Introducing Bodhrn

Course details

The bodhrán, a wood and goatskin drum beaten with a wooden stick, is the heartbeat of traditional Irish music. Designed for absolute beginners, Waltons New School of Music's Introducing Bodhrán course has taught hundreds of people how to play this great Irish instrument, and by the end of the course you will have the confidence to play a variety of Irish traditional rhythms and accompany other instruments, both solo and in sessions. (See Trad Slow Sessions for more information on educational sessions held at the school.)

The course includes the following elements:

• Holding the bodhrán
• Holding the beater
• Basic strokes and variations
• Reel and jig patterns
• Other traditional rhythms (polkas, hornpipes, slip jigs, etc.)
• Left-hand technique and varying the pitch of your bodhrán
• Bodhrán care and maintenance

Participating students will need to have a bodhrán and beater to bring to class and to practice with at home. These are available from Waltons music shops and can also be purchased together with the course

What happens after the course has finished?

Two weeks before the end of each Introducing… course, you will be given options for continuing your tuition at the school. Although a continuation ‘Improvers’ course cannot generally be scheduled on the same day/time as the Introducing course, one can be arranged if enough students would like to continue and your teacher has timetable availability. Students can also continue their tuition with either private (one-to-one) or small group lessons with other class members We are happy to discuss these options with you.

Introducing Bodhrán is one of our group courses for beginners. Private (one-to-one), partner, small group and one-off 'intensive' bodhrán lessons are also available for students at all levels, from beginner to advanced.Go to Departments & Faculty - Traditional & Folk Instruments or Departments & Faculty - Drums & Percussion for more information.