Bodhran ExercIses

Kyle Borley 2008

Double Stokes and Paradiddles

Being able to strike multiple times either up or down is an important part of playing some rhythms. Although its great for learning stick control, I believe that its greatest importance is being able to shift the emphasis among certain notes. Its good to play both up and down strokes equally well, but for most people, the down stroke always offers more power than the up stroke. For this reason, I tend to focus just on doubledowns, but double-up stokes may have their purpose. The following exercises are useful for learning both.

In Reels

A)

|: dduu dduu | dduu dduu :|

B)

|: dudu dduu | dduu dudu :|

The paradiddle comes from snare drum playing, and can be well placed in reels. C) |: dudd uduu | dudd uduu :|

The paradiddle-diddle is another variation. D) |: uduu dduu | dudd uudd :|

I tend to use this altered form. E) |: dudd uddu | dudd uddu :|

In Jigs
A basic jig pattern can be played in two ways; with or without double down strokes.

A) B)

|: dud udu | dud udu :| |: dud dud | dud dud :|

Without double-downs Double-downs pattern 1

Bodhran Exercises Kyle Borley 2008

C) D)

|: ddu ddu | ddu ddu :| |: udd udd | udd udd :|

Double-downs pattern 2 Double-downs pattern 3

It is easy to alternate between the various patterns to play certain rhythms more effectively. Each pattern could also be inverted, so instead of double-downs, you use double-ups.

Single End Triplets

In my own playing, Ive developed an unorthodox style of putting single end triplets in reels. Any method requires double down strokes to occur somewhere, in order to get back to the usual down up down up pattern of strokes. I always follow the triplet with an upstroke, meaning that the double down occurs between groups of notes or in another group entirely.

In Reels A) |: (dud)ud dudu :| To continually play Triplet A, play: |: (dud)ud (dud)ud | (dud)ud (dud)ud :|

B)

|: du(dud) uddu :| To continually play Triplet B, play: |: du(dud) ud(dud) | ud(dud) ud(dud) :| Notice that the last three triplet groups are played: ud(dud)

C)

|: d(dud)u dudu :| To continually play Triplet C, play: d(dud)u d(dud)u d(dud)u d(dud)u

In each case, of A, B and C, continual playing of each pattern has been shown. Playing triplet A after itself could be shown as AA, similarly for BB and CC. Six other permutations are possible: AB, AC, BA, BC, CA, and CB. Being able to play each of these is key to effectively putting the triplets into tunes.

Bodhran Exercises Kyle Borley 2008

More common single end methods include: |: (dud)du There is also: |: (ddu)du du(ddu) :| du(dud) :|

These are theoretically a bit simpler, as the double down correction occurs within the triplet group. However, with the double down stroke placed closer to the triplet, they get harder to play at speed.

In Jigs There are two places to place triplets in jigs, and four ways to play them.

A)

|: d(dud) udu | d(dud) udu :|

B)

|: (dud)d udu | (dud)d udu :|

C)

|: u(dud) dud | u(dud) dud :|

D)

|: (dud)u dud | (dud)u dud :|

Triplets A and B are placed in the dud jig pattern, while Triplets C and D occur in the udu jig pattern. Although the triplet itself occurs in the same place in several cases, it is what comes after the triplet that makes it hard or easy to play.

Bodhran Exercises Kyle Borley 2008