Peter Houlahan, of Armagh City in the north of Ireland, has gained a very high reputation as being one of Ireland’s foremost bodhrán players. His unique style, embedded firmly in traditional music, has made Peter sought after by many illustrious names. To date Peter has featured on twelve albums produced by the likes of Sting, Finbar Furey, Brendan Power, Karen Tweed, Paul Bradley and Brian Finnegan. Peter has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes, has toured extensively throughout Europe with various groups and is, at present, concentrating on teaching the bodhrán.
 
The Irish Drum presents Peter’s ideas and techniques in an accessible and informative manner. Using this book along with the optional recording, there is no doubt that, armed with Peter’s years of knowledge and experience, you could soon be playing the bodhrán with the best of them.
 
Contents
 
The Book
 
Foreword from Brian Finnegan
Introduction
Manufacture
The Drum and Beater
Preparing to Play
Beating the Drum
The Jig
The Basic Jig Beat
The Jig with Triples
The Jig with Rim Shot
The Reel
The Basic Reel Beat
The Reel with Triples
The Reel with Side Work
Varying Beater Positions
The Reel: Rolls Added
Dynamic Sounds from the Skin
More Dynamic Sounds from the Skin
Putting It All Together - The Kesh Jig
Putting It All Together - Saint Anne’s Reel
Putting It All Together - The Jig and Reel
Putting It All Together - The Reel and the Hornpipe
The Hornpipe - Off to California
The Polka - Egan’s Polka
The Slide - The Scattery Island Slide
The March - Napoleon Crossing the Rhine
The Slip Jig - Drops of Brandy
Relax, Enjoy and Participate
 
The Soundtrack
 
Opening Jig Set
        The Rose in the Heather
        The Rambler
        Bill Collins’ Jig
Holding the Bodhrán and Beater
Beating the Bodhrán
The Jig Beat Explained
The Kesh Jig - Basic Jig Beat
The Kesh Jig - Triples Added
The Kesh Jig - With Rim Shot
Saint Anne’s Reel - Basic Reel Beat
Saint Anne’s Reel - Triples Added
Saint Anne’s Reel - With Side Work
Saint Anne’s Reel - Varying Beater Positions
Saint Anne’s Reel - Rolls Added
The Kesh Jig - Bodhrán as Notated
The Kesh Jig - Free Style Bodhrán
Saint Anne’s Reel - Bodhrán as Notated
Saint Anne’s Reel - Free Style Bodhrán
The Hornpipe - Off to California
The Polka - Egan’s Polka
The Slide - The Scattery Island Slide
The March - Napoleon Crossing the Rhine
The Slip Jig - Drops of Brandy
Jig Playalong
        Langstrom’s Pony
Jig with Bodhrán Accompaniment
Reel Set Playalong
        The Humours of Scartaglen
        The James Street Reel
        The Monaghan Twig
Reel Set with Bodhrán Accompaniment
Hornpipe Set Playalong
        The Home Ruler
        The Smoky Chimney
Hornpipe Set with Bodhrán Accompaniment
Polka Set Playalong
        Din Tarrant’s Polka
        Seamus Cussen’s Polka
        Munster Bank
Polka Set with Bodhrán Accompaniment
Slide Set Playalong
        Bunratty Boys
        The Lonesome Road to Dingle
        The Clog
Slide Set with Bodhrán Accompaniment
March Set Playalong
        The Centenary March
        The Mountains of Pomeroy
March Set with Bodhrán Accompaniment
Slip Jig Playalong
        The Kid on the Mountain
Slip Jig with Bodhrán Accompaniment
Closing Reel Set
        Sporting Paddy
        Bodhrán Solo
        Foxhunters’ Reel