Sean Nós Singing
Sean Nós singing is the traditional Irish style of singing in Ireland
Sean Nós means “old style”
It is a style of singing dating back hundreds of years, which was handed down orally (through ear/listening) from generation to generation. It is a really good example of “pure” traditional Irish music. The words of the songs are very important, the words tell the story. Rhythm is dictated by speech rhythms. Singers will sometimes often speak the last few words of the song
Well known Sean Nós singer: Lillis O’Laorie
Features of Sean Nós singing:
- Unaccompanied singing - no instruments accompanying (sometimes the use of a drone (long note of the Uilleann Pipes))
- Free rhythm - no strict time or beat
- Ornamentation - the decoration of melody notes
- Usually sung in Irish
- No dynamics markings
- Sung with a nasal tone (singing through the nose)