bar with a very noisy Saturday night clientele. Playing and hearing what was going on was impossible so I and a couple of others left at 11pm.
Two weeks later at another, much more congenial pub, 3 or 4 of those beginner bodhranists turned up. I had to leave early for family reasons but apparently later on one of the flautists started to play a solo slow air. Three bodhranists joined in - not having the faintest idea what they were doing by all accounts. The flautist asked them to desist - or words to that effect - but they either ignored him or couldn't hear what he was saying. So our flautist terminated his solo in short order.
Trevor
I can recall a time (when we lived in southern California) when our local session would sometimes consist of two or three melody players and up to six bodhran players, each trying to outdo the others in terms of volume and speed. The situation was really out of hand. We decided to adopt a few "rules" such as allowing only one bodhran at a time. If more than one bodhran player showed up, they took turns. Since that time, we have been to many other sessions where the same rule is obviously in effect, and no bodhran players ever appear to be offended by it. After all, it makes good sense musically. I often see guitar players taking turns as well.
The example above regarding someone buying a bodhran and then going to a session is really not as far off the mark as it may seem. I have seen absolute beginners (with maybe one introductory workshop under their belts) trying to play in sessions. How many times have you heard someone say, "I don't really have any musical talent; maybe I could play the drum." I've heard it quite often, and I always explain to them that the bodhran IS a musical instrument and requires lots of time and effort to learn to play well. Someone said or wrote (I can't remember who) that a bodhran player should be able to lilt at least 50 tunes before even attempting to play in a session. Not a bad idea.
Aimee! Didja guys see your pics on the diary website? I have two more that I just found of you guys at the Corgi Cottage booth, gotta get those up at some point or other.
Yeah, my co-worker Steve wants to take up the bodhran because he thinks drums are cool. I keep trying to talk him out of it ("Steve, learn the guitar or the bouzouki, we need a backer!"); the last thing our local sessions need is another bodhran player. The worst thing for me about bodhran players is that most of them seem to think that speed=good over everything else...not that that's a mistake limited only to bodhran players...
Clunk,
As in the 70's I believe there is still a certain etiquette to observe when joining a session as an unknown player no matter what instrument you play.
Generally I would keep the instrument in it's "cage" and discreetly out of sight.
Listen to the session at least long enough to get a feel for the styles and abilities of the players.
Ask quietly during a lull whether your instrument would fit in.
If the invitation seems begrudging, don't bother.
One bodhran in any session is enough unless of course two players know and can compliment each others styles and can blend in with the others without "covering" other instruments.
Despite this approach, Clunk, although I have never been "frozen out" during a session, I have found that 4 times out of 5 in Dublin at any rate, the attitude seems to be " OK but just keep well to the background and one false move, bum beat, dare to ask for a particular tune or whatever and you're out, yah tub thumper"
I thought maybe I was paranoid but many of the above replies confirm my suspicions.
Having said that I find that outside Dublin, over West, for example, there still exist "real" sessions. ie:
Players welcome new players and often with enthusiasm
Most importantly they are prepared to swop ideas, tips, and tunes which is what the oul' 70's sessions were about.
And frequently even have the courtesy to include a new player in a round of beer.
Except for maybe 2 or 3 of the above replies, it would seem that many session players see themselves as a showcase for the "audience" and have no intention of inviting, advising or helping less experienced musicians nor taking tips or tunes from more able ones. Whither the real tradition?
Have real sessions been banned? Or rather have real session players been banned?
I'm probably a bit late in answering, but I did want to let Zina and Emily and whoever else know that Asheville is a wonderful town with great players, but there are a few things that you can do to make yourself blend into the background should you ever decide to come visit.
1) Wear dreadlocks. Asheville has more dreadlocks per square mile than all of Jamaca. Nobody knows why.
2) Pierce your belly button, nose, eyebrow or tounge or come up with a creative piercing combination all your own. Something that really defines YOU.
3) Tattoo something. Anything. Once again, be creative!
4) Bathing is optional. If you are tired of the hassle of showering regularly, Asheville might be the place for you!
5) Shaving is very optional.
6) Be sure you know where your chakras are and that they are in perfect alignment. Most gas stations provide this service for a nominal fee.
Good grief, Joe, I never give advice to other players unless they're at my own session, which is a tune learning session and so they must expect that sort of thing, or if they ask for it and I firmly believe that they really really REALLY mean that they want it and I think I actually know the answer. And it's not up to me to go inviting an unknown player to somebody else's session.
Also, I'd run away from (or at least leave the fiddle in the case) an unpaid session that was a "showcase" session, myself -- i'm not good enough for that, as I know a limited amount of tunes and have a tough time transitioning tunes on the fly.
That said, we do have a showcase session that my band does at a local pub. The place is too small for a real session (if two more people showed up to play, there wouldn't be room for the paying patrons, really, although if someone shows up, as has happened, we'll let 'em play at the table next to where we generally play), so we do a "closed" session sort of thing where they pay for our drinks and food, and we sit for two hours, drink, eat, talk and laugh, and play some sets that we know ahead of time. They like it because people in the adjoining restaurant get to listen in through the doors into the bar and feel like it's a real Irish pub with a real session. Nice work if you can get it!
When did Asheville N.C, the redneck poor cousin to Greenville become a hipple commune? I have fond memories of Asheville, back when i was a teenager, me and a band mate went there to visit his older brother. I lost "something" on that weekend visit, and proudly drove home to Atlanta with a new attitude. Hoohaa. Seriously, North Carolina, home of Hillbillies and Tarheels. I have always wanted to grow dreadlocks and smoke kind-bud in public. Maybe play the conga on the corner fer tips.
That story about the beginner drum class all showing up at once for your session is monumental. I don't have words to react to it! I agree with banning the bodhran, for anyone except a chick player with a nice singing voice!
About 10 yrs. ago. Now Greenville is the redneck partner to Asheville. Kevin's reacting to culture shock... it's not REALLY a hippie commune. It's just that not everyone here is CONSTANTLY ON THE PULL. Sure, they're around, but it's much less hippie than, say, AppState or Austin, TX. Asheville has several colleges around it, but it's not a college town. So, there's not one pervasive style other than the city itself is overall pretty liberal. So, if not striving to conquer the world through corporate domination equals being a hippie, then, yes. It's a pretty hippie place. Although, we just got our first real Starf%cks. Like we needed one with about 7 independent coffee shops within a 4 block radius of my house.
Irish ruff, have never heard your voice and on the basis that I have never met a girl that likes golf and shooting I reckon that Charlie must be a blokes name. So if you ban the bodhran what are you going to play?? Here is where I would type all the smileys that would indicate humour,mickey taking and Irony. If I knew em.
Joe thanks for the advice, might take the children and leave said round thing at home, don't mind if they eat the children.
I've never joined a session that I don't know half way thru - too shy - but now never will!!! I travel with work and when going to a new place find details of sessions on the net and try to phone first. If that fails I get there early and chat to the first person that turns up - usually works well. Cheers for the advice though, apreciate it - come to Scotland, plenty room for more good drummers!
I haven't either Zina, when i find her, I'm gonna marry her and teach her to play bodhran. Clunk, if it became a rule of musicianship, that only the girls were allowed to play the bodhran, I would vote yea, and hand em' over and hang up my tippers. I don't really think the bodhran is a man's instrument, just like I don't think the guitar or the drumset is a woman's instrument. and I don't care if I'm being contradictory by playing the bodhran and thinking it is more proper for the woman. I also eat quiche! When I'm in Austin or Asheville.
Joe, I find it very common practice to moan about how good it was in 'the oul days' and how noone was ever mean in 'the ole days' and how everything was perfect - the perfect tune, the perfect pint, the perfect session in 'the ole days'. Sessions freeze people out for a reason - some people are just mean and others maybe just dont like shaky eggs. What type of sessions are you talking about? Are they honestly just being mean for the sake of it?
Oh and by the way - sessions are sessions, they evolve yes - but if you honestly think about it -were they really better back then?
I remember back when I was young - I was at this cranking session...the year was 2002.........just kidding
Brill sesh last night - the musicians filled the right hand bar and the drummers stood on the sideline in the left hand bar. (Must be cos' they are always late).
Cthuilleannpiper, the flautist himself told me a couple of days later about how his flute solo was spoiled by those bodhrán players. Knowing him as I do he may very well have used similar wording to what you suggested! He is also one of the few people in the area competent to teach the bodhrán, so he knows what playing it in a session is all about.
Trevor
I was at a session once where a piper started playing a slow air and a banjo player attempted to accompany him. The piper threw him 'the look' and just shouted " Oi NO". He stopped immediately.
Zina - try as I might, beating the children never brings out a good range of tones, and it makes it hard to get the back beat right when they squirm, so the goat stays!
Irish ruff, you almost have the perfect woman, to be that she would have to fish. With an over and under, lob wedge, O'Kane and nine foot of carbon fibre it wouldn't matter if she looked like Winston Churchill crossed with ET.
What was the thread again? better get back to radio 4.
Clunk,
There is a real "open session" in The Temple Bar Pub, Temple Bar, Dublin every Wednesday. Decent bodhran players welcome (one at a time, of course). So, don't leave the bodhran at home. Don't let the "superior airs" squeeze the bodhran out.
Joe
Wow... all this hullabaloo... I guess we all have an opinion. Here's mine:
Where exactly did folks begin losing sight of the big picture, the true picture? We're all in this together. This is our ancient culture, our Cultural/Musical heritage. It all comes down to everyone playing well together in the sandbox. No bullies allowed until they get a grip on their egocentricities. We are ONE worldwide community of Celtic musicians. No borders, no pecking order. We all play for the sake and honour of the music... which should be regarded as an heirloom. Those with skillful musical prowess should be nurturing the beginners. The beginners not only are our future, but they serve to remind us all where each of us started ourselves.
So, everyone leave their egos at the door and come on in... sit together and "PLAY MUSIC". Enjoy the beautiful and powerful spirit that is created as we all play together... play for the sake of the music and forget all the egocentic garbage that makes people feel unwelcomed.
Instead of banning the Bodhran (which will NEVER happen, not as long as there's a Cipean in my hand), why don't we all work towards banning the BS!
I hear tell there's a blissful session out in Lotus Land that's a fair orgy of warm affirmations and mutual admiration, one lagerphonist to the next, and no matter how many spoon players show up, there's always a spare seat and the pints are free. If you want date and place info, you'll find it at http://www.havetambourinewilltravel.org.
The Bodhran is indeed a scourge to many musicians when it's not played properly. One needs to remember that the bodhran is the undercurrent of traditional Irish music and should never be banned. It's a widely misunderstood instrument and many players try to bring it to the front when it should be kept in the back. Proper tuning is often a problem with most players as they don't truly understand how to bring the pitch of the drum down to underpin the tune in progress. I have been playing percussion instruments most of my life and plan to keep the bodhran alive and kicking. A few suggestions to those struggling with tuning is to keep a spray bottle of water on hand to keep the skin moist (it also keeps away those who would ban the bodhran). Practice different positions of the hand on the skin behind to achieve diferent keys. Also play with skin tension and tipper position to change pitch. There are many tunes that might feel like the bodhran would suit them but when one truly tries it out it does jusst bollix it up so be respectfull of others. I have also been using a Djembe of African origin in my repertoire of Irish and of Scots tunes. This has been working out very well actually as a well played djembe provides strong bass notes to underpin the music. Once again the player needs to understand the drums place in the tune. I could ramble on forever about this but the bottom line is that we need to keep the bodhran alive and in order to do that the newer players have to learn it's position in the tunes. Don't be overly agressive with it and please keep it in tune. By the way if anyone out there needs a couple of pointers on playing or skin conditioning i'd be glad to help out. Keep the tradition alive me boys and girls ;).
Q. How do you get a bodhran player off your front porch?
A. Pay them for the pizza
Q. What do you call a bodhran player without a girlfriend?
A. Homeless
Q. Why do bodhran players keep their tippers on the dashboard of their cars?
A. So they can park in the handicap space.
I am a bodhran player and I love the jokes. I work in a bluegrass shop and most of these jokes started out as banjo player jokes, but you can replace that with just about anything and it still works. Anymore out there?
Cheers!
Ban the bodhran
Ban the bodhran
I'm a Dubliner returned after 21 years abroad. I've played and recorded bodhran with a number bands over the years but longed to get back to Ireland for the oul' pub sessions I played in in the 70's. Horror! many pub "sessions" in Dublin are now paid "gigs" disguised as sessions to cater for our tourists and as often as not, new faces are not so welcome as they were in times of yore. The guitar has taken the place of the bodhran which is considered non grata. I like guitar too but ..
Help! Is the bodhran banned?
Joe Quinn
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Joe Quinn
Re: Ban the bodhran
You'll always be welcome at the Culturlann sessions in Monkstown particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday nights where you'll find a good mix of instruments and there's definitely no pecking order between bodhrans and guitars, or any instruments for that matter!
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Bannerman
Re: Ban the bodhran
Joe,
Can I trade a couple of bodhrans for a couple of your guitarists please - they seem to be alive and breeding successfully on the South coast of England!
Anyone else got a colony in their session?
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: Ban the bodhran
Alas, yes...at one of the sessions I play we always seem to have at least a couple of truly clueless tub-thumpers.
OTOH I have the pleasure of sharing a tune now and then with an older fellow from Mayo who plays the bodhran very well. Some of the wannabes would do well to spend time with him but that kind of advice usually falls on deaf ears. It's their loss.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Hanley
Re: Ban the bodhran
Hello Joe - sounds like a nightmare, it's like red squirrels and grey, tubthumpers pushing out the players. I also reckon that most good bodhran players start a melody instrument to learn the tunes, and as they improve start playing the melody as well as the bodhran. As the thumpers spread there is less chance to play bodhran, so good bodhran players turn into ex bodhran players who now play fiddle, whistle etc.
I venture to suggest that most folk enjoy a well played bodhran, and that to ban all bodhran playing would not benifit the music. Like somebody said in a previous post - what about the first guy to bring a bouzouki to a session?
I think Joe has posted an interesting thread - is the fact that bodhran is not welcome at open sessions in Dublin the thin end of the wedge or the only way to free all players ( including bodhranii ) from the curse of the ignorent goat wacking fool.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Ban the bodhran
I agree with clunk999: Being experienced on a melody as well as a rhythm instrument helped me to a certain degree when I began playing bodhran. Among other things it reminded me that tunes have their individualities and eccentricities, and a "one-size-fits-all" approach to accompaniment really doesn't do the music justice.
Consequently, I've also found that bodhran playing has helped me to think more about keeping the rhythm constant when I play melody.
I guess one hand _does_ help the other, in this sense.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by sts
Re: Ban the bodhran
Hello you peepls!
I tolerate the occassional thumper, but hope to discourage regular attendance.
Likewise tune-players who wander all over the place rhythmically or just don't get that dance "lilt".
It makes it hard for us \()) musicians to find the music!!! :0)
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by greenman
Re: Ban the bodhran
\[O)))) deep shelled bodhran.
I agree with everything that has been written here. I personally find the bodhran a very difficult instrument to play correctly. And I have been studying it for years. I don't go to sessions for just this reason. Too much latent animosity built up for drummers, most of it well deserved, and I harbour a great deal of it myself... towards the banging slaggers who lack the self restraint and discipline to actually learn the tunes and really master the instrument before announcing their arrival. Good percussion is as high an art form as the most accomplished fiddle, guitar or flute. I truly believe this, (amidst the guffaws), And the great ones are a much scarcer commodity than skilled musicians at almost any other piece. But somehow, drummers, as a personality type, don't get that.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by irish ruff
Re: Ban the bodhran
There is large session (or maybe it's more of a melee) held in Portobello, Edinburgh every Thursday. I sometimes go along when I can't be bothered going into town. There's probably too much of everything that we don't need there i.e 4 bodhrans, set of bongos, more drummy stuff, 4 or 5 guitars and several singers who INSIST on getting their turn. There are also a few of us who like to play tunes in between but, if you hit the right night, it can be sometimes worth the visit. I even try to introduce more interesting material when some of them feel like shutting up.
On a recent visit, a couple of singers were performing an unaccompanied ballad when they were assisted by the four bodhran players (The bongo man had gone to the bar). Rough justice?
John
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Back for a while
Re: Ban the bodhran
Notwithstanding the above, I have nothing against good players of the bodhran, good guitarists or singers. However, you will probably all understand my misgivings about the aforedescribed type of session.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Back for a while
Re: Ban the bodhran
One of the problems with this instrument is the misconception that "anyone can do it" where in some cases people will purchase one and then immediately seek out the nearest session - maybe an exaggeration but only a slight one in far too many cases. Were this approach adopted with fiddle, concertina, pipes or any other melody instrument then they might also soon develop a bad press! As has already been said in this thread, a well played bodhran can add considerably to the dynamics of most sessions.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Bannerman
Re: Ban the bodhran
As usual, Geoff has met these sort before and is very, very happy to sit next to them and nip in and out of 9, 6,4,3 quavers and crotchets to the bar at every tune change and generally sod about.
Alternate jig, strathspey, waltz, slow hornpipe with 5/4 and you will soon loose them - encourage decellerando and decreascendi and they will soon be playing on their own or showing themselves up.
Secretly arrange with those that can do it, to have a 2 beat rest in between each tune or finish the set at bar 2 (dead easy - try it with John Ryans).
Shout key changes to them - that really confuses dummers as they wonder what is going on.
If all else fails, try asking them "Do you play any musical instruments?"
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by geoffwright
Sorting the bodhranii from the boys who merely thump...
... or as Aidan suggested, ask them "just start a jig/reel/mazurka off for us there, wouldya?" ....
"wha...? .... time I went to the bar ..."
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by nastyweegirl
Re: Ban the bodhran
Mazurka?!? Don't encourage them.
If they look at you confused upon your request for a jig, say, "Oh, come on, you know, 6/8 time!"
Definitely a cure for a dose of the thumpers.
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Nick Splease
Re: Ban the bodhran
How does it go again?
"MaryandJosephandMaryandJosephand"!!!!!!!!
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Give us a ...
As nasty and Danny will know (probably only too well!) one of my party pieces if the atmosphere seems to require it at any given time (Jayz ... it's hard on th'oul intuition, this sessioneering whojamaflip) I'll give Cúnla a gulder (usually adding a scurrilous final verse or two carying the tale into territory where the clargy hardly dare venture).
If there's a bodhrání in our midst I usually ask if they can start me off with a jig beat. As she who purports to be nasty hints, the result can be a bit disappointing.
However when the boul' Davy shows up at one of our local gatherings, the shoe's on the right foot and no mistake.
"Slow or fast?"
"Slowish."
"Fancy?" (And here he'll batter out a rhythm so full of nuances you'd be picking your lower mandible off the flags ...) "Or plain ..." (at which point he reverts to the straight "Liverpool -Manchester" paradigm - just giving the p-word its second airing in a few days).
"Plain to begin with and then I'll let you take it away half-way through ..."
An outstanding player and, like any gifted flayer of the buck-goat's epidermis, a credit to any session!
# Posted on October 6th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: Ban the bodhran
Aye, Davy's one of the few Bodhranists I've met where the flute player backs the bodhran player.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Nick Splease
Re: Ban the bodhran
Some of you may remember Kevin (aka - Caoimghgin) from his postings here. Well, he just moved to town and we've been tearin' away for the past month or so. Doin' the liver dance. Had a funny thing happen involving him a bodhran recently.
At the Sunday sesh a few weeks ago a mystery thumper appeared. Kevin and I had been joking about how we were going to invent a bodhran condom, "padded, for their comfort," to encourage safe thumping.
Well, turns out, we had been talking about this a little too loudly. She turns up at the pub on an off night when, of course, we're there drinking.
Kevin runs into her:
Him: "Hey, you're bodhran girl!"
Her: "Hey, you're condom guy!"
Him: "Would you like us to make you one?"
Her: "No. I've been practicing the rythm method."
I guess she's alright afterall.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
LOL LOL LOL -- good for her, topping the two of you! When did Kevin decide to move to the east?
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
He came out for a visit that never really ended. But, I'll let him tell that story.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Is this Asheville? How's the scene there? If Kevin relocated, must be pretty decent!
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Ban the bodhran
Duh, just checked your profile jerball, I answered my own question. Still, I hear Asheville is a great town!
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Ban the bodhran
Asheville is great. I can't brag on it enough without name dropping or sounding like some proud mother, though I'm pretty late in coming here.
It's a fairly small crowd compared to some of the larger east coast cities, but the quality can more often than not be excellent.
It's quite the success story for creating a trad scene. There's not really a long standing tradition of Irish trad here (it's all old-time, which is also a great scene here) but a small crowd moved here about 10 years ago and nurtured it into something really great. It's the real Irish trad that you can't describe but know it when you hear it.
The major advantage to being smallish is that it's a very social crowd, as well. There are several sessions and lots of house parties, etc; it just keeps getting better and better. We actually enjoy hanging out even while not playing music! It's (along with Charlottesville, VA) already the place to be in the South East and I wouldn't be surprised at all if in the next few years it becomes one of the places to be, nationally. And that's just the Irish trad scene... It's a great place to live or visit.
I should write for the tourism board.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Watch out, next Asheville will be on Emily's growing list of possibilities... *grin*
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
That'd be all right with us. It has become inevitable that people will move here. We just like to encourage as many of the right people to move here as possible.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Whee! Let's define "right"!
I mean, you let Kevin move there, didn't you? LOL
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
Good point.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Kevin's presence wouldn't deter me, sadly. Asheville has always been on 'the list' but I'm not a card-carrying hippie.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Ban the bodhran
Where do you go about getting one of those cards, anyway?
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
PETA I'm thinking.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Ban the bodhran
LOL
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
Be warned, PETA don't like bodhran's, unless they're covered with turnip-hide.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Ottery
(from a naturally self-renewing turnip plantation)
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Ban the bodhran
Well, like anywhere that alternative-types go to and blaze a trail, the annoying "wrong" types end up not being them but the hipsters, trustafarians, and yuppies who are drawn to coolness like me to a Guinness. Better the banging of bongos than the squealing of sports car tires or the roaring of the motorcycle tourist. Happily, Asheville remains quite diverse. I assure you, I have never worn patchouli and I feel quite comfortable. The musos here are as normal as binge drinking, universally underemployed, practitioners of a somewhat obscure Western European folk tradition can be.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Are you sure they're just not drawn to you and your coolness, Jeremy? Yes, that must be it. *grin* And your turnips, of course. Oh, wait, sorry, no patchouli.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
What d'you mean? I'm a high achiever - I like achieving all sorts of highs......
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by Nick Splease
Re: Ban the bodhran
The boul' Davy that Aidan and Danny mention - I know him and, yes, I'll second that.
And lets not forget our own Conán McDonnel. The perfect gentleman - he can play the bodhrán, but doesn't.... and what's more, when he *does* play it, he plays it like a gentleman.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by OrganicPeatCreature
Re: Ban the bodhran
What a lovely way to describe someone and their playing! Tell us more about this gentlemanly way of playing, then maybe fewer of us would be banned!
\())
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by greenman
Re: Ban the bodhran
Joe - could you expand a bit on how the bodhran is not welcome in Dublin, I mean were you just not allowed to take it out of the bag or frozen out whilst playing? I was thinking of going over to Ireland with my family in the summer, and was hoping to find a friendly session scene, but have heard various tales such as yours, and am worried that the "no bodhran" sign is spreading too fast!
As far as other parts of the world I can only comment on Scotland. On the whole bodhran playing is welcome, particularly in small sessions at folk clubs away from the central belt ie Glasgow and Edinburgh. Have only been frozen out once, but that was at a famous music pub that has no doubt attracted more than its share of thumpers. I Think that to survive, the local members have a sort of inbuilt defence system that kicks in as soon as an uknown "bearer of round bag" turns up.
would be glad to hear of your further thoughts.
Catching up on other comments after being away -
John J - further to your comments about the singer and the four thumpers, at the session I was at recently, a fiddler played a lovely set of strathspeys accompanied by two other people. One with TWO shakey eggs the other with a djembe AND tamborine. I know that such horror stories have been done to death on this site, but it was the response of the fiddler that I wish to relate. On finishing his set, he paused, put the fiddle in the case and used said case to beat out a good strong rythm that exactly fitted the next set, then retired to the bar.
Jerbal - rythm method - funny story! but surely any tune that finishes just before the end must be very frustrating for all concerned.........
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Ban the bodhran
never mind being in the mood to play and having to wait till later.
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Ban the bodhran
John J, talking of bodhran horror stories, a few weeks ago I was at a Saturday evening session in a pub I hadn't visited before. A small room in which there were 7 or 8 melody instruments and 6 bodhrans. All but one were relative or actual beginners and were there because they'd been to a workshop in the morning and someone had invited them along to the session "for a play". The exception was an excellent bodhran player named Jenny from Northern Ireland, and I got the impression she wasn't very happy with the situation. Oh, and there was also a bar with a very noisy Saturday night clientele. Playing and hearing what was going on was impossible so I and a couple of others left at 11pm.
- but they either ignored him or couldn't hear what he was saying. So our flautist terminated his solo in short order.
Two weeks later at another, much more congenial pub, 3 or 4 of those beginner bodhranists turned up. I had to leave early for family reasons but apparently later on one of the flautists started to play a solo slow air. Three bodhranists joined in - not having the faintest idea what they were doing by all accounts. The flautist asked them to desist - or words to that effect
Trevor
# Posted on October 7th 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Ban the bodhran
Ya know, treabhar's story reminds me of a saying about bodhran jokes:
Most instrument jokes provoke laughter.
Bodhran jokes just cause musicians to shake their heads gently (tsk, tsk, tsk...) in solemn agreement.
I can just imagine your flautist shouting at them to "Shut the F up for Jayzus' sake".
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Hanley
Re: Ban the bodhran
I can recall a time (when we lived in southern California) when our local session would sometimes consist of two or three melody players and up to six bodhran players, each trying to outdo the others in terms of volume and speed. The situation was really out of hand. We decided to adopt a few "rules" such as allowing only one bodhran at a time. If more than one bodhran player showed up, they took turns. Since that time, we have been to many other sessions where the same rule is obviously in effect, and no bodhran players ever appear to be offended by it. After all, it makes good sense musically. I often see guitar players taking turns as well.
The example above regarding someone buying a bodhran and then going to a session is really not as far off the mark as it may seem. I have seen absolute beginners (with maybe one introductory workshop under their belts) trying to play in sessions. How many times have you heard someone say, "I don't really have any musical talent; maybe I could play the drum." I've heard it quite often, and I always explain to them that the bodhran IS a musical instrument and requires lots of time and effort to learn to play well. Someone said or wrote (I can't remember who) that a bodhran player should be able to lilt at least 50 tunes before even attempting to play in a session. Not a bad idea.
Aimee
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by print o' the wave
Re: Ban the bodhran
Aimee! Didja guys see your pics on the diary website? I have two more that I just found of you guys at the Corgi Cottage booth, gotta get those up at some point or other.
Yeah, my co-worker Steve wants to take up the bodhran because he thinks drums are cool. I keep trying to talk him out of it ("Steve, learn the guitar or the bouzouki, we need a backer!"); the last thing our local sessions need is another bodhran player. The worst thing for me about bodhran players is that most of them seem to think that speed=good over everything else...not that that's a mistake limited only to bodhran players...
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
Clunk,
As in the 70's I believe there is still a certain etiquette to observe when joining a session as an unknown player no matter what instrument you play.
Generally I would keep the instrument in it's "cage" and discreetly out of sight.
Listen to the session at least long enough to get a feel for the styles and abilities of the players.
Ask quietly during a lull whether your instrument would fit in.
If the invitation seems begrudging, don't bother.
One bodhran in any session is enough unless of course two players know and can compliment each others styles and can blend in with the others without "covering" other instruments.
Despite this approach, Clunk, although I have never been "frozen out" during a session, I have found that 4 times out of 5 in Dublin at any rate, the attitude seems to be " OK but just keep well to the background and one false move, bum beat, dare to ask for a particular tune or whatever and you're out, yah tub thumper"
I thought maybe I was paranoid but many of the above replies confirm my suspicions.
Having said that I find that outside Dublin, over West, for example, there still exist "real" sessions. ie:
Players welcome new players and often with enthusiasm
Most importantly they are prepared to swop ideas, tips, and tunes which is what the oul' 70's sessions were about.
And frequently even have the courtesy to include a new player in a round of beer.
Except for maybe 2 or 3 of the above replies, it would seem that many session players see themselves as a showcase for the "audience" and have no intention of inviting, advising or helping less experienced musicians nor taking tips or tunes from more able ones. Whither the real tradition?
Have real sessions been banned? Or rather have real session players been banned?
Joe Quinn
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Joe Quinn
Re: Ban the bodhran
I'm probably a bit late in answering, but I did want to let Zina and Emily and whoever else know that Asheville is a wonderful town with great players, but there are a few things that you can do to make yourself blend into the background should you ever decide to come visit.
1) Wear dreadlocks. Asheville has more dreadlocks per square mile than all of Jamaca. Nobody knows why.
2) Pierce your belly button, nose, eyebrow or tounge or come up with a creative piercing combination all your own. Something that really defines YOU.
3) Tattoo something. Anything. Once again, be creative!
4) Bathing is optional. If you are tired of the hassle of showering regularly, Asheville might be the place for you!
5) Shaving is very optional.
6) Be sure you know where your chakras are and that they are in perfect alignment. Most gas stations provide this service for a nominal fee.
7) Be unemployed!
Well, one out of 7 ain't bad!
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Caoimghgin
Re: Ban the bodhran
LOL LOL LOL -- Kevin, that's hysterical...hehehe...so, *not* PETA, exactly. And how is a boy from Texas getting along there? LOL
And has Jeremy's wife given you more bruises yet?
Zina
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Zina Lee
But, ON the topic...
Good grief, Joe, I never give advice to other players unless they're at my own session, which is a tune learning session and so they must expect that sort of thing, or if they ask for it and I firmly believe that they really really REALLY mean that they want it and I think I actually know the answer. And it's not up to me to go inviting an unknown player to somebody else's session.
Also, I'd run away from (or at least leave the fiddle in the case) an unpaid session that was a "showcase" session, myself -- i'm not good enough for that, as I know a limited amount of tunes and have a tough time transitioning tunes on the fly.
That said, we do have a showcase session that my band does at a local pub. The place is too small for a real session (if two more people showed up to play, there wouldn't be room for the paying patrons, really, although if someone shows up, as has happened, we'll let 'em play at the table next to where we generally play), so we do a "closed" session sort of thing where they pay for our drinks and food, and we sit for two hours, drink, eat, talk and laugh, and play some sets that we know ahead of time. They like it because people in the adjoining restaurant get to listen in through the doors into the bar and feel like it's a real Irish pub with a real session. Nice work if you can get it!
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
When did Asheville N.C, the redneck poor cousin to Greenville become a hipple commune? I have fond memories of Asheville, back when i was a teenager, me and a band mate went there to visit his older brother. I lost "something" on that weekend visit, and proudly drove home to Atlanta with a new attitude. Hoohaa. Seriously, North Carolina, home of Hillbillies and Tarheels. I have always wanted to grow dreadlocks and smoke kind-bud in public. Maybe play the conga on the corner fer tips.
That story about the beginner drum class all showing up at once for your session is monumental. I don't have words to react to it! I agree with banning the bodhran, for anyone except a chick player with a nice singing voice!
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by irish ruff
Re: Ban the bodhran
About 10 yrs. ago. Now Greenville is the redneck partner to Asheville. Kevin's reacting to culture shock... it's not REALLY a hippie commune. It's just that not everyone here is CONSTANTLY ON THE PULL. Sure, they're around, but it's much less hippie than, say, AppState or Austin, TX. Asheville has several colleges around it, but it's not a college town. So, there's not one pervasive style other than the city itself is overall pretty liberal. So, if not striving to conquer the world through corporate domination equals being a hippie, then, yes. It's a pretty hippie place. Although, we just got our first real Starf%cks. Like we needed one with about 7 independent coffee shops within a 4 block radius of my house.
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Irish ruff, have never heard your voice and on the basis that I have never met a girl that likes golf and shooting I reckon that Charlie must be a blokes name. So if you ban the bodhran what are you going to play?? Here is where I would type all the smileys that would indicate humour,mickey taking and Irony. If I knew em.
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by clunk999
Joe thanks for the advice, might take the children and leave said round thing at home, don't mind if they eat the children.
I've never joined a session that I don't know half way thru - too shy - but now never will!!! I travel with work and when going to a new place find details of sessions on the net and try to phone first. If that fails I get there early and chat to the first person that turns up - usually works well. Cheers for the advice though, apreciate it - come to Scotland, plenty room for more good drummers!
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Ban the bodhran
I know girls who like shooting, and I know girls who like golf, but I'm not sure I know any who like golf AND shooting, oddly enough.
It's okay if they eat the children, but not the goatskin?
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
I haven't either Zina, when i find her, I'm gonna marry her and teach her to play bodhran. Clunk, if it became a rule of musicianship, that only the girls were allowed to play the bodhran, I would vote yea, and hand em' over and hang up my tippers. I don't really think the bodhran is a man's instrument, just like I don't think the guitar or the drumset is a woman's instrument. and I don't care if I'm being contradictory by playing the bodhran and thinking it is more proper for the woman. I also eat quiche! When I'm in Austin or Asheville.
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by irish ruff
Re: Ban the bodhran
Joe, I find it very common practice to moan about how good it was in 'the oul days' and how noone was ever mean in 'the ole days' and how everything was perfect - the perfect tune, the perfect pint, the perfect session in 'the ole days'. Sessions freeze people out for a reason - some people are just mean and others maybe just dont like shaky eggs. What type of sessions are you talking about? Are they honestly just being mean for the sake of it?
Oh and by the way - sessions are sessions, they evolve yes - but if you honestly think about it -were they really better back then?
I remember back when I was young - I was at this cranking session...the year was 2002.........just kidding
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Ban the bodhran
Brill sesh last night - the musicians filled the right hand bar and the drummers stood on the sideline in the left hand bar. (Must be cos' they are always late).
# Posted on October 8th 2003 by geoffwright
Re: Ban the bodhran
Cthuilleannpiper, the flautist himself told me a couple of days later about how his flute solo was spoiled by those bodhrán players. Knowing him as I do he may very well have used similar wording to what you suggested! He is also one of the few people in the area competent to teach the bodhrán, so he knows what playing it in a session is all about.
Trevor
# Posted on October 9th 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Ban the bodhran
I was at a session once where a piper started playing a slow air and a banjo player attempted to accompany him. The piper threw him 'the look' and just shouted " Oi NO". He stopped immediately.
# Posted on October 9th 2003 by Béal mór
Re: Ban the bodhran
Zina - try as I might, beating the children never brings out a good range of tones, and it makes it hard to get the back beat right when they squirm, so the goat stays!
Irish ruff, you almost have the perfect woman, to be that she would have to fish. With an over and under, lob wedge, O'Kane and nine foot of carbon fibre it wouldn't matter if she looked like Winston Churchill crossed with ET.
What was the thread again? better get back to radio 4.
# Posted on October 9th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Ban the bodhran
Oh, come on! Every tune needs a banjo!
# Posted on October 9th 2003 by jerball
Re: Ban the bodhran
Clunk,
There is a real "open session" in The Temple Bar Pub, Temple Bar, Dublin every Wednesday. Decent bodhran players welcome (one at a time, of course). So, don't leave the bodhran at home. Don't let the "superior airs" squeeze the bodhran out.
Joe
# Posted on October 10th 2003 by Joe Quinn
Re: Ban the bodhran
Cheers for that Joe - suppose it's better to put it back in the bag than wish you had it with you.
# Posted on October 10th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Ban the bodhran
Incidentally,
Thanks Bannerman for the invitation.
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Joe Quinn
Re: Ban the bodhran
Wow... all this hullabaloo... I guess we all have an opinion. Here's mine:
Where exactly did folks begin losing sight of the big picture, the true picture? We're all in this together. This is our ancient culture, our Cultural/Musical heritage. It all comes down to everyone playing well together in the sandbox. No bullies allowed until they get a grip on their egocentricities. We are ONE worldwide community of Celtic musicians. No borders, no pecking order. We all play for the sake and honour of the music... which should be regarded as an heirloom. Those with skillful musical prowess should be nurturing the beginners. The beginners not only are our future, but they serve to remind us all where each of us started ourselves.
So, everyone leave their egos at the door and come on in... sit together and "PLAY MUSIC". Enjoy the beautiful and powerful spirit that is created as we all play together... play for the sake of the music and forget all the egocentic garbage that makes people feel unwelcomed.
Instead of banning the Bodhran (which will NEVER happen, not as long as there's a Cipean in my hand), why don't we all work towards banning the BS!
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Muirich3
Re: Ban the bodhran
Oh god.
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
This has to be an April Fool's Day post by Muirich3... right?
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Ban the bodhran
I hear tell there's a blissful session out in Lotus Land that's a fair orgy of warm affirmations and mutual admiration, one lagerphonist to the next, and no matter how many spoon players show up, there's always a spare seat and the pints are free. If you want date and place info, you'll find it at http://www.havetambourinewilltravel.org.
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: Ban the bodhran
And river rocks. Don't forget the rockists. ;)
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Ban the bodhran
The Bodhran is indeed a scourge to many musicians when it's not played properly. One needs to remember that the bodhran is the undercurrent of traditional Irish music and should never be banned. It's a widely misunderstood instrument and many players try to bring it to the front when it should be kept in the back. Proper tuning is often a problem with most players as they don't truly understand how to bring the pitch of the drum down to underpin the tune in progress. I have been playing percussion instruments most of my life and plan to keep the bodhran alive and kicking. A few suggestions to those struggling with tuning is to keep a spray bottle of water on hand to keep the skin moist (it also keeps away those who would ban the bodhran). Practice different positions of the hand on the skin behind to achieve diferent keys. Also play with skin tension and tipper position to change pitch. There are many tunes that might feel like the bodhran would suit them but when one truly tries it out it does jusst bollix it up so be respectfull of others. I have also been using a Djembe of African origin in my repertoire of Irish and of Scots tunes. This has been working out very well actually as a well played djembe provides strong bass notes to underpin the music. Once again the player needs to understand the drums place in the tune. I could ramble on forever about this but the bottom line is that we need to keep the bodhran alive and in order to do that the newer players have to learn it's position in the tunes. Don't be overly agressive with it and please keep it in tune. By the way if anyone out there needs a couple of pointers on playing or skin conditioning i'd be glad to help out. Keep the tradition alive me boys and girls ;).
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by newfie percussionist
Re: Ban the bodhran
JOKES
Q. What do you call 1000 bodhrans at the bottom of the sea?
A. A start
Q. What's the difference between an onion and a bodhran?
A. Nobody cries when you cut up a bodhran
Q. How do you know when a bodhran player is knocking at your door?
A. The knock gets faster
# Posted on August 17th 2005 by S.E.B.
Re: Ban the bodhran
Q. How do you get a bodhran player off your front porch?
A. Pay them for the pizza
Q. What do you call a bodhran player without a girlfriend?
A. Homeless
Q. Why do bodhran players keep their tippers on the dashboard of their cars?
A. So they can park in the handicap space.
I am a bodhran player and I love the jokes. I work in a bluegrass shop and most of these jokes started out as banjo player jokes, but you can replace that with just about anything and it still works. Anymore out there?
Cheers!
# Posted on December 1st 2005 by tmkolberg
Re: Ban the bodhran
Q. How do can you tell if the stage is level?
A. drool is coming out of both sides of the bodhran players mouth.
# Posted on November 14th 2006 by reaghan