The bodhrán is the most loved and most maligned instrument in Irish traditional music. Loved because, in the hands of a skilled player, it provides a rhythmic pulse that locks a session together and drives the music forward with an almost physical force. Maligned because, in the hands of a bad player, it drowns out the melody instruments and makes musicians want to leave the room.
There’s an old joke: what’s the best thing to do with a bodhrán? Use it to carry the turf home in. Another one: what do you call a person who hangs around with musicians? A bodhrán player. The jokes are harsh but they reflect a real tension in the tradition — one that the best players have spent decades resolving by proving just how musical, subtle and essential the bodhrán can be.
How to Pronounce Bodhrán
BOW-rawn. The “dh” is silent (or rather, it creates a “w” sound), the “á” is a long “aw”, and the “n” is soft. It’s one of those Irish words that looks nothing like it sounds to English speakers, which is why you’ll hear every conceivable mispronunciation — “bod-ran,” “bo-DRAN,” “boh-RAWN.” Now you know: BOW-rawn.
What is a Bodhrán?
A bodhrán is a frame drum. In its simplest form, it’s a shallow wooden hoop — typically 35 to 45 centimetres in diameter — with an animal skin (traditionally goatskin, sometimes synthetic) stretched across one side. The other side is open, allowing the player’s hand to press against the back of the skin to control pitch, tone and dampening.
The drum is held upright, resting on the player’s thigh, and struck with a small double-ended wooden stick called a tipper (also known as a beater or cípín). The tipper is held loosely and used in a fluid rocking motion to produce a variety of tones — from deep, booming bass hits to sharp, cutting accents. The back hand controls everything: pressing the skin tightens the pitch, releasing it deepens it, and dampening stops the ring. A skilled player uses both hands in constant, coordinated motion.
Some modern bodhráns have mechanical tuning systems (similar to those on a drum kit) that allow the player to adjust skin tension with a hex key, compensating for changes in temperature and humidity. Others have crossbars inside the frame for the player to hold, though these are increasingly rare on professional instruments.
A Complicated History
The bodhrán’s history in Irish music is more complicated than most people realise. While frame drums are ancient instruments found across many cultures, the bodhrán’s role as a standard Irish session instrument is surprisingly modern.
The word “bodhrán” appears in Irish texts from the 17th century, but it seems to have referred to a work tool — a skin tray used for carrying turf, winnowing grain or soaking animal hides — rather than a musical instrument. Frame drums were used in some folk contexts (Wren Boys’ processions, for example), but they weren’t part of the mainstream trad session tradition.
The bodhrán’s transformation into a session instrument is largely a 20th-century development. Séan Ó Riada is often credited with bringing it into the trad ensemble when he featured it in Ceoltóirí Chualann in the early 1960s. From there it migrated into sessions, where its popularity grew rapidly — perhaps too rapidly. Because it’s relatively easy to pick up and make a noise on (compared to, say, the uilleann pipes), the bodhrán attracted many enthusiastic but unskilled players, which is where its reputation problem began.
The Bodhrán in the Session
The bodhrán’s job in a session is deceptively simple: provide rhythmic support without overwhelming the melody instruments. In practice, this requires enormous musical sensitivity. A good bodhrán player listens constantly, locks in with the pulse of the tune, varies their patterns to match the energy of the music, and — critically — knows when to play quietly and when to stop altogether.
The general rule of thumb in sessions is that there should be more melody players than accompanists. One bodhrán in a session of five or six melody players works well. Two bodhráns in a session of three melody players is too much. And a bodhrán player who plays at the same volume and intensity through every tune, regardless of what the melody instruments are doing, is a bodhrán player who won’t be invited back.
When it works, though, the effect is transformative. A skilled bodhrán player adds a rhythmic depth and energy that lifts the entire session. The interplay between the drum’s accents and the bowing of a fiddle or the breath of a flute creates a groove that makes the music danceable and exciting in a way that purely melodic sessions sometimes aren’t.
Read our guide to the trad session, including session etiquette
How the Bodhrán is Played
Modern bodhrán technique has evolved dramatically since the instrument first appeared in sessions. The early “thump-thump” approach — essentially just beating the drum in time — has given way to sophisticated techniques that produce a wide range of tones and dynamics.
The tipper
The tipper is held loosely between the thumb and fingers and used in a fluid, wrist-driven motion. A basic stroke alternates between the top and bottom ends of the tipper (a “down-up” motion), but advanced players incorporate rolls, triplets, rimshots and accents that create complex rhythmic patterns. The tipper style varies by player — some use a heavy, driving approach suited to reels, others a lighter, more intricate touch for jigs and hornpipes.
The back hand
This is where the real artistry lies. The hand on the back of the skin controls pitch, tone and dampening in real time. By pressing different areas of the skin with varying degrees of pressure, the player can produce a huge range of sounds from a single drum — from a deep, resonant boom to a tight, dry snap. Skilled players use the back hand to “tune” the drum to the key of the tune, creating pitched accents that sit harmonically with the melody.
The Players Who Changed Everything
A handful of players have transformed the bodhrán from a simple rhythm instrument into a vehicle for genuine musical expression.
John Joe Kelly: Widely regarded as one of the greatest bodhrán players alive. His technique is astonishing — fast, intricate, with a range of tones that makes the bodhrán sound like three instruments at once. His playing with Flook and as a solo artist has redefined what the instrument can do.
Colm Murphy: The bodhrán player with De Dannan. A masterclass in taste and restraint — Murphy never overpowers, always serves the tune. If you want to hear how a bodhrán should sit in a band, listen to De Dannan.
Rónán Ó Snodaigh: Co-founder of Kíla. His playing incorporates influences from African, Brazilian and other percussion traditions, pushing the bodhrán into new rhythmic territory while remaining rooted in the Irish tradition.
Tommy Hayes: A pioneering percussionist who brought bones, spoons and bodhrán together into a one-man rhythm section. His workshops and performances have influenced a generation of bodhrán players.
Eamon Murray: The bodhrán player with Beoga. A powerful, driving player whose work with the band has brought modern bodhrán technique to international audiences.
Junior Davey: Known for his sensitivity and musicality. A player who listens as much as he plays.
Choosing a Bodhrán
If you’re thinking about taking up the bodhrán, here’s what to know:
- Size: Most players use a drum of 14–16 inches (35–40cm) diameter. Smaller drums are higher-pitched and easier to handle; larger ones have more bass.
- Skin: Goatskin is traditional and produces the warmest tone. Synthetic skins are more consistent in different weather conditions and require less maintenance.
- Tuneable: A tuneable bodhrán (with a mechanical tensioning system) is strongly recommended. It lets you adjust the skin tension to suit the temperature and humidity, which matters more than you’d think.
- Budget: A decent beginner’s bodhrán from a reputable maker costs €100–€200. Professional instruments run €300–€600. Don’t buy the cheapest tourist-shop drum you can find — it won’t sound good and it’ll discourage you.
- Tipper: Comes with most drums, but many players eventually switch to a tipper that suits their hand size and playing style. Experiment.
And the most important advice: listen before you play. Spend time hearing how skilled bodhrán players support the music rather than dominate it. Radio Siamsa is a good place to train your ear — pay attention to how the bodhrán sits in the mix on the recordings that feature it.
Read our complete guide to Irish traditional music instruments
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce bodhrán?
BOW-rawn. The “dh” creates a “w” sound, the “á” is a long “aw”, and the “n” is soft.
What is a bodhrán made of?
A wooden hoop (frame) with an animal skin — traditionally goatskin — stretched across one side. Some modern bodhráns use synthetic skins. Professional instruments often have mechanical tuning systems.
Is the bodhrán hard to learn?
The basics are accessible — you can get a sound and keep a rhythm within your first session. But playing well — with sensitivity, dynamics, tonal variation and musical awareness — takes years. The challenge isn’t physical so much as musical: knowing when and how to play (and when not to) requires deep listening.
Why do some trad musicians dislike the bodhrán?
Because bad bodhrán playing — too loud, too constant, rhythmically insensitive — is genuinely disruptive to a session. The instrument is easy to pick up but hard to play well, which has led to many unskilled players jumping into sessions before they’re ready. The best bodhrán players have overcome this stigma by demonstrating the instrument’s musical potential.
Is the bodhrán a traditional Irish instrument?
This is debated. Frame drums are ancient, but the bodhrán’s role as a standard session instrument only developed in the mid-20th century, largely through Séan Ó Riada’s influence. Whether you call it “traditional” depends on how strictly you define the term. What’s certain is that it’s now firmly embedded in the tradition.
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