I'm looking for a CD that plays nothing but Bodhran rhythms, so if/when I need a drumming buddy but no-one's available, I've got an electronic one handy. Does anyone know if such a thing exists, and if so, do you have a good one you'd like to recommend?
If I wanted to do this, I would get a session pal who plays with good rhythm, tape him playing a few tracks of jigs and reels, and offer him a case of beer in return. The trick would be to keep the rhythm steady with no one else playing; the only alternative would be some electronically-generated drum machine.
It's not about practicing..... it's about playing good Irish music with a bunch of friends/and sometimes performing. Where I live Bodhran players are hard to find or you've got to drive a seriously long way to meet up with one, yet there's a bunch of us in my neighborhood that love and want to play Irish music and we want the proper Bodhran drum sound.
I have some Native American drum CDs for when I play the Native American flute players, so I'm guessing there's got to be some Bodhran CDs out there for the Irish music crowd.
Unaccompanied drum, solo or in drum circles, is a part of Native American tradition, hence the existence of CDs featuring such music. It is not a part of Irish tradition, so I wouldn't expect to find drum-only Irish CDs.
Well, if you must, looks like there's a million or so hits for bodhran CD on Google.
Wait a second, I'm sorry. I'm rereading what you're posted here Carol.
So you want to perform/play with a prerecorded bodhran track?
I'd have to say you'd be better off without any bodhran at all. I think the majority of us would be absolutely horrified to go see a trad band play a gig with a prerecorded bodhran track.
LOL, I like how they talk about that triangle cd: "Melodic or harmonic content just gets in the way...."
Yeah, unless your brain can handle more than just rhythm!
(Sorry, couldn't resist. My mom taught me to play the drums when I was a kid, and I *do* appreciate good percussion. It's just that I enjoy rhythmic melody so much more.)
LOL, the "proper Bodhran drum sound" would be either:
or:
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiipppppppppp!
All kidding aside, Carol, the melody instruments provide all the rhythm necessary to make this music sound good. If you really want a drum, you can surely find someone who can learn in a matter of weeks and be more responsive and musical than a click track.
Yeah, I listened to the first sample from that triangle CD. It was nigh unlistenable, but it was the producer's paean to triangles (3rd paragraph from the end) that did me in. Pythagorus, cave paintings, and the pyramids - why, that's the trifecta right there, so appreciate this monumental album, you philistine! Feh. You know, sometimes the emperor actually isn't wearing any clothes.
You're right big-tab. A simple question and all I'm seeing are smart-ass responses. Pity. Think I'll go back to the other sites that are more constructive in their feedback.....
I was very constructive and completely serious, thank you very much. I can't imagine anyone who loves this music would enjoy a band playing to a prerecorded bodhran track. That gives me the hives just thinking about it. Deadly serious. Fully kind. Totally constructive. Don't do it. Please.
There seems to be a basic misunderstanding behind your simple question. Irish traditional music is designed to be complete with just the melody. No "rhythm section" is required. It's all there, in the tune itself.
Consider, oh, a jazz tune like "Caravan." Daah.. dee dah dee dah dah (long rest here) Daah... dee dah dee deedle dah dee dee dah. The drums and bass carry the rhythm during that long rest. Irish tunes, on the other hand, have hardly any rests in them. The notes of the melody carry the rhythm all the way through. That's why many people consider a drum to be superfluous, at best. All the beats are already covered by the melody.
The famous Dublin Goat Strike of 1907 shamed the British Home Office into relenting on its punitive, 12 punts per bodhran Irish Rhythm Tax.
The enormous floating frozen bodhran which sank Titanic later killed two dockworkers in New York amidst efforts to drag the tragic behemoth ashore for exhibit by P.T. Barnum.
At the Vietnam War peace talks in Paris, the size, shape, and timbre of the bodhran needed to be settled before negotiations could even begin.
ABBA finally ceased touring after Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog were unable to settle their argument over which of them would get to play the (bright blue) bodhran solo on “Take a Chance on Me” just minutes before one rainy Zurich performance.
The short answer to your query, it would seem, is that, no - such a recording doesn't exist, at least not one that is commercially available for sale. It's only my own opinion, but personally , I'm not surprised. But, in a positive spirit, perhaps some of the various bodhran-players who continually come to the instrument's defence here might be so kind as to make you one ?
Hi Carol
If you are looking for a cd of bodhran rhythms, then you are likely out of luck, as I have never heard of one generally available. It would likely not work very well for your purposes either, as a "standard rhythm" for a tune type does not effectively exist and would put you off rather than help you in the long run.
If you are still looking for rhythmic backing stuff, then you would be better looking at http://www.bodojo.com/ which is the main bodhran related site and where you will get a less acrimonious reception than here.
To further what Will and zenfiddler have said, I'm curious, Carol, why you would "need" a drumming buddy? Wanting one is a different matter, but the drum really shouldn't be providing anything to you that you "need".
When I first started out in this music, having come from other genres (rock, mostly), I just assumed that the bodhran was there to provide the rhythm, onto which the melody players would layer the melody . But in Irish music, the melody is providing the rhythm, and the backers (or what would be considered "rhythm players" in other genres) should never be driving any of it. The music can be complete without them, and so therefore, they should be playing in a supportive roll, not a controlling one.
With that in mind, it would be difficult to have a pre-recorded bodhran track that would be any good, because the melody players would have to let the recorded track have control (because it isn't able to listen and respond, the way it should be).
"The beat conductor". I have never seen that before! It is hilarious. The thing that I find maybe the funniest is the irony in that any bodhran player that was actually good enough to record one of those things almost certainly wouldn't!
"Where I live Bodhran players are hard to find..."
Perhaps a trade is in order? Where many of us live, bodhran players are plentiful. I propose three of our thumpers for one of your melody players - with perhaps, a player to be named later to finish the trade next season.
Personally, my opinion is that a live group playing along with a recorded rhythm track sucks all the life out of the music. The bodhran won't be reacting to anything you do, especially the tune itself. Its like a live group playing along with a click track. Sure, we do it in a recording studio so that we can isolate tracks, but its actually a musical skill you have to work on to sound like you have any energy and imagination at all when you got "click-click-click" in your headphones
so I'd think no bodhran at all would be better then canned bodhran
How about some sort of mechanical arrangement - a wire wrapped round your big toe, attached to a tipper on a pivot? Then you could accompany yourself, without any need for another musician.
I actually have a good suggestion for you. In fact, now that you've brought this up, I may try it myself since I play bodhran and flute.
First you will need a bodhran player to record a variety of rhythms for you. Record them with a variety of variations.
Next, get a copy of The Amazing Slowdowner. This is a great tool for learning tunes because you can slow them down without changing pitch and can change the key if you find a tune in F you love but play a D flute. For our purposes here, you can create an endless loop of your bodhran rhythm and adjust the temp to your liking. Vloila! a homemade drum machine. I think this could be great fun and am anxious to try it.
Don't let the naysayers put you off. A good bodhran player is worth his or her weight in gold because you are not limited by having to know the same repertoire. A good drummer can hear a tune through and come in on the second time around. I do this all the time and have always been welcome.
Sorry, but I have to leap to the defence of Bodhran players. Did any of you guys ever hear a good one? When played well they are a superb addition. But that is the problem, finding one that is played well. I defy anyone who has ever heard a chap by the name of Sutherland who used to play with a band called The Easy Club not to think there is some merit in them. Are any of you Chieftains fans?
Having deviated from the question somewhat, do you intend "performing" with this canned Bodhran, or just practicing with it to check your rhythm? If its the former, it won't work because there will be no "tune" emphasis or appropriate embelishments to suit the tune you are playing. If its the latter you may want to try one of those midgets from the Parisien underground - a Metro Gnome !!
Mark Stone put out an instructional/practice cd for bodhran players a few years back. It probably doesn't have quite the variety of rhythms that you're looking for, but there are examples of rhythms for all the different tune types.
Ormepipes. I had forgotten about that bodhran player from The Easy Club. I had the pleasure of catching him about 10 years ago here at a session in Co Clare. He sat in and the dynamics of the room changed slightly. The musicians already present realised they were in the presence of greatness and they played out of themselves for hours. The bodhran knockers here seem to like serious sessions where everybody looks at the ground and nobody in the room is included which is the worst kind of music for me.
I would be willing to venture that about 95% of members here are going to be of the mind that this music starts and ends with the melody, and on which the bodhran is dependent. A smaller percentage, a number which I won't venture, will view bodhrans as a nuissance. Your profile indicates that you must already know the comments a bodhran topic is destined to induce.
Carol, had I not known you were a fairly frequent poster here, I would have thought this topic was a wind-up.
To give you a serious answer, I have never seen what you are looking for, even among instructional materials, and materials for dance accompaniment, etc.
And regarding all the smart-assed answers, well, try to take it with a grain of salt. I have a friend who I like to tease about being a banjo player, who has found the best way of dealing with it is to come right back at me. He points out that me being an accordion player makes retorts and insults rather easy to come by!
Will and the Reverend are right on. But, while it is not exactly what you are looking for, you might want to check out Paddy League's bodhran tutor, which also can be useful for whistle players. You can get it from Grey Larsen. Go to www.greylarsen.com. What you will find is that a great musician like Paddy is playing based on the rhythm that is inherent in the tune that the melody instrument is playing.
Heh folks, just wanted to follow up on Mark Stone's note above. I checked out his CD and downloaded some of the tracks. All I can say is AWESOME!
For someone who wants to acquire an "ear" for the Bodhran when playing a given tune, and with little/no access to a Bodhran playing buddy, this is the ticket.
My whistling's taking on a crisper feel......
I'm more aware of where/when to take a breath so I don't interrupt the pace.....
I'm more conscious of making sure the twiddly bits are tight so I stay on time.....
.... and it's just much more fun to practice when I have that rhythm going in the background.
I therefore HIGHLY recommend you go get Mark's CD/MP3 files and give it a whirl. Well worth it!
Thanks for the kind words. That's what it was intended for. Good luck! I still have a few physical copies with the liner notes if anyone's interested. Contact me at markstonemusic@yahoo.com.
Mark
Bodhran only CD
Bodhran only CD
Heh there,
I'm looking for a CD that plays nothing but Bodhran rhythms, so if/when I need a drumming buddy but no-one's available, I've got an electronic one handy. Does anyone know if such a thing exists, and if so, do you have a good one you'd like to recommend?
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by CW
Re: Bodhran only CD
Well, if you can get an album of solo Cajun triangle (and, in fact, you can), why not solo bodhran? It's probably out there somewhere.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Bob himself
Re: Bodhran only CD
You should just practice to actual music.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bodhran only CD
This has the makings of a fresh ,new thread on trad music and I ,for one. am looking forward to all the positive contributions .
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by big_tab
Re: Bodhran only CD
Christine Balfa: 55 Minutes Of Solo Triangle
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103090094
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bodhran only CD
If I wanted to do this, I would get a session pal who plays with good rhythm, tape him playing a few tracks of jigs and reels, and offer him a case of beer in return. The trick would be to keep the rhythm steady with no one else playing; the only alternative would be some electronically-generated drum machine.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Bodhran only CD
It's not about practicing..... it's about playing good Irish music with a bunch of friends/and sometimes performing. Where I live Bodhran players are hard to find or you've got to drive a seriously long way to meet up with one, yet there's a bunch of us in my neighborhood that love and want to play Irish music and we want the proper Bodhran drum sound.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by CW
Re: Bodhran only CD
I have some Native American drum CDs for when I play the Native American flute players, so I'm guessing there's got to be some Bodhran CDs out there for the Irish music crowd.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by CW
Re: Bodhran only CD
Unaccompanied drum, solo or in drum circles, is a part of Native American tradition, hence the existence of CDs featuring such music. It is not a part of Irish tradition, so I wouldn't expect to find drum-only Irish CDs.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: Bodhran only CD
Well, if you must, looks like there's a million or so hits for bodhran CD on Google.
Wait a second, I'm sorry. I'm rereading what you're posted here Carol.
So you want to perform/play with a prerecorded bodhran track?
I'd have to say you'd be better off without any bodhran at all. I think the majority of us would be absolutely horrified to go see a trad band play a gig with a prerecorded bodhran track.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bodhran only CD
LOL, I like how they talk about that triangle cd: "Melodic or harmonic content just gets in the way...."
Yeah, unless your brain can handle more than just rhythm!
(Sorry, couldn't resist. My mom taught me to play the drums when I was a kid, and I *do* appreciate good percussion. It's just that I enjoy rhythmic melody so much more.)
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: Bodhran only CD
"Where I live Bodhran players are hard to find or you've got to drive a seriously long way to meet up with one."
Cherish your good fortune and revel in it! If you're playing 'good Irish music', then, seriously, you don't need a goatwhacker.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Bodhran only CD
LOL, the "proper Bodhran drum sound" would be either:
or:
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiipppppppppp!
All kidding aside, Carol, the melody instruments provide all the rhythm necessary to make this music sound good. If you really want a drum, you can surely find someone who can learn in a matter of weeks and be more responsive and musical than a click track.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: Bodhran only CD
Yeah Will, she says it helps to bring out the nuances of the triangle, such as equilateral, isosceles and scalene.
Thanks Bob for making me go find that!
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bodhran only CD
The only bodhrán bashers I know are starting to show up here as usual.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by big_tab
Re: Bodhran only CD
Yeah, I listened to the first sample from that triangle CD. It was nigh unlistenable, but it was the producer's paean to triangles (3rd paragraph from the end) that did me in. Pythagorus, cave paintings, and the pyramids - why, that's the trifecta right there, so appreciate this monumental album, you philistine! Feh. You know, sometimes the emperor actually isn't wearing any clothes.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: Bodhran only CD
"The only bodhrán bashers I know are starting to show up here as usual."
You should get out more, big_tab!
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Bodhran only CD
You're right big-tab. A simple question and all I'm seeing are smart-ass responses. Pity. Think I'll go back to the other sites that are more constructive in their feedback.....
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by CW
Re: Bodhran only CD
I was very constructive and completely serious, thank you very much. I can't imagine anyone who loves this music would enjoy a band playing to a prerecorded bodhran track. That gives me the hives just thinking about it. Deadly serious. Fully kind. Totally constructive. Don't do it. Please.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bodhran only CD
Well, OK, perhaps I was making some awful geometry humor with the triangle thing.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bodhran only CD
There seems to be a basic misunderstanding behind your simple question. Irish traditional music is designed to be complete with just the melody. No "rhythm section" is required. It's all there, in the tune itself.
Consider, oh, a jazz tune like "Caravan." Daah.. dee dah dee dah dah (long rest here) Daah... dee dah dee deedle dah dee dee dah. The drums and bass carry the rhythm during that long rest. Irish tunes, on the other hand, have hardly any rests in them. The notes of the melody carry the rhythm all the way through. That's why many people consider a drum to be superfluous, at best. All the beats are already covered by the melody.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by John Galt
Re: Bodhran only CD
Bodhrans are and will always be controversial.
The famous Dublin Goat Strike of 1907 shamed the British Home Office into relenting on its punitive, 12 punts per bodhran Irish Rhythm Tax.
The enormous floating frozen bodhran which sank Titanic later killed two dockworkers in New York amidst efforts to drag the tragic behemoth ashore for exhibit by P.T. Barnum.
At the Vietnam War peace talks in Paris, the size, shape, and timbre of the bodhran needed to be settled before negotiations could even begin.
ABBA finally ceased touring after Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog were unable to settle their argument over which of them would get to play the (bright blue) bodhran solo on “Take a Chance on Me” just minutes before one rainy Zurich performance.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: Bodhran only CD
The short answer to your query, it would seem, is that, no - such a recording doesn't exist, at least not one that is commercially available for sale. It's only my own opinion, but personally , I'm not surprised. But, in a positive spirit, perhaps some of the various bodhran-players who continually come to the instrument's defence here might be so kind as to make you one ?
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Kenny
Re: Bodhran only CD
There's a guy who comes for little marketing posts on Chiff & Fipple every now and again'
he has this:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/julesbitter5
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Bodhran only CD
Hi Carol
If you are looking for a cd of bodhran rhythms, then you are likely out of luck, as I have never heard of one generally available. It would likely not work very well for your purposes either, as a "standard rhythm" for a tune type does not effectively exist and would put you off rather than help you in the long run.
If you are still looking for rhythmic backing stuff, then you would be better looking at http://www.bodojo.com/ which is the main bodhran related site and where you will get a less acrimonious reception than here.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by BigDavy
Re: Bodhran only CD
To further what Will and zenfiddler have said, I'm curious, Carol, why you would "need" a drumming buddy? Wanting one is a different matter, but the drum really shouldn't be providing anything to you that you "need".
When I first started out in this music, having come from other genres (rock, mostly), I just assumed that the bodhran was there to provide the rhythm, onto which the melody players would layer the melody . But in Irish music, the melody is providing the rhythm, and the backers (or what would be considered "rhythm players" in other genres) should never be driving any of it. The music can be complete without them, and so therefore, they should be playing in a supportive roll, not a controlling one.
With that in mind, it would be difficult to have a pre-recorded bodhran track that would be any good, because the melody players would have to let the recorded track have control (because it isn't able to listen and respond, the way it should be).
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Reverend
Re: Bodhran only CD
LOL Prof!
"The beat conductor". I have never seen that before! It is hilarious. The thing that I find maybe the funniest is the irony in that any bodhran player that was actually good enough to record one of those things almost certainly wouldn't!
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Reverend
Re: Bodhran only CD
"Where I live Bodhran players are hard to find..."
Perhaps a trade is in order? Where many of us live, bodhran players are plentiful. I propose three of our thumpers for one of your melody players - with perhaps, a player to be named later to finish the trade next season.
A physical will be required first of course.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Bodhran only CD
Personally, my opinion is that a live group playing along with a recorded rhythm track sucks all the life out of the music. The bodhran won't be reacting to anything you do, especially the tune itself. Its like a live group playing along with a click track. Sure, we do it in a recording studio so that we can isolate tracks, but its actually a musical skill you have to work on to sound like you have any energy and imagination at all when you got "click-click-click" in your headphones
so I'd think no bodhran at all would be better then canned bodhran
just my 2 cents
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Nate Ryan
Re: Bodhran only CD
How about some sort of mechanical arrangement - a wire wrapped round your big toe, attached to a tipper on a pivot? Then you could accompany yourself, without any need for another musician.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Bodhran only CD
Hi Carol, try here; http://www.bodojo.com
Sorry I cant be of more help.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: Bodhran only CD
I actually have a good suggestion for you. In fact, now that you've brought this up, I may try it myself since I play bodhran and flute.
First you will need a bodhran player to record a variety of rhythms for you. Record them with a variety of variations.
Next, get a copy of The Amazing Slowdowner. This is a great tool for learning tunes because you can slow them down without changing pitch and can change the key if you find a tune in F you love but play a D flute. For our purposes here, you can create an endless loop of your bodhran rhythm and adjust the temp to your liking. Vloila! a homemade drum machine. I think this could be great fun and am anxious to try it.
Don't let the naysayers put you off. A good bodhran player is worth his or her weight in gold because you are not limited by having to know the same repertoire. A good drummer can hear a tune through and come in on the second time around. I do this all the time and have always been welcome.
Have fun!
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Ailin
Re: Bodhran only CD
Sorry, if you want your music smart-ass-free, this isn't the music for you.
Really, some of us were just having a laff. *And* giving sound, thoughtful advice.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: Bodhran only CD
Tabby, you might notice that accordions and banjos and strap-on fiddles also get slagged here.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: Bodhran only CD
Sorry, but I have to leap to the defence of Bodhran players. Did any of you guys ever hear a good one? When played well they are a superb addition. But that is the problem, finding one that is played well. I defy anyone who has ever heard a chap by the name of Sutherland who used to play with a band called The Easy Club not to think there is some merit in them. Are any of you Chieftains fans?
Having deviated from the question somewhat, do you intend "performing" with this canned Bodhran, or just practicing with it to check your rhythm? If its the former, it won't work because there will be no "tune" emphasis or appropriate embelishments to suit the tune you are playing. If its the latter you may want to try one of those midgets from the Parisien underground - a Metro Gnome !!
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by ormepipes
Re: Bodhran only CD
Mark Stone put out an instructional/practice cd for bodhran players a few years back. It probably doesn't have quite the variety of rhythms that you're looking for, but there are examples of rhythms for all the different tune types.
see here for samples:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markstone
Doesn't look like physical copies are still available, but downloads appear to still be available.
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by jeff_willner
Re: Bodhran only CD
I love "doo dirty dirty's" comments on the NPR article author:
"I think Chas Justus is an insult to our culture,he should be tarred and feathered. Why can't he pick on some other culture.like the irish"
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by grego
Re: Bodhran only CD
Ormepipes. I had forgotten about that bodhran player from The Easy Club. I had the pleasure of catching him about 10 years ago here at a session in Co Clare. He sat in and the dynamics of the room changed slightly. The musicians already present realised they were in the presence of greatness and they played out of themselves for hours. The bodhran knockers here seem to like serious sessions where everybody looks at the ground and nobody in the room is included which is the worst kind of music for me.
# Posted on August 18th 2010 by big_tab
Re: Bodhran only CD
Carol, if you're still watching,
I would be willing to venture that about 95% of members here are going to be of the mind that this music starts and ends with the melody, and on which the bodhran is dependent. A smaller percentage, a number which I won't venture, will view bodhrans as a nuissance. Your profile indicates that you must already know the comments a bodhran topic is destined to induce.
# Posted on August 18th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: Bodhran only CD
Carol, had I not known you were a fairly frequent poster here, I would have thought this topic was a wind-up.
To give you a serious answer, I have never seen what you are looking for, even among instructional materials, and materials for dance accompaniment, etc.
And regarding all the smart-assed answers, well, try to take it with a grain of salt. I have a friend who I like to tease about being a banjo player, who has found the best way of dealing with it is to come right back at me. He points out that me being an accordion player makes retorts and insults rather easy to come by!
# Posted on August 18th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Bodhran only CD
Will and the Reverend are right on. But, while it is not exactly what you are looking for, you might want to check out Paddy League's bodhran tutor, which also can be useful for whistle players. You can get it from Grey Larsen. Go to www.greylarsen.com. What you will find is that a great musician like Paddy is playing based on the rhythm that is inherent in the tune that the melody instrument is playing.
John
# Posted on August 18th 2010 by John Conoboy
Re: Bodhran only CD
Pity, I was hoping to learn something.
# Posted on August 18th 2010 by mcknowall
Re: Bodhran only CD
This is what you're looking for....
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markstone
Email me directly if you want the disk itself. markstonemusic@yahoo.com
# Posted on August 20th 2010 by Mark Stone
Re: Bodhran only CD
Heh folks, just wanted to follow up on Mark Stone's note above. I checked out his CD and downloaded some of the tracks. All I can say is AWESOME!
For someone who wants to acquire an "ear" for the Bodhran when playing a given tune, and with little/no access to a Bodhran playing buddy, this is the ticket.
My whistling's taking on a crisper feel......
I'm more aware of where/when to take a breath so I don't interrupt the pace.....
I'm more conscious of making sure the twiddly bits are tight so I stay on time.....
.... and it's just much more fun to practice when I have that rhythm going in the background.
I therefore HIGHLY recommend you go get Mark's CD/MP3 files and give it a whirl. Well worth it!
# Posted on January 2nd 2011 by CW
Re: Bodhran only CD
Thanks for the kind words. That's what it was intended for. Good luck! I still have a few physical copies with the liner notes if anyone's interested. Contact me at markstonemusic@yahoo.com.
Mark
# Posted on January 4th 2011 by Mark Stone