How to Make Bodhran

Irish bodhran drum.

The Irish drum, called a "bodhran," (pronounced bow-ran) is loosely based on an ancient African design. Similar drums made their way to the Middle East and Central Asia, finally landing in Ireland during the Middle Ages. Bodhrans resemble tambourines without the cymbal and are typically 16 to 18 inches in diameter. You play them with wooden beater, also called a "tipper." The bodhran consists of a wooden shell, with a drum head of goat hide tacked to the outside of the shell. While constructing your own bodhran is not difficult, is does require carpentry and wood-bending skills.

Things You'll Need

• 1/3- to 1/4-inch ash or oak wood plank
• Miter saw
• Large cooking pots
• Ladle
• Belt clamp
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Wood dowel
• Hammer
• 1-inch finish nails
• Paint or wood stain and brush
• Scissors
• Tanned goat skin
• Upholstery tacks
• Leather strip
• Staple gun and staples

Instructions

The Bodhran Drum Shell

1. Cut the ends of the wood plank at an angle to create a scarf joint. A miter saw will ensure an accurate cut, as the two ends will be joined together after bending.

2. Boil water in the cooking pots, and ladle boiling water over the plank until it becomes bendable. You may also rent a wood steam box or make a soaking tank out of an old gutter.

3. Bend the plank into a circle until the ends meet or overlap. Apply high-quality wood glue to the joint, and install and tighten the belt clamp. Allow the glue to dry for at least 24 hours.

4. Remove the belt clamp when glue is dry. Sand all surfaces to remove any rough edges. Cut the wood dowel to size, and install it across the inside center of the shell, using wood glue and finish nails. You may apply wood stain or paint when the dowel glue has dried.

Installing The Drum Head

1. Cut a rough circle from the goat hide, 4 to 6 inches wider than the drum shell circumference. Immerse the goat hide in water until it is soft and pliable. Squeeze out excess water, and center it over the drum shell, smooth side up.

2. Staple the skin to the shell side, about 1 inch from the top. Start with several staples in one area, and stretch the skin on the opposite side. Repeat the opposing stretch-and-staple operation around the drum's circumference.

3. Install leather strip over the stapled area, and attach it to the drum shell with upholstery tacks at about 1-inch intervals. You may draw a line approximately 1-inch down from the shell edge to assist in placement.

4. Allow the goat skin to dry thoroughly, during which time it will contract and tighten, producing a suitable tone for drumming. You can tune the head up in pitch by applying heated air from a hair dryer or tune it down by applying a light application of water over the head surface.

Tips & Warnings

• You may install wood plugs or wood screws to the drum shell joint to add additional strength and use heavy-duty wood glue.

• Use extreme care when handling boiling water. Use heavy work gloves and long sleeves to guard against scalding. Having a helper during the bending process is recommended. Use care when operating a saw. Allow the wood shell joint to dry completely before removing the belt clamp.

References

• Ceolas.org
• Cat Dreams
• Bodhran Maker

Resources

• Smith College