Kokenology 101

This is the first in a series of instructional videos designed to provide the clawhammer banjo student with a window into the wonderful playing of Walt Koken. More information on Walt can be found at www.mudthumper.com. My intent is not to provide a note for note run through of Walt's arrangements, but to outline basic Kokenisms that one can employ in their own arrangements.

The opening tune is called "Banjonique" by Walt Koken. I play only the A and B parts due to time constraints. Special thanks to Walt Koken who gave me permission to attempt this project. I highly recommend all of Walt's recordings!!

Sound was recorded using a MOTU Traveler and a Josephson C42 mic. I used Logic to capture and master the audio.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• clawhammer
• banjo
• Koken
• Tom
• Collins
• instruction
• frailing
• old-time
• new
• hot
• times

[robertsondjyt]

I can't stop replaying this - it's great picking and if I may say so, sounds better than the original which is also on YT.

The banjo tone is great - I absolutely love it, and the ring sustain. I don't recognise the instrument. Could you pls tell us which banjo model it is and - if it's not standard - the tone ring type. Thankyou very much for the post. I love it.

[FretlessFury]

Thanks for the note!

The banjo I'm playing is an Ome Columbine with an 11" silverspun tone ring I picked up second hand. It's not the Ome standard Columbine though. I think that it was a custom job as it has a flush-fit resonator and backstrapping on the neck. It plays even better than it sounds if you can believe it.

It's setup with a Snuffy Smith frosted head, medium Moon bridge and bronze Bill Keith strings.

Cheers!

Tom

[sethb111]

Awesome Tom!! If Walt is our GOD than you would be JESUS!!! I hope to meet you someday and really looking forward to more Kokenology. Im learning on a 32 Kay I just restored out of the neighbors attic and I love Walt Kokens music that I discovered on Pandora.

[montaguehwilliam]

Well done. It's great to hear detail on Walt's playing. On his CD with Claire Milliner (sp?) the banjo is really hard to dig out of the mix. It sounds great, but it's hard to figure out. I'd enjoy hearing how Walt gets the drive so strong in the A part of Cookhouse Joe. I play all the notes, but they lack that fluid punch. Also, what's he doing in the B part? I just can't hear it. It works so well with the fiddle.

Walt's got to have the driest sounding banjo on the planet!

[brianbauer78]

Thanks pal! We've met on BHO before. I'm FINALLY getting into posting my own videos myself.

But THIS is a treasure. Thank you so much. He really does have a unique style!

[brianbauer78]

Thanks pal! We've met on BHO before. I'm FINALLY getting into posting my own videos myself.

But THIS is a treasure. Thank you so much. He really does have a unique style!

[TheEnviroguy1]

Thanks Fretless for this great video. You have an excellent teaching style. I look forward to more of these. I'd pay for instructional DVD or book or whatever - maybe you could produce something down the road. Cheers

[1RoaringMonk]

THank you!

[r1z8]

I've been looking for this information for fifteen years: I couldn't figure it out.

Your posts are great, and your music is briliant. Many thanks.

[arcitejack]

ok im an idiot i figured out the tuning

[arcitejack]

Thanks for doing this as I also believe Walt is the finest clawhammer player out there. Maybe I missed it but what's your tuning here?

[moonoggin]

And the right hand technique is ???? love your playing.