Peter Houlahan, of Armagh City in the north of Ireland, has gained a very high reputation as being one of Ireland’s foremost bodhrán players. His unique style, embedded firmly in traditional music, has made Peter sought after by many illustrious names. To date Peter has featured on twelve albums produced by the likes of Sting, Finbar Furey, Brendan Power, Karen Tweed, Paul Bradley and Brian Finnegan. Peter has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes, has toured extensively throughout Europe with various groups and is, at present, concentrating on teaching the bodhrán.
The Irish Drum presents Peter’s ideas and techniques in an accessible and informative manner. Using this book along with the optional recording, there is no doubt that, armed with Peter’s years of knowledge and experience, you could soon be playing the bodhrán with the best of them.
Contents
Foreword from Brian Finnegan
Introduction
Manufacture
The Drum and Beater
Preparing to Play
Beating the Drum
The Jig
The Basic Jig Beat
The Jig with Triples
The Jig with Rim Shot
The Reel
The Basic Reel Beat
The Reel with Triples
The Reel with Side Work
Varying Beater Positions
The Reel: Rolls Added
Dynamic Sounds from the Skin
More Dynamic Sounds from the Skin
Putting It All Together - The Kesh Jig
Putting It All Together - Saint Anne’s Reel
Putting It All Together - The Jig and Reel
Putting It All Together - The Reel and the Hornpipe
The Hornpipe - Off to California
The Polka - Egan’s Polka
The Slide - The Scattery Island Slide
The March - Napoleon Crossing the Rhine
The Slip Jig - Drops of Brandy
Relax, Enjoy and Participate
The Irish Drum An Bodhrán Book - Peter Houlahan and Dave Mallinson
An in depth look at playing the bodhrán. Peter Houlahan takes the absolute beginner to professional status in this easy to follow tutorial. All Irish dance rhythms are explained in detail, reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas, slides, marches and slip jigs. Both left and right hand techniques are explained. Foreword from Brian Finnegan.