Beinn Gorm Bodhran Workshop
The bodhrán is the heartbeat of Celtic music. It is traditionally made with a wooden frame and a goat-skin head. It is played with a double-headed stick called a tipper. The modern Irish word bodhrán is pronounced bow-rawn, like Cow brawn, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
The Morning Session will focus on beginners by offering a foundation for playing. This includes tuning and tone production, hand and body alignment, and a variety of patterns for playing reels. Emphasis will be on playing by ear, musical sensitivity, and active listening. We will discuss the ways the bodhran is used in traditional Irish music as well as other styles of music.
The Afternoon Session will progress to making reels interesting and adding jigs, hornpipes, slips and slides. Depending on ability and interest we can explore tonality, folk, rock, blues and jazz.
Beginners are welcome, as are players who want to brush up on the basics or re-evaluate their technique.
The cost for the “stand alone” Bodhran Classes will be:
$70 Saturday full day …. $35 (afternoon and evening)
The course includes the following elements (as time allows):
Holding the bodhrán
Holding the beater
Basic strokes and variations
Reel and Jig patterns, Hornpipes, Slip Jigs, Slides.
Introduction to baseline drumming, folk, rock, blues and jazz
Left-hand technique and varying the pitch of your bodhrán
Bodhrán care and maintenance
If you don’t own a drum, I suggest waiting until after the workshop to make purchases. There will be a few extras that you can use and we will discuss the purchase of drums. The Better The Instrument – The Better YOU Sound. It’s Ok to start out on the cheap drum but they can be frustrating and difficult to play well. You usually get what you pay for. I will give you pointers for what to look for and where to get it. Contact me if you still want to purchase one ahead of time.
Beinn Gorm Bodhran Workshop May 9th, 2019.
The workshop will take place in Marshfield, VT at Iain MacHarg’s house. Please let us know when you’ll be arriving (Friday night or sat morning). Classes will run 10am to 5pm. Saturday night we’ll have a concert and big ceilidh at the house! Great way to practice what you learn.
This workshop fills up quickly. Don’t delay, reserve your spot!
Contact Joanne (802) 434-3233 ranney@gmavt.net
If you wish to reserve a spot please send $70 (Full event) or $35 (1/2 event) to:
Iain MacHarg 1611 VT RT 232 Marshfield, VT 05658