In the early days Morris teams had to use whatever musicians and instruments they could get their hands on. Rural and industrial areas of the country who had morris/country dance sides had to use what was available. There is no traditional instrument, so to speak, only what is available.

In earlier times ordinary folk could not aford instruments like we can, they played what was available. Over in Ireland there is a belief that a hundred years ago their ancestors were all playing in sessions every night. Yet speak to an old timer over there and you get a different story.I have a house in kerry and my old neighbour says that he did not even see a fiddle or squuezebox until the 1920's and even then several people owned the same squeezebox, they called it a joined box.

I'm sure it was the same with Morris sides, the musicians played what was available and affordable. Thats the tradition.