Yes, I feel for you and thought that almost as I posted.
Yes singing, its surprising how many trad musicians dont have a few session pieces. Shame really. An understanding and experience as a singer is IMO an important part in getting to the roots of the tunes. All the ornaments and stuff can get in the way of the most essential aspects of the music, phrasing. A simplified approach , with little ornamentation concentrates the focus on phrasing to sound good with the bare bones. Telling a story through the tune. The way the words and phrases of the songs falls is a good introduction to the phrasing of the tunes. So its not a repetitive bunch of notes with frilly bits added, but an open expression of humanity through the medium of the tunes and your instrument.
A lot of people make a fundamental mistake in this music of assuming that the superficial technical aspects are enough , but they are not. No serious trad musician is going to be impressed by technique to exclusion of Duende’’ and vice versa, little technique but plenty of Nyah and everyone is delighted They might not no why. . A class example would be Micho. His technical command of tunes and instrument is not the heart of his playing. Its why young folk listen and think’ well hes not so hot’. because they dont know what they are hearing. The focus on technique to the exclusion of Spirit is something that seems much more prevalent these days. Micho was so respected not for the superficial material aspects of the music, but through his heart felt connection, he was the essence, heart and soul of the music personified. RIP Give me a plain and simple tune , played with spirit over a hundred young bucks trilling and rolling their way through the tunes. All busyness and no soul.
Truly we have been parachuted into cloud-cuckoo land. 
Haha! Shame on me!
Mockingbird, I withdraw my earlier statement. This has proved very entertaining.
I’ll keep to the bunker fer a couple more…