These lessons are great Nicolle. I like how you include using the tonal hand along with the sticking patterns for the videos as nearly all the other youtube lessons just focus on the stick hand. I've just started learning the bodhrán & hearing how you build up the rhythm is a great help. I'd love to see more videos like these iin the future. Thanks.
Well pointed out, but your ao true.. The Irish accent is the best accent to have in the English speaking world.. I dunno what is but it come across with people with a keen ear for the language 🤛🥁🇨🇮🤜
I stumbled onto her channel and had a feeling she might be Mexican or East Indian mix. She kinda reminds me of Norah Jones with her look. Both of my parents have Texas roots too. BTW, Good lessons, Nicole. Saludos desde San Francisco, Califas.
I've recently started learning the Bodhran and I've watched a LOT of videos... I wish I had found yours much sooner, your teaching style and tone are clear and very natural sounding- thank you!
I've been messing around with a bodhran for a year or so, progressing, for some reason very slowly... it just wasn't "clicking". Then I watched this video, and it did, it clicked! I have progressed more in the last week, after watching and practicing with your video, than I had in the six months prior! Thank you!
Can't believe anyone wud give this girl a thumbs down I play both sides off stick I'm self taught but I'm watching this to see how best to teach my 8 ye old son this girl is very good at teaching easy to understand I wish I'd off seen her when I started playing at first I learned with two teachers one was called trial and the other was error shame on anyone who put thumbs down on this you clearly have no idea how to play a drum so your not qualified to judge this girl I've seen her play with another very good player look forward to hearing you again
I appreciate this so much! I’m just learning and you are so encouraging. I like that you point out what will frustrate us as we are learning so we know it’s just part of the process as we are learning.
I love the way you're explaining things. It's very clear and precise. Today I bought my very first bodhran and I'm very happy and satisfied because thanks to you I managed to play something :)
Aha! - finally caught something important that you are doing differently. Just started to learn Bodhrán, and the first guy I watched explained to hold it like a pencil. But now I tried your grip and I have more freedom, though not quite the control yet. Also getting more contact and tone your way. Thanks!
I am Japanese and started bodhran recently.I always practice with your lesson movies.They're very easy to understand and you're so beautiful that I can keep training ;)Thanks a lot of, from Japan.
Cool a Japanese person learning to play an irish instrument, best if luck with ur goal stc tk. I bet ur really good now if your still trying?? Let us know if u read this won't you? Slàinte!!! 🇨🇮🥁🇨🇮
@@michaelgeoghegan8850 Yes! I keep trying! I sometimes have Irish music session with my beginner music friends! It really is too bad that St. Patrick's Day's Event in Japan cannot hold in this year by COVID-19... but we will overcome this adversity. コメントをありがとう！アイリッシュミュージック大好きです！
@@stctk3722 Yes we will, we just need to use our common sense at this time n we will pull thru this together. I hope ur Bodhran playing is coming along nicely? Don't ever give up ok u can only improve with time my friend 🇨🇮🥁🇨🇮
Thanks Nicolle, that was very helpful and clearly explained (some aren't). Good you included the tonal hand too, and your demo at the end of what is possible with practice and technique using the same simple beat pattern was very inspiring.
Love the way you explain and encourage us newbies! Thanks a lot, Nicolle! Twould be cool if you suggest some music track to practice (still at the beginning of irish music knowledge and if I search on yt for 'irish jigs' it's such a mess)
Hi Nicolle. Your lessons are great, especially your spirit! I have 30 plus years experience with percussion but am new to the bodhran. I find it very hard to do the "down up" without just scratching the surface of the drum, so I'm not understanding completely the mechanics of the stroke.
Hi, thank you for your message. Have you tried changing the angle of your tipper? Sometimes that can cause the scratching. Also, it helps if you make “deep” movements as you hit the skin. I hope this is helpful but if you need more help, I could make a video about it!
I just received my first bodhram, and when practicing my jig strokes with the tonal hand the sound is quite flat. Should I tighten the 8 adjustment screws by a 1/4 or 1/2 turn? (I'm assuming the drum is sent with fairly loose tightening.) Thanks
Back here again, n its amazing what u can do with just 6 beats ( Rashers n sausages) it's the perfect 1st lesson for anyone looking to play Bodhran seriously cause if u can't do this there is no point in carrying on unless u just make horrible noise. It took me a while but when ur lesson sinks in, it's like a moment of clarity n u go Ahhhh yeah now I get it. But I can't get the rashers n sausages out of my head now ha ha. Thanks again Nicole ur a super coach 😉🇮🇪⚘🌹🎶🇮🇪
Wonderful Nicole so great to hear you. I have been Playing the African djembe for about 20 years and now I am wanting to embrace my Irish heritage with the bodhron . I have a round drum with a cross in the back made out of wood for structure. Is it possible to use my left hand (and play)with the cross bracing? Thanks in advance for your answer !
Thank you for your message. Many bodhráns have one or even two bars in the back. You can definitely play with them, but in my experience, they do limit the range of motion for your tonal hand. Some people carefully take them out, but that is defiantly up to you! Perhaps you can contact the maker for more information and advise!
This is really a great 1st lesson beginners out there like me, I find it really hard to do the end part of the video but hey just practice right, cause it sound fantastic to my ears anyway. So I'm on my mission to learn Nicole just gotta keep that rhythm on good control mode with no loss of accent. That is now my target to kick me off, I hope I can learn with your help n guidance?? Thanks for posting 🤜🥁🤛
Woohooo! Great to hear that Michael. I'm glad my videos have been of some use to you. I like your approach of setting goals and taking it from there - amazing! You defiantly got this! I try to respond to comments and questions as much as I can but I do offer private lessons on Skype, if you think that would be more beneficial to you. All the best, Nicolle Fig
@@NicolleFigMusic Why thanks for your reply and support first n foremost, and with some more practice I cud very take u up on ur offer to a private session or 2 to bring me on? I'm not the best with technology but I'm sure we cud sort something. I live in Ireland on the west coast co clare. If u we ever to visit Ireland and would like to visit to Irish traditional capital of the world (Doolin) I would be more than willing to help give u a tour around parts of ireland that would take u off the beaten track of where they encourage most visitors to ireland to go to n make ur trip more unique if u haven't done that already? N visit places where Irish music is played in sessions almost every evening and night and the craic is just wonderful. Something to bear in mind if u ever visit Ireland. And I have friends very much involved Irish Trad music in the East of Ireland to. So if this may sound like ur thing please dont be afraid to stick ur neck out n ask for guidance in the future sometime ok Nicholl. Like for like I'm also a fitness instructor too so maybe I cud help with that to while on holiday in Ireland too? Either that or music n Guinness only Ha ha.. Slan for now. 🇨🇮🎶🎵🍻☘🇮🇪
Hi Michael. Of course! You can send me a message via my website www.nicollefig.com if you feel like having a lesson or two. That is very kind of you. I’ve actually lived in Ireland for nearly 6 years. I studied at UL and I’m in the middle of completing a Master degree there too. Ireland is truly a beautiful and magical place. All the best, N
@@NicolleFigMusic I thought as much ud might of lived here with ur accent, I trained as a sprinter at the UL from 1989 a wee 14 yr old and come 1997 I became national champion at sprinting 200m under my coaches then Dr Drew Harrison n his lovely wife Hayley. They helped produce many Olympians and countless national champions. I absolutely loved being in the Ul, even tho I wasn't a student but I've always been welcomed by the Athletic coaches there over the years n got to meet n train with many Olympic medalists, world record holders n meeting my hero's, it was amazing just like u are as a coach to Bodhran playing. Ives just spent 45mins doing my rashers n sausages ha ha n just like Athletics uv gotta put in the training. Thanks again for getting in touch, I'm so honoured by that from you. Keep up the good work theres something definitely special about you 🙏🥁🏃♀️🇮🇪☘
Thank you so much For this awesome lesson. Can you recommend any tunes I can’t find it on RU-vid that I can play along with learning what I just learned from you?
Love your lessons! Just received a Walton’s tunable, taped, 16” bodhran. Still stiff, but much less scratchy sounding than my other one.Tonal question: When I try to move my hand to 'snare' tone it the darn drum feels like it's going to pop out from under my arm and roll across the room. Tips on holding the drum? And please explain more about the tonal hand pressure, just the heel and/or fingertips used?
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for your questions. So, that feel of the drum popping out from under you arm is normal! You are getting use to holding it and it can be very awkward at first! it's a little hard for me to help you because I can't see you holding the drum so I'm not sure exactly what the problem is. It could be a number of things: 1) The drum is not touching you side. You should be able to feel it pressing gently against your breast/ribs. 2) The drum might be touching your side but it may be placed too forwards. Make sure that the drum is snug back. It should not make you shoulder rise but it should be as far back as possible, while being comfortable. 3) Your drum is tilted too far out in a diagonal way, like 130 degrees. Make sure it's straight (better tilted inward than out tho). 4) You might not be putting enough pressure while holding it. If the pressure from your elbow against your ribs is too loose, it can make it difficult to have freedom of the arm and hand. 5) The placement of your drum on your leg might be too far out. Make sure your drum sits, more or less, in the middle of your thigh. I hope this helps! As I mentioned, it may be something else but it's hard to know without seeing you. For the tonal hand - I mostly use the heel of my hand or side of my hand (heel to side of the pinky). I do, however, use the heel of my hand, to the side of my thumb, to the fingertip of my index finger for my higher "pop" tones. Sometimes I use the same position but also add the fingertip of my middle finger to add more pressure and get higher tones. I know some players use 'fingertips only' to get the tones but I use: the heel, side of pinky, side of thumb, index fingertip, middle finger fingertip. I will try to make another video on my tonal hand soon!!
Thank you so much for your well thought out and clear replies. Holding it is getting better as I practice. Wow, those first few days were pretty funny! Looking forward to more tonal lessons. When I move my tonal hand from the top to middle the drum feels wobbly. . .and scratchy sounding as hell on that rough inside. But overall, I'm holding it better by pressing more with my arm against my side. (now can I chew gum too!? 😜)
Does practice increase over time? I feel like when I speed up I am scratching and stumbling terribly. One video from another site says practice fast. Would if I could.
Hi Jennifer, practice increasing over time? Do you mean if you'll have more stamina to play/practice for longer? If so, yes! Don't force yourself too much at first tho. Do it everyday but take breaks and make sure you have good technique and posture as to not injure yourself. Also, regarding the playing fast... I would recommend to play slow first! When you do things slowly, you can be more aware of your technique, and therefore can avoid creating bad habits. Also, your muscles and brain need time to get used to the new information. Yes, push yourself a bit to increase the speed but in a gentle manner. Try the same speed for a couple of days and then speed up a little (maintain the new speed). Before not too long, you will find it a lot easier to play fast, in a consistent way. In my videos I play in different speeds to help you get an idea of the pace... take your time tho!
I heard people say pineapple apricot 6/8 time Thanks for video :) It helps to get the right rhythm down I'm a Irish Cittern player :) I hope you can do slip jig & hornpipe rhythm video 's :)
Hi scott ford! Wow never heard the pineapple apricot but sounds cool! I will most definitely do both rhythms for ya. Keep checking my channel cause I will be uploading them soon!
Great lesson Nicolle !! Thanks a lot !! I take advantage to wish Jesus, the Name above all names (Phillipians 2:9) bless you and family, and may your heart feed from His Word ! Take care ^^ !
hi Nicolle ! Great Job ! our videos are very helpful ! But i have a question : How do you do to move your tonal hand without making the bodhran moving ? I have to slip my hand on the skin, and it make a "frrouch" noisy sound ... (I have a thick arm and a cross over the bodhran ...)
Hello, Thank you for your message, You probably don't have your bodhrán secured enough or in the right hold - that's why it keeps moving. It should feel snug against your ribs! Also, personally, I feel the cross bar at the back of the bodhrán makes moving your tonal hand a lot harder. It almost makes you touch the skin all the time (instead of allowing you the freedom to lift it a bit) which causes the FFROUCH sound. It's hard for me to really help as I cannot see you but I do teach private lessons if you're interested. I teach via Skype. This way I can help you personally with your grooves and goals and answer question you may have!
I've just started to flow you lesson . I really like it. I live in the Netherlands so this is the only way for me to learn how to play the bodhran. I really want to be able to do this. Can you tell me what the right order will be to you lessons. So I can follow you the right way. Thank you for the first lesson. Lucy Klooster.
Norm Rautenberg Hi, perhaps neither of these grips are for you. Have you tried experimenting with different holds? Maybe you can make up your own. That’s how I came up with mine! It’s hard to give you more specific advise because I can’t see your grip. I hope you find your own grip that works for you!
I guess I'm not doing it right with my left hand.. it sound real more loudly when I play, and the bodhran seems to try to escape my leg, it slips if I do not handle it hardly with my left hand hahaha, what is going on?
Hmm is your drum resting on your side (ribs area)? The pressure you use to assist the drum in place with your left arm should feel "minimum" but also coming from the arm/elbow area rather than your hand itself. This way, you have freedom to move your left hand and have better tones! Hope this helps. It hard to figure out the problem area when I can't see you. All the best!!
Hello, thank you for your message! Those bodhráns can be pretty hard to play because they restrict your tonal hand movement! You have to find a place which allows you the most movement. Otherwise, perhaps looking into taking one cross bar out?
@@NicolleFigMusic Thank YOU for the response! I didn't know the bar could be removed... In the meantime I think they and my left hand have worked out a space-sharing arrangement. :)
I did a little better today. My goal is 20 min practice twice a day, every day. My granddaughter taught me that when she took clarinet lessons. Shorter sessions, but every day. A question please. I am left handed and am playing holding the tipper with my left hand. Is this a mistake?
That is a great practice plan... keep it going!!!! Absolutely not, if you're left handed, you should definitely hold the tipper with your left hand! Way to trust your instinct!
im using a bucket lid and a stick that i broke off a tree so in a way i made me first bodhran i also find it easier to "tap" my bucket lid instead of the up down thing but that's just me
Just as a reminder, trhe drum should be upright at 90deg to the body, so no matter what the tipper hand does, teh bodhran is always in the same position and tone will be consistent, see Brian Fleming's tutorial: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y540acW6NQM.html
