Summer
Introducing Bodhrán
A Group Course for Beginners
‘The course was amazing, and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short time. We have a fantastic teacher, knowledgeable and happy to introduce us to different types and flavours of music. He was very encouraging, and all in all it was a great experience.’
– R. McAdams
‘The course was great! The teacher is excellent, and he is really passionate about music. I enjoyed the classes and also discovered some Irish trad music while learning. Highly recommend it. Thanks!’
– F. Seque
Course Description
The bodhrán, a wood and goatskin drum beaten with a wooden stick or beater, is the heartbeat of traditional Irish music. Designed for absolute beginners, this summer version of Waltons New School of Music’s popular Introducing Bodhrán course has taught hundreds of people how to play this great Irish instrument. By the end of the course, you will have the confidence to play a variety of Irish traditional rhythms and accompany other instruments, both solo and in sessions.
The course includes the following elements:
- Holding the bodhrán
- Holding the beater
- Basic strokes and variations
- Reel and jig patterns
- Other traditional rhythms (polkas, hornpipes, slip jigs, etc.)
- Left-hand technique and varying the pitch of your bodhrán
- Bodhrán care and maintenance
Requirements
All course participants will need to have bodhráns (ideally at least 16-inch) and beaters for classes and practise. (See the Recommended Instruments tab for a list of recommended bodhráns, which are available from Waltons Music at discounts for course participants.)
Enrol in this course.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Have you enrolled in this course?
Download our Introductory Handout
for tips on how to get the most from it.
This course covers Stage 1 of the New School’s ten-stage system of student progress and assessment, which culminates in a teaching or performing qualification (Stage 10) should the student progress that far. Participants who successfully complete the course can be issued with a certificate of completion of Stage 1. If you are taking the course, please let the school office know if you would like this certificate. See About Our Stage System for more information.
Summer Introducing Bodhrán is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private bodhrán lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. See Traditional • Folk • World Instruments Tuition for more information.
Techniques Covered
A video demonstration of some techniques covered in the course:
John Sweeney
John comes from a musical family and has been studying, playing and teaching guitar, as well as bodhrán, tin whistle and a range of Irish traditional instruments, for over thirty years. He works in many different styles, including blues, rock, jazz, traditional and flamenco, and he has performed and recorded with a number of Irish groups, gigging extensively throughout Ireland, Canada, the UK, the US and Spain. He began teaching in 1988 at the Scarborough School of Guitar in Toronto, Canada, where he also studied composition and flatpick technique. He has also studied flamenco guitar with Miguel Escudero Lopez in Seville, Spain and traditional music at St. Enda’s Folk Park & Museum, and he continues to develop techniques in a range of guitar styles. John was the only guitar player selected by the renowned vocal innovator and improviser Bobby McFerrin to perform with him in the National Concert Hall for Bobby McFerrin Meets Ireland (2013), a unique collaboration for the Waltons World Masters Series between Bobby and a small, select group of Irish performers – chosen to represent the creativity, tradition and spirit of Ireland and selected through an Ireland-wide audition process. He has taught at the New School since 2003 and also teaches our Introducing Guitar for Adults, Introducing Guitar for Teens, Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics and Trad Guitar Basics courses, as well as guitar and bodhrán courses for our Outreach Programme and Music at Work Programme.
Reviews • Testimonials
‘I liked the relaxed atmosphere and encouragement. Really enjoyed and looked forward to attending each week.’
– E. Burke
‘Great people, great teacher, great fun.’
– D. Duggan
‘Fantastic teacher. I have no musical talent, and I somehow came out of this course being able to play a few reels and jigs, and having really enjoyed the course.’
– R. Egan
‘Great teacher!
– C. Fagan
‘I recently took the course and I loved it! The teacher was great, and he created a really fun atmosphere in the class. He has a lot of knowledge of music in general. Looking forward to continuing with the bodhrán. Very good value for money too!
– K. Filan
‘I found the course great, as I had never played before and was not at all familiar with the instrument. We were eased into playing comfortably.’
– D. Flynn
‘[A] great teacher who found many ways to describe the techniques required. This resourcefulness was so helpful to our understanding.’
– C. Hanratty
‘These classes were brilliant. I can now play Riverdance on the bodhrán! We had such an inspiring teacher, and his passion was infectious. I would highly recommend Waltons. Thank you.’
– L. Kelly
‘Fantastic course – really helped me to gain confidence in playing.’
– L. Larkin
‘Highly enjoyable course. Would definitely recommend.’
– J. Ryan
‘The course is a very good starting point for bodhrán learners. I would recommend the course and school to anyone learning the bodhrán.’
– J. Scannell
‘Great teacher, full of knowledge, who made the classes fun and incorporated extra teaching tools to go above and beyond.’
– T. Stephenson
Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
2025 Summer Term
Course Schedules & Fees
To be confirmed.
Please contact us (providing your name) if you would like to be notified when our 2025 courses are confirmed and we start accepting enrolments.
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the tuition fee. Places are limited to eight and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
Recommended Instruments
There are many bodhráns, in many different sizes, available, but the following instruments and covers – all available from Waltons Music – are recommended for their quality, portability and affordability:
- Waltons 16″ Pro5 Bodhrán • Dark Mahogany • €95
- Waltons 16″ Pro5 Bodhrán • Ebony • €95
- McBrides 16″ Pro Bodhrán Cover • €49.99
These bodhráns and cover can be purchased from Waltons Music at 10% discounts for students enrolled in the course. If you would like to obtain a discount, please contact Waltons with your instrument choice and include a scan or photo of your course payment receipt.
What happens after the course?
Two weeks before the end of each Introducing course, participants will be given options for continuing their tuition with the New School if they would like to do so. Although an ‘improvers’ or continuation course cannot be scheduled on the same day/time as the Introducing course, one can be arranged if enough course participants would like to continue and the teacher has timetable availability or there is timetable availability with another teacher. Participants can also continue their tuition with private (one-to-one) lessons or ‘partner’ lessons with another class member. (See Tuition Options – Private • Partner • Small Group Lessons.) We are happy to discuss these options with you.
Trad Slow Sessions
Participants in this and other Irish traditional music courses are also welcome to attend our Trad Slow Sessions. These are traditional Irish music sessions in all ways except one: the tempo. We play the session tunes at a slower than normal pace (often less than half the speed), so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. Trad Slow Sessions take place once a month on Friday evenings.
See our Trad Slow Sessions page for more information, a tune list, printable sheet music for all tunes and dates.
Bodhrán on YouTube