Player Profile: Migui Ocampo
This is part of a new series I’m working on where I’ll be sending interview-style questions to some amazing bodhrán players. I’m really excited about these, and I hope you all enjoy them!
Please welcome the awesome Migui Ocampo to the blog! I’m delighted Migui was happy to share more about his playing and experiences with us. How amazing is it to hear from players from all over the world?!
I hope you enjoy this, and please get in touch if there’s someone you’d like to hear from next!
How did you get started playing the bodhrán? Tell us a bit about yourself and your story.
Well, I started very small, I would be about 4 years old, thanks to my uncle because he plays in the Luar Na Lubre group, at the beginning he started teaching me but from one day to another I stopped doing it and several years later when I formed my first band I began to improve and discover many things until today.
Who has influenced your playing the most?
At first as I said before my uncle, but once I began to investigate only the one that John Joe Kelly but many more like Adam Brown, Eamon Murray, Martin O’Neil, Pablo Vergara, David Foley, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Colm Phelan, Robbie Walsh ….. etc.
What do you do to stay inspired as a player?
Well, mainly being very motivated, watching many videos, watching groups that I like live and having many concerts.
What is the biggest struggle you’ve overcome with your playing?
Which bodhrán/sticks/case do you currently use?
Well, I have several bodhrans but I am currently using a Christan Hedwistchack Martin O’Neil Signature, Palos usually use a MopGrip by Steve Moises, and some made by me and my uncle, and some fine wood to do alone at concerts and now I just recently started with a fine one for the solo of Acrylics from Changwood.
What do you feel makes your playing unique?
Well, I don’t think I have anything in that matter, to me what I like most about the personally esque is a mix between the bodhran players that I like most then it seems perfect.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting to learn the bodhrán?
Well, that you have and start with great desire, that you never give up and if you want to learn on your own that you will see many concerts, that you watch many videos of bodhran players, that you go to many sessions and that you dedicate a little rehearsal every day.
Any final thoughts/advice for players learning the
bodhrán?
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