Sean Nos

 

Sean Nos singing is "unaccompanied traditional Irish vocal music usually performed in the Irish language." One of my travel goals was to learn a Sean Nos song and write an original song.  I found a great gal on youtube.  I thought her name was "Alison" but that is the name of the company that produces all sorts of educational videos and offers certificates if you're into that.  Here is the link for the first Alison  Sean Nos singing course if you'd like to try it yourself:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLx0qfqBEPs

The next couple of blog entries will include my rough recording of these songs.  I write "rough" not just because I did them in my car  (well kind of my car- my cars have broken down in the last few months and my son-in-law and daughter have been so kind to loan me one of their cars until I can figure out my driving situation) but also the quality of the singing. I'm not a professional singer like "Alison".  Far from it.  It was hard and cringe-worthy recording my voice and listening to it.  I don't know what I was expecting to sound like.

 I didn't set out to be the next Enya or U2's Bono.  I've been listening to Bono's audiobook, "Surrender" as suggested by my son, Chase. I so enjoyed it!  What a team player!  What an artist! (singer, painter, poet) What a humanitarian!  What a missionary for all his passionate beliefs! It's required listening for everyone. Bono put so much of his heart and soul into this great work. 

Singing is like that.  You're really putting yourself out there when you sing all by yourself unaccompanied.  It's your voice floating on your breath! Whether it's melodic like my favorite bird, the black-capped chickadee, or the squawking of my hated bird, the crow, it's your raw voice.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  I guess it makes the bird vulnerable since it is revealing its location to would-be hunters. My dad loved to shoot crows from the trees while sitting in our backyard (Well, he might have been drunk while doing this.)

 I also feel uncomfortable posting it on Facebook and Instagram but I'm going to do it anyway.  Check it off my goal list.  It's fun to learn something new, like Sean Nos.  Besides, at least I know a couple of phrases in Gaelic and am a little more prepared to attend the music festival.  Worth it!