Meet Dennis Delger: Bodhrán and Cajón Player
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.
Dennis plays also the cajón, a box-shaped percussion instrument. He sits on it and strikes different parts of the front panel with his hands (and sometimes fingers) to produce different sounds. By changing where he hits,like near the center, closer to the edges, or higher/lower on the panel, he can control the tone, bass vs. treble sounds, and the rhythm’s feel.
Besides playing the bodgrán and cajon, 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.
