Neo-bodhrán - Frame drum style (the 'alter-ego')
Generously provided by David Kuckhermann
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The
bodhrán originally comes from Irish drumming and is played with a double beater.
But similar drums are
played in the middle east with hands and fingers. Glen Velez created a new style
of playing this instrument, adapting techniques from different framedrumming
traditions. It is basically a framedrum without a thumbhole between 14" and 20",
modern versions sometimes even bigger. Many times there is a cross in the inside
of the frame.
Playing the drum in this style
Position
Sit on a
chair and place the instrument on your left leg. The left wrist rests on the
frame of the drum and keeps it stable. The left hand and fingers need to be free
to move to execute the different strokes.
Dum
The bass
tone on the bodhrán is executed with the right thumb. You start in a position
where the thumb points away from your body and your hand is open as if someone
is giving you something. Then you turn your wrist and “throw” your thumb towards
the skin. After you hit, you let your thumb bounce off immediately.
 ....
Tak (and Left hand 'Ka')
The
rimstroke “Tak” is executed with the right and left ringfinger. In both cases
you hit the edge of the skin. Try to make the sound as clear and open as
possible. For the right hand “tak” start with the back of your hand pointing up
and then turn your wrist to hit the drum as showed on the picture. For the left
hand stroke (also known as 'Ka') place your wrist and thumb on the frame of the
drum. Hit the skin with the ringfinger as shown in the picture. It takes some
time to develop the necessary strength in your finger.
 ....
Pa
For this
stroke hit the skin with your hand slightly cupped. Hit with the fingertips of
all four fingers and of the thumb. Keep the fingers on the skin to dampen the
sound.
Snapping
The
technique for this stroke is similar to snapping your finger. You can do it with
all fingers, but for now use the most common ones, the ring and middle finger of
the left hand. The finger is placed against the thumb and then snapped against
the rim. You can use both fingers to do two strokes in a row.
Ring Finger Snap -  .....
Middle Finger Snap -  .....
Brushing
For this
technique make a claw with your right hand, put the fingernails against the skin
and brush up and down. If you use your hand flat, you get another sound.
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Slightly OT 
