Bodhran Lesson 1 - How To Hold And The Basic Stroke

This beginner bodhran tutorial will teach you how to play the bodhran step by step. For a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know when starting out on bodhran, visit the OAIM website.
00:00 Introduction
00:16 How to hold the bodhran correctly
01:34 How to hold the stick
02:22 Basic stroke making
03:40 Correct 'fluid' wrist technique
06:38 Jig and reel rhythm
07:48 Reel fundamentals
09:57 Jig fundamentals
Ask any bodhran related questions in the comments and we'll reply asap.
Learn bodhran with Irish bodhran master Brian Fleming and take our in-depth, step by step "Bodhrán Basics" course on OAIM. You can progress quickly while having fun playing music at home. You could soon be drumming along to the 100's of play-along backing tracks and VR Irish pub session clips that we have on the OAIM website. Check out the "Bodhrán Basics" course homepage here and start learning with OAIM today -
www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-b...
Course Synopsis: This course is designed to equip the beginner with all the basics necessary to tastefully accompany traditional Irish music. The tutor will patiently guide you from holding the stick and the drum, and learning the basic stroke, right through to sophisticated patterns and 'fills' on the drum, step by step. The emphasis in this course is on technique. www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-b...
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Creative Irish music tutorials from the Online Academy of Irish Music
The bodhrán/bodhran (pronounced "bough-rawn") is a hand-held Irish or Celtic drum, also known as an Irish hand drum, or Irish frame drum. Bodhrans are essential for the rhythmic structure of traditional Irish music and are what give it that distinctly Irish feel. A bodhran drum is played using a stick, that is known as a tipper or beater. Bodhran tippers can vary in size depending on the particular style one is aiming for. The bodhran is an easy instrument to pick up and learn from video lessons if you have a good teacher. Brian Fleming is master bodhran player from Ireland who is particularly good at beginner bodhran lessons, his tutorials are very clear and easy to follow. His bodhran lessons give an insight into how the bodhran contributes the rhythm to Irish dance music, in particular Irish jigs and Irish reels. If you want to learn how to play the bodhran these bodhran youtube lessons are a fantastic starting point. Bodhran lessons for beginners have never been made more straightforward to help you start playing the bodhran from scratch. So if you’re looking for Irish bodhran drum lessons, look no further! Listen to Brian Fleming’s bodhran solo and learn the Irish drum from a master.

[@Susanjaneharrisonartist]

Your teaching style is excellent. The breakdown, the reminders, the emphasis on positioning and the hand movements. Highest quality teaching I've found online and giving me hope that in fact one can learn enough online to get started! Thank you!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Susan-Jane, thanks for this amazing comment! You can pick up enough online to get you going and then perfect the technique online as well by playing along with our Irish music backing tracks and VR sessions. All this is available our website www.oaim.ie

[@Susanjaneharrisonartist]

Online Academy of Irish Music yes I’ve subscribed and all you say is true! How nice when advertising matches value offered.

[@ryanpetty8843]

“Where I come from, we call it a stick. Because that’s what it is.” -Most Irish thing ever said

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

FACT!

[@michaelscott356]

Bang on!

[@noahsilver2403]

Ryan Petty, totally epic comment!

[@ciaranobrien8709]

Yup lol

[@Dlange23]

I finally got a drum after wanting one for 17 years! Thank you so much for your lessons. I feel I am getting the hang of it fairly quickly because of your clear teaching style.

[@HedleyHelmet]

Thank you Phil Collins.

[@ledhed5717]

I was thinking Vladimir Putin.

[@mydigicraftscrafts8649]

LOLOLOLOL

[@felix-mariebadeau4254]

@@ledhed5717 Phil Putin? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ledhed5717]

@@felix-mariebadeau4254 No, Vladimir, as in the President of Russia. HedleyHelmet thinks the bodhran player looks like Phil Collins. I think he looks like Vladimir Putin.

[@vas1612]

thank's them all!

[@rhyshirah9822]

Thank you so much for this! I just brought a bodhran and I was really stiff at playing it but one watch of your video and I've improved dramatically. You're a natural teacher and made it so easy!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it. Start following the course on OAIM here - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Yes you do. Here's a little more in depth advice from Brian on OAIM's forum - "One way to know if the skin is just too tight is to try wetting it with a couple of spoonfuls of water, spread evenly around the skin and allowed to soak in. Nothing will happen for about a minute and then the skin will get soft and lower in tone. You might need to do this every time you play for the first year or so. You'll gradually get the hang of how much water to use and how long to wait." Peace

[@zacharyfraser9135]

Instantly after watching this my bohdrán feels so much better! Who knew proper technique would actually help hahaha. Thanks a lot!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

HA !!

[@ashlisisk]

You completely rule. This is so wonderfully helpful.

[@daveyuke8]

Just starting out with the bodhran, this has got me off to a great start. Thank you very much.

[@07Merline]

Hi. thank you rfor your lesson. from Venezuela. I was visiting The beautiful Ireland in 2008 and I fall in love with everything! . .

[@PaganCircle]

You're a great teacher. Thank you very much. I've watched this a few times and I'm slowly starting to get a feel for it.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Johnny, Delighted you liked it, thanks for letting us know.. Check out the rest of Brian's bodhrán course here - oaim.ie/clientarea/dashboard/viewcourse/39

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Everyone :) Thanks for all the comments and likes - Please feel free to ask any questions about this bodhrán lesson or about Irish music in general and we'll get back to you straight away. Remember to subscribe to our channel and click the bell to get notified of our new video releases.

[@07Merline]

You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you! God Bless.

[@georgiautube]

Mr Flemming, you’re hypnotic. Wow!

[@nohea44]

Just got my first Bodhran and am looking forward to playing it with our church band here on Kaua'i. Thanks for the starting help! Great video :)

[@bibelhuhn]

Brian, you are cuuuute! Love from Germany! 💙 💛 💜

[@deborahdengler8449]

Thank you Brian! I have a Bodran on the way, sooo looking forward to learning how to play. Your instructions are very clear and helpful.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Deborah, Has your bodhran arrived? Follow the step by step course on OAIM here - oaim.ie/course/39/bodhranbasics

[@spearsthomas]

Great video, thanks! I'm a jazz player, but I've been playing with Irish musicians lately, and am just getting started with the Bodhran...

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Thomas, it's great to have people to play music with locally, enjoy bodhrán and if you have any questions let us know :)

[@EnzoSilva]

what a great pace for a lesson!!!! thank you!!!

[@erucolindo87]

This was really helpful - I'm seriously considering looking into the rest of the course. Thanks for uploading. :)

[@giantred]

I was looking for a hand drum to use in place of a Siberian style shaman's drum because that does not relate to my cultural background. Hearing of a bodhran my interest was immediately piqued, this video has sold me on the idea :) Thank you.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

giantred That's great! The bodhrán certainly is a versatile drum and I imagine it would be perfect for that type of drumming. Let us know if you need further guidance. Good luck!!

[@cowboyathlete]

I am slowly but surely learning how to play the bodhran. Your video was extremely helpful.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Pat, Speed up your learning by following our Bodhrán Basics course on OAIM - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@Kimama8]

you're the best teacher I could find!

[@gypsygirlsavannah]

Just got a Bodhran for my birthday so determined to learn to play it, great help for beginners :-)

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks for the feedback, & good luck with your drumming!!

[@Rapidfilms77]

You are a great teacher. Thank you!

[@eryngalloway5834]

Thank you for such a helpful basic lesson!

[@TheChickenmilker]

I am learning on a Walton as well and the water spreading on the skin is definitely the way you need to treat the skin for quite awhile. It does wonders for the tone, and yes, I have to do it before each time that I play it.

[@kennatco7916]

I love my new bohdran, and thanks to you, I know how to hold the tipper now, and don't feel like such an awkward fool with it. Thanks!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Fantastic news :) Keep up the practice and let us know if you have any questions.

[@marechal133]

Excellent teaching! I just need a bodhran now...

[@kathleencarson]

You are an amazing teacher and I am inspired. I am 52 years old!!!! Thankyou

[@boolefoole]

Just starting out with bodhran. I have checked out several starting videos on KZbin and have found yours to be the best instruction so far. From the basics of how to properly hold the drum, left hand placement, to the motion of the stick and explanation of the basic rhythm, your style works for me. Thanks!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it, thanks for letting us know!!

[@DavidBurnby]

Excellent beginer's tuotrial - thank you. Really accessible teaching, simple and straight forwards. Need to practice now...

[@Olcortaperania]

Very easy to follow ~ great instructions ~ thanks Brian

[@BernadetteVolkmann]

Wow! Thanks! I have always wanted to learn how to play the Bodhran!

[@talbotvanman]

Ive played every kind of drumming from big band modern jazz dixieland military, pipe band, show including tympani but although married to a girl from Ireland at the age of 78 ive just been introduced to the Bodhran ! Thanks for this Brian hope I can achieve the same success with the Bodhran ?!

[@oliversmith2222]

Thanks for the tutorial🥰this really helped me learn to stroke the bodhran

[@jonholli]

This is excellent and a great help. Many thanks for posting this tutorial.

[@fcourtify]

Hey, that was a great first lesson! I'm looking forward to the next one....

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Fara, Great! Good luck with it all and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask here :)

[@freeartsociety]

Way to go Brian!! Glad I found This :) Catch a wave and a pint with ye some day soon x Corina.

[@nuthajason]

great tutorial - as a professional African and kit drumming teacher I know that I am seeing a good teacher here. Thanks fot this video.

[@ciaranobrien8709]

Just found this, very helpful, my grandad made bodhrans and gifted me one before passing, he played it and the fiddle like no one else, effortless and with such a flow, i know its an old vid but bravo

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks Ciaran ! Have you got the bodhran out of it's case recently?

[@Ricky6854]

Yeah, he's fantastic! He thought me at Camp Abilities and hope he will again this year!

[@DYNABIKE1]

Very well done. Great simple easy to follow instructions - - - -Thanks !!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad it was helpful! Lot's more from Brian here - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@GiulioGabrieli]

Well made Video! Simple to understand and very clever!

[@pinkmagicali]

Somehow we ended up with a bodhran in our house. It wasn’t until I started Irish dance I realised what it was. Figured I’d try to learn to play it. Helps me hear the beat for my dances and gives our drum a chance to get played. Lol. I think I have a little work to do though.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi ! Remember, slow practice gets you there faster :) For optimal learning I'd suggest following Brian's structured Bodhrán Basics course - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@Snow_owl1966]

Mr. Brian, you really do help me out, just to let you know sir.

[@wadmanlikesbeer1]

This guy is a good teacher.

[@organic527]

Really enjoyed watching you teach.I have just got a new bodhran and this was a very helpful introductory lesson and I enjoyed the rythmn and will look at more of your video's,Many Thanks to you!!You have a lovely authenticity!!!

[@1russano]

Awesome instruction for a beginner :) Thank you!

[@bodhranfleming]

Hi Deborah, glad to hear you're enjoying the lessons. My stick was made by a Breton guy called Eddy Guilloteau. I'm not sure if he does them commercially or not. Another great stick maker is Dave Harper. It's a hard thing to track down a good stick or maker. Just make sure you don't lose it when you eventually find one that suits!

[@leilaazaisto2761]

Drums are really nice. 💞

[@OktayCaglar]

you are the best tutor! thanks. i love your lessons. that is incredible, i can play Bodhrán :)

[@bodhranfleming]

Great to hear. You're welcome!

[@PadraigGrimes]

This is great lesson, I'm seriously thinking of getting a Bodhran and this has inspired me.

[@MorMaethoriel]

I've just tried this lesson and I must say it's a great way to start off. Do feel that the bodhran I have at the moment is a bit too big and clumsy, will have to purchase a smaller one, think that will help me get the hang of it a bit faster. Thank you for posting this clip, am definitely going to check out your website, not just for bodhran. Been teaching myself to play tin whistle since about a month now and am getting better at it, but any lesson I can get my hands one I'll gladly take! :D

[@pollyrobinson3877]

Fantastic teaching style.

[@chrisw2514]

Excellent lessons. Thank you!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the comment :)

[@JLeoFipple]

Yes Brain, I found this and started paying more attention to where my upswing was going and I got a much cleaner tump on the up accent and less scraping. I also sand papered with 400 grit the Cípin balls (stick) and the face of my bodhrán. I still get an odd scrape here and there but not near as many as when I started.

[@wompton]

Very well done! Thank you.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You're welcome, glad you like it !

[@maelissollivier6815]

Thank you sooo much, I was desperate to understand how it works but thanks to you it is finally easier than I thought!!!!!!!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Great to hear!

[@stevenmidwinter-ty7mu]

Need to get mine out of the loft AGAIN!! Thank you, great video. Feeling inspired lol.👍

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Lot's more lessons from Brian on the site here - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@lurdescruz5474]

Great !!!! The way you explain makes it easy to understand !!!!!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad to hear that! Find more lessons from Brian here - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@anlashok42]

Thanks so much for this tutorial.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You're welcome Orlando !

[@cobra30302001]

That motion with the hand without a tipper gave me the idea that it can be adapted so persons with cerebral palsy or other like disabilities can actually play an instrument.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Good plan !

[@fancypicker]

Naomi's loving the flute! 'tis getting plenty of use. Best wishes from across the pond!

[@ledhed5717]

Great tutorial, thank you.

[@jamesbondaygee]

Awesome first time trying this drum.

[@drummerferro5165]

Thnak you!! You make it easy and it easily learn. It's fantastic!!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

+Drummer Ferro Hi, Glad you like the lesson. Take Brian's structured bodhran course and progress faster - oaim.ie/course/39/bodhrn_basics

[@kayzie96]

I'm from the Michigan area and my orchestra director got the Bodhrán I use off the internet. My school has an Irish music group thing, and I'm now the drummer :) That's probably not what you're looking for, but hopefully it helped a bit. Best of luck! :)

[@max-andrewmcmillan4235]

that was get thanks for putting that up, loved it,..

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You're welcome Max. Did this get you started on your bodhran?

[@xBrii333x]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the great lesson. My grandma begged me to learn to play a few songs on the bodhran in six days and I was panicking. I feel much more confident in my ability to at least play a simple beat for the songs she asked, now.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you got a lot out of it and hope the performance goes well then maybe you'll get into playing more!

[@xBrii333x]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic I hope so, too, thanks! I am enjoying it now that I've got the hang of it. I might go buy my own after I have to return my grandma's to her and keep playing.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Brianna, Did you keep the music going?

[@xBrii333x]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic I did! I'm practicing a couple nights a week right now (not ideal, I should be doing it every night). I love it!

[@PhilChandlerArts]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I'll try adjusting the angle... I think that's all it probably is. Sometimes I can get a nice rhythm going, and then it starts 'draggy' at points. I think it's just a matter of also just continuing to practice. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated!

[@andrekooij8756]

Great tips. Thanks from the north of the netherlands.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Andre, lot's more from Brian here - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@Beemerboy324]

Excellent lesson! I now know what to practice and how.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zoeastro]

lovely video - very helpful. Thank you!

[@stagerage1]

Great stuff Brian. My neighbours will be hating me. 😁 see you back home for a personal lesson soon. 👍🏽

[@stephencoxbass]

Great lesson!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it! Lot's more from Brian here - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@bjpcorp]

That was a really good lesson thanks, great teacher!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks!

[@GeoffTheOddball]

Great video! Very informative and in depth for beginners! My bodhran just came in today and it was a little difficult at some points holding it how you do in the videos because there's a cross handle on the back. A bareback bodhran seems to be the most common that I've seen...either way. Awesome video, gonna watch number 2 now! :)

[@bodhranfleming]

Thanks Geoff. I believe the cross bars in the back were originally to help the drum keep its shape. Some people incorporate the bars into their playing by using them to push against to get more leverage on the skin, but mostly they are surplus to requirements for the modern playing style. Also laminated wood has no need for the bars from a structural point of view. However, people often expect to see them in the back, so commercial makers still put them in to please the customer. You can always break them out when you get tired of them. Best of luck, Brian

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

It's on the OAIM website - link in the description :)

[@max-andrewmcmillan4235]

brilliant class, thank you

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Brian has a structured course on the site - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@gossamerhall]

Thank you Brian, your a good teacher. I want to get a bodhran. You make me really ready. *.*

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the comments and likes! Please feel free to ask any questions you have about this lesson or anything related to Irish music in general. We'll get an answer to you asap :)

[@valeriacrespo7696]

Gracias! Hoy tuve mi primer clase con un profesor, tu clase me ayudómucho para recordar! Gracias!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

De nada!

[@klauswhitedreamer]

nice lesson, thank you !

[@giovannidefazio8445]

With these lessons I would learn how to play my bodhran quite simply If I had one

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

@nicketeen1 I'm glad that you found it helpful.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

@micheleph1 Glad you found this useful. You can find the second lesson on our website on the free lessons page - oaim.ie

[@dabounca]

A great help, thanks

[@orire6793]

Please!!!! More lessons!!!! Please!!

[@fancypicker]

Brian!!! Good to see you are kicking, mate! Had a blast hanging and playing at Dollywood for the Festival Of Nations. (Craig from Naomi's Fancy here) Hope you are doing well!

[@briankane6547]

Brian Kane watching/enjoying. ;¬)

[@gordonmclees7509]

fantastic

[@bodhranfleming]

Your drum little has served you well. It's time to step up into the big league now. Don't be afraid. You can take your little drum with you and carry it around inside your big one to use for a bit of variation now and then. Come on, splash out. You're worth it!

[@misscoffeecup]

Excelent!

[@JM-jd7yp]

You are a very gifted teacher. I am one of those people with absolutely no rhythm but you really inspire confidence and impart knowledge. Thank you.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

+D Man Glad you liked it!

[@dubbylad667]

this was brilliant, really well taught

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Delighted you loved that! Check out more lessons from Brian here - oaim.ie/course/39/bodhran_basics

[@nicketeen1]

Very helpful thanks a million

[@lifewithmaura]

What a helpful and detailed video, especially for a free sample. Can you give some guidance on how to choose a decent drum? TIA!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Sure, there's lot's on info on that on this page plus some great FAQ's (scroll down a bit) - www.oaim.ie/bodhran/bodhran-basics/

[@lenp00]

Wonderful video, your teaching approach is excellent, cheers!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, Glad you liked it, thanks for letting us know !! Where are you learning bodhran? Is there any Irish session close by?

[@lenp00]

Online Academy of Irish Music I’m in Ontario, Canada. I haven’t looked into local lessons however there is a group of folks that get together once a week at a local pub. I’m certain if I inquired, there would be someone I could learn from.

[@lenp00]

Online Academy of Irish Music BTW, I wasn’t taking any formal lessons. I was learning from a CD.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Go to the session and have a chat with them, explain where you're at and your plans. People are usually friendly. Let me know how that goes.