Meet Dennis Delger: Bodhrán player and Creative Woodworker
Dennis Delger performs on the bodhrán, a traditional frame drum most strongly associated with Irish folk music, and also used in Scottish and broader Celtic-influenced settings. He plays the bodhrán rhythmically, typically providing the steady pulse that supports the Stev on the guitar and Lena on the fiddle.
Dennis uses two techniques at once:
Striking (timing): with his tip hand, he hits the drumhead to create the main beats.
And resonance control (sound shaping): with his other hand, he changes the drum’s pitch-like character and volume by tightening or loosening pressure on the head.
This combination allows the same basic rhythm to sound different from moment to moment, making the performance expressive rather than purely repetitive.
Besides playing the bodgrán, Dennis creates nature-inspired art and functional objects. In his work, the creativity of nature takes center stage, especially the calming and inspiring essence of everything that lives. This is most clearly visible in his wooden pieces, from sculpture to play equipment. He also lets natural elements take their own course, bringing them to life in a variety of fiery spectacles and visual art.
He was trained by his grandfather and his companions as a creative carpenter, learning many parts of this craft from them. Not only the fine techniques of woodworking matter to him, but above all the passion he brings to his work. As the years progress, he follows his heart and lets his hands follow their own way. You can find more information at his website: natuurlijkdroomdesign.
