The "Didjibodhrán"

(Click on the picture to see an enlargement.)



The didjibodhrán is an original hybrid instrument. It's an Irish frame drum, called a bodhrán, that has a stretched goatskin head. The ceramic drum frame is also a circular didjeridu. If you're not sure what a didjeridu is, click here for a quick explanation.

When blowing into the didjibodhrán as a didjeridu, the drum head vibrates sympathetically, creating some eerie pseudo-reverberation effects. The didjibodhrán can also played with the fingers like a middle-eastern or African tar (frame drum) while blowing into it as a didjeridu, or just as a bodhrán in the traditional Irish style using a stick or your hand.

Sound files (available in both au and RealAudio formats):

Hear a large didjibodhrán played like a didjeridu and frame drum (RealAudio)

Hear it played like a bodhrán (RealAudio)

Hear a large didjibodhrán (au)

Hear a small didjibodhrán played like a didjeridu and frame drum (au)

Click here to see didjibodhrans currently available for sale, and to find out about the "Didjibodhrán Sampler" CD.

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