bodhrán lessons
The bodhrán is an ancient Irish frame drum which provides the heartbeat for Irish music.
The drum is usually played in a seated position, held vertically on the player's thigh and supported by their upper body and arm, usually on the left side for a right-handed player. The left hand is placed on the inside of the skin where it is able to control the tension (and therefore the pitch) by applying varying amounts of pressure to different areas of the skin. The crossbar, if present, is used to stabilize the drum from placing the back of the left hand against it whilst the front of the hand presses against the skin. The drum is struck with the other hand, usually the right for a right handed person, and is played either with the bare hand or with a tipper in a swinging motion.
When buying your first bodhrán, there are numerous factors to consider, including price. Bodhráns can vary greatly in price and you usually get what you pay for. However, you may not want to spend a ton of money on an expensive bodhrán when you're first starting to play. Likewise, you don't want to get something very cheap since it may not come with important features. Some features are up to individual preference but I would recommend getting a bodhrán that has tuning mechanisms on the inside of the drum so they don't bother you whilst resting the drum on your leg or holding it under your arm. Many less expensive drums come without any tuning mechanisms but I recommend having them. Here are a few links to bodhrán makers and retailers in the US:
Meinl
Roosebeck
Paraic McNeela
Whistle and Drum (sells bodhráns, tippers and cases)
Amazon.com (a lot of great overseas bodhrán makers sell through Amazon in the US. I highly recommend knowing what you're looking for first though.)
There are numerous playing styles, mostly named after the region of Ireland in which they originated. There is Kerry style - 'old style' - which uses a two-headed tipper. The top of the tipper is used mainly for playing triplets. The 'new style' - West Limerick style - uses only one end of the tipper. The tipper you use will depend greatly on which style you want to play.
Teale plays and teaches both styles.
PRICE: UPDATE: Not currently taking new students at this time. Please check back!
The drum is usually played in a seated position, held vertically on the player's thigh and supported by their upper body and arm, usually on the left side for a right-handed player. The left hand is placed on the inside of the skin where it is able to control the tension (and therefore the pitch) by applying varying amounts of pressure to different areas of the skin. The crossbar, if present, is used to stabilize the drum from placing the back of the left hand against it whilst the front of the hand presses against the skin. The drum is struck with the other hand, usually the right for a right handed person, and is played either with the bare hand or with a tipper in a swinging motion.
When buying your first bodhrán, there are numerous factors to consider, including price. Bodhráns can vary greatly in price and you usually get what you pay for. However, you may not want to spend a ton of money on an expensive bodhrán when you're first starting to play. Likewise, you don't want to get something very cheap since it may not come with important features. Some features are up to individual preference but I would recommend getting a bodhrán that has tuning mechanisms on the inside of the drum so they don't bother you whilst resting the drum on your leg or holding it under your arm. Many less expensive drums come without any tuning mechanisms but I recommend having them. Here are a few links to bodhrán makers and retailers in the US:
Meinl
Roosebeck
Paraic McNeela
Whistle and Drum (sells bodhráns, tippers and cases)
Amazon.com (a lot of great overseas bodhrán makers sell through Amazon in the US. I highly recommend knowing what you're looking for first though.)
There are numerous playing styles, mostly named after the region of Ireland in which they originated. There is Kerry style - 'old style' - which uses a two-headed tipper. The top of the tipper is used mainly for playing triplets. The 'new style' - West Limerick style - uses only one end of the tipper. The tipper you use will depend greatly on which style you want to play.
Teale plays and teaches both styles.
PRICE: UPDATE: Not currently taking new students at this time. Please check back!
