Art Bodhrán began in the year 2000 when bodhrán player and master carpenter Christian Hedwitschak, unhappy with his own Bodhrán and having a hard time finding a better one, took matters into his own hands and tried making one himself.

“I still feel sorry for the poor old goat that sacrificed its skin for my first attempt. If it had seen what I made out of its skin, it would have turned in its grave!”

Christian Hedwitschak

Fortunately, that “poor old goat” didn’t die in vain!  Christian, together with a passion for finding the best skins and his experience as a master carpenter, continued in his efforts to build the best bodhráns the world had yet seen and heard.

2005 marked the unveiling of Christian’s now highly coveted DRAGONSkin, Art Bodhrán’s premium goatskin and a thumbscrew tuning system that makes tuning all Art Bodhráns quick and easy.

"I’ve been playing bodhráns now for over 35 years but these are the best and most professional bodhráns I have ever seen and played. The DRAGONSkin is gorgeous!"

Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh

DRAGONSkin is made from Art Bodhrán’s top of the line goatskin but goes through an additional step of skin treatment that renders the skin extra soft, smooth and supple.  Developed by Christian in response to the requirements of the growing number of “multi-octave” and “top-end” style bodhrán players, DRAGONSkin affords the modern bodhrán player with a skin that is capable of sub bass lows, bouncy middles, ear popping highs and all points in between.

Christian, in his ongoing pursuit to supply both professionals and amateurs alike with the finest bodhráns at any price continues to expand his range of bodhráns and accessories.  From the LightLine series of bodhráns which offer pro level features at entry level prices to an extensive selection of lathe turned tippers, Art Bodhrán has something for everyone.

In addition to many happy amateurs, Christian’s bodhráns are played by some of the world’s best bodhránii.  Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh, John Joe Kelly, Junior Davey, Jim Higgins, Eamon Murray, Siobhán O´Donnel, Kieran Munelly, Stiofán O´Broin, Rolf Wagels, Guido Plüschke and Lucy Randall just to name a few.

“The bodhrán has become the focus and mainstay of my life. So it makes me all the happier that my hard work is paying off, and that so many professional musicians all over the world are playing my instruments and recommending them to others.” 

Christian Hedwitschak

Art Bodhrán Ingredients

Quality Goatskins

Christian hand selects goatskins to exacting standards ensuring that all Art Bodhrán sound as good as they look.  They are then processed by hand using traditional, environmentally conscious methods that not only benefit the skins but the earth as well.

Art Bodhrán’s premium skin DRAGONSkin goes through an additional step of skin treatment that renders the skin extra soft, smooth and supple.  Developed by Christian in response to the requirements of the growing number of “multi-octave” and “top-end” style bodhrán players, DRAGONSkin affords the modern bodhrán player with a skin that is capable of sub bass lows, bouncy middles, ear popping highs and all points in between.

Both High End and LightLine models come standard taped around the rim.  This helps to suppress unwanted overtones and focus the tone.  High End models come with an additional special leather-dampening strip between the skin and rim that helps to define and refine the tone further.

Quality Solid Wood Frames

Three layers of 3mm thick solid beech bonded together by a special polyurethane adhesive paste are used to form the core Art Bodhrán frame.  Christian’s high end models are then finished in a variety of gorgeous veneers, inlays and finishes while the LightLine models are left “au naturale”, plain beech with a clear carnauba wax finish. 

Quality Thumbscrew Tuning Mechanism

All Art Bodhrán now come standard with thumbscrew tuners.  This makes tuning your bodhrán fast and easy, as you don’t have to go searching for your tuning wrench any more!  Natural goatskins will tighten and loosen depending on the surrounding temperature and relative humidity.  Even just the warmth of your hand will cause the skin to tighten slightly over time causing the pitch of the drum to rise so having a tuning system like this is key.

Our Commitment to Art Bodhrán

In the winter of 2003, while on holiday in Ireland, we (Blayne & Deb, W&D’s owners) came across some of Christian’s bodhráns in a small music shop.  Being duly impressed, Blayne asked the shopkeeper who made them but he was a new employee and didn’t know.  Intrigued, Blayne decided that he would do a bit of research upon returning home to find out who made those lovely bodhráns.

"Heddys" waiting to be shipped to
Whistle & Drum!

A day or so after returning home, Blayne sat down to catch up on email.  Much to his excitement there was a note from Christian introducing himself and his bodhráns!  Coincidence?  We like to think not!

Needless to say, it wasn’t long thereafter that we began stocking Art Bodhrán.  A short time later Christian agreed to have us exclusively represent Art Bodhrán in the US.

We now like to think of ourselves as Art Bodhrán’s US headquarters.  As such we are committed to carrying Christian’s entire line of bodhráns and accessories.  If there is an item of Christians’ that you don’t see on our site, please contact us.  We are happy to help!

Long live Art Bodhrán!

Blayne & Deborah Chastain

Whistle & Drum – Art Bodhrán’s US Headquarters!