Sean Nós Essay Flashcards
What is Sean Nós Singing Intro
It is a style of singing and an Irish oral tradition which varies from area to area and depending on the performer. It link the present with the past
What could it be described as? How is it learned
It is a musical language which like all languages is learned by listening, imitating and engaging in social discourse
Where are sean nos singers found
In the past this singing was confined to Gaelteacht areas but now there are a few good singers to be found outside these areas.
What does sean ós mean?
In the eyes of native Irish speakers. It means a sing song so this is what they would ask for rather than request of song in the sean nós. They would say “abair amhrán” or say a song
How could old style of sean nós be described - Quotes
John Milllington Synge referred to sean nós singing as “a monotonous chant with pauses on the high and low notes to mark the rhythm”
Discuss the similarity between Irish and Eastern Music
It has become fashionable to suggest a link between Irish and Eastern Music. This is mainly as Irish music is based on modes which are gap scales beginning on different notes of the scale. Indian music is also based on a type of gap scale.
What are modes
Ancient gap scales which omitted the 4th and 7th note and began on different notes of the scale ex; doh mode or lah mode
Explain why sean nós songs never sound the same
Different regions have different ways of singing songs. Example sean nós singing in Connacht includes lots of ornamentation while there is barely any in Donegal.
Give a quote to explain why sean nós songs never sound the same
“tá dhá inseacht ar chuile scéal agus dhá ghábhail déag ar amhrán”
Name a sean nós singer and give his origin
Darach O Cathain was born in Glaway and first performed sean nós singing at an Oireachtas competition.
Give a quote to describe your chosen singer’s singing
“virtually paints the words with his voice”
Detail the sean nós singing of your chosen singer
He is one of the most famous accapella sean nós singers in Ireland. In Donnachadh bán a lament I noticed he uses many rolls and auxiliary notes when I listened to his performance of it. I could hear his individual interpretation as he ornaments each line an uses his high and low registers extensively.
