I did so want a Bodhran for Christmas and I asked and asked for one for at least a month but...Christmas came and I didn't get one! I didn't really think I would get one and I had given up all hope when a mysterious package arrived on Friday and it was from Ireland (though I didn't notice it then) and I opened it up and .................. It was a Bodhran! I was so surprised I jumped six and nine tenths inches! (I don't get that reference but people say it all the time.)
The Bodhran came with a DVD on how to play it and I learned it fast. (Live and Learn, as my Gaffer used to say). You strum it with the stick (which is called a tipper) in a certain way and you move your hand around on the other side to change the tone. It's orful fun! Here's a video of me playing the Bodhran and Jo and Jon and Lydia playing other instruments.
Moral of the Story: If you ask for a Bodhran, you just might get it!
Well, that's all.
Actually, there's more music on Josiah's blog and on Mother's blog.
Bye Bye! Have fun storming the castle! (Think it will work?) (It would take a miracle).
Are you KIDDING?! You sound fabulous!!! I cannot believe that you JUST learned how to play this instrument. That is amazing.
I can't wait to show this to my girls. I can 100% guarantee that as soon as they hear it, they will immediately being to Irish stepdance around the room. :)
Posted by: Sarah | 01/17/2012 at 11:08 AM
Hey sweetie, our family has been listening to you play over and over again.So cheery on a rainy day! It's wonderful!
(I think the "six and nine tenths inches" is a Frank Gilbreath phrase from the book 'Cheaper by the Dozen'.)
Posted by: Bridget | 01/17/2012 at 03:10 PM
Wonderful! Hooray for you, Mary rose! I recognize the piece, as I must have it on one or more of my cds or tapes of Irish music. And I recognize the "storming the castle" quote, too!
Una and I are trying to learn penny whistle, coming from unmusical parents and grandparents as we do (in fact, I have only one uncle who plays anything!). Without lessons, we figured the penny whistle fairly easily self-taught.
I so love the sound of that dulcimer, too!
Posted by: Nadja | 01/17/2012 at 03:25 PM
How wonderful!!! Enjoy!!!
Posted by: Heather - Doodle Acres | 01/17/2012 at 03:29 PM
Thank you for the nice comments!
Mrs. Sarah, playing the Bodhran isn't too complicated so it was rather easy to learn. If only we didn't live on opposite sides of the country I could play and your girls could dance...
Mrs. Bridget, thank you for the reference! My family (I haven't read 'Cheaper by the Dozen' yet) says that you are correct.
~ Mary Rose
Posted by: Mary Rose | 01/17/2012 at 03:39 PM
Incredible! You guys should put out an album! We'd be the first to buy it. :) Such beautiful music…
Posted by: M&M | 01/17/2012 at 04:16 PM
My daughter wants to know where did you purchase this wonderful instrument?
Posted by: Dessi | 01/18/2012 at 04:17 PM
Dessi, the bodhran was made by a gentleman in Galway, Ireland by the name of Michael Vignoles.
Posted by: Kimberlee | 01/19/2012 at 05:40 PM
This is amazing! You make me wish that I was more musical...(: but I do think that now I may have to pick up a bodhran! Is it fairly easy to learn?
I also plan on picking up a penny whistle...which sounds as though it would be awfully fun to learn.
~Vicki
Posted by: Vicki | 01/22/2012 at 12:15 AM