Perghenegi | Youth Led Session
Your chance to lead the
tunes of tomorrow!
Saturday 28th October, 5.30 – 7pm in Redruth School, Main Hall Bar (during the Prys Lowen/Happy Hour)
Perghenegi means to ‘claim’ or ‘takeover’ in Cornish, and that’s exactly what this session will do!
This session is open to anyone, but the expectation is for younger players and singers to be on the ‘inner circle’, starting the tunes/songs and setting the pace with a mixture of songs from Cornwall and across the Celtic world.
If you haven’t been to a session before, it’s an informal get-together of singers and musicians playing tunes together. The tunes run one into another so essentially we have a live and evolving playlist! Not everyone plays every tune, and people often play without music (but it’s fine to bring your own music if you want to).
The session will be hosted by Daniel Woodfield and Neil McMahon, with songs from Kessenyan. There won’t be any manuscript or song lyrics available on the day, but we’re pleased to share the following selection of pieces we can guarantee will appear during the session so you can be confident you can join in.
We don’t believe in prescribing a definitive way of playing these tunes as we see the beauty of the folk process as when it allows for peoples natural interpretations of source material. We have suggested some ways that tunes are commonly played or felt and given some context to help guide those that might be new to the session world.
If you play a transposing instrument, Bb and Eb versions are available below too.
If you are under 18yrs and planning to attend the session you will need to be accompanied by an adult. Your accompanying adult can use the code SESSION for a free Saturday evening ticket.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Bodmin Riding
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Furrys are unique to Cornwall, these processional dances and tunes pop up in various places across Cornwall. These tunes are in 4/4 and often played at a steady and bouncy pace for a 1, 2, 3 hop feel.
Bishop's jygg
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A classic Cornish Jygg. Jyggs are 6/8 tunes played in a two feel. Cornish jyggs can get very fast and are used for a variety of set, step and social dances. Bishops Jygg was originally from the bishop of Thaxted in 1911!
The way Is Clear
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This Hanter Jowster is a 6/4 tune written by Neil Davey. Hanter means half and Jowster is the step used in this dance. These tunes are often played softly and melodically with a focus on dynamic expression.
KAN AN WERIN
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Kabm Pymp, meaning five step, are 5/4 tunes that have fast become popular across Cornwall. Often played with a three, three, two, two feel this tune was written by young Cornish fiddler Ruby Livingstone.
Britches full of Stitches
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Polkas are common across most of Europe. They are usually played in a 2 feel at a fast pace with an emphasis on the up beat. This Polka is an Irish session classic and can be found played in a variety of subtle rhythmic interpretations.
King of the Fairies
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Hornpipes or Hedleys are normally swung 4/4 tunes used for a variety of dance steps. The amount of swing varies from place to place and the speed at which it is played so play it with your ears wide open and aim to blend with those around you. This is another Irish session classic.
The Silver Spear
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Reels are normally a fast straight 4/4 tune and are common across Scotland and Ireland. Contrary to polkas, reels tend to have an emphasis on the down beat and are used for variety of dance steps. This tune originates from Ireland and is considered a worldwide session classic.
Quay Fair
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Usually felt similarly to a Furry but with an AABB structure, this tune is used in Penzance during Golowan for a long serpent dance through the streets. This can often be played at faster pace more similar to a reel too!
*Please note, this session will form part of Daniel Woodfield’s PhD research looking to establish inclusive access and diverse participation in the Cornish cultural practices in the performing arts. Daniel’s main interest in this aspect is to increase engagement and expand the demographic of young people currently taking part in Cornish music, dance and song. Your participation is entirely anonymous unless you choose otherwise. This project is in collaboration with ASOne and will seek to create a Cornwall Youth Folk Ensemble. The working title of the research is currently “Developing Creative Methodologies for Sustaining Intangible Cultural Heritage Practices in Cornwall”. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact Daniel directly – 686620@soas.ac.uk – 07595356833 or if you have concerns about Daniels research or conduct and wish to speak to someone else, Jowdy Davey is a supervisor of the project and can be contacted on jfdavey@googlemail.com
