I have a good old-fashioned non-tuneable -- perhaps "non-adjustable" is a better word? -- bodhran, which is of course at the mercy of humid weather such as we've had here of late in the Northeast.
Now, to remedy that situation, obviously I could see about getting an adjustable one that I could tighten and loosen as necessary, depending on the weather. But I wondered: Is it all possible to "convert" a non-adjustable to an adjustable?
I suspect the answer to this will run along the lines of "No!," "You're crazy," or speculation about whether I suffered a head injury in childhood. But I figured I'd ask.
I've seen it done by installing an interior hoop which can be pressed against the head by means of several allen screws set in small blocks situated around and inside the original shell. It does reduce the diameter of the head a bit, and requires a fairly snug fitting interior hoop, but it can be done.
Whether it is cost effective or not depends on your wallet. Whether it is sane or not, it's a bodhran for crying out loud, sanity isn't a factor.
It benefits everyone too - tuning time reduces the playing time of the bodhran, and it gives the whacker more of a sense of belonging if he gets to prat about with his instrument for half an hour.
He feels he is right up there with the melody players.
It is possible, and not that hard to do.
Here in Poland I've a Kearns deluxe bodhran that was tuneable. Oryginaly near skin, there is a hoop, that guy glue it off, put few screws, and put it back. Good thing about these bodhrans is that it has crosspieces that can be removed, and after modifications, you can put it back.
Anyway the problem with stuff like that is that skin, is usually tightened, and it's hard to adjustit a little more. Althouth, when I had non tunable bodhran, I'd give a lot to make it tuneable - during gigs, when I put water in it, sometimes it was too loose, and hard to play.
Anyway, the best way is to buy a tuneable drum, or if you insist on making this part, well try to make the whole bodhran from the beginning. It will give you more satisfaction, and will work a lot better, that non-tuneable bodhran with an extra hoop.
How about some tuneable spoons and bones as well? Too many spoons players are being shut out of E-flat sessions cause their spoons are in concert pitch only. Also others find that they aren't pitched sufficiently sharp enough to cause intense migraine within two sets of reels.
No one has mentioned adding strings and neck to a bodhran and calling it a banjo either. The sound would be pretty much the same anyway...
Converting a bodhran to tuneable is easy if you can remove the strut/s. Otherwise it can be done if the skin is easily removed.
I have converted many and declined about 10% because of the above or because the drum was not worth the trouble.
When tuning with water, add a very little at a time and wait 5 mins or so to test result. I can sell you tuning blocks and/or hoop if you're feeling tooly.
I agree with mcknowall's post -- depends on whether the drum is worthy (as with all instuments, there are some baaaad bodhráns out there).
As a bodhránist, I prefer to play a thick-skinned drum because I like the way it sounds. It's a good thing I'm thick-skinned as well, after reading yet another predictable sequence of slams on bodhráns by you rhythmless melody players.
Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
I have a good old-fashioned non-tuneable -- perhaps "non-adjustable" is a better word? -- bodhran, which is of course at the mercy of humid weather such as we've had here of late in the Northeast.
Now, to remedy that situation, obviously I could see about getting an adjustable one that I could tighten and loosen as necessary, depending on the weather. But I wondered: Is it all possible to "convert" a non-adjustable to an adjustable?
I suspect the answer to this will run along the lines of "No!," "You're crazy," or speculation about whether I suffered a head injury in childhood. But I figured I'd ask.
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by sts
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
I've seen it done by installing an interior hoop which can be pressed against the head by means of several allen screws set in small blocks situated around and inside the original shell. It does reduce the diameter of the head a bit, and requires a fairly snug fitting interior hoop, but it can be done.
Whether it is cost effective or not depends on your wallet. Whether it is sane or not, it's a bodhran for crying out loud, sanity isn't a factor.
Peace, Mooh.
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by Mooh
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
you could go and get it x-rayed, see if there are any hairline cracks you may have missed (you head that is)
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by ...
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
Try contacting Dave Settles at http://members.shaw.ca/dsettles/drums/
He makes his tuning rings separately and may be able to fashion one for you to install. He is a good man to work with and makes fine Bodhráns as well.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by ejsant
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
Commonly done. Just like Mooh describes.
It benefits everyone too - tuning time reduces the playing time of the bodhran, and it gives the whacker more of a sense of belonging if he gets to prat about with his instrument for half an hour.
He feels he is right up there with the melody players.
(now running for cover)
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
It is possible, and not that hard to do.
Here in Poland I've a Kearns deluxe bodhran that was tuneable. Oryginaly near skin, there is a hoop, that guy glue it off, put few screws, and put it back. Good thing about these bodhrans is that it has crosspieces that can be removed, and after modifications, you can put it back.
Anyway the problem with stuff like that is that skin, is usually tightened, and it's hard to adjustit a little more. Althouth, when I had non tunable bodhran, I'd give a lot to make it tuneable - during gigs, when I put water in it, sometimes it was too loose, and hard to play.
Anyway, the best way is to buy a tuneable drum, or if you insist on making this part, well try to make the whole bodhran from the beginning. It will give you more satisfaction, and will work a lot better, that non-tuneable bodhran with an extra hoop.
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by padre
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
I always thought you could tune a bodhran with a knife
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by bill_mchale
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
How about some tuneable spoons and bones as well? Too many spoons players are being shut out of E-flat sessions cause their spoons are in concert pitch only. Also others find that they aren't pitched sufficiently sharp enough to cause intense migraine within two sets of reels.
No one has mentioned adding strings and neck to a bodhran and calling it a banjo either. The sound would be pretty much the same anyway...
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by continuo
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
Well, sts, you were not wrong.
I think perhaps you should post your question to bodhránii, or drumdojo. Both bodhrán friendly sites.
Good luck
As for some of the rest of ya....................................you're bad.
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by curlew
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
Converting a bodhran to tuneable is easy if you can remove the strut/s. Otherwise it can be done if the skin is easily removed.
I have converted many and declined about 10% because of the above or because the drum was not worth the trouble.
When tuning with water, add a very little at a time and wait 5 mins or so to test result. I can sell you tuning blocks and/or hoop if you're feeling tooly.
# Posted on July 28th 2005 by mcknowall
Re: Making a bodhran "tuneable" - possible?
I agree with mcknowall's post -- depends on whether the drum is worthy (as with all instuments, there are some baaaad bodhráns out there).
As a bodhránist, I prefer to play a thick-skinned drum because I like the way it sounds. It's a good thing I'm thick-skinned as well, after reading yet another predictable sequence of slams on bodhráns by you rhythmless melody players.
Sheesh -- grow up!
# Posted on July 31st 2005 by tgponeill