Last Chance - old time clawhammer banjo

[myamoebafriend]

I'm really wanting to get a banjo and learn. Though I never really had a preference as to style (I would have gotten a banjo with a resonator by default), the more I hear clawhammer, the more I'm considering getting an open back. Your videos are great, man!

[locustvalleystring]

Tuned up the banjo and watched your vid until I got it. Nice playin....Thanks. Larry

[FrostyMorn]

Thanks, Larry. Let's play some tunes next festival... maybe you'll play me your Last Chance!

[kordabridge]

To the one looking to learn clawhammer (frailing), there are several sites right here on youtube where you can get a good beginning lesson. After that its basically hours of practice to get the technique ingrained into your head. I've been at it about 3 weeks. In the "Sweet Sunny South" video you'll see two different techniques. Both equally interesing, but the second is what I'd call clawhammer.

[dyingtreeee]

good stuff!!

[oldbanjoman]

I learned this song about twenty years ago from a David Holt television performance (the old Fire On The Mountain show). David played it well but you play it GREAT. Love the syncopated feeling you've got going on the first part... makes me damn near fall off the edge of my seat just waiting for the next note!

[HMSalvatore]

I just created a youtube account specifically so I could subscribe to your channel! You are sooo amazing and truly inspiring! I play bluegrass, but I would like to learn to play clawhammer, do you think that it would be a hard transition to make? How did you learn?

[FrostyMorn]

Thanks so much, it's great to know that you are inspired! I don't play bluegrass, but I do know the right hand technique is very different. I learned by listening and watching others play. If you have the opportunity to go to a folk festival or old-time fiddler's reunion, just walk up to a friendly looking frailer and put the question to them. Good luck!

[Robin18us]

Now that is a neat tune and of course don't so well by one of the best on youtube. Are those nylon strings you're using. Wonderful sounding banjo

[easymelon2187]

beautiful. i'm a young man 22 and i have definitly fallen in love with this music. glad your a part of keeping it alive

[Rev1981]

This Rocks!!!!

[FailesAndy]

This is perhaps my favourite piece of banjo music on you tube. Inspirational to me. Just amazingly beautiful! Great work.

[Paul02111960]

It's the first time I've heard this and it's played really well, I love the sound of the banjo and I like the way you play...Cheers

[yhcdawg]

This song really sends me away to the mountains. Love your playing!

[elusive000truth]

Great sounding banjo and well played! Do you know what kind of tone ring it has?

[hacecafe]

Yes that's the music i like, it makes me move my foot, good played...

[mrgabest]

FrostyMorn, I wish you'd start posting videos again!

[mandodoc]

Real smooth, and thanks for the tuning up front.

[williamsriver1]

This song sounds a lot like a song known as "Dead Man's Peace", thats played by some of the old timers here in the hills of West Virginia. have u ever heard it called that?

[BEERIOUS]

beautiful.

[dickmilesmusic]

5 stars,are you mike hockenhull?

[earthgriot1]

Sounds great! I need to learn this now... question: I've only been playin clawhammer for a bit over a year, and I'm not perfect at identifying specific right hand styles... but are you using the round peak technique? where you essentially replace multiple string strum for individual notes?....

[FrostyMorn]

I can't comment on "round peak" or not, but it is not my habit to "brush" the strings. So I think you are hearing correctly... single notes.

[4pt6billion]

Great tempo and awesome playing! Thank you, sir!

[popoaggie]

Is that an A scale banjo?

[FrostyMorn]

Short scale banjo, yes.

[CorvZr1]

i love the sound of clawhammer, sounds like old times, so much more comforting than bluegrass

[DanNPitts]

Does your banjo have a brass rod tone ring?

[FrostyMorn]

The banjo is not in front of me at the moment, but yes, I believe it does.

[BackFortyBushcraft]

I've been playing this song for ages, but I didn't know what it was called. Thank you! Great playing

[RobKaiser3]

Damn...I just first heard this tune while digging through my music library and searched for a youtube video on it - this is what I found!

You did this song justice and are a fine player. Keep it up!

[killaB14]

beautiful, ur a true southern gentleman frostymorn

[familydey]

bravo, guarda i video di LINO PATRUNO, un grande al banjo.

[Knockdownbanjo]

This is such great stuff. I hope to meet you some day and play some tunes...I have learned a lot from your banjo & fiddle playing.

Thanks for all the up-loads!!!

[pit032]

That fourth string has a nice growl to it,,great playing..beautiful song

[didicus85]

makes me cry. footstompin mountain pickin

[definenothing]

Any particular reason why you predominantly play clawhammer? I only ask because I'm just starting out on banjo myself & unsure where to start. And, yes, I'm afraid I am watching/commenting on all of your videos. Your playing style is amazing.

[FrostyMorn]

The reason I play clawhammer style banjo is simply because I like it! There is no right or wrong, or must or should in folk music... it's very liberating. 8-)

I am pleased to know you find inspiration in my playing, thanks for letting me know that. Follow your heart right now, be inspired to learn some style, and be assured that your interests with change and grow over time.

[killaB14]

beutiful. true talent

[dano4734]

Absolutely wonderful

Thank you for sharing your talent with us

[slimpickensrx]

great job! did you learn that from ear or did have tabs or sheet music? what tuning are you using? I'm dying to learn this song!

[FrostyMorn]

I learned the tune by listening to a tape of Hobart Smith, though I do not play it exactly the same way. The banjo tuning is demonstrated at the beginning of the video - I pluck each string individually. Something close to fDFCD.

[henrikdrescher]

i really like the syncopation that youve achieved in this one. clawhammer banjo is for me very much about rythm.

thanks for posting

[ottocarpenter]

A question, if I may: Which finger do you lead with. I realize there's no "right" or "wrong" but your technique is so relaxed and natural I can only admire your facility and wish to emulate it. Wonderful playing as always. Thank you.

[FrostyMorn]

Thank you for the kinds words, I'm happy to know you like the music! I use my second finger, just happens to be the choice I made when I first picked up the banjo.

[scanbran]

Your playing of this tune is the best I've heard - I'd never really bothered too much about this one until I heard your version, and now I want to learn it.

Superb.

[adamg709]

Lovely tone matey, all the best from the UK.

[bluegrassdragqueen]

as cool and clear as mountain air. nice job again, frosty.

[sandymilne]

Very nice, I've learnt bluegrass style and then find clawhammer a whole new experience when I try it. Where can I find myself a set of them braces?

[locustvalleystring]

Always love your stuff. Thanks for the tuning clue at the beginning. Larry

[playingrisipiti]

that is such a sweet tune

[oldbanjoman]

I learned this one a long time ago from watching David Holt perform it on his old Fire On The Mountain TV show. I thought I learned it pretty good, too. However, after seeing you play this song with "feeling", I think I'll just crawl back under my rock. Great rendition of a great Hobart Smith tune.  Thanks for posting it!

[astronaut7scum]

If I can learn to play the banjo like this guy in my lifetime, I could die a happy man.

[spanishchico23]

I love this song and the way you play it!!!! I'm just starting out playing banjo. Someday I hope to learn this song and how to play clawhammer. Thanks for showing us your amazing talent!

[frictionpeg]

Beautiful playing and tone from your banjo. I'll be checking for more banjo tunes. thanks

[77Fairbanks77]

Nice frailing Frosty!!!! Is that A Bart Reiter your playing? Keep up the nice work.

[xoxoamber212]

i love watching this, and im quite inspired to learn bajo. im hoping it wont be too difficult since i play guitar and violin. great work, keep it up!

[RustyRooooo]

That's so nice! I'm learning to play a similar song in the same tuninig, however I play it at more of a crawl :)

[skywav]

I wish I could play clawhammer. I just cant seem to get the technique down.

[munkee73]

beautiful as ever, whats the song called and what tuning are you in please, thanks for the up

[FrostyMorn]

This tune is called Last Chance and the first recording I ever heard was of Hobart Smith on a Folk Legacy cassette - years ago. Tuning is (approximately) fDFCD

[ReverendGoob]

Very Nice. Good Driving Sound. Keep it coming. I'm migrating from guitar to learning clawhammer . Your videos are helping me with technique and new tunes I will add to my own repertoire one day