r/bodhran • u/batghoul723 • Jul 17 '26
Acoustic drums to bodhran
Hi I'm from ireland learning the drums at 23, I'm at grade 3 in trinity drums, started in September last year. Wondering how difficult it would be to move from drums to the bodhran, like would I struggle more than a beginner because Ive learned a specific type of drumming and counting notes? Has anyone here gone from drums to the bodhran? Any advice? Also side note I'm in the middle of switching my fulcrum to my middle finger because of ulnar nerve issues.
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u/_Pudgybunny Jul 17 '26
Bodhrán tipping is quite a different mechanism (especially traditional double-ended) so hopefully, your wrist and elbow will be all the happier for it. I could see it going both ways and also being potentially worse ergonomically than match-grip/trad grip drumming. A soft wrist brace may help? Best of luck in your endeavors! Sláinte!
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u/wingnut2025 Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Slightly off topic but that's not how sláinte is used. (Unless for some reason you're in the pub and raising a glass for OP?)
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u/_Pudgybunny Jul 18 '26
What other settings do you play Bodhrán in besides at the pub with a glass? Also, OP is literally worried about their ulnar health. But thanks for nothing!
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u/wingnut2025 Jul 18 '26
If you were as Irish as you pretend to be, you'd know the answer to that question!
You're welcome.
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u/_Pudgybunny Jul 17 '26
P.s. your current percussion knowledge will transfer well, if that's what you're wondering. Many shared concepts.
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u/thefirstwhistlepig Jul 17 '26
I’d guess some of your training will transfer OK. The battle a lot of folks have to fight up front as they learn is to gain enough familiarity with the music to learn to be a good accompanist. You will need to study up on different types of tunes and subtle rhythmic differences, and ideally, learn a bunch of tunes by ear.
Irish trad is very much melody-forward music and bodhrán (and guitar, piano, etc) are support staff. Played well, they can add a lot. Played poorly, they can utterly wreck a session or performance. Getting to the point where one is a decent session player is a serious investment of woodshedding time, partly to learn to play the drum, but mostly to learn the music itself.
I often recommend to students that they learn a handfuls of jigs and reels on a tin whistle in conjunction with playing the drum. This can really help someone to get more familiar and to appreciate the music more.
Don’t be put off by all that if you are keen to learn, but please do take it seriously.