Kass,
You left out some of rats question. I was suggesting a great way to learn since he his considering learning. He asked if anyone has one, I do, whats the problem. Hoop drums were banned during the golden age of piracy? The Dutch didn't have slaves from Africa? The pirates didn't sack ships with drums? Gimme a break! The Bodhran is a hoop drum, frame drum, "ghost" drum whatever. My suggestion of learning is wrong? Because? And there were no hoop drums during the GAoP? If you're going to quote someone, it would be nice to see the WHOLE quote. I was answering Rats, not asking for a lesson in all things percussion.