Hi. I am having difficulty with reels. I have the Mark Stone CD and am trying to pick it up by ear but it is difficult. All my reel playing sounds like jigs. Does anyone have any good sources or tips for learning to play reels? Thank you!

Try to look over other Reels and listen the bodhran ..
The trick on the starting Reel is to keep the time in 4/4 even and press the skin with alternance each beat you give, one beat with pressure and one without (the sound is like low/high/low/high etc)..after this even in 4/4 you may start to give beat in different way but even following the ritm

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to Bodojo glad to have you on board. This is not uncommon when starting out so stick with it. Have a look at the tutorial for Jigs and Reels (link below).

Have you been playing long? Are you familiar with traditional music? A lot of the time jumping straight in and playing along can frustrate. I would recommend you listen to as much music as possible without playing. Have it on in the background as you're doing other stuff, playing in the car, this will help you get into the tempo and style of tune. You need to remember we are, for all intents and purposes, backers we don't set tune or its melody, as Bodhrán players we are there to augment what is being played. So a good understanding of the tunes being played is imperative. So get yourself as much music and get listening.

Once you've read Paul's tutorial try practicing but without music, count the beats you are playing, slowly. Vary where you put the accents in the reels, i.e. on the first beat then try the accent the third beat counting each of the four beats every time you strike the skin. Paul's tutorial gives variations for both Jig and Reel.

Don't mind the non-playing hand or trying to establish skin tones or getting rolls or triplets all of that will come for now concentrate on the basics, strike the skin, keep the beat and mind your tempo.

Good luck with it

NDM

Most importantly whilst practicing watch your tempo, keep a steady pace. Slow practice equals quick progress!





Jigs and reels link. http://www.bodojo.com/jigs_reels.html