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Updated in [October 16th, 2023]

What does this course tell?
(Please note that the following overview content is from the original platform)
These self-paced bodhrán lessons are suitable for those who have foundational skills on the traditional Irish drum as well as conventional drummers who want to have a go at a completely different style of playing. The bodhrán is a medium-sized handheld skin drum played with a double ended stick or beater to create a mellow, rhythmic sound that is full of tone and colour. Here, professional performer Dermot Sheedy builds on the basics he taught in the Beginner 1 course, where he focused on stick control, the reel rhythm, rundowns and a full motor rhythm. These lessons will expand your skillset, teaching you to play different reel rhythms along with jigs and hornpipes. It will also add to your technical toolkit with double and single-ended rolls and techniques for moving the stick around the drum for a more ornamented style of playing.
The lessons begin with an introduction in which Dermot outlines the skills the learner is expected to have mastered before beginning this course, including the motor rhythm for a reel and clean down and up beats. He moves on to teaching you how to adapt the basic motor rhythm to add more space, with fiddle player and Irish TV station TG4's live music presenter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin providing the melody. Over the next couple of lessons Dermot will show you how to play double-ended rolls, which use both ends of the stick and which are mainly used in traditional Irish music, as well as the single-ended rolls which he generally uses for folk, rock and pop tunes. With a basic reel rhythm covered in the Beginner 1 course, it’s time to proceed to the jig and these lessons include a basic jig rhythm followed by a more ornamented style of playing, accompanied by Doireann on fiddle. The hornpipe is next and you’ll recognise the similarities with the reel rhythm but with added bounce. Once you’ve got the basics down, Doireann returns for a lesson on embellishing the hornpipe rhythm by adding a single roll. The next area for ornamentation is the motor rhythm and Dermot teaches you how to add interest to enhance the tune by means of single and double-ended rolls. Another trick is to incorporate an emphatic ‘up’ beat and that is taught in the context of a completely new reel rhythm. Further showcasing the musicality of the bodhrán, Dermot demonstrates how to complement the tone of the tune by moving the beat around the drum. This entertaining and packed course concludes with a recap of everything that you’ve covered.
Whether you want to play Irish traditional or folk music or that of other genres, this free online bodhrán guide is a gift. The video format allows you to pause and rewatch maestro Dermot Sheedy so that you can learn at your own pace. A multi-award winning bodhrán player and accomplished drummer, Dermot has been playing the Irish drum from the age of five years, after seeing bodhrán player Neil Lyons in action at a festival. Being surrounded with music at home, he had plenty of time to hone his skills accompanying his sisters on flute and fiddle. He went on to compete at many fleadhs or Irish music festivals, winning all Ireland titles in the process. Dermot’s career highlights include playing with high profile artists such as Donal Lunny, The Irish Harp Orchestra and Celtic Legends, however, he is best known as the drummer with the well-known band Hermitage Green with whom he has toured the USA and Canada, Australia and the UK. Once you have completed this course, you will wish to proceed to the final course in this three part series, Traditional Irish Bodhrán, Intermediate. All our courses provide the opportunity to gain certification by passing the end-of-course assessment. For now, it’s time to bang the drum for the unique techniques that set bodhrán playing apart by commencing the course today.


We considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
During this course, learners will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Mastery of foundational skills: Learners are expected to have already mastered stick control, the reel rhythm, rundowns, and a full motor rhythm from the Beginner 1 course.
2. Playing different reel rhythms: Learners will be taught how to play various reel rhythms, jigs, and hornpipes, expanding their repertoire of traditional Irish drumming styles.
3. Double and single-ended rolls: The course will cover techniques for playing double and single-ended rolls, which are commonly used in traditional Irish music as well as folk, rock, and pop tunes.
4. Ornamented style of playing: Learners will be taught techniques for moving the stick around the drum to create a more ornamented style of playing, adding depth and complexity to their performances.
5. Adapting the basic motor rhythm: Dermot will demonstrate how to adapt the basic motor rhythm to add more space, with the help of fiddle player Doireann Ní Ghlacáin providing the melody.
6. Emphasizing the up beat: Learners will learn how to incorporate an emphatic "up" beat into their playing, adding interest and enhancing the overall rhythm of the tune.
7. Complementing the tone of the tune: Dermot will demonstrate how to move the beat around the drum to complement the tone of the tune, showcasing the musicality of the bodhrán.
8. Recap of everything covered: The course will conclude with a recap of all the skills and techniques covered, ensuring that learners have a comprehensive understanding of traditional Irish bodhrán playing.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course will benefit individuals who already have foundational skills on the traditional Irish drum, as well as conventional drummers who want to explore a different style of playing. Specifically, it will be useful for:
1. Traditional Irish musicians: This course will teach them how to play different reel rhythms, jigs, and hornpipes on the bodhrán. It will also expand their technical toolkit with double and single-ended rolls, allowing them to enhance their traditional Irish music performances.
2. Conventional drummers: This course offers conventional drummers the opportunity to learn a completely different style of playing. They can apply their existing drumming skills to the bodhrán and explore the unique techniques and rhythms associated with traditional Irish music.
3. Musicians interested in folk, rock, and pop music: The course covers single-ended rolls that are commonly used in folk, rock, and pop tunes. Musicians in these genres can learn how to incorporate bodhrán playing into their performances and add a new dimension to their music.
4. Music enthusiasts: Anyone with an interest in traditional Irish music or percussion instruments can benefit from this course. It provides a comprehensive introduction to bodhrán playing and allows learners to develop their skills at their own pace.

Course Syllabus

Jigs, Reels and Hornpipes

Course assessment