Care and Maintenance of Drums
Bodhrans
Djembes
Bodhrans can be temperamental instruments and need good care. If you follow these simple guidelines, your bodhran will be very appreciative!
1) Never allow your bodhran to become overheated. Don't store it near a heater, in sunlight, or in your car - even in the boot. If you live in a hot place, it is best to store it in a case or a cupboard, in very dry places you could leave a damp cloth with the drum to aid humidity. As the drum gets hotter, the skin tightens and can split or pull away from the pins holding it in place.
2) Treat the outside of the skin (the playing surface) regularly with a softener - dubbin and lanolin-based creams are best. This helps keep the skin supple and in good condition. Don't overdo it or the skin will soon feel sticky to the touch and it will be difficult to get a "clean" sound.
Obviously, we are unable to honour our guarantee on your bodhran if you disregard these two points.
3) Before you begin to play, rub a little bit of clear water into the BACK of the skin. (Experience will soon tell you how much you need - you will only overdo it once!!) This lets the skin stretch a little and allows you to produce more variations in sound. If you are playing in a warm place the skin will tighten up again as you play, so you will probably need to do this more than once.
4) If the skin on your bodhran has become a bit too damp and is very slack, it can be tightened by vigorous rubbing with the palm of your hand, or by VERY GENTLE heat (be careful - see 1!).
If you observe these points, you and your bodhran should enjoy a long and happy friendship!
Enjoy your playing!
(Info care of Ghana Goods)
With regular use the drumskin receives enough oil through your hands to keep it in good condition, otherwise a drop of oil should be worked in. Hand percussionists often rub oil into their hands before playing, which feeds the drumskin as well as your own hands. A good oil to use is the base oil for a massage; only a very little is needed.
The drum should not be kept by direct heat as this could dry and crack the wood. To prevent drying and cracking of the wood an occasional treatment with Teak Oil is advisable.
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