The bodhran is a musical instrument with a universal purpose. It is literally a skin tray and is very popular in the Celtic world like Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This has been in existence and in use for more than a thousand years in so many ways. Bodhrans are suitable for winnowing and still being used for such purpose in some third world countries like India and Africa.

This musical instrument looks like a sieve to people who are not familiar with it. They see this type of drum as a simple skin tray. This musical instrument has multi-functions and can be a sieve when holes are punched in the skin. It has the appearance of a sifter for construction materials. As to its musical instrument category, this drum which is the favorite drum of the Irish people falls under the percussion type.

This type of musical instrument comes in many different sizes and designs. The smaller the size of the bodhran the easier it is to carry around. The sizes of this instrument range from fourteen inches to twenty six inches, depending on the preference of the player. This can be played by the use of the hand or by the tipper. The tipper is the double-headed stick which is held in one hand and this is used for very fast or complex beat.

The bodhran is the Irish or Celtic drum and the name comes from the Irish word “bodhar” meaning deaf. It can also be translated as “tray”, “deafening”, “thundered”, and “dull-sounding”. It is also known as a “frame drum” because of the way is made using a piece of soft wood and animal skin. Bodhrans are used as working tool and a musical instrument on the other hand.

Unlike most drums, it has a soft sound and often makes an impression of dullness. Drums are usually associated with beating and loud sound but not this type. It has a deep sound and may be played in various styles that is from the traditional Irish beat to the modern rhythm and even in your own personal style. The tapping on the skin or rim as well as the movement of the hands will give you variations in sounds.

Most of these drums are used for purely religious or cultural festivals. But in countries like Ireland, Spain, France and the Basque country these are musical instruments which have become an integral part of entertainment. It is only, however, in Ireland that the bodhran has attained its high level of sophistication.

In Ireland, the bodhran is used in religious and cultural festivals such as “The Wren Hunt”. The festivity is about the hunting for a wren which is done by groups of people wearing costumes with blackened faces and go bring on parade the captured bird from house to house. During the parade the frame drum plays while people sing the ceremonial song.

The designs of this type of musical instrument feature the cross, animals and birds, spiral and knotwork. The spiral represents the past, present and future and has become the symbol of eternal life. It represents the continuity of life passing through the process of death and rebirth. All the symbols carry significant meanings which are also symbolisms adapted for rituals or ceremonies using the bodhran.

If you want to listen and feel the beat of ethnic musical instruments, you shuold try bodhran. It has a distinct sound that creates music to hear. Or you may want to try celtic harps.

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