Practicing the bodhran to songs on YouTube can be a great way to improve your playing skills and develop your musicality. YouTube provides a vast array of resources and tutorials for traditional Irish music, including many videos of bodhran players accompanying popular songs and tunes.
It’s important to listen carefully to the melody and rhythm of the song, and to adjust your playing accordingly. Try to match your playing to the tempo and feel of the song, and experiment with different rhythmic patterns and accents to enhance the overall musicality of your playing.
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Here are ten traditional Irish tunes that are great for practicing the bodhran:
These songs are all popular Irish tunes that feature a strong and rhythmic beat that can be played on the bodhran. Of course, there are many other great songs to practice with as well, but these should give you a good starting point.
- “The Wind that Shakes the Barley”
- “The Blackthorn Stick”
- “The Galway Girl”
- “The Boys of Bluehill”
- “The Siege of Ennis”
- “The Rattlin’ Bog”
- “The Rocky Road to Dublin”
- “The Star of the County Down”
- “Whiskey in the Jar”
Here are ten traditional Irish jigs that are great for practicing the bodhran:
A jig is a type of Irish dance tune in a 6/8 time signature, typically played at a lively tempo. It is characterized by a driving rhythm and a distinctive syncopated pattern that creates a sense of forward motion. Jigs provide an ideal platform for practicing techniques such as rolls, triplets, and other rhythmic embellishments that are common in bodhran playing. A
- “The Blarney Pilgrim”
- “The Lilting Banshee”
- “The Kesh Jig”
- “The Swallowtail Jig”
- “The Connaughtman’s Rambles”
- “The Tenpenny Bit”
- “The Out on the Ocean”
- “The Morrison’s Jig”
- “The Rakes of Mallow”
Here are ten traditional Irish reels that are great for practicing the bodhran:
A reel is a type of Irish dance tune in a 4/4 time signature, typically played at a fast tempo. It is characterized by a driving rhythm and a distinctive melody that is often played in a call-and-response style between different instruments.
Reels are often played at a very fast tempo, so practicing the bodhran to reels can help the player develop their hand speed and dexterity. Reels also provide an opportunity for the player to experiment with different rhythmic patterns, such as triplets, accent patterns, and off-beat accents.
- “The Silver Spear”
- “The Wise Maid”
- “The Merry Blacksmith”
- “The Bucks of Oranmore”
- “The Wind That Shakes The Barley”
- “The Boys of Bluehill”
- “The Cooley’s Reel”
- “The Tarbolton Reel”
- “The Sally Gardens”
Here are ten traditional Irish hornpipes that are great for practicing the bodhran:
What is a hornpipe rhythm?
A hornpipe rhythm in Irish music is a type of dance rhythm that is typically played in a 4/4 time signature. It is characterized by a strong emphasis on the first and third beats of each bar, with the second and fourth beats being played softly. The emphasis on the first and third beats creates a driving, syncopated feel that is often used for lively dance tunes.
Hornpipes often have a distinctive dotted rhythm, with a long note followed by a short note, or vice versa. This dotted rhythm gives the tune a bouncy, danceable feel that is perfect for traditional Irish step dancing. Hornpipes are typically played at a moderate tempo, although they can also be played faster or slower depending on the tune and the performer.
- “The Harvest Home”
- “The Rights of Man”
- “The Liverpool Hornpipe”
- “The Galway Hornpipe”
- “The Stack of Barley”
- “The Hare’s Paw”
- “The Off to California”
- “The Cronin’s Hornpipe”
- “The Chief O’Neill’s Favourite”
Here are ten traditional Irish polkas that are great for practicing the bodhran:
- “The Britches Full of Stitches”
- “Egan’s Polka”
- “The Ballydesmond Polka”
- “Dennis Murphy’s Polka”
- “The Stack of Barley”
- “The Four Hand Reel”
- “The Gneevgullia Polka”
- “The Brosna Slide”
- “The Fairy Reel”
What is a polka?
A polka is a lively dance tune that originated in central Europe and was adopted into the traditional music of Ireland. In Irish music, polkas are typically played in a 2/4 or 4/4 time signature and have a strong and bouncy rhythm that is perfect for dancing. They are often played in sets of two or three, with the tunes in each set being related in key and melody.
Irish polkas are typically played on fiddle, accordion, or other melody instruments, and they often feature fast and intricate runs and ornamentation. The bodhran is also a common instrument to accompany polkas in Irish music, providing a strong, steady beat to drive the dance rhythm.
Here are ten traditional Irish slip jigs that are great for practicing the bodhran:
- “The Butterfly”
- “Hardiman the Fiddler”
- “The Drops of Brandy”
- “The Rocky Road to Dublin”
- “The Foxhunter’s Jig”
- “The Connachtman’s Rambles”
- “The Humours of Bandon”
- “The Lark in the Morning”
- “The Dusty Miller”
These slip jigs are all well-known and popular in Irish traditional music, and they have a distinctive rhythm that is perfect for the bodhran. Slip jigs are played in a 9/8 time signature, with an emphasis on the second and fifth beats of each bar. This creates a flowing, graceful rhythm that is often used for traditional Irish step dancing.
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