A Few of Our Instruments

 

Just a few …besides the guitar, banjo, penny whistles, and mandolins …

Bodhran Drum

The bodhran (bod-rahn) was invented in Ireland. At first, it was not used as a musical instrument. Instead, the bodhran was used for carrying, storage and serving food. It may also have been used on farms to sift grains from the chaff.  The instrument has a long history in Ireland. It was prominent during the Irish Rebellion of 1603 in which Gaelic forces fought against the forces of English Queen, Elizabeth I. Evidence suggests that the Gaelic forces used the bodhran to provide cadence for the pipers and soldiers to keep to; heard by all to announce the arrival of an army into battle.

 

The Bass Flute (Snorkel or giant Paperclip!)

The bass flute is one of the biggest members of the flute family. It is pitched an octave below middle C, when compared to the standard symphonic flute. This is just one of 5 flutes used during our performances!

 

The Concertina (Squeeze Box)

The Concertina is a free-reed musical instrument and was patented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in London, England, in 1829. Its construction consists of hexagonal hand bellows, fastened between two sets of boards that carry the reeds in braced sockets. Air is selectively passed to the reeds by valves and finger buttons.

 

Electric Double Bass (Twiggy)

This Irish Creme instrument is an electronically amplified version of the double bass that has a minimal or ‘skeleton’ body, which greatly reduces the size and therefore saves some space too.   It retains enough of the features of the double bass so that its player is comfortable performing on it. While the EUB retains some of the tonal characteristics of the double bass, its electrically amplified nature also gives it its own unique sound.

 

The Hammer Dulcimer (Whatzinjammer)

What is that thing anyway?

◦    A Homberg Doll Summer

◦    With mouth full, if you are eating dinner….

◦      A hamburg dogslammer.”

Fact: It’s an acoustic synthesizer.