SOK Top Ten Sites

1. The Trad Centre
2. Mad for Trad
3. Dervish
4. Frankie Gavin
5. Óige
6. Cara Dillon
7. Reel Trad
8. Altan
9. The Kane Sisters
10. Flook

Four Bodhráns on the Wall

This photo shows four bodhráns sitting on display on the wall outside Seamus's house in the very aptly named townland of 'Drum', just outside Dungiven in County Derry. All four bodhráns are a fine example of the current range of bodhráns Seamus O'Kane is producing at present. In the bodhrán to the left of the picture, the eight tuning pegs can be seen as well as the optional single cross-bar.

Selection of Bodhrán Sticks

In this picture a selection of bodhrán sticks can be seen. The brush-end sticks give a more reserved and gentle sound. Seamus O'Kane reccomends 'thin' bodhrán sticks (abouth the width of a fiddle bow).

However, Seamus does not include bodhrán sticks with is instruments so it is advisable to take note of this thin stick reccommendation.

Construction of a Tone Ring

Here, Seamus is making a 'tone ring' for a bodhrán in his workshop. The tone ring is the device that actually alters the pitch of the bodhrán to make it tunable.

It is inserted inside the frame and and is pressed up tight to the goatskin at the head of the bodhrán to tune the bodhrán accordingly.

Tone rings are extremely benefical for musicians who travel to different countries with different humidity levels.

Through the aid of the tone ring the skin can be loosened right down, so that the skin does not stretch and tear in areas with high humidity like Scandanavia and Northern Scotland.

In the picture Seamus is using clamps to hold the tone ring in the desired position while the glue dries.

Frames can be seen in the background.

Sanding a Frame

Seamus is sanding a bodhrán frame in this picture with the aid of an electrical sander.

It is of integral importance to Seamus that the highest standard of instrument is produced, as the bodhráns that Seamus O'Kane makes are made to be played by musicians, as opposed to the novelty painted contraptions found in shops that sell itchy wooly jumpers and shamrock layden paddy-whackery.

The bodhráns that Seamus O'Kane builds are made to be played and not for wall ornaments.

Once the frame is sanded, it can then be sprayed, re-sanded then given a final coat, before stretching the skin, and adding the tone ring.