Having time on my hands, and being somewhat able to keep time, I have decided to teach myself to play bodhran.
I would rather have an actual teacher, but they tend to cost money, and I haven't been able to find any in my area. I don't want to drive to Allentown.
Why Bodhran? Because there's one that's been sitting at the top of my closet for the last 10 or so years since I bought it at the Renaissance Faire. It was $20. I have gotten more than $20 worth of entertainment out of it this week.
I am reliably getting it to make the proper sorts of noises, although at a much slower rate than I think they're supposed to be happening.
I'm working through the videos on
http://www.bodhranexpert.com which are really, really good.
I also need to find some Irish music jam sessions, without going into Philadelphia. Not that I'm good enough for that yet, although I am quite enthusiastic. I'm thinking that interacting with actual bodhran players might be useful. That and the Guinness.
Which reminds me, RichLevy, did you ever get around to figuring out the bodrhan at all? And how's your djembe doing?