Different Meanings And Uses Of The Bodhran
There is a musical instrument called "bodhran" which has a universal purpose. It is a skin tray which is very popular among the Celtics and countries like Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall, Scotland and Wales. This musical skin tray has been in use in many different ways for thousands of years. Bodhrans are suitable separating chaff from grain which is known as winnowing. Winnowing using the skin tray is still a practice in some third world countries such as Africa and India.
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.
Bodhrans come in various sizes and designs. Most players prefer the smaller size for it is easier it is to carry along. The size of the bodhran ranges from fourteen to twenty-six inches to suit to the player's preference. Sound is produced by the use of the hand or by the tipper. The tipper, which is a double-headed stick, is held in one hand and often used for very fast and complex beats.
The name bodhran comes from the Irish word "bodhar" meaning deaf. It also known as the Irish or Celtic drum. The name can also mean as "tray", "thundered", "deafening", and "dull-sounding". It is otherwise known as a "frame drum" because of the way is created using soft wood that can be easily bent and animal skin as its frame cover. Bodhrans are functional as a working tool and a musical instrument at the same time.
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.
The bodhran has reached its height of sophistication only in Ireland. This frame drum is used mostly for purely religious and cultural festivals. This musical instrument has also become an integral part of the musical entertainment of Ireland and other countries like Spain, France and the Basque country.
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. - 23806
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.
Bodhrans come in various sizes and designs. Most players prefer the smaller size for it is easier it is to carry along. The size of the bodhran ranges from fourteen to twenty-six inches to suit to the player's preference. Sound is produced by the use of the hand or by the tipper. The tipper, which is a double-headed stick, is held in one hand and often used for very fast and complex beats.
The name bodhran comes from the Irish word "bodhar" meaning deaf. It also known as the Irish or Celtic drum. The name can also mean as "tray", "thundered", "deafening", and "dull-sounding". It is otherwise known as a "frame drum" because of the way is created using soft wood that can be easily bent and animal skin as its frame cover. Bodhrans are functional as a working tool and a musical instrument at the same time.
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.
The bodhran has reached its height of sophistication only in Ireland. This frame drum is used mostly for purely religious and cultural festivals. This musical instrument has also become an integral part of the musical entertainment of Ireland and other countries like Spain, France and the Basque country.
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. - 23806
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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 bagpipes.
posted by X - Men at
4:46 AM
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