Irish Bodhrán Techniques - Lesson 3 (Double or Single Ended?)

Focusing on Musical Interpretation, when should you play Double Ended or Single Ended Rolls and why? Do you need to play both ways? What's old or new? In this lesson I talk about my musical choices and thoughts on both styles.
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Website: www.kleonardmusic.com
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NB - everything is personal opinion with reasoning based on my extensive education of percussion/drums.

[@stephenfarina1171]

Thank you so much for this analysis and explanation. I’m a long time double-ended player who is working to develop a good single-ended technique. And I’m starting to discover during the local session that I regularly attend that some tunes feel better with one approach and some tunes feel better w the other. A while back when I asked a very good bodhran player who sometimes sits in - and who I noticed playing single-ended in the previous tune-if he was exclusively a top-end single-ended player, he stopped and thought for a minute, then said, I’m not one or the other. I was stunned by that answer and now stumbled upon your video which very nicely explains that overall view. Thanks for that!

[@Huh560]

Thank you Kieran!

[@Dead-Eye]

Great video, mate. Very clear and well explained/demonstrated. I've played traditional/Kerry style for years but I've recently got interested in giving the top end a go, so single ended rolls etc take a bit of adjustment for me! Thanks for the very helpful vids.

[@edgalvin8130]

That’s a spot on explanation of it Kieran. Good man.

[@KieranLeonardMusic]

ed galvin thanks Ed! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@ronanosnodaigh]

Very enjoyable Kieran . Very well put . 👍

[@KieranLeonardMusic]

ronan o snodaigh Thanks so much Ronan, means a lot coming from yourself. Really appreciate it 👍🏻

Great! You have to do more videos

[@strollingireland9860]

How's it going, I'm an absolute beginner, so greatly appreciate your advice on this stuff. Might you have any inclination towards putting up another video? Something about tippers would be interesting. I do like a nice collection of sticks and brushes and whatnots. Whatever you like though, obviously. No panic on the sticks thing. Peace.

[@DaricShire]

I noticed the How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World picture in the background and decided to check the music credits and saw that you're credited on the soundtrack!! Would be awesome if you could make a video about playing on that amazing soundtrack, the bodhran playing in it sounds so incredible. It actually inspired me to try an pick up bodhran myself!

[@KieranLeonardMusic]

Hi Daric! Well spotted!!! I am indeed credited on that movie. Some of the most stunning music I've ever heard, and I was very fortunate John had the Bodhrán in such a prominent role! Next to it is the poster for no.2! My first feature film credit! Really glad you picked up the Bodhrán for yourself! good on you!

[@alanmchale1]

How do I learn top end I play Kerry style

[@KieranLeonardMusic]

alanmchale1 there’s some great content out there Alan, have a look and see who would influence you, and then contact some teachers. Myself & all my colleagues are teaching via online platforms so you’ll be able to get some help that way 😃

[@andyfaden]

Hi Kieran Any chance you could do a video on accompanying polkas and slides? Great videos so far, thanks.

[@Koropokel]

who ever named these rolls didn't think of logic because both are triplets.. and what exactly is doubled? I mean I get what is meant after seeing and listeing but as a drummer a double for me is when I play one move and play 2 notes and if I play a RRL roll I would never call that a double roll because it is asymmetrical. why not call it tip end-roll or something like that to make clear that one is using the other end of the stick which is hard to make out by eye in these kinds of videos where there is no zoom on the drumhead.

[@KieranLeonardMusic]

Hey Alex. Roll is a generic descriptive term to describe the ornamentation. Yes they are both triplets in the video above & in reel time (or any common time) however when in 6/8 the ornament is not a triplet. It is 2 16th notes followed by two 8th notes. I don’t know where the terminology comes from to be truthful. Double implies both ends of the stick as opposed to single. As you reference a RRL roll in drumming, you have 2 sticks not one, and from the information you have given me I would suggest you’re playing a ruff or a drag with that sticking as is per the industry standard rudimentary descriptions! Thanks for interacting, hope I’ve explained this point of view! All the best, Kieran

[@scalar6445]

Hi Kieran just got mcneela bodhran should I leave or take out t bar at back to make things easier for myself. Complete starter here.thanks.

[@KieranLeonardMusic]

Hi Scalar, that's entirely up to you and your preference :) I personally don't use one as I find them quite restrictive, but some players use them to great effect!