Bodhrans

[hamsalad]

Are Bodhrans authentic? I know that variations of them are said to be. I am looking for more information on this subject. I own one, but I would like to know if it were period before I bring it into camp.

Thanks

Sam Levitt

[Silas]

Not period. Not authentic. Leave it at home. A good percussion instrument which travels well is the bones.

[reddcorp]

While there have been skin-covered percussion instruments akin to the bodhran around for centuries, it was not a popular instrument during the Civil War. I've read that it didn't become popular until the 20th century, particularly with the resurgence of Celtic music.
Another instrument that's been around but had no common usage during the CW is the mandolin.
I love both instruments but they are out of place around the campfire. Banjo, fiddle, guitar, bones, that's the ticket.
A. Redd

[eric marten]

Yes, stay away from the bodhrans, mandolins, String basses (upright bass), fiddles or banjos with steel or synthetic strings, electric guitars, "old timey" tunes (i.e. early twentieth century) Some of the farbiest groups are those selling tons of CD's at events. Don't try to imitate the "minstrel" groups ("prison" or otherwise) or "regimental" string bands (with their steel and nylon strings).
Eric Marten

[dculgan]

Eric, I think the guy was looking for information about a percussion instrument and your rant neglected to mention the most common ones: rhythm bones (as previously mentioned by Silas), and the tambourine (easy to play - hard to play well). Get a nice big period construction tambo from Terry Bell or one of the other makers and practice along with the CDs you get a reenactments.

Dave of the Old-Time Camptown Minstrels Electric String Band.

[eric marten]

Sorry if it seemed like a rant - sometimes I get a little overloaded with non-period instruments at events, especially steel or nylon strings on fiddles, banjos or guitars, when the proper authentic gut is so readily available - it just takes a little practice, and doesn't involve deceiving reenactors and spectators, telling them that nylon existed in the 19th century.

Percussion - At Old Bethpage Village Restoration we use sometimes "beating straws" as another alternative - broom corn straws beating on gut string fiddle. And yes, I have heard electric guitars at events, as well as steel or nylon strings on otherwise proper fiddles. Sometimes the effect is that they chase away the very authentic musicians who can't compete with the volume.

I believe that this hobby is a real learning curve. About thirty years ago when I first got started, I wouldn't have minded bodhrans so much. Ditto for synthetic strings. Then I started learning, and I have to learn to be patient with those learning - maybe someday all the minstrel groups and string bands in the hobby will use authentic instruments only, and realize they are not more difficult to play than modern incorrectly outfitted instruments.

Eric Marten

[Silas]

Off topic response to Dave :

The hobby would much richer is more groups followed the style of the Camptown Minstrels. I've worn out two of your group's CDs. Your rendition of De Blue Tail Fly sets the bar. That's the version I hear in my head when I try to play that song. I am aware of changes in the band's membership, but please, please, please carry on. Quality music beats quantity music every day of the week.

Back on topic.

If folks want to bring bodhrans, please consider purchasing one of Terry Bell's minstrel tambos and bringing that instead. Bohdrans became the rage in the 1960's. They are a great little instrument, but there is no provenance for their use in America in the 1860's or before. Just because a bodhran looks like a tambo and can be played like a tambo, doesn't mean that bodhrans and tambos are coequals.

Considering the number of period banjos which still exist, you'd think there would be some bodhrans or even one. But there's not. Since the historical record does not show them in America, they shouldn't be played at reenactments. But they are. Pineapple shaped ukuleles were introduced to America during the 1880's and are more period correct than bodhrans, but you don't hear people arguing for their use.

[Rob Weaver]

Slightly OT - I so wanted the ukulele to be period! Small, easy to pack, great accompaniment instrument. As I understand it, though, it was invented by a couple of Portugese brothers in Hawaii in the 1870s. Couldn't have been introduced any earlier than it was because, well, it didn't exist. I would think that if the bodrain was a common instrument, that I would have seen at least one period photo of someone playing it in a Civil War setting, but I just never have. Irish style music was already part of the popular music culture ("The Irish Jaunting Car?") but the instrument just doesn't seem to have jumped the water. I'm afraid my advice would be to leave it home with "Molly Malone."