Bodhrán
A bodhrán
The bodhrán is a percussion instrument used to beat out the pulse or heartbeat of the music when accompanying other instruments.
It originates from Ireland but it frequently appears in the Scottish folk group.
The bodhrán consists of an animal skin stretched over a large circular frame. It is held by a cross of wood on the reverse and beaten with a double-headed wooden beater.
Bodhrán - solo
You would not usually hear the bodhrán being used in slow Scottish melodies. It is more commonly found as part of a folk group in which it provides a rhythmic element of the playing of reels and jigs.
Bodhrán - group