Bodhrans

In school or community settings this Irish drum works on its own, in folk bands or as part of wider Celtic and World Music projects. It blends naturally with whistles, fiddles, guitars and other frame drums.

Choosing drums for school and SEND groups

When you’re building a class set, keep four points in mind:

• Size
  12–14″ instruments suit younger pupils and smaller hands.
  15–18″ versions give older students and adults a deeper, more powerful tone.

• Tuneable or fixed
  Tuneable heads let you adjust tension as the skin stretches or in humid rooms.
  Fixed-head models are simpler, lighter and very robust for heavy classroom use.

• What’s included
  Most of our Irish drums come with a wooden bodhran tipper as standard, and many also include a padded bag and DVD or online tutorial. This makes storage easier and gives non-specialist teachers instant support.

• How many you need
  For a class of around 30, ten to fifteen instruments usually works well. Learners can rotate between these, other hand drums and shakers so everyone stays active.

All the bodhran drums for sale on this page are genuine hand-crafted Irish instruments from Percussion Plus, so you can mix plain shells with Celtic artwork without worrying about build quality.

Using them in the classroom

Start with very simple pulse games. Pupils copy short rhythms, trade call-and-response ideas and explore loud/soft contrasts.
Next, divide the group into two parts so one half keeps a steady beat while the other adds off-beat patterns. As confidence grows, combine the drums with voices, tuned percussion or recorders to create performance pieces for assemblies.

The basic grip and stroke are straightforward, so these instruments adapt well for SEND learners. You can offer one-beat parts, seated or standing positions and still keep every player at the centre of the ensemble sound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce bodhran?
Most English speakers say “BOH-ron” or “BOW-rawn” (rhyming with “go-rawn”). In Irish you may hear a softer second syllable, but both of these versions are widely understood in class.

What is a bodhran made of?
Typically it has a wooden frame and a natural goatskin head, tightened over one side of the shell. Some models include internal cross-bars to help with grip.

Is the bodhran Irish or Scottish?
The drum is most strongly linked with Irish traditional music and modern Irish folk bands. It is also used in some Scottish and wider Celtic styles, but its roots are in Ireland.

Is it difficult to play?
Basic patterns are easy to learn, even for complete beginners. Most learners can keep a steady beat and play simple rhythms in their first lesson, then build up to rolls and more complex grooves as coordination improves.

How should we look after these drums in school?
Keep them away from radiators, direct sunlight and very dry storage, as this can tighten or crack the skin. After use, let heads dry naturally, store instruments flat or in their bags, and avoid stacking heavy objects on top so the frame stays round and the head in good condition.