Irish Trad - Sean nós Flashcards
Sean Nós
a style of singing developed over centuries in Irish speaking Ireland that was passed on orally from generation to generation
Sean Nós features
solo
accompanied performance
use of ornamentation
melodic and rhythmic variations using melismas and grace notes
Sean Nós’s other features
free rhythm
no dynamics
nasal tone quality
what are the 3 main regions associated with sean nós singing
donegal
connemara
munster
what influence does donegal have?
Scottish influence
donegal style features
more simplified
limited rhythmic variation
limited melodic ornamentation
example of Donegal style
Lillis O Laoire (singer)
Blath Gach Geag da Tig (song)
Connemara features
narrow range
lot of ornamentation
melisma
melodic ornamentation
Connemara example
Seosamh O hEanani
Donnchadh Bán
Munster features
wide range
rhythmic variation
glottal stops
vibrato
nasalisation
Munster example
Máire Ni Cheileachair
Bean Dubh a Ghleanna
Typical sean nós traits
solo unaccompanied
ornamentation
free rhythm
phrases more important than bars
storytelling
regional style
wide range
what do some performers do?
slow the tempo towards the end and often speak final few words
what do sean nós songs usually tell?
love
longing
loss
death and immigraion
