It has been mentioned to me, and also I have noticed it on a few online discussion boards, people claiming that some bodhráns don't last too long, or "die" to use a more dramatic term. I have had a number of bodhráns in for re-skinning because the player claims that the skin has gone too soft, I must say that I did not make these drums but usually this just happens when the...
People often buy tuneable bodhrans without knowing the advantages of being able to adjust the tension of the skin. Obviously they learn eventually but, if you're not sure have a look at the video I made below, I have tried to cover everything in it. Basically the goatskin is suseptable to humidity and as such the tension can vary. If the humidity is too high the skin gets loose. If...
To cure a goatskin a solution of garden lime mixed with water is used. The skin is left soaking in the mix for six or seven days until the skin is soft enough to wash the hair off in a barrel of water. The back of the skin must then be scraped of all membrane and fat so that the skin does not smell when dried. The skin must then be soaked in a pickle...
Goatskin is very similar to human skin and as such should be treated with plenty of TLC. On our hands and faces we use moisturisers to moisten and soften our skin. This is to treat cracked skin or to prevent skin from becoming dehidrated. So it is with the bodhran drumhead, which is usually goatskin. It needs moistureiser to prevent the skin from drying out or becoming too hard. The moisture will help the...
