The EVOLUTION of Bodhrán Playing in Ireland | Documentary
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- Опубліковано 24 вер 2024
- In this final episode of my 4-part documentary series, we explore the history and evolution of bodhrán playing in Ireland.
In this documentary series, we explore the history and evolution of bodhrán playing, from its origins in Ireland to its role in contemporary Irish culture. Tune in to see how the bodhrán has shaped the culture and character of Ireland!
Featuring:
Mel Mercier : me...
Johnny Ringo McDonagh
Tommy Hayes
Rónán Ó Snodaigh : / ronano.snodaigh
Dermot Sheedy : / dermotsheedy
@hermitagegreen
🥁 I’m Ruairi Glasheen, and I’m a percussionist, composer and filmmaker based in London.
⦁ More about me: www.RuairiGlas...
💻 Lets connect on Facebook: / ruairiglasheenmusic
🤳 Find me on Instagram: / ruairi_glasheen
🥁 My Bodhrán Course: How to Play Bodhrán, Begin Your Journey
bodhran.teacha....
Directed, Produced, Written and Edited by Ruairi Glasheen
Director of Photography, @MichelleTofi
What do you think the future of bodhrán playing will look/sound like!? 🤔
It might become like the new conga or djembe?
I think it us a different instrument than those. More versatile l think.
Nice video Ruairi. I better get my head down and into The Bodhran Making for a busy 2024. I enjoyed being part film and stories we chatted on ,, Buille ! Malachy bodhran
Thanks Malachy, for everything! Hope to catch up soon - wishing you and Gifty the very best for 2024 🎶🌟
Another fascinating film from Ruairi.
I am one of the wave of people who have become captivated by this wonderful intimate instrument.
I am 70 years old but age is no barrier to feeling the pulse, the heartbeat of a tune. While you still have your own..☺️
Not only will Ruairi entertain you with his films he will teach you how to get going and start enjoying your Bodhran.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you found the film fascinating and that you're enjoying the Bodhran. Age is truly just a number when it comes to feeling the pulse of music. Keep enjoying the tunes and the drum!
Thanks for putting all this history all together in these videos. Many thanks from Argentina
Absolutely fantastic documentary, Ruairi. Brilliant work. These things don't get made without passion and dedication. Maith an fear!
Thank you very much for watching, and supporting! 🙏
For me I began Bodhrán in 1998 after Caroline Corr showed me so much of it. I started as a lead guitar player there, and can play guitar well. The Bodhrán re-entered my life and I rather play bodhrán as much as I can. It's like once you begin with the instrument, it's holds you in such a way that it becomes part of you and you can't let it go. Not sure how else to describe that, or what to do with it for that matter. Busking with a bodhrán only is very tough....unless you sing a song or sorts. it's an interesting thing.
Brilliant video, thanks a million Ruairi! Learning the roots of the bodhran tradition is invaluable, and I feel super privileged to live in the same age with all these amazing players, be able to see them up close on video and live, learn from them, and spread the bodhrán bug in our little corner of Northern Europe!
Thank you for the kind words, and for watching!
The Bodran is so portable and mixes beautifully with other instruments and vocals without any sound reinforcement. Nice video. I've found this one 1st so I'll have to watch the others.
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy the other three parts too :)
Cheers from jamie Victoria Australia
Happy New Year! 🙌
Another winner Ruairi you're getting the hang of this fella 😂
Rhythm is the answer, let them get their own drinks. 🍻
Thanks for watching Stephen! Wishing you the best for 2024 🤟
Wonderful, thank you Ruairi. And received your Hotrods in time. Your petsonal note makes it extra special 😊🎉
Delighted to hear it Lucas!
Brill, thanks for this it makes me want to play im a percussionist and get a bodhran. , connect with my roots watching this and your other vids has opened my ears to such a simple profoundly expressive instrument . I will get one and play with the blood 🎶💚 thankyou
Delighted to read Chris! All the best with your bodhrán journey 🙏
these Docus are a gift! Fabulous. Also, I do apologize for being the arse on YT who said Mr. Hayes' technique was the style of playing being "upside down and inside out", but at the time that's how it looked to me. That's how it felt. It's still an amazing technique that I struggle with but the fact he has such a delicate control is so admirable that I keep trying to get the finery of it.
Glad you enjoyed! 🙏
Merci Ruairi pour ce très beau sujet😊❤.
J'habite le sud de la France mais mes origines sont en partie Bretonnes. Depuis plus de 35 ans je fais de la musique commençant par la guitare basse puis guitare pour glisser depuis une dizaine d'années vers les percussions. Aujourd'hui je dirige une Batucada sur des rythmes de samba mais pas que😊.....
Depuis peu une satané maladie m'oblige a reduire le rythme de mes activités supportant très difficilement le moindre effort physique. Lors d'une soirée j'ai osé approcher le Bodhran.... Et ça a été pour moi comme une révélation... Une évidence même 😮 Comme si ce tambour avait toujours fait partie de mon histoire........ J'ai pris quelques cours et suivi tes vidéos entre autres😉 pour essayer d'avoir une approche un peu plus traditionnelle mais je trouve que c'est l'instrument idéal pour transmettre ses émotions . Merci pour ce que tu donnes dans tes vidéos et qui sait....au plaisir de te rencontrer un jour 🍀🍻
Thanks Ruairi, for your insight
into the development of Bodhran playing!
Happy New Year, may it be safe, & healthy!
I played several different First Nation drums,
all across Canada, from Labrador, to Vancouver Island,
& some sound really great, even with me playing them!
Have you played any?
Your playing would undoubtedly sound better, than mine!
Play carefully, & smile often!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support! I have not played those drums, but hope to in the future- sounds wonderful. I'll be sure to post if I do! Likewise, best wishes for 2024, and thank you for the kind words Mike
Superbly done. I first saw Ronan in the Lobby Cork in 1995 and was completely enchanted by his playing. His slide playing is almost like the African talking drum, Lucky enough to meet him over the years and saw him live again just a few months ago at Connollys of Leap. The bodhrán is like a playful heart as well as a call to action.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Ronan is truly an incredible musician and it's amazing that you've had the opportunity to see him perform live multiple times. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thanks again for watching. Ruairi
Well done. Excellent interviews and choices of key style leaders snd influencers.
You touched on the innovation of bands like Flook and John Joe's furthering of bodhran performance style. I am very interested in how the last 25 years of innovation that transformed traditional Irish music from rigid and redundant to revealed and relevant to a much larger modern aidience provided just the right environment for bodhran playing to flourish and grow. There seems to be a parallel with innovation among string backing instruments in terms of rhythm and tonal thinking. The idea of thinking in terms of harmony and chords seems to have grown during this period. I particularly enjoy the contributions of players like Cathy Jordan and Jimmy Higgins throughout this period.
I don't know if the audience's hunger for a fresh perspective came first or if a new breed of open minded musicians gave themselves permission to experiment, break from convention and take risks.
You seem to have a very informed perspective on global influences, especially relatie to percussion. I am wondering what your thoughts are on the influence of the EuroFolk revivals and international music schools and festivals on Irish trad and percussion. Also interested in your thoughts on the impact of music and ideas shared globally via the Internet. It seems like Irish music has evolved from kitchens to pubs to concert halls to Internet platforms to its own international diaspora. It has been an exciting 25 years. I can't wait to see what happens next.
I love your channel. Well done.
Thanks for watching Eileen, your kind words, and insightful comments!
I feel like I have only just touched the surface of what happened, and when, particularly since things took off in the 90’s. I agree the the internet has stimulated growth in a whole new way, and could be explored/analysed more thoroughly .. festivals, schools and workshops across Europe and the US being hugely impactful too. I suppose that feels like the next chapter to explore. That could be a whole 4 part documentary series in itself… maybe I, or someone else will make that some time in the future.
Thanks again, all the best, Ruairi
Great! Thanks!
You do great content. Fantastic 🎉
I appreciate that! Thank you 🙏
this was wild! the gent that used the brush to create the snare crack... this just tells me that one can still innovate with the instrument. damn it I need to really dust mine off and take the time to at least get a groove going. amazing series, my man.
So glad you enjoyed! Have fun with the brushes, such an awesome technique invented by Rónán
Great film Ruairi… so intresting and great to see the bodhran held in high regard where it shud be.
Thanks for watching Trevor! 🎶
I just found one at a thrift store for $12 made by Malachy Kearns, so amazing!
Have fun!
Both my parents are from Limerick I’ve played the Boran since I was 5. I use the ball end kip and play both ends. I didn’t realise it was a local thing..the music on the accordion and tin whistle my father played was always fast so a double tap on the boran sounded good plus playing at twice the speed as my father was playing gave me the chance to add my own flourishes. I play a boran today made from a kangaroo skin. It a lovely skin but you have to a warm it up before it sounds sweet. Goat is good but roo is spectacular plus you can change the tone greatly with touching the back with your fingers better than any other skin.
Great video! Been playing the bodhrán for about a couple years now. So interesting to learn about the history and development of the instrument!
Thank you Ruairi. I’ve really enjoyed the whole series. I’m sure these films will be the go-to resource for information and education on the subject for years to come.
Colette, thank you for your support and kind words. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed the series and found it informative. Could not have done it without the support of my incredible Bodhrán'eers!
great series, Ruairi. I play fiddle and flutes but five years ago i buyed second hand an O'Kane bodhran and after many many years of listening to it, i discovered i was just ready for it, i didnt have to learn it, it flow naturally. i love playing fiddle, but playing bodhran JUST FEELS GREAT
Nice you’ve a great old channel here!
Thanks man! Appreciate it 🙌
Very cool video I had no idea about this instrument. I'm from the United States but I have taken heritage test recently and I'm 45% Irish so I've been trying to learn more about the country and it's very cool.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and that it sparked your interest in learning more about Ireland. It's always great to connect with our heritage and explore different cultures.
I haven't enjoyed any documentary as much as that in decades. Thank you so much.
Thanks for another wonderful film. I was getting worried that my playing was moving away from the traditional, but I now see it as a natural progression. After playing in trad bands for 30 odd years I'm now in a Shanty band and a pub covers band (playing anything from Bowie to the Beatles). My style has had to adapt to fit the music, but the bodhran allows that and shows it's versatility.
I have seen the bodhran series you have made and the drmmuers for Iran. Beautiful intimate approach.
Great educational movie, thank you so much! It was so exciting to learn that there are so many approaches to playing bodhran, and to see how all these talented people bring so much of their personality into it, really inspiring. Also, super heartwarming to see this musical tradition thrive and evolve, you can really see it's a people's instrument. I picked up bodhran playing just a couple months ago, and even the simpliest rhythms resonate with the soul so much. Thanks again, lots of love from Russia 💚
I really enjoyed your fabulous series Ruairi... and I'm sure I will rewatch it as well as your other fascinating films. I am determined to visit Ireland again soon and visit some of the places in the films and hopefully get to hear some bodhran playing! Thank you - your award is in the post!
Thank you so much Anne for all the incredible support - could not have done it without the incredible community of bodhrán'eers. I'm excited for you Ireland trip! X
A truly remarkable journey and another amazing film Ruairi! Thank you so much for this great series - I learnt so much about the instrument I love ! Diolch yn fawr ! All the best for 2024!
Thank you so much for watching, and for the kind words 🙏 best wishes for 2024! 🎉
You've done such a spectacular job on this series. I've enjoyed it so much and will rewatch it for ages to come most likely. Thank you!
Your comment truly made my day! It's incredibly rewarding to know that my hard work has paid off and that you enjoyed the series. Thank you for your support!
9:07 Great two see these two amazing bodhran players from youtube together. Rónán seems to be a free spirit
Simply ❤ Proud 🇮🇪
Precious, short documentary. Thank you
Thanks for the watching 🫶
Thank you so much for your work, Ruari 😍🙏
🤗
Lovely!
Thank You for this insightful documentary, Ruairi! I had hoped for Jim Sutherland to be mentioned, because his way of using brushes and swing rhythms has certainly influenced my own humble attempts at the bodhrán. But then again, I'm sure You had to leave out some other significant players, too.
A few years ago, I added finger taps on the inside to the beater on the outside. Even more syncopation.
great video!!!
GOSH THANKS!!!!!
I was turned on to the Bodhran by the Corries while I was living in Edinburgh in 1969 and shown the "both ends" technique in Sandy Bell's by a gentleman who introduced himself as Peuk. At the time I didn't have a proper drum and used a tambourine but upon my return to Canada the following year I introduced the Bodhran to a local woodworker who then made one for each of us. We both joined a band called The Ten Penny Bit which featured dual Bodhrans in some tunes and three in our arrangement of "Byker Hill".
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Bodhran and how it became a part of your life. It's always great to hear stories like yours!
Thank you so much for this very insightful look into one of my favorite instruments! I love both old school style and the newer school as well. That synthetic head sounded great, hope to get my hands on one someday to try out. Would be nice to not have a skin that is effected by humidity, etc. :)
Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found it insightful. It's great to hear that you love both the old school and newer styles of the instrument. Hopefully, you'll get a chance to try out a synthetic head soon!
Really enjoying all your documentary work. Your video series in India reminded me of parts of Latcho Drom by Tony Gatlif. If you haven’t had the chance to watch it I would highly recommend. My favorite music documentary of all time!
One can switch up bodhran music successfully, make changes.
But if called to fight, to be stalwart and have heart, give me a full marching cadre of Bodhran drummers to stir my blood, to be alert, to defend my loves and home.
thanks ruari
I’m with North Kerry, both ends doubles the rhythmic impact.
Alfie Tuck was recorded by Alan Lomax American folk music collector playing the riddle drum in 1930s so it must be out there somewhere
Tuck's drum was made of a calfskin over a large farm sieve. It was beaten with a double-ended stick, then, particularly during step-dancing,
Absolutely! I listened to this last year, and it sounded more like a Salvation Army style accompaniment, and also the date listed was 1950-55... not ruling out its relevance, though seems to be its own invention maybe? Interestingly, BBC did some recordings of the Wren Boys in Ireland around the same time, and they are talking about tambourines..
@@bodhran OK, whether it was recorded twice or the article is referring to two different things i'm not sure it's been a long time since i read it, i imagine it would have to be a steady beat to accompany step dancing, in Northern England where clog dancing or clogging was more prevalent the clogs themselves were the percussion instrument.
Colm Murphy cameo ❤
I don't know how it would work out since I don't currently play either. but I'd love to see how it would turn out to play the bones, and use them to play the bodhran.
Might you discuss or look for the controvertial "proper"way or "etiquette" that a bodhranist should adopt to be accepted among a session...a small session, a session in a festival, the limit of number of bodhran for a session of 4 players...how to "behave"...it might be usefull for the beginners that have difficulties to find the right place...else than in a band on a stage/gig....there are also the not so friendly jokes about it and loads of stories...
May be have you already made a video on it?
Thank you!!!
This was a fantastic documentary! Also, I’m curious: is there any bodhran tradition that uses two drumsticks instead of a single tipper? There’s just so much more I can do (personally) with two instead of one. But I don’t want serious musicians to laugh at me. :)
Thanks for watching and for the kind words! Check out Rónán Ó Snodaigh who sometimes uses 2 tippers/sticks to great effect
In Roscommon and Sligo historically only the hand was used as far as I'm aware.
Is the sing playing in the background right at the start promentory from the last of the mohicans? It sounds different? Would you share what it is please, my mum loves that song - she'd be enthralled with that version
Noel Dinn was a marvelous bodhran player -- check out the Newfoundland group Figgy Duff.
Will do! Thanks Sharon
How could i find that old tommy hayes video? Ive never seen it before.
Iontach! 👍👍👍
Would have been nice to see more than just the one bodhran maker
Look at part three of the documentary
Doesn’t Bodhran mean deafening in Celtic?
Yes it come from the irish verb, 'bodh' which means to deafen!
What is this instrument called
I think we will see a Kevlar Bodhran soon.
Should be proof against sticking your tipper through the skin. Oops.
As academics expanded in earlier centuries so did the ideas of enlightenment, refinement and advanced mastery. Folk traditions represented population crudity abd superstition by comparison. Folk has been reclaimed and elevated long enough that people enjoy all manner of music abd lyrics without prejudice. But having been suppressed in history, any purist could fear the loss of their favored music.
An aside, totalitarianism bans music that people culturally identify with and inhibits a takeover.
The 3 Baltic states, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, sang their heritage songs as a form of protest and self determination against Soviet regime Look up the Singing Revolution.
Just speaking one's native language has been banned, including in Irish history. Speak the words and play the music that one loves whether allowed or not.
Let profit not be the determining factor of pursuing one art over another. Even if it means nailing roofs or sweeping streets to support one's music rather than bend to a status quo or popularity.
I was told by a very old soldier that the native Indians of America copied their drums from the bodhrán
Interesting! Some believe it was the other way round
The Tambourine …
Who else here main's the Bodhran?
By the same reasoning, why wouldn’t Gollum-Sméagol simply toss the ring in the fire, accomplishing the same goal without destroying his own life?
"It is quite cool. Pick it up."
The late,great Seamus Ennis got it spot on when he remarked that the best thing to play a bowrawn with was a penknife. Countless numbers of non musicians turn up at sessions/parties with their bowrawns in the hope of getting free drink or anything else they can cadge! Dodgy carry on.
synthetic "bodhran" = snare drum on its side 🤣😂 nothing new with that.
2045 it definitely won’t be played by an Irish person,
Amadán
@@daithiobeagtusa
@@daithiobeagtá an fhírinne a rá aige
It will be played by a fake musician or an immigrant who came to your country to steal your jobs and your women.
Traditional Irish music has to be the worst music on the planet
Pure ignorance. Many people haven't a clue about the structure of or the complexity of it. They just think it just notes jumbled together. Usually these people haven't a note in their head.
No. Disco and hiphop.