10 Best Bodhran Book Reviews 2022 (Best Books to Learn Bodhran)

1. Steafan Hannigan: The Bodhran Book

Stefan Hannigan is one of the most renowned percussionists around the world and this book is a detailed elaboration by him on how you can manage to play Bodhran from beginner to advanced levels. The book contains a section about the history of Irish music and Bodhran as well to help you with a better understanding of the subject.

Further, you will also learn about not only construction but the maintenance of the instrument. The best thing is that you get tons of illustrations, photographs, and diagrams to help you learn the instrument in an elaborative manner.

2. Bill Woods: Bodhran – The Basics

Bill Woods is considered a legend with Irish folk music and percussion instruments such as Bodhran. This book covers a great deal of insight into the basic concepts of Bodhran, making it easy to learn and understand for anyone who is willing to start the journey. The easy to understand narrative and simpler verbiage makes it a blissful journey for any beginner who is at the basic level and wants to enjoy Bodhran with some traditional Irish dance tunes.

3. Conor Long: Bodhran Tutor

This is simply one of the best books that any beginner can have to get an idea about Bodhran. The book follows a precise, to-the-point approach with easy to understand the narrative that makes it perfect for anyone who has never played Bodhran before or has no prior musical background either.

There are numerous illustrations in this concise book that would make the learning process a whole lot easier for you. You also get a CD by Conor Long the author including 9 songs that would help you move forward with a better approach and make your learning experience worth it.

4. John B. Keane: The Bodhran Makers

This one particularly is not about playing Bodhran but a masterpiece of Irish literature revolving around the instrument. It is a heart-touching tale with the right details and elaboration about Bodhran that would be a must-read for anyone who is passionate about Bodhran and wants to take their learning experience to a whole another level.

This book novel portrays a better picture of the rural 50’s community in the Irish region and how they made the instrument that is being appreciated all over the world. This is the perfect thing by John B. Keane to get under the skin of Irish culture.

5. Bill Woods: Bodhrán Beyond the Basics

If you have read the previous version, Bodhran: The basics, then you must get your hands on this one. The book by Bill Woods presents you with a better and more advanced version of Bodhran. The book is essentially designed for those who are willing to improve their technique on Bodhran and want to expand the rhythmic repertoire.

With this book, you will be getting 64 short solos that are going to help you grow your skills to the level that you want them to. You will also have the chance to practice with some exercises mentioned in this book.

6. Michael O Suilleabhain: The Bodhran

Things cannot get better than this one. While each book you get follows a different perspective, focused on all the different sorts of audiences, this is just the right choice for you to have a diverse range of insight on the Bodhran. With the help of this book, you are going to learn several methods of playing Bodhran specific to the regional techniques.

Not only that, but you are also going to get a better understanding of playing Bodhran on all the different levels starting from Beginner to expert.

7. Michael O Suilleabhain: The Bodhran - A Practical Introduction

The book was originally written and published back in 1984 by Michael O Suilleabhain. This was the era that is considered the peak of European culture and Irish music was seeing its best days. Bodhran is widely popular in different regions and this book covers them all. If you are looking to get acquainted with a large range of regional styles and techniques to play Bodhran, then this would be just the perfect choice for you to learn from.

8. Peter Houlahan: Irish Drum an Bodhran

The book is written by Peter Houlahan and edited by Dave Mallinson. This should be the intro enough to understand the authenticity and efficiency of this book. It helps you understand everything that you need to know about Bodhran in a more comprehensive manner.

Peter has followed a conceptual approach in the book that lets you dive deep in the world of Bodhran and make it work towards your Bodhran playing career in an efficient manner. With the help of this book, you will be learning everything you want to know and beyond about Bodhran.

9. Steafan Hannigan: Bodhran Basics

Another masterpiece by the legendary Steafan Hannigan. This book is a brilliant choice for anyone who has no idea of Bodhran and its basics beforehand. The book contains a great introductory course for those who are looking to start learning the art of playing Bodhran.

It covers all the basic techniques and essential knowledge about how one can master their posture, movements to achieve the appropriate rhythm to play Bodhran the right way. This book includes several illustrations, diagrams, and examples as well for a better understanding and comes with a CD demonstrating all the techniques explained in the book.

10. Secrets of the Bodhran, and How to Play It

Well, this is a relatively short one but perfect to learn a deeper perspective about Bodhran. The book essentially contains all the necessary elements that you need to know about Bodhran. You get to have a deeper understanding of history, lore, culture, and techniques of this highly popular Irish musical instrument that will help you move forward efficiently on the journey to learn it. Malachy Kearns is known to be one of the best Bodhran players and it would be just the right thing for you to learn from.