7 Rhythms In & 7 Days Bodhran Challenge Video Series
Day 1 – Part 1 Reel Pattern I Nickname “Hockey Night In Canada” Rhythm
This is by far my most popular video series on how to play bodhran. Many of my students joke that this should be renamed ‘7 Rhythms In 7 Months’ as it can take that long to master some of these patterns.
The great thing is you can go completely at your own pace and have fun from the comfort of your own home. Thanks to all of you who have subscribed to my channel, left comments, liked and shared these videos. What a great online bodhran community we have. I’m honoured to be your teacher.http://www.youtube.com/user/BodhranMasterclass
Drum On!
~ Michelle
Day 1 – Part 2 How To Play Bodhran “Hockey Night In Canada” Rhythm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S4F6yDbUlY
Day 2 – Rim Shots / Sticks Clicks
In this video I show you how to play bodhran rim shots, also known as stick clicks.
If you liked the ‘Mother Of All Jig Rhythms’ videos you will love how we add some
embellishments to that pattern here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cN6A3VJIz8
Day 3 – Slip Jigs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irOWCF5UCgQ
How to play bodhran slip jigs. In this video I explain the difference between
6/8 jigs (Double Jigs) and 9/8 jigs (Slip Jigs).
Day 4 – Part 1 Groovy Reel Rhythm
Day 4 – Part 2 Groovy Reel Rhythm
– Building The Tempo And Adding Tonal Change With The Hand At The Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0IcC1OCBDw
In this video we bring the ‘Groovy Reel Rhythm’ up from 40 beats per minute all
the way up to 140 bpm PLUS I show you how to add tonal changes with the hand at the
back. Are you up for the challenge?
Day 5 – Part 1 Playing Along To “Man Of The House” Reel – Adding Tonal Change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B-sv6nHW2E
Here on Day 5 we’ll cover the reel ‘Man Of The House’ and play along to my husband on the
uilleann pipes. You’re going to love how we take the basic reel rhythm of
‘Down 2 3 4, Down 2 3 4’ and use the hand at the back to add tonal changes and climb down
the scale from high pitch to low pitch for the ending in part 2 of the tune.
Day 5 – Part 2 Playing Along To “Man Of The House” Reel – Building The Tempo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkxwKlRFVXs
Day 6 – Combining Tonal Change AND Triplets
Day 7 – Bodhran Solo With Downloadable Music Notation
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome videos and instruction. I play drums and have a couple bodhrans. Thank you for your website!
Wow, I’m on the verge of buying a bodhran drum and this is a fantastic intro. Do you know of any teachers I can locate for one:one training?
Just bought a bodhran and have been playing along to you tube videos. Found your site and have loved watching the videos. I have learnt so much and wanted to thank you. Am hoping to have some one to one tuition locally soon.
Kind regards
Dave
Thanks again, Michelle. You’re definitely stretching my old bones to your rythms – but I’m getting there and am starting to sound like I might learn bodran some day!
Don’t laugh! I ordered a beginners bodhran but it’s not here yet so I have a Ouija board and wooden spoon so I can follow along.
I heard Tartanic and Wine Achemy at the Texas Renaissance Fair this fall and loved the drumming. I’m 75 and always looking for something new to learn and your site is going to be the one I use to learn how to play the bodhran. Thanks so much. I think this is going to be tons of fun!
My drum doesnt sound as thuddy clean as yours.I sanded my rough goatskin with 600 grt paper. I special 88ted electrician taped the perimeter.It sounds ok but doesnt sparkle sound like your untaped drum .Are you using double heads or is it just a better drum.
I’ve never studied drums at all, until recently I’ve been given a bodhran for my birthday because I love Irish music so much. I’ve been learning SOOOO much from your instruction. You are a great teacher plus obviously a great musician too. Thank you so much for doing these lessons. I’m 53 and just now I’m learning drumming.
I´m from Germany…yeah, not a typical land for bodhran-player
I´m just a beginner with the bodhran, but it´s so easy to work with your course, it makes so much fun to learn playing…well, I just wanna say “thank you” for your lessons…
Best regards
Jürgen
Hi Michelle,i pulled the old drum of the wall and trying to keep up with your lessons but theyre moving a bit fast for me and im not sure whether im holding the flipper right.Do you only hit one end?and is it held like a pen?i dont sound anything like you but im enjoying trying.
tks so much for your help with this wonderful instrument
Ted Australia
I love your videos! I practiced with a cereal box and a pencil for quite a while. I finally bought a real bodrhan at the end of May! I have been a closet drummer my whole life. Im so excited to be able to practice with your videos at my own speed in front of my computer and to feel myself getting faster and better. Thank You so much Michelle! I have this dream that I can really do this. Bobbi G
Hi Graham from Dublin, Ireland.
I really enjoy your videos, thanks for all the precious time and effort you put into making them. Just a quick question about my drum, I find the back of the skin quite dry and flaky.. is it ok to rub oil or water onto the rear of drum?
Go raibh maith agat,
Graham
Thanks for your videos, I hope I can do you justice, I don’t know how I’ll ever be good on my bodhran but I’m going to try!
I’ve just come back after 8 weeks not practising my drum lesson and found to my delight that it hasn’t been as hard as I was expecting. It is so good to learn from your video’s Michelle. I’m a bit slow but love it. Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you so much!
Your teaching is so easy to follow.
Love the mirror idea to see the hand.
Thank you!
Totally inspirational.
So clear – great instruction – love the progressive pace! Looking forward to “Mother of all jigs”!
Some really good tips which you make so easy to copy. Thank you
I HAVE LEARNT MORE FROM THESE 7 DAY VIDEOS THAN I HAVE FROM A DVD AND A BOOK I PURCHASED TO HELP LEARN TO PLAY THE BODHRAN WHICH I BOUGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO. MY FIRST ONE!! MANY THANK MICHELLE. YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION!!!!
I have loved Irish music always and specifically its rhythms. Thank you for your valuable lessons. Playing the bodhran brings a lot of joy and excitement into my life….
I’m blown away by the 7 Rhythms in 7 days course. I’m a bodhran beginner (do guitar pick though) and I had such a blast on the first two lessons. OK its only day 1 – but its working sooooo well for me. Thanks a million for great teaching style and technique including pushing the boundaries!
Hi Mike, I’m so glad to hear you’re making such great progress with my 7 Rhythms In 7 Days bodhran videos. As a guitarist I’m sure you’ll find it’s a natural progression for you to transfer strums to rhythms on the drum. Just so you know, my youtube videos are really just the tip of the iceberg. My Platinum program goes way deeper and is a comprehensive course. If that’s something you’re interested in I’m opening it up to new students in the next few weeks. You can get on the VIP waiting list here http://www.BodhranExpertPlatinumMembership.com Then you’ll get first notice of when spots open up. If you’re quite content figuring it out on your own using YouTube that’s fine too. I’m just proud to be your teacher in any format. 🙂
You are more than welcome Katia. Drum on my friend!
Michelle
I recently bought my Bodhran drum in Ireland and have enjoyed all the sessions. Your sessions were easy to follow and I especially enjoyed playing with you on the videos. Thank you Michelle for this great gift. I look forward to hopefully more in the future.
Hey , I’m french and I’m learning Bodhran with the michelle’s videos, and I like it !!! It’s not easy to find lessons in France , so , thank you for your marvellous videos .
Just love these lessons! And yes, the notation really helps me (as an old piano player) as well as the repetition. Thanks!