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

Post to Twitter

{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

mike yates December 6, 2012 at 8:37 pm

Awesome videos and instruction. I play drums and have a couple bodhrans. Thank you for your website!

Diana December 26, 2012 at 7:45 pm

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?

Dave Taylor February 8, 2013 at 12:33 pm

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

Alex Muhlert February 13, 2013 at 11:29 am

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!

Lynn Barnes February 21, 2013 at 9:44 am

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!

Mark Cunnane March 10, 2013 at 6:01 pm

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.

Eunice Font-Montalvan March 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm

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.

Jürgen Batta April 16, 2013 at 2:12 am

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

ted anderson June 3, 2013 at 11:06 pm

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

bobbi gustafson July 15, 2013 at 6:30 pm

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

Graham August 19, 2013 at 4:25 am

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

Murray August 27, 2013 at 8:30 pm

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!

Olga Damant September 20, 2013 at 2:37 am

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.

zoe November 12, 2013 at 12:41 pm

Thank you so much!
Your teaching is so easy to follow.
Love the mirror idea to see the hand.
Thank you!

Douglas Kavanagh March 14, 2014 at 5:42 pm

Totally inspirational.

lori March 29, 2014 at 10:50 pm

So clear – great instruction – love the progressive pace! Looking forward to “Mother of all jigs”!

Sandie May 19, 2014 at 11:06 am

Some really good tips which you make so easy to copy. Thank you

IAN August 4, 2014 at 8:07 am

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!!!!

katia December 16, 2014 at 1:46 pm

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….

Mike February 16, 2015 at 6:09 am

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!

MichelleStewart March 20, 2015 at 3:19 am

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. 🙂

MichelleStewart March 20, 2015 at 3:32 am

You are more than welcome Katia. Drum on my friend!
Michelle

Harry Tysen July 11, 2015 at 7:42 pm

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.

jérôme December 5, 2015 at 6:43 am

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 .

Sue December 27, 2015 at 3:14 pm

Just love these lessons! And yes, the notation really helps me (as an old piano player) as well as the repetition. Thanks!

Leave a Comment