Bodhran alternatives?

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: GUEST,Schlongbow
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 08:12 PM

Well before the Cheiftains invented the myth of the Bodhran there was a thing called a 'Tambourine' played in Ireland that sounds just like a Bodhran but it also has tassels on the rim.

Now these are not like the cheapo Tambourines you'd see in a music store today. No! these monsters were much bigger and really delivered a 'bang' if you don't mind my using strong language.

Some of the best I seen in Ireland in those days were home made or imported from the Continent - as we used call Europe -.

If you want to see one being played you can still find on youtube clips off of RTE of Dennis Murphy fiddling along with a tambourine player, the same Joe Cooley and OC Margaret Barry the Master or is it Mistress herself.

Don't take ITM seriously,

it is after all only a hobby!

:0)

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: treewind
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 07:56 PM

Nothing is better than a bodhran.

So use....

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 07:50 PM

Banging two bottles together makes quite a good sound, but it is best to avoid doing this.

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:35 PM

Ya, some things you just can't do on porpoise.

Barry

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: gnu
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:32 PM

Tread? Hehehehehehe... good ypto!

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:56 PM

Careful Tom, I was just thinking that the Press Room's getting a bit Bodhran tip/top heavy lately & then this tread surfaces.






Just kidding

Barry

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: GUEST,Curmudgeon
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 03:03 PM

At least we now know how to avoid Poppagator!

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 03:01 PM

A can in one hand and a bottle in the other makes an excellent percussion instrument. Once you bang a nice bottle-shaped dent in the can, you can get a nice drum-roll effect by rattling the two ends of the can against the bottle. I've never played the bodhran, but the technique I am failing to adequately describe here must be similar to how you play that instrument with a double-ended stick.

One bottle will serve almost indefinitely, but the cans tend to disintegrate with use.

For the past couple of years, I've marched with the Boston-based Revolutionary Snake Ensemble as a can-and-bottle player in the Krewe of Muses Mardi Gras parade here in New Orleans. (The Snakes make an annual visit, earning their Amtrak train fare by playing for Carnival-bound visitors in the club car.) The parade was rained out last night but has been rescheduled for tonight.

Experience has shown that each aluminum beer can lasts be about 4-5 blocks. Finding a replacement can in the middle of St. Charles Avenue, while marching along and not missing a beat, is surprisingly easy. I recommend wearing gloves; those cans develop some very sharp edges once they start to break down.

Subject: RE: Bodhran alternatives?
From: GUEST,Curmudgeon
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:56 PM

Please tell us where you play so we can avoid you!

Subject: Bodhran alternatives?
From: gnu
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 02:47 PM

There are a couple of Hran threads on the go. A post on one of them about playing the rim reminded me of something.

What else do you play with your cipín?

I have played cardboard boxes, telephone books, plastic gas cans, beer bottles at various levels of empty - mostly empty. But, the best I have found is an empty aluminum beer can... well, cansssss, because one can just won't last. They lose their tone after a tune or two... if it's a right good session.