Essential Bodhran, learn the basics of Irish drumming today!

Now we are getting the hang of playing a single note or beat.

The 'count' for this exercise is in the attached jpeg.

There are four beats in the bar for this piece so you can count 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

But as we are trying to trying to play on beat one only the sound will be:

Boom 2, 3, 4, Boom, 2, 3, 4, Boom 2, 3, 4, Boom, 2, 3, 4

Try to be accurate with the rhythm and also with the way the beater strikes the skin.

Make sure you don't scrape the beater along the skin, strike it with impact.

In this lecture we will play this brilliant tune - Whiskey in the Jar.

Just play one beat per bar as we've learnt in the previous lecture.

Get to know the tune with the words provided and sing along if you can.

Now play along one beat per bar on your had.

Next try it on your bodhran.

Play it round many times until you feel comfortable.

THIS COURSE IS THE FIRST BODHRAN COURSE IN WHAT COULD BECOME A SERIES.

IF YOU WANT MORE YOU NEED TO LET ME KNOW.

IF YOU DON'T ASK FOR MORE I WON'T DO ANY MORE!

Take a look at the attached jpeg and let's learn to play what it says.

Still four beats in the bar but playing on beats one and three only so you can count 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4.

Here's how it looks when you play beats one and three but not two and four,

Boom, 2, Boom, 4, Boom, 2, Boom, 4, Boom, 2, Boom, 4, Boom, 2, Boom, 4,

There are four beats in the bar for this piece so you can count 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

You can also play four to the bar as well - please follow the video.

Try making the first beat louder than the other three.

Either you can hit the fist beat harder and louder or lift you left hand off the back of the drum skin a little bit to up the volume.

This lecture is about stretching your arms and hands to help you play comfortably.

DISCLAIMER: THESE EXERCISES ARE WHAT I DO AND THEY WORK FOR ME. PLEASE DO NOT DO THEM UNLESS YOU ACTIVELY WANT TO AND LET IT BE UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU DO THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK. I ADVISE YOU NOT TO DO THEM.

Having said that a simple easy stretch should be within most people's reach and I have been taught to do them by various teachers with no problems so far.

Reel = 4 letters = 4 beats

Hornpipes have 4 beats and polkas have 2

jig = 3 letters = 3 beats

Walzes have 3, Jigs can be counted in 3 or 6, and slip jigs have 9

In this lecture we start looking at 3 beats (or 6) in the bar

Please see the attached jpeg in the resources tab

So the count will be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Let's start by just playing beats 1 and 4 so it's Boom 2 3 Boom 5 6

Note that beat 1 is a down stroke and beat 4 is an up stroke

Next you can try playing all six beats and your beater will be going:

Down up down - up down up

THIS COURSE IS THE FIRST BODHRAN COURSE IN WHAT COULD BECOME A SERIES.

IF YOU WANT MORE YOU NEED TO LET ME KNOW.

IF YOU DON'T ASK FOR MORE I WON'T DO ANY MORE!

That's pretty much the course done now.

The follow up is different rhythms, songs and techniques. Different beaters, playing single ended, playing outside Irish trad music, playing different pitches on your drum - and loads more!

Bye for now, please message me if you need any help.

Ben Hewlett