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May 15, 2026 - 10:59:32 AM
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1493 posts since 1/30/2019

Today's tune of the week is a modern tune called Otter Creek written by @Brad_Kolodner . Brad has agreed for the tunes inclusion as a TOTW. It's always hard knowing how to handle tunes where the composer is a. known, and b. very much alive, like Brad. I'd just like to say a massive thanks to Brad for the permission.

There is of course, little history to relay. The short interview with Brad below gives a fascinating insight into the process of writing tunes, and what happens when a tune gets changed and evolves slight differences.

Here’s a recent video of Brad playing the tune with his band Ken & Brad Kolodner: youtu.be/sTBYRr2i63c

Here’s a solo performance: youtu.be/YY8KochQfXM

The link for a tab is on Brad's website here: bradkolodnerbanjo.com/

As the owner of the rights to this tune it seems correct that Brad can make a few pennies out of either music or tab sales, so I'm not going to post a tab myself.

Brad has lessons to play Otter Creek on his website here:
truefire.com/channels/clawhamm...er/l29384

The tune is a D minor tune with a similar feel to Sally in the Garden, or perhaps Tamlin, and it isn't too hard to work out by ear.

The tune is very popular in sessions and jams over here in the UK, where the B part has some interesting but small changes. Almost everyone over here plays the tune with this twist now. It is exemplified by the version here from Old Spot:

youtu.be/3dcfGyyW2yM?si=Fa1RBh72NhXKgKnK

(Some of you may know I'm a rock climber - yes, I've climbed the quarry behind the guys in this video.....)

The difference lies in the second half of the B part - you'll need to listen carefully, and see if you can hear it. I'm fairly sure the variations originated in Scotland, when Otter Creek was a TOTW for the session I attend in Glasgow - and though though I might be wrong I'm going to call them the Scottish Variations....

I recently attended the rather wonderful Crossover Festival in Sherwood Forest - Otter Creek was played there, and here is a version from Kasey, a talented young clawhammer player over here in the UK. I was privileged to play with Kasey, and John and Jimmy from "The Boat Rats" and this video is the result.

youtu.be/lCi_Gukwqgk?si=AwZWCvkYzX_Vynud

(Kasey has lots of other really good old-time content....)

I recorded a version without the "Scottish Variations" here, in an open minor tuning youtu.be/lMG6ESKXiVE

Anyway, please upload your versions (original or Scottish) and have fun!


May 15, 2026 - 12:56:50 PM

1493 posts since 1/30/2019

Here is a version I have just recorded with both the original B part and the Scottish Variations on the B part.
(New banjo is an old Weymann pot with a neck built by @flatfootjohnny. It's outstanding. And I have the fully functional tenor neck and tailpiece and there are no changes to the pot at all - just in case anyone is worried.)


May 15, 2026 - 4:01:21 PM
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hayesdt

USA

429 posts since 9/4/2007

I first heard Brad Kolodner on banjo and his father Ken on hammered dulcimer play this great tune of Brad's in a concert held on the Cornell University campus in about 2012. To this day, after all the times I've heard and attempted to play it in my much slower way, it remains an absolutely magnificent clawhamamer banjo composition -- one of the best ever.

Edited by - hayesdt on 05/15/2026 16:02:06

May 15, 2026 - 4:32:59 PM

GMB

USA

481 posts since 5/29/2009

Thanks for this one Andy. Got the tab from Brads website. Really like your syncopation here. Really enjoying this

May 16, 2026 - 6:05:10 AM

ndlxs

USA

567 posts since 9/26/2006

I've been a big admirer of Brad's father Ken; a great fiddler and hammered dulcimer player.  I loved the albums he, Chris Norman and Robin Bullock recorded as the group Helicon: a lot of really interesting tunes with great passionate performances.  

I am currently a retired hammered dulcimer player; but Ken does tunes no other hammer dulcimer player does.  

Not a lot of banjo in the Helicon recordings but I'm sure you can find a tune you want to figure out on your five string. 

https://heliconbaltimore.bandcamp.com/

May 16, 2026 - 9:35:57 AM

1493 posts since 1/30/2019

quote:
Originally posted by hayesdt

I first heard Brad Kolodner on banjo and his father Ken on hammered dulcimer play this great tune of Brad's in a concert held on the Cornell University campus in about 2012. To this day, after all the times I've heard and attempted to play it in my much slower way, it remains an absolutely magnificent clawhamamer banjo composition -- one of the best ever.


Thanks Dan. I think tunes written for clawhammer banjo specifically are often lovely to play. And then we're not taking a fiddle tune and adapting. 

And I agree, this is a real corker of a tune. And it works really well for the fiddles who really enjoy that slide up in the first measure.

Thanks for the comment!

May 16, 2026 - 9:36:45 AM

1493 posts since 1/30/2019

quote:
Originally posted by GMB

Thanks for this one Andy. Got the tab from Brads website. Really like your syncopation here. Really enjoying this


This is a really nice tune to play. It works fast or slow I think!

May 16, 2026 - 9:40:07 AM

1493 posts since 1/30/2019

quote:
Originally posted by ndlxs

I've been a big admirer of Brad's father Ken; a great fiddler and hammered dulcimer player.  I loved the albums he, Chris Norman and Robin Bullock recorded as the group Helicon: a lot of really interesting tunes with great passionate performances.  

I am currently a retired hammered dulcimer player; but Ken does tunes no other hammer dulcimer player does.  

Not a lot of banjo in the Helicon recordings but I'm sure you can find a tune you want to figure out on your five string. 

https://heliconbaltimore.bandcamp.com/


You're right, lots to have a go at on that link. 

Ken's high tempo intro to Otter Creek sets it up perfectly I think, and that rhythm drives through the whole piece. Brad didn't suggest this in the interview, but I can hear a clear influence on Brad's banjo sound from Ken's hammered dulcimer.

Thanks for the comment!

May 16, 2026 - 12:33:02 PM
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7476 posts since 6/27/2009

What a choice, Andy!  Great interpretation on your part, especially on that new banjo we'd like to hear more about.

Brad, his father, Ken, Rachel Eddy and Alex Lacquement are amongst the foremost, most talented performers around.  They promote Baltimore as a shining star in old-time music, giving the community numerous opportunities to participate, dance, and enjoy.  I even have a bumper sticker decal of theirs on my car!

I listened to the banjo and fiddle and tuned down on the cello banjo to play in the equivalent of sawmill tuning.


Edited by - JanetB on 05/16/2026 12:36:53

May 16, 2026 - 7:15:55 PM
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4515 posts since 12/3/2008

For me, Janet's interpretation on cello banjo really brings out the mystery of this tune; imbuing it with a deeply medieval, atmospheric, exotic flavor.

May 17, 2026 - 3:46:04 AM
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1493 posts since 1/30/2019

quote:
Originally posted by JanetB

What a choice, Andy!  Great interpretation on your part, especially on that new banjo we'd like to hear more about.

Brad, his father, Ken, Rachel Eddy and Alex Lacquement are amongst the foremost, most talented performers around.  They promote Baltimore as a shining star in old-time music, giving the community numerous opportunities to participate, dance, and enjoy.  I even have a bumper sticker decal of theirs on my car!

I listened to the banjo and fiddle and tuned down on the cello banjo to play in the equivalent of sawmill tuning.


This is a beautiful version Janet - thanks for sharing it. The cello banjo, your arrangement and your fabulous (as usual) playing adds a wonderful feeling to the tune. Thanks again!

May 17, 2026 - 3:47:38 AM
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1493 posts since 1/30/2019

quote:
Originally posted by Paul Roberts

For me, Janet's interpretation on cello banjo really brings out the mystery of this tune; imbuing it with a deeply medieval, atmospheric, exotic flavor.


Yes - I agree. Quite often D minor tunes, played out of aDADE like this, have an eastern European feel I think. 

May 17, 2026 - 10:51:36 AM
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4515 posts since 12/3/2008

In Brad Kolodner's solo rendition, he goes into an interesting up-the-neck section beginning at 1:08, which I think others could utilize as an opportunity for creative expression.

May 22, 2026 - 11:43:38 AM
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7476 posts since 6/27/2009

quote:
Originally posted by Paul Roberts

In Brad Kolodner's solo rendition, he goes into an interesting up-the-neck section beginning at 1:08, which I think others could utilize as an opportunity for creative expression.

 

Creative expression is in the realm of the talented musicians who flow with the music.  Personally, I get a bit lost in their wandering and like to land back on familiar ground, which usually happens, as Brad does in Otter Creek. He and so many others, like yourself, are in that innovative realm where you easily and creatively expand the tune and then return to its roots.  Alas, it's not my style (or perhaps within my ability level), and I remain most fond of listening for the melody and for movements within it that sound "right" and pleasing to my ear, probably relating to chordal patterns inherent in the tune.  I must be rather left-brained, if you know what I mean.  I do appreciate, Paul, that you liked my cello banjo interpretation of Brad's tune and describe it, which you also do creatively!

In another forum elsewhere this week there was a discussion of the concept of sticking to the "masters" version  vs. interpreting their music in such a way that a virtual new tune is created.  (It would have been a good discussion, but the ambiance became too heated and dogmatic to continue.)  Bottom line, the musical journey ought to be positive, fun, and engaging, as in the various versions Brad and his fellow musicians have offered us here.

May 27, 2026 - 10:45:38 AM
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4515 posts since 12/3/2008

quote:
Originally posted by JanetB
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Roberts

In Brad Kolodner's solo rendition, he goes into an interesting up-the-neck section beginning at 1:08, which I think others could utilize as an opportunity for creative expression.

 

Creative expression is in the realm of the talented musicians who flow with the music.  Personally, I get a bit lost in their wandering and like to land back on familiar ground, which usually happens, as Brad does in Otter Creek. He and so many others, like yourself, are in that innovative realm where you easily and creatively expand the tune and then return to its roots.  Alas, it's not my style (or perhaps within my ability level), and I remain most fond of listening for the melody and for movements within it that sound "right" and pleasing to my ear, probably relating to chordal patterns inherent in the tune.  I must be rather left-brained, if you know what I mean.  I do appreciate, Paul, that you liked my cello banjo interpretation of Brad's tune and describe it, which you also do creatively!

In another forum elsewhere this week there was a discussion of the concept of sticking to the "masters" version  vs. interpreting their music in such a way that a virtual new tune is created.  (It would have been a good discussion, but the ambiance became too heated and dogmatic to continue.)  Bottom line, the musical journey ought to be positive, fun, and engaging, as in the various versions Brad and his fellow musicians have offered us here.

 


Janet, thanks for your willingness to share your musical thoughts and feelings on a profound and meaningful level. Music is wanderlust in wonderland. _Paul

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