What actually matters in a beginner drum, what the common options trade off, and what to check before you order.
Updated 2026-09-28 · Researched recommendations, not hands-on testing
The short answer
For most adult beginners, a 16-inch goatskin bodhrán from a maker that sells to musicians is a sensible first drum. Choose a tunable one if you live somewhere very damp or very dry, or if you want to explore modern top-end playing. Add a medium, all-round tipper and a padded bag. Avoid decorated gift drums bought mainly as ornaments.
Who this guide is for
Adults and older children starting to play bodhrán for Irish or Celtic music.
People buying online without a specialist shop nearby to try drums in person.
Not for players choosing a custom drum from an individual maker. That's a conversation with the maker about your style.
How we chose
We haven't played or tested these drums, and we don't claim to have. We looked at:
published guidance from bodhrán makers, teachers and player communities on sizes, depths and tuning systems for beginners;
makers' own specifications for materials, size, depth and tuning mechanism;
whether the type of drum was listed on Amazon.com when we checked on 2026-09-28.
Bodhrán listings change often, and one model name can cover several sizes, finishes and bundles. For that reason, most links below open an Amazon search for the named drum, not a single listing. Check that the listing you pick matches the size and features described. We don't show prices or star ratings.
What the main choices trade off
Choice
Advantages
Drawbacks
16″ vs 18″
16″: easier to hold and control; a common adult start. 18″: deeper, fuller traditional sound.
18″ drums are heavier and can boom in small rooms.
Fixed vs tunable
Fixed: simpler, usually cheaper. Tunable: you can correct for humidity and choose your sound.
Fixed heads can go slack or harsh with the weather. Tunable drums cost more, and some need a key.
Crossbar vs none
Bars give a handhold.
Bars get in the way of the inside hand for pitch changes.
Shallow vs deep rim
Shallow: lighter. Deep: drier, more focused tone and more room for the hand.
Deep rims are heavier and cost more.
Recommendations
Waltons 16″ bodhrán (fixed head)
Best for: a low-cost first drum in a mild climate
Waltons, an Irish music company, makes several entry-level 16-inch goatskin drums, and many of them come with a beater. A fixed-head drum is the simplest way to find out whether the instrument is for you.
Tradeoffs
You can't adjust the head. In damp weather it can go slack and dull, in dry heat it can tighten. Decorated versions cost more without sounding better.
Check
Diameter (16″), whether a tipper is included, whether there's a crossbar, and that the listing is an instrument rather than a wall decoration.
Best for: beginners who want tuning, or who live in a variable climate
Roosebeck sells a range of 16-inch tunable goatskin drums. The tuning hardware is inside the rim or behind the head, and depths and crossbar options vary. A tunable drum lets you keep a consistent sound through the seasons and try modern pitch-bending technique.
Tradeoffs
It costs more than a fixed drum. Some models have crossbars, and some need a tuning key.
Check
Depth (deeper drums suit top-end playing), whether the bar is removable or absent, how tuning is done, and whether a tipper, key or bag is bundled.
Tippers vary in length, weight and shape. Start with one medium, all-round tipper. Photo: Hinnerk Rümenapf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
A tipper: start with one medium-length, medium-weight wooden tipper of about 7–8 inches. Add lighter or brush tippers later. See bodhrán tippers on Amazon(affiliate link)
A padded bag: protects the skin from knocks and sudden temperature changes. Match the diameter and depth to your drum. See bodhrán bags on Amazon(affiliate link)
Bodhrán: The Basics (Bill Woods, Mel Bay): a beginner method with photos and play-along audio, covering reels and jigs. See it on Amazon(affiliate link)
Absolute Beginners Bodhrán Tutor (Conor Long): a step-by-step tutor aimed at complete beginners, available in book and video formats. See it on Amazon(affiliate link)
What to check before you buy
Diameter and depth, stated clearly in the listing.
Head material: goatskin is standard. Know what you're getting if it's synthetic.
Tuning: fixed or tunable, and whether it needs a key.
Crossbar: none, fixed or removable.
What's included: tipper, bag, tuning key.
An instrument, not a decoration: avoid listings sold mainly as wall hangings or gifts.
Returns: natural skins vary, so easy returns are worth having.
Limitations of this guide
These recommendations are based on published guidance and makers' specifications, not on our own playing tests. Sound and feel vary between individual drums, and players have strong, differing preferences. If you can, try a few drums at a shop, class or session before buying, or ask a teacher to check your drum once it arrives.
