“Polly Put the Kettle On” is a classic old-time dance tune, Bruce Molsky played Wade Ward’s version in the Peghead Nation studio while he was recording lessons for his old-time banjo course.  The tune has some interesting rolls and drop-thumbing and it’s in double-D tuning: aDADE.

You can learn to play this tune and others in Bruce’s Wade Ward–Style Banjo, which will be adding new lessons soon.

To learn fiddle with Bruce, enroll in his Old-Time Fiddle course!

Evie Ladin: “John Brown’s Dream” Peghead Nation Clawhammer Banjo instructor plays a great old-time tune. Read More

Evie Ladin: “Rock Andy” Peghead Nation’s Clawhammer Banjo instructor plays a great old-time tune on a new Rickard banjo. Read More

Molsky’s Mountain Drifters: “Across the Plains of Illinois” Peghead Nation fiddle and banjo instructor plays and sings a great traditional song with his trio. Read More

Evie Ladin and Emily Mann: “Icy Mountain” Peghead Nation Clawhammer Banjo teacher plays an old-time favorite with one of the fiddlers who appears on Evie’s album of traditional tunes, “Riding the Rooster.” Read More

Bruce Molsky and Isa Burke: “Arkansas Traveler” Peghead Nation old-time banjo and fiddle teacher plays an old-time favorite with the fiddler, singer, and songwriter from the band Lula Wiles. Read More

Evie Ladin: “Got No Honey Babe Now” Peghead Nation’s Clawhammer Banjo teacher plays and sings an old-time song from North Carolina fiddler Frank Blevins. Read More

Evie Ladin: “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” Peghead Nation’s Clawhammer Banjo teacher plays and sings a Grateful Dead classic, which she also recorded for the Evie Ladin Band’s EP, “Playing Our Hand.” Read More

Evie Ladin: “Lonesome John” Peghead Nation’s Clawhammer Banjo teacher plays and sings an old-time song from Kentucky fiddler John Salyer. Read More

Evie Ladin and Emily Mann: “Merriweather” Peghead Nation’s Clawhammer Banjo teacher plays a banjo and fiddle version of an old-time favorite with the fiddler and multi-instrumentalist from the folk duo Paper Wings. Read More

Bruce Molsky: “Peachbottom Creek” Peghead Nation banjo and fiddle instructor plays one of his favorite clawhammer banjo tunes by Wade Ward. Read More