(How To Play The Bodhran) How To Avoid The Sliding Bodhran Tipper & Scraping Sound

[@BodhranMasterclass]

Glad to see some dust collecting bodhrans are getting a new lease on life one drum at a time. Loads of new videos on the way. Will definitely be covering playing along to tunes. Just need to find some recording time with my husband who is my in house piper.

[@jlhansenks]

I'm new to Bodhran (finally received one for Christmas). I'm a drummer, so it's not completely new, but I wanted to tell you how valuable your videos have been to me. You got me over the initial hump in a matter minutes. Excellent work!

[@davidholland2132]

Just to say thank you for tyour tuition videos. I find i can follow you easier than a lot of others. I'm 70 and just started playing bodhran. Although I've been playing native American style for some years. 🐻

[@AuntySheryl]

to mirror most of these responses.. THANKS! i feel confident in how im holding the tipper but am still getting the scratching sound.. new drum and beginner, so i wont give up just yet ;) thanks

[@agduine]

Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you very much. I think I'm forgetting to say thank you! :) I love your videos, they are helping me a lot!

[@gmee123]

I found this rubber band tip INVALUABLE! Thank you so much for sharing :)

[@Alkimi]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. This was the exact answer to the three questions I've been having for the last two days. I love ur videos.

[@BodhranMasterclass]

Thank you for letting me know you had luck with my tips Dan. Being comfortable and having the drum sound better will make it so much more enjoyable. Are you at the obsessed stage yet???

[@shmopus]

I've been trying something to help stop the scratchy up stroke thing and that is striking the head a bit higher in the up swing. I was hitting the head almost as soon as the stick came up then dragging it the rest of the way. I find raising my aim more helpful than trying to imagine hitting behind the skin and it seems to make me use a different angle of stick to the head Hutch

[@ElleRaeDance]

Love your videos! What is the song at the beginning?

[@jockjammer3443]

A rubber band, *facepalm* You ma'am, are a genius!!! thankyou! I've been trying cloth tapes but they tend to slip or get unglued eventually. That rubber band is a great solution in a pinch. will be carrying a few in my case from now on.

[@LesleySASMR]

I have a small maybe 6-8 inch bodhran that was more of a souvenir, but do you think this is a good one to get started on with the basics? I plan on getting a nicer one eventually. Thanks, I love your videos!

[@jocelynandjosh]

Thank you for the info. i was wondering why my drum was making that scratching sound. I guess I need to break it in!

[@bcmbattle]

hey can you tell me where to get a "sliding tipper" and some pointers on buying my first one? i already have a drum but havent touched it and i want to start playing but dont have a tipper?? feel free to inbox me as well

[@aurora1024]

Well, you addressed a whole mess of issues I have. trying these out tonight. :D

[@JeremySibson]

I have found leather wrapped the tipper for double-end playing good. For straight, top-end tippers, I use pen/pencil grips that rollon.

[@BodhranMasterclass]

If it's a non-tunable drum with a regular skin head just use water to slacken it.. An inexpensive spray bottle is convenient for this. Some makers who use a semi-tanned head, which looks a bit like white leather say not to wet their skins so just see any maker recommendations first. I will get going on a skin treatment video this week. Keep the suggestions coming. Your wish is my command. lol

[@BodhranMasterclass]

If the skin is already treated with any kind of conditioning on the playing side the head may be slightly waterpoofed on that side so I would wet it on the inside. Same for it you have artwork on the head you want to protect - - wet the inside.Otherwise wetting the playing surface then rubbing it in with your hand is quicker. Spray bottle is handy for this. Believe it or not the natural oils in your hand actually help to soften the skin.

[@pickinduck]

I've had my bodhran for a while but done nothing with it. Well I'm changing that. Mine had cross members that I cut out and I just got a selection of tippers. I like your videos so far. Can you show us how to play a simple song?

[@miscellaniac3367]

Hi Michelle. I've been practicing the Bodhran for about 3 weeks now, and I'm getting good. I'm having trouble getting up to tempo and not having the scratchy sound. When I play really fast it's like I can't make an up hit solidly and the tipper scratches. Any suggestions?

[@TheFruityGiraffe]

Ohmygosh, I get the scratchy sound allll the time. Im still trying to figure out the right angle haha. The Bodhran im using is from our family friend, and its non-tunable so I have to wet it down every time I practice! Even then it suonds hollow haha .

[@kishanabear]

thank you. i'm going to try the rubber band idea.

[@MillyHoddo]

Rubber band of course, thank you :)

[@dustrhinos]

Being a Canadian band our bodhran player uses Team Canada hockey tape to create a bump

[@sueweatherby3729]

I use hockey tape - Canadian. Eh?