Singing Sean-Nós

Abstract

This thesis examines the vocal aesthetics of sean-nós singing, the unaccompanied, unmetered Irish traditional singing genre that is rich in emotional depth and historical significance and is characterized by elegant melismatic melodies.Functioning as a pedagogical guide, this thesis offers insights into sean-nós singing techniques and Irish Lyric Diction. It begins with a historical overview of sean-nós singing and its relevance in contemporary pedagogy. Emphasizing the importance of understanding sean-nós within its historical context as a traditional art form of oppressed people in occupied Ireland, the thesis further addresses the appropriation of Irish music in Western repertoires and advocates for dialect-appropriate diction, and culturally informed performance and pedagogy. Accordingly, this dissertation takes a holistic approach, delving into the historical contexts of Irish art song in western lyric and sean-nós styles, analyzing the phonemes, articulation, and linguistic phenomena that comprise Lyric Diction, and examining the distinctive voice pedagogy necessary for sean-nós singing. Novel insights into the Connemara singing style identify previously unexplored features unique to that region. Elements of vocal function in sean-nós performance, including breathing, registration, vocal tract shaping, vibrato characteristics, phonation, and resonance strategies, including the genre-specific resonance strategy known onomatopoeically as neá, are examined and interpreted through the lens of Evidence-Based Voice Pedagogy to develop an understanding of optimal vocal outcomes in sean-nós styles. Recordings of first prize winning performances of the Corn Uí Riada “Ó Riada Cup” at the Oireachtas na Samhna “November Gathering” sean-nós singing competition, the ultimate honour in the world of sean-nós singing, are analyzed to identify common vocal factors among elite performers of sean-nós. The results of this inquiry inform the identification of vocal techniques specific to sean-nós singing, and provide strategies for achieving style-appropriate, efficient vocal production with linguistic integrity in sean-nós styles. The intent of this exploration is threefold: to support professional sean-nós singers and voice professionals in both teaching and performance; to foster authentic performance of sean-nós singing within the diaspora; and to enrich the body of culturally informed voice pedagogy.