The following article has been put together to summarise the research that has been carried out so far in reconstructing a working example of the type of bagpipe once found in Cornwall (pybow sagh).

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Cornish traditional music has its origins in the jobbing tunes of the past. Tunes that were used to lead feast day celebrations, the procession of combatants to Wresting tournaments, accompany dancing or simply street and pub entertainment. They were adapted from and to other genres and could become connected to and disconnected from songs and ballads. It is a living tradition and many new tunes have been added to Cornish session and dance tune repertoire in recent years but there remains a core that takes us back to the crowders (fiddlers) and horners of the 19th century and beyond.

Inglis Gundry (editor), Canow Kernow. Songs and Dances From Cornwall. Redruth: Truran Publications, 1966

Kesson is a community resource for all with an interest in the Celtic music and dance traditions of Cornwall.

Within this treasure trove of gems contributed by members of the community, you will find hundreds of tunes, recordings, and useful snippets of information.

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