Traditional Irish Sean-nós Singing | Beginner 1

This free online sean-nós singing course is designed to help the beginner develop the essential skills needed to perform in traditional Irish music’s most iconic style. While many Irish songs revolve around story-telling, sean-nós singing brings a degree of feeling beyond the lyrics. The name Sean-nós simply translates as ‘old style’ singing and the songs are crafted to be performed without accompaniment. They are usually in Irish [as Gaeilge] but as tutor Nell Ní Chróinín demonstrates, there are also options in English. You don’t need to speak Irish to enjoy these lessons in which Nell covers the basics that any beginner sean-nós singer needs to know, including tips for controlling your breathing and where to introduce ornamentation. Through a series of easy-to-follow videos, she will introduce you to the best techniques for singing some well-known songs clearly and tunefully and teach you how to ‘colour’ your singing for an authentic Irish sound.

The course begins with an introduction in which Nell explains how sean-nós singing has its origins in Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions where Irish remains the first language. Most regions have their own distinct dialect and songs from that area are passed from generation to generation. She describes some of the sounds used to create ornamentation in traditional melodies and emphasises the importance of the singer being free to use ornamentation how and when they feel like it, to give a song their own unique interpretation. The first song on this course is a beautiful lullaby, 'Bog Braon Don tSeanduine', which means 'A Soft Drop for the Old Man'. Nell breaks it down into segments, encouraging you to write down the lyrics phonetically for ease of learning. The lyrics and a translation are available in the notes for this course. She also demonstrates the best places to take breaths in the song and emphasises the importance of good breathing techniques for delivering a song well. The next song, 'Blackwaterside', is in English and is a romantic ballad of love and emigration. In it, young lovers are saying their heartbroken goodbyes before he leaves for a new life overseas, however, all is not lost as the song draws to a close.

Sean-nós singing is among the most respected art forms in Irish culture, as anyone who has witnessed the hush that falls over a room as the singer begins, can testify. If you would like to learn how to perform these songs well, this free online sean-nós singing guide provides the perfect foundation. You will be learning from one of the most highly regarded proponents of the form. A recording artist and performer who has toured internationally with top Irish group Danú, Nell Ní Chróinín is also an experienced teacher. Having been raised in the Múscraí Gaeltacht area of County Cork, Nell’s life has been steeped in Irish culture and she began singing at a young age. Among her many achievements was becoming the youngest person ever to win the prestigious ‘Corn Uí Riada’ prize, which is in honour of the legendary Sean O’Riada, also from Múscraí. By completing this course, you can follow in the footsteps of generations of traditional Irish singers, learning, as they did, through the oral tradition. You may wish to progress to the next course in this series, Traditional Irish Singing, Beginner 2, where you will learn new tunes and more of the secrets of ornamentation. The series concludes with Traditional Irish Singing, Intermediate Level, which focuses on songs in English. Throughout the three courses, you will be learning tunes and techniques that have stood the test of time, but which are constantly evolving and touching hearts and minds anywhere that Irish culture is admired. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of sean-nós singing? Take a deep breath and get ready to begin a journey into the soul of Irish music.