"Die in a Field of Battle" - Clawhammer Banjo - Ben Kiser

Here's a banjo tune that comes from Wade Ward (1892 - 1971) of Grayson County, Virginia. I learned this tune from a recording of Mac Traynham and Shay Garriock off their CD, "Turkey In The Mountain".
Banjo tuning is aDADE relative (g# C# G# C# D#). Frequency is 435 Hz
Here's a link to a recording of Wade Ward playing this tune.
• Wade Ward plays Die in...
Here's a link to Mac Traynham and Shay Garriock playing this tune.
• Die in a Field of Battle

[@pablo9364]

Perfect background and really nice playing 👏. You’ve got me interested in learning tbh

[@vance7274]

Outstanding!!!!

[@bortieboy]

This is amazing!

[@clawhammerchris]

Sounds nice!

[@taylormorris_]

Nice drive on this one! Ralph Stanley esque👍 Never saw any of your vids until now, subbed!

[@Townes.VanZandt]

Awesome job ben!

[@leftclaw4078]

Sounds great, Ben! I've known Mac for several years now. He built me a great sounding banjo!! He is such a great guy and teacher. I love this tune. Is there any tab on this tune?

[@benkiserappalachianmusic]

Thanks! I’m afraid there is no tab as I learned this tune by ear. I agree that Mac is a great guy and I’m thankful to know him as a mentor!

[@mrgildons]

Great! Hey you look like Walter Forbes back in the early '60

[@isaweesaw]

I'm somewhat familiar with Southern US music, but can anyone explain why this song is so jolly considering the title?😅

[@griffinc9071]

Probably titled by an Irish guy :)

[@ela4621]

How long have you been playing? Would love to get into playing banjo but the only other instrument I've played is the violin and a tiny bit of piano.

[@benkiserappalachianmusic]

I've been playing for about 2 years now, my teacher is Mac Traynham, who is a master of Southwestern Virginia Style clawhammer and I learned this tune from him. You can find him perform online and i think he teaches online too.

[@ela4621]

@@benkiserappalachianmusic Thank you so much for your response! That's insanely fast for how good you play in my eyes. That's quite motivating haha, will definitely look up his work.

[@williampalmer6296]

Sounds great! What banjo are you using?

[@benkiserappalachianmusic]

That's a 1920's Vega "Style N" with a fiberskyn head