When I was 16 I traveled to United Kingdom as an ambassador for the United States. While on this trip I went to a farm in Ireland and was introduced to the bodhran. When the farmer’s son first brought it out it looked like every other frame drum I had seen. Once he started to play I realized I was wrong. The bodhran is played with a tipper and your hand strategically placed on the back to control tension. After I was shown how it worked I decided to give it a try. It took awhile but once I got it right I was in love! It made one of the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard. Before leaving Ireland I bought a bodhran and every time I play it I am reminded of my trip to Ireland.