Bodhran Solo – Jig Section Notation (Updated June 2012)

by MichelleStewart on May 25, 2009

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I have just uploaded the rest of the 6/8 Jig Section of the bodhran solo covered in the video below and thought you might like the visual aid.

Just click on the link above to get the pdf and print off  the THREE PAGES to play along with the video.

Here’s a quick guide to using the notation.

Down Arrow = Down Stroke

Up Arrow = Up Stroke

Larger Arrow = Accent (Heavier Beat)

Dash (-) = Rest

Higher the arrows on the lines = the higher the pitch.

H = High Pitch – Push In / Shorten Distance Between Back Hand And Tipper / Roll Thumb Over
M = Medium Pitch – Gentle Hand Pressure In Middle / Medium Distance Between Back Hand / Tipper
L  = Low Pitch – Hand Just Touching But Without Pressure / Furthest Distance From Back Hand / Tipper

When you see a part surrounded by double bars and double dots ll:          :ll   these are repeat signs so play that part twice.

Foot would tap on first beat after each bar line     l   and first beat after each comma.  The commas don’t have any note value.

This should all make sense once you print off the pdf.

Enoy.

Michelle

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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }

Patrick Brideau May 25, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Hi can buy DVD from your Video lesson all of them. I am legaly blind so Video to small on my computer screen.

Thamks for ypur time and energy
Patrick

BodhranStudent May 25, 2009 at 10:03 pm

Absolutely fabulous series on rhythms. Can you double check the PDF link? It seems to be broken at the moment.

admin May 25, 2009 at 11:54 pm

Ok, the link should be working now. Sorry about that.
Do let me know if you have any more trouble with it.

Gus June 22, 2009 at 11:45 pm

Thanks very much for all the videos.Im still trying to get the hang of day1 but hopfully Ill get it!!Iv come across triplets while practicing aswel so I might be able to throw them in with something.Go raibh mile maith agat!!

jenny campbell June 23, 2009 at 8:36 am

hi micky
terrific teaching tool…very easy to understand — wonderful hands on learning. this is great! there was something this excellent for fiddling tips and piping. we”ll see you at the gc in july.
thanks
jenny

Barbara July 7, 2009 at 3:38 pm

I just love all your videos! I am a professional orchestral percussionist (20 years) and music teacher(12 years) and have played bodhran on my own for about 8 years. I have looked tutorials in books, VHS, DVD and online. There are several good videos on YouTube that give you one or two lessons. Nothing as complete as these or better produced. I LOVE that you use a metronome and stop to change the speed. All too often people just play faster and faster and never learn a sense of keeping time at different tempos! You’re clear, concise, well spoken and a fabulous teacher. Even professionals have something to gain by watching these. These videos are like having private lessons in your own living room! PLEASE keep them coming!

mcdonalds coupons September 13, 2009 at 9:36 pm

Thank you very much for that useful blog post.

Paulina September 29, 2009 at 4:44 am

Hi! My name is OPaulina and I’m from Mexico. I’ve been living in Dublin for almost 3 months and one day I came across this wonderful instrument and that’s why I’m trying to learn how to play it. I bought a bodhran and a little booklet to learn some basic stuff but your webpage is really helping me a lot. Please keep showing more videos because they are really helpful.
I just would like to know if you know somewhere that I could have some lessons because I’ve been looking but I can’t find them.
Thank you very much

steven October 25, 2009 at 9:09 pm

absolutly fabulous, I’ve been a singer, guitar player for 40 years. Ive been playing bodhran for about 6 months and stumbled on your site about a month ago. I havn’t picked up my guitar for that month.
I am addicted, I have devoured all of your video lessons in that month, to the point that Im iceing my wrist and shoulder at night. please get back to the studio, I need my Micky fix.

Amy November 4, 2009 at 11:39 am

My drum hasn’t arrived yet, but I began practicing yesterday with my wooden skewers on my notebook cover by following your tutorials. Thanks to you, I have down the basic jig, reel and the mother of all jigs. I even followed along with your sheet music with no problem. Brilliant!!! I can barely wait to hear this on an actual drum.

Thank you so much and please post more of the solo soon!

Gail December 10, 2009 at 4:05 pm

Oh My. I’m lost for words (for once in my life)!
Thanks for this great information/instruction. I come from Newfoundland, Canada which has a stong Irish connection. I play the First Nation (Indian) hand drum but due to my Irish (as well as First Nation) ancestry, I was interested in the Bodhran.I made a clicker for my First Nation Hand Drum and have been playing it as a Bodhran for some time in addition to it’s ceremonial use. How awesome!
Thanks for the valuable lessons!
In Spirit,
Gail

bad credit loans December 30, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Good Morning!!! bodhranexpert.com is one of the most outstanding informational websites of its kind. I take advantage of reading it every day. All the best.

Ceri Turner January 9, 2010 at 9:30 am

Hi there Michelle, i have wanted a bodhran for years after seeing a young person in Nairn play it years ago. I have eventually got one for my Christmas, a waltons 18inch and have been following your videos voraciously since boxing day, just loving the way you teach. I play guitar and love it as a ryhthm instrument primarily and find that the notation you use would be similar to what I would use to teach a youngster guitar rhythms, with D ups and accents. The light has gone on for me so many times watching your videos as you just de-mystify lots of things and make playing certain rhythms, especially triplets, much easier. Thankyou so much for this very valuable servive that you provide. It allowed my new bodhran time to be played rather than me getting frustrated because I could not produce the sounds I was hearing in my head. Your thankfully, Ceri.

Cam February 25, 2010 at 6:47 pm

You have invested so much time! I’ve only just started to learn and your videos are so helpful! Can I marry you? Thank you so much! Greetings from Germany.

Dominique March 1, 2010 at 12:42 pm

Hi Michelle, absolutely amazing ! years ago i’ve seen an Irish film. In this film, a clergyman married two young people and then go playing Bodhran at the party… (i d’nt remember the title ). As the film titled “Deliverance” make me playing Banjo, this Irish film make me falling in love of the Bodhran but i have’nt play this instrument during these years. Yesterday I spoke to my brother in law and we each bought one on internet (we have looking for good instrument.)
Then i looked for lesson on internet and i think your site is the best. Two very good ideas (the mirror and the notation) for those who do not read musique (i read but i haven’t play any drum in my life so… it help me)
as soon as I my instrument, I will learn your videos even if I do not quite understand your language (I’m french but up- down- up and others are clear and also a good idea)

I love your enthusiasm to teach others, and excuse me for my poor english.

yours, Dominique.

Mike Lafferty September 6, 2010 at 8:55 am

Everything I know about the bodhran I’ve learned from your website. Thank you for all your time and effort. You bring a lot of joy to people’s lives.

Pete November 30, 2010 at 5:21 am

Hi Michelle, What a talent, I’m blown away!! and totally fascinated by this wonderful instrument. My fiddle is gathering dust at the moment as I am determined to become a proficient bodhran exponent. Since my dear wife gave me a bodhran 2 months ago, I’m making steady progress (I play along to my Irish CD’s most evenings) but come down to earth with a huge crash when I watch you. It makes me more determined though and I am loving every minute. As a matter of interest, at what age did you start?
Thanks and best wishes,
Pete

KEV January 8, 2011 at 10:51 pm

GDAY MICHELLE FROM KEV IN ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA.
FIRST OF ALL YOUR VIDEOS ARE EXCELLENT, THANK YOU. I AM ABOUT TO TURN 50 & HAVE BEEN PLAYING THE DRUMS SINCE I WAS 7 . MY MUM & DAD GAVE ME A BODHRAN FOR MY 40TH , SO FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS I HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED WHY I COULDN’T MASTER 1 GOAT SKIN DRUM PLAYED WITH 1 STICK! MY BIGGEST PROBLEM MICHELLE IS THE TOTALLY DIFFERENT WRIST ACTION USED FOR BOTH TYPES OF DRUMMING.THE BODHRAN IS A BRILLIANT INSTRUMENT & I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING AGAIN WITH YOUR TUITION.
PS. IVE BEEN TO SCOTLAND TWICE & LOVE IT MAYBE THE BAGPIPES NEXT.

Irv May 28, 2011 at 12:10 pm

Hi Michelle – As a “returning” bodhrani, having studied some basics very briefly back in 2003 before returning to grad school, I’ve now picked up the drum again which largely laid fallow until recently. I’ve immersed myself in everything bodhran and your videos have proved valuable. Not only have I been able to get back up to speed on the basics, but through you videos, stepped my skills up a notch or two. I really look forward to your opening up your Platinum course again. Can you let me know as to that possibility and when? In the meantime, I’m revisiting your site frequently. Thank you for the instruction and inspiration.

BTW – do you play and will you consider instructing on top-end technique?

admin June 14, 2011 at 4:44 am

Thanks for your comment. I love getting updates from everyone. Sorry I’m a little slow to reply. Been busy building a new house and with the first Platinum group. I plan to re-open the course around the end of June so not long to wait now. People who have left their email address at http://www.BodhranExpertPlatinumMembership.com will be notified first then I will email everyone who is on my BodhranExpert.com list. Have you entered your email here on this site or the Platinum launch site?
There is so much to teach, but I do plan to cover top-end techniques in the future, but as you can imagine planning, recording, editing videos, etc takes alot of time so it’s just a matter of blocking the time to do everything I want to do.
You are very welcome for the instruction and I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know my videos have helped you.
Drum On!!!!

Carol September 23, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Michelle, I have learned more from your videos than anywhere else. I am looking forward to more of them. Thank you for taking the time and energy to produce them for us Bodhran enthusiasts! I’ll keep doing the older lessons over and over until I get it right! Thanks so much!

Jenny :) December 27, 2011 at 1:24 pm

Hi there, i just wanted to say thanks for the brilliant videos 🙂 I got a bodhran for my christmas and basicallu had no idea how to play it but your way of teaching is awesome! I found the jig solo music especially helpful and fun and would love to maybe see some more? Thanks again 🙂

Ilya October 27, 2013 at 3:19 pm

Hello Michelle ! I want to thank you!!! Videos lessons which you do very much helped to me! Many many thank you. That that you do it beutiful !

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