The Song Tradition Essay

Question 1

What is the format of the essay

Answer 1

Para One: Irish traditional singing features
Para Two: Working and Love song- Amhrán na Cuiginne
Para Three: Lament- Caoineadh na dTrí
Para Four: Drinking song and macaronic version- Preab san ól
Para five: Patriotic songs and aislings- Táimse im’Chodladh
Conclusion: Trad Singing in Modern world

Question 2

What is the Irish song tradition

Answer 2

There are many different song types in the Irish song tradition. They are based on a wide variety of topics usually a collection of songs was built up by a particular community.

Question 3

Give the features of Irish traditional singing

Answer 3

Unaccompanied or drone, modal with a flattened seventh. Repeated last note, ornamentation

Question 4

Explain ornamentation its types and methods

Answer 4

Ornamentation varies from place to place, can be intervalic, rhythmic or melismatic/. Three different methods of ornamentation are embellishment, melodic and rhythmic variation

Question 5

Name a working/Love song

Answer 5

Amhrán na Cuiginne

Question 6

What qualities does Amhrán na Cuiginne have to be a working song

Answer 6

Sung on the job so it has a steady 6/8 rhythm and features a cúrfá (chorus). This is unusual but means that people can join in song-becomes a social occasion.

Question 7

What trad features did you notice in Amhrán na Cuiginne

Answer 7

I also noticed a repeated last note and flattened 7th.

Question 8

What is a lament.

Answer 8

This is a sad song for the dead or at the loss of a friend.

Question 9

Give an example of a Lament

Answer 9

Caoineadh na dTrí is an example sung by wife of the late Micheal Ó Suilleabhán, Nóirín Ní Riain and her two sons. - also a religious song as it is the lament for the three Marys

Question 10

What features did you hear in Caoineadh na dTrí

Answer 10

I listened and could hear a drone accompaniment and an och ochón curfá which is a common feature of laments.

Question 11

Name a drinking song

Answer 11

Pread san ól sung by Luke Kelly is a drinking song I have listened to

Question 12

Give the features o the song Preab san ól

Answer 12

I identified this version as a macaronic song, sung half in english and half in Irish. Listening to the song I heard the AABA ternary form. I also noticed Luke Kelly sand unaccompanied.

Question 13

Explain history of patriotic songs and their importance

Answer 13

Songs could not suggest anything negative about Britain and so songs called ‘Aisling’ to praise Ireland as a beautiful girl.

Question 14

Give an example of a patriotic song

Answer 14

I listened to Táimse im’ Chodladh

Question 15

Give the features of Táimse im’ Chodladh

Answer 15

I could sense a real love of country. I also noticed the drone accompaniment and the solo singing element.

Question 16

Explain how Irish Traditional singing has been brought into the modern world

Answer 16

Irish traditional singing can also been seen now in modern day. Iarla Ó Lianáird is the main person who brought Irish singing into the modern world. An example of the emerging of this tradition recently is in the film ‘Brooklyn’