The Bodhrán Makers


Book Description

Life is harsh in close-knit community of Dirrabeg, a community on the Dingle Peninsula facing extinction in the mid-1950's. Many of the young have left for England or America, where there are opportunities and chances for secure lives. Those remaining behind love their land and their independence but fear for the future as the bogs get thin, the yields are poor, and the children have little hope of success. 'We never died a winter yet.' A wickedly funny and insightful novel from the author of Sive, The Field, The Year of the Hiker, and many other classic works. In the Kerry village of Dirrabeg in the 1950s, the annual wren dance is a moment of light within the dark winter, especially for bodhrán player Donal Hallapy, whose skills are in high demand. But this paganism, and the singing, dancing and drinking that take place, are anathema to Canon Tett, who resolves to crush the old customs. Donal Hallapy, devoted father of a large family, is a bodhran player. He is always in great demand whenever the once-a-year wrendances take place, a day long festival on St Stephen's Day, which can be traced back to pagan times. This paganism, the secret nature of the celebrations, the singing, dancing and drinking that takes place, and the fact that the church has no control over them has made them anathema to "the clan of the round collar," in the person of Canon Tett, an ultraconservative and downright sadistic priest determined to bring the free spirits of Dirrabeg to bay by ending the fun of the wrendances. Wickedly funny and full of insight into age-old conflicts and a lifestyle long passed into memory.




The Bodhrán


Book Description

"Colin F. Harte traces the bodhrán from its early origins in Irish traditional music to its present-day resurgence in Irish American folk music. Harte includes chapters on the instrument's historical and organological development, experimentation and innovation in playing styles over time, and a study of the instrument's performative practices. The central academic focus of the text is the recent, rapid developments in bodhrán design, performance practices, and teaching the bodhrán to a new generation of musicians"--




Bodhran: Beyond the Basics


Book Description

This is the follow-up volume to Bodhrán: the Basics and is designed for those who want to improve their technique and expand their rhythmic repertoire. It contains exercises and solos in 4/4, 6/8, 3/4, and 9/8 time. the 568 one-measure exercises are designed to improve a player's technical skill and demonstrate how to use the basic building blocks of rests, accents, rolls, and syncopation to create interesting and varied rhythmic patterns. the 64 short solos show how to combine the one-measure rhythmic patterns into longer compositions.In addition to the exercises and solos, there are sections on time signatures, counting, syncopation, playing on the backbeat, vocalizing rhythmic patterns, developing speed, controlling pitch and timbre, and playing with both hands. Audio CD included.•




Bodhran: The Basics


Book Description

Bill Woods has used his decades of experience as a successful bodhrán performer and teacher to create this integrated instruction book and CD for the beginning bodhrán player. Using photographs, text, and audio examples, it takes you in easy steps from holding the bodhrán and stick through playing along with traditional Irish dance tunes. It shows you the basic accompaniment patterns for reels and jigs and demonstrates ways to make these patterns more interesting using rests, accents, and rolls.In addition to the audio examples, the CD has traditional Irish dance tunes recorded at different tempos so you can start playing along almost immediately and increase your speed as your skill improves.Also covered are the correct pronunciation of bodhrán, the history of the bodhrán in traditional Irish music, suggestions on playing with other musicians, suggestions on what to look for when choosing a bodhrán and stick, instructions on a simple and inexpensive way to make your own stick, and the basic structure of Irish dance tunes.An integrated bodhrán instruction book and CD for the beginning player Teaches the basic accompaniment patterns for reels and jigs Discusses what to look for when choosing a bodhrán and stick CD has traditional Irish tunes recorded at different tempos




Absolute Beginner's Bodhran Tutor


Book Description

(Waltons Irish Music Books). This 30-page book will introduce the beginner to the bodhran. Learn to care for and handle your bodhran, as well as how to hold it, various playing positions and more. The descriptions of the bodhran and instruction in the book are well illustrated. Reels, jig exercises and nine songs are also included. Recommended for beginners and enthusiasts alike. CD available separately.




The Bodhrán Book


Book Description

(Music Sales America). Accomplished and renowned percussionist Steafan Hannigan details all the intricacies of traditional Bodhran playing. Nothing is taken for granted or forgotten, making this a suitable manual for beginners with its gentle and careful progression through the techniques using numerous examples and exercises. Learn the many, varied bodhran techniques through expert and detailed instruction. Also included is a selection of repertoire pieces which add depth to your playing, plus sections on the history of the Bodhran and Irish music, including construction and maintenance. All clearly presented with illustrations, photographs and diagrams.




The Hounds of the Morrigan


Book Description

When a ten-year-old boy finds an old book of magic in a bookshop in Ireland, the forces of good and evil gather to do battle over it.




Playing the Frame Drum


Book Description

This book and accompanying audio show you how to play the frame drum using your fingers and hand surfaces. The method uses text, photographs, and the audio examples to demonstrate the various strokes and rhythms. Three ways of looking at rhythms are presented: Middle Eastern, Western and Balkan, with over 160 demonstrated rhythms.







Bodhrán Basics


Book Description

An introductory course in the art of playing the bodhran, covering all the basic techniques needed to accompany traditional and other music.




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