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Ben Kiser
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2021
A 20 year old musican preserving Appalachia's rich yet forgotten music.
This Channel is dedicated to showcasing traditional Appalachian Old-Time tunes and songs on the Fiddle, Banjo, and Mountain Dulcimer, in the authentic and archaic styles from the rural communities of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as sharing the history and biography of the tune sources.
I also occasionally will post footage/audio that I captured from various gigs, jam sessions and music festivals.
Be sure to like, subscribe and share my content as there will be more to come!
This Channel is dedicated to showcasing traditional Appalachian Old-Time tunes and songs on the Fiddle, Banjo, and Mountain Dulcimer, in the authentic and archaic styles from the rural communities of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as sharing the history and biography of the tune sources.
I also occasionally will post footage/audio that I captured from various gigs, jam sessions and music festivals.
Be sure to like, subscribe and share my content as there will be more to come!
"Monday's Waltz" - Isham Monday - D# A# F C
Here's the only waltz that Isham Monday played, unfortunately he couldn't recall the name, so it was named after him.
Tuning is D# A# F C (GDAE relative)
Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Kentucky. Monday was considered "the best fiddler in the Tompkinsville area." He supplied music in peoples homes in the region from the time has was a teenager until shortly before World War II, a span of fifty years. Isham learned to play the fiddle at age ten, He played a very old, archaic style of fiddle, where he'd be tuned so low that he could play three strings at once, and his bowing always consisted of slurs, swings, a series of saw-strokes, long-bows and was characterized by vigorous bowing and a great deal of bow pressure. He was recorded In the late 1950's by folklorist Lynwood Montell, who grew up In Monroe County, along with fellow folklorists D.K. Wilgus and John Newport.
When he was recorded he was eighty years old and past his prime, but his settings show a spare and tasteful sense of melody laced with occasional, contrasting ornate flourishes. He marks the beat vigorously, emphasizing the down-beat more than most fiddlers from the upper south. He told John Newport that he knew more than a hundred tunes when he was married in 1906 (Elizabeth "Lizzie" Pruitt Monday, (1888 - 1960), but at the time he was recorded he could start less than twenty. He played on his porch every night. "Oh, he lived for that," his son Carl told Burt Fientuch and Bruce Greene.
Here's a link to hear Isham Monday play this tune
www.slippery-hill.com/content/mondays-waltz
Here are links to Berea Archives, where you'll hear the entire Isham Monday recording sessions from 1959. Monday was visited twice.
First Recording Session:
berea.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_909eeca9-9f70-4b1e-9740-025ee91b9a57/
Second Recording Session:
berea.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_bfc05c7d-b4b3-40e6-9d1a-f45ffac8d5d4/
#fiddle
#oldtimefiddle
#folkmusic
#fiddlemusic
#folklore
Tuning is D# A# F C (GDAE relative)
Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Kentucky. Monday was considered "the best fiddler in the Tompkinsville area." He supplied music in peoples homes in the region from the time has was a teenager until shortly before World War II, a span of fifty years. Isham learned to play the fiddle at age ten, He played a very old, archaic style of fiddle, where he'd be tuned so low that he could play three strings at once, and his bowing always consisted of slurs, swings, a series of saw-strokes, long-bows and was characterized by vigorous bowing and a great deal of bow pressure. He was recorded In the late 1950's by folklorist Lynwood Montell, who grew up In Monroe County, along with fellow folklorists D.K. Wilgus and John Newport.
When he was recorded he was eighty years old and past his prime, but his settings show a spare and tasteful sense of melody laced with occasional, contrasting ornate flourishes. He marks the beat vigorously, emphasizing the down-beat more than most fiddlers from the upper south. He told John Newport that he knew more than a hundred tunes when he was married in 1906 (Elizabeth "Lizzie" Pruitt Monday, (1888 - 1960), but at the time he was recorded he could start less than twenty. He played on his porch every night. "Oh, he lived for that," his son Carl told Burt Fientuch and Bruce Greene.
Here's a link to hear Isham Monday play this tune
www.slippery-hill.com/content/mondays-waltz
Here are links to Berea Archives, where you'll hear the entire Isham Monday recording sessions from 1959. Monday was visited twice.
First Recording Session:
berea.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_909eeca9-9f70-4b1e-9740-025ee91b9a57/
Second Recording Session:
berea.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_bfc05c7d-b4b3-40e6-9d1a-f45ffac8d5d4/
#fiddle
#oldtimefiddle
#folkmusic
#fiddlemusic
#folklore
มุมมอง: 450
วีดีโอ
"Sally Goodin'" - Isham Monday - F C F C
มุมมอง 387หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's the nineteenth rendition of the Isham Monday tune showcase series, this is Monday's version of the well-known tune, played in the same tuning he played in, at the time he was field recorded. Tuning the fiddle in low registers was once a common practice in the South-Central Kentucky region. Tuning is F C F C (AEAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong far...
"Wagoner" - Isham Monday - D# A# F C
มุมมอง 3172 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's the eighteenth rendition of Isham Monday tunes, this one is the only C tune that Monday was recorded playing (as far as my knowledge goes). Tuning is D# A# F C (GDAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Kentucky. Monday was considered "the best fiddler in the Tompkinsville a...
"Sambo" - Isham Monday - F C F C
มุมมอง 2982 หลายเดือนก่อน
The seventeenth rendition of the Isham Monday repertoire showcase series, this one is a version of the common tune that goes today by the name "Fire on the Mountain." The tunes "Pretty Betty Martin," "Hog-eyed Man," and "Granny Will Your Dog Bite?" are all related to "Sambo." Tuning is F C F C (AEAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Clo...
"Susan Loller On Judio" - Isham Monday - E B F# B
มุมมอง 2782 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's number sixteen of the Isham Monday tunes series, where I showcase every tune from his repertoire. This tune has some fairly interesting mystery of its origin, because "Susan Loller On Judio" is what all the old timers around Tompkinsville called it, that's where Monday was from. The tune's actual name is "N" Inches Along", so it is in fact, a racist tune, probably dating back before the ...
"Fisher's Hornpipe" - Isham Monday - F# B F# C#
มุมมอง 3782 หลายเดือนก่อน
The fifteenth rendition of Isham Monday tunes, this is one that transformed from a hornpipe to a reel after the long process of the aural tradition. Tuning is F# B F# C# (ADAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Kentucky. Monday was considered "the best fiddler in the Tompkinsvill...
"Christmas Eve" - Isham Monday - F A# F C
มุมมอง 4442 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's the fourteenth rendition of the Isham Monday tunes showcase series. This one is a great example of how Monday would emphasize the down beat without making the tune crooked. "Christmas Eve" was once a well known dance tune all around South-Central Kentucky, and dates back before the Civil War. Jim Bowles, (1903 - 1993) from Monroe County, played a similar version. This was the first tune ...
"New Five Cents" - Isham Monday - F# B F# C#
มุมมอง 5462 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's number thirteen of the Isham Monday tune series, this tune is believed to have come about around 1913, when the new money came into circulation. In the Ozarks region, this tune was known as "Buffalo Nickel." Tuning is F# B F# C# (ADAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Ken...
"Old Sally Goodin" (from Welzie Chrisawn) - Appalachian Fiddle & Banjo - Ben Kiser & Aidan Saunders
มุมมอง 5902 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's a pretty tune that I learned from the playing of Bruce Greene, who learned it from Welzie Chrisawn (1906 - 1998) of Yancey County, North Carolina. Ben Kiser - Fiddle (FCGC) Aidan Saunders (fCFCD) During Welzie's life, He worked at sawmilling, brickyards and farming. His father, John William Chrisawn (B. 1872) played the banjo in the old overhand/knocking style. Welzie was largely influen...
"Bill Cheatham" - Isham Monday - F C F C
มุมมอง 7622 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's number twelve of the Isham Monday series, this is his version of Bill Cheatham. Tuning is FCFC (AEAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Kentucky. Monday was considered "the best fiddler in the Tompkinsville area." He supplied music in peoples homes in the region from the t...
"Soldier's Joy" - Isham Monday - (F# B F# C#) / (f# B F# B C#)
มุมมอง 6102 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here is the eleventh rendition of the Isham Monday tune showcase series. His version of this well-known tune is interesting and unique, as he empathizes the down-beat more in the high part. Ben Kiser - Fiddle - F# B F# C# (ADAE relative) Rachel Dunaway - Banjo - f# B F# B C# (aDADE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along t...
"Little Boy Working On The Road" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 7732 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's a fiddle tune that I learned from the playing from Bruce Greene, and Bruce learned it from the playing of Effie Pierson (B. 1902) of Owlsey County, Kentucky. Bruce believes this tune is related to "Feather Bed" from John Salyer. Tuning is AEAE #fiddle #oldtimefiddle #folkmusic #fiddlemusic #folklore
"Nancy Dawson" - Isham Monday - F# B F# C#
มุมมอง 4202 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's the tenth rendition of the Isham Monday Showcase series. This tune seems to be in the "Duck River" and "Dubuque" family. Though the tune is more frequently recorded under the title "Nancy Dalton," Monday's setting seems to be the most interesting. An unrelated English tune named "Nancy Dawson" appears in eighteenth century tune books and manuscripts. Tuning is F# B F# C# (ADAE relative) ...
"Old Liza Jane" - Isham Monday - F C F C
มุมมอง 6312 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here's the ninth rendition of fiddle tunes from Isham Monday, this rare version of Liza Jane was local to the South-central Kentucky region, possibly crossing borders in Tennessee. Monday recalled some words that went along with this tune; "If I were in heaven, boys, a'riding on the train, I'd swing out on the corner and swing old Liza Jane." Tuning is FCFC (AEAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - ...
"Old Joe Clark" - Isham Monday - F# C# F# C#
มุมมอง 4352 หลายเดือนก่อน
Here the eighth rendition from "Isham Monday Tunes Showcase." This here is how Isham Monday played the well-known standard, "Old Joe Clark." Tuning is F# C# F# C# (AEAE relative) Isham Monday (1879 - 1964) (pronounced Ice-Um) was a lifelong farmer that lived on Cloyd's Ridge Along the Cumberland River In Monroe County, Kentucky. Monday was considered "the best fiddler in the Tompkinsville area....
"Last Chance" - Appalachian Fiddle & Banjo - Ben Kiser and Aidan Saunders
มุมมอง 5472 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Last Chance" - Appalachian Fiddle & Banjo - Ben Kiser and Aidan Saunders
"Shoe Heels Crackin' On The Floor" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 1.2K2 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Shoe Heels Crackin' On The Floor" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
"Rock Creek Girls" - Isham Monday - E B F# C#
มุมมอง 5132 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Rock Creek Girls" - Isham Monday - E B F# C#
"Sally Johnson" - Isham Monday - E B F# C#
มุมมอง 4482 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Sally Johnson" - Isham Monday - E B F# C#
"Old Joe Williams" - Isham Monday - F C F C
มุมมอง 5733 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Old Joe Williams" - Isham Monday - F C F C
"Fire In The Mountain" (from John Salyer) - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 1.2K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Fire In The Mountain" (from John Salyer) - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
"Apple Blossom" - Isham Monday - F# B F# C#
มุมมอง 5623 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Apple Blossom" - Isham Monday - F# B F# C#
"Green Mountain" - Isham Monday - FCFC/fCFCD
มุมมอง 7713 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Green Mountain" - Isham Monday - FCFC/fCFCD
"Little Birdie" (from Morgan Sexton) - Appalachian Banjo - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 1.3K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Little Birdie" (from Morgan Sexton) - Appalachian Banjo - Ben Kiser
"Jenny Run Away In The Mud In The Night" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 8813 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Jenny Run Away In The Mud In The Night" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
"Fire on the Mountain" - Isham Monday - F C F C
มุมมอง 7163 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Fire on the Mountain" - Isham Monday - F C F C
"Going Across the Sea" - Isham Monday - F A# F C
มุมมอง 8983 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Going Across the Sea" - Isham Monday - F A# F C
"Young Edward" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 4993 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Young Edward" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
"Lonesome John" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 1K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Lonesome John" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
"Brad Walters" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
มุมมอง 4863 หลายเดือนก่อน
"Brad Walters" - Appalachian Fiddle - Ben Kiser
EXCELLENT...
Beautiful tune ..!!!!
Thanks, this is going to help me learn this tune! Morgan was pure gold!
Thanks
Awesome version
Thank you. You are a treasure.
Thanks for posting the tuning. You sound great!
Really nice. Don't give up ... your music needs to be shared and educate us on the classic Appalachian style of music. Amazing!
Mighty fine fiddling, Ben! One of my fav tunes.
sweet job
very nice indeed
When learning these tunes that were recorded with all these variations in phrasing and extra beats etc, do you learn the whole recording directly, or learn the variations and add them in at your own discretion?
@@tomsomervillemusic I find that the best way to learn fiddle tunes from field recordings is to just listen to them repeatedly until you can memorize it without having to hear it, which makes it come easier when you sit down and learn to play it. I execute variations as I go, since there is no “right way” to play old-time fiddle, meaning no one should ever copy other fiddlers, but take influence from them, combining your playing, nuances, variations, skill, repertoire, habits and techniques to create your _own_ style. This is what makes every old-time fiddler unique in their own way. You will _always_ fall short when you copy someone else’s playing, trust me, I’ve been there. I hope my answer proves helpful for you, Tom.
@ this all makes sense. I find it’s sometimes difficult to walk the line between finding my own style and being historically accurate. I think there’s definitely a way to preserve the spirit of tunes while not trying to imitate the recordings note by note, which then helps add on to the tradition instead of taking away. As far As i can tell your playing walks that line well.
I've never heard it played in this tuning before! Sounds awesome!
What an immense pleasure to have stumbled on your wonderful renditions of these buried treasures. How full of life, and fun, of mystery and spirit they are. Fell in through searching for Hiram Stamper and the Brushy Fork and being led to your crystal clear reading of this and then to all these terrific videos you have made. Thank you! All fortune to you on this great adventure!
Enjoyed this! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Sounds great! Your fiddle has such a beautiful tone.
@nadyabissett8729 Thank you very much!
It looks like it’s kind of a mix between two finger and claw hammer/overhand technique?
@@gelidsoul Morgan Sexton’s beautiful and unique style of up picking, striking down on one string only. I strongly recommend watching a video of him doing it, he played the banjo like no other, a true National treasure. th-cam.com/video/5aSunkNakgI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8TdA7baqXxacU6z0
Been addicted to playing this tune since I came across this video.I've always heard it played in A, but this is beautiful. Love the more bassy low tuning, and the strings sound like they sort of "breathe" more because there's less tension on them, if you catch my drift. Also love how you're not playing it too fast, really feeling the groove:)
@@Alan_Jozua I appreciate your kind words Alan, these old tunes have always sounded better tuned low and played at a slower pace. It seems that bluegrass and commercial recordings have influenced old-time music so much that fiddlers today would rather play the tunes fast and in “standard” tunings, but this is how the old fiddlers played the tunes, slower and in the low tunings like the one I’m playing in here, because there was no such thing as “standard pitch” at that time. I can absolutely see how the fiddle “breathes,” the strings definitely resonate much more whenever your fiddle is tuned below standard pitch.
Very nice. I learned a similar tune from a Marcus Martin recording, although he called it ‘Daddy Bowback’.
👏👏👏👏👏 cheers, brother 🫙’ ‘🫙
Many blessing on your house this fine season Be well and have a joyous New Year Well done
Omg, your cover is awesome 😭
@@folkybardyt thanks, I’m glad to hear that you like it.
Absolutely awesome. Great job!
Ah, I don't know why I haven't seen you play banjo before. I really dig your content meng.
I skipped over this one initially, silly me. Nice one!
I learned a waltz with a very similar low part called Kiss Me waltz but the high part modulated to D. I learned it from Charles “Eely” Suttle in Scott County, VA. Eely had taken lessons from Charles “Pop” Tarter, a black musician in Gate City who I saw playing on the street when I was young. He dressed in a suit, white shirt and fedora- looked like the black version of my Grampa Enoch Bledsoe. I feel lucky to have heard him and one of his students, who brought a bluesy feel to his fiddling and guitar playing.
Beautiful.
👍🙌👐🙌👍💥
Just saw this now. It's lovely. 🙂
Damn. This rips
Lovely - did you change your strings to get this tuning?
@@billmacaulay Nope, just regular d’addario strings
sweet job
@@bearshield7138 thank you!
I don’t learn a lot of waltzes but this one is going on my list..
Quite unlike any of his other songs you've played...I find it quite charming
👍👍👍
Cool tune- gutsy in that tuning
The nights so dark the road so muddy Iam so drunk I cant stand funny. Strawberry pie Huckleberry pudding and I walked all the way to see Sally Gooden. Looked down the road saw sally coming thought to my soul I would kill myself a running.
well done
very nice
very nice
wonderful
sweet
Another one that is great fun to strum along with, on the kitchen ukulele! 🎉 of course I don't know how Isham would feel about that. But remind me to get the ukulele out of the car the next time it's warm enough to play on the street in Floyd!
I'm having great fun playing along with a banjo ukulele, which I don't have to retune and sometimes can clawhammer a little bit instead of just trying to follow or complement the rhythm of your bow. Thanks for "channeling" great old fiddlers! 🎉
Best holiday wishes, Ben! You have me half inclined to retune a mandolin to play along with you on some of these! Of course that would mean at least buying a better set of tuners. Or maybe it's time for yet another mandolin ❤😂
This reminds me so very much of my youth and the old buck dancing parties we had! Love it! Be blessed and be well in all things,
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 awesome k❤
very nice
Bravo. It almost sounds crooked. I’m glad you play it long enough to allow for counting out the measures a couple times to hear what’s going on.
👍👍👍👍👍