It is most important to not play a head that is too dry or tight. Upon picking up the drum, if it has a high-pitched ring, the the head wants to be carefully moistened with water, but I prefer Guinness. Though, many people insist that's a waste of Guinness and bad for the head, I've had drum heads that I've been playing for twenty years that have had nothing but beer.

A drum head that is too loose is easily identified by its lack of response or sound, and is a trickier problem to solve. This drum head needs to be stored in a dry location for a period of time to allow it to dry out and tighten. How long this takes will depend on how loose the drum head has become. It's best to avoid using hair dryers or any prolonged exposure to heat. In extreme cases, one may need look into having the head replaced.

If you have a specific question about bodhran care, please feel free to send an email.