The Hamblen Collection. Anyone? Anyone?
While many of us at Swallow Hill Music nurture some pretty niche musical interests, Clawhammer Banjo Instructor Caleb James Hall had a lot of us stumped when he brought up the Hamblen Collection.
Fortunately Caleb was more than happy to explain it all to us ahead of his class Hamblen Collection for Clawhammer Banjo, which you can register for now. The class meets online Wednesday February 11, 18, and 25. Read on in our Q&A with Caleb to learn more on a topic that is sure to interest you whether you play the banjo or not.
Can you tell us a little bit about the Hamblen Collection? What is it, and why were you drawn to it?
The Hamblen Collection is actually a short title for A Collection: of violin tunes, popular during the early 1800’s as played by David Russell Hamblen (1809-1893) and his son Williamson (1846-1920) arranged and copied by A. Porter Hamblen (1875-195-) son of Williamson, but that sure is a mouthful to say every time! These are some obscure tunes that have no source recordings and instead there are transcriptions from A. Porter Hamblen (Willam’s son) and David Hamblen’s grandson, John Marshall Gillaspy. (Are you confused yet?? You almost have to draw a family tree to understand who wrote down the tunes and who played the tunes haha.) It’s kind of an interesting backstory but more on that later. (You can view the collection here.)
So I had come across these tunes unbeknownst to me on some of my favorite artists’ albums (Foghorn String Band and Tall Poppy String Band) fast forward to Clifftop (aka the Appalachian String Band Music Festival) 2025 where I heard several people mention this Hamblen Collection, and then stumbled into a jam where they were playing ONLY tunes from this collection. They had me at the first tune, Chadwell’s Station, a quirky, crooked tune in the key of G that was also just really lovely sounding.
REGISTER NOW: Hamblen Collection for Clawhammer Banjo with Caleb James Hall
OK, so if they’re called fiddle tunes, why are we learning them on the banjo?
Well the short answer is that anytime a fiddle gets involved its fun to add clawhammer banjo to the mix! Don’t get me wrong, I love all sorts of accompaniment to fiddle tunes but to me it just doesn’t get better than a well rehearsed fiddle and banjo duo (think Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves; George Jackson & Brad Kolodner; or Tommy Jarrell & Fred Cockerham to name a few). Beyond that, it’s fun for me to try to figure out these obscure fiddle tunes and then bring them to the (banjo) masses. I also think that if you’re not quite used to abstracting melodies from fiddles and/or sheet music these particular melodies could be difficult to grasp. As a clawhammer teacher I like being able to show folks how to deal with unusual timing and quirky rhythms and turn them into something that can be idiomatic on the banjo.
Getting back to the tunes in the collection, do you have a favorite that you are going to highlight in the class, or is that top secret?
I’m really excited to teach Chadwell’s Station. As I mention earlier it was the first tune I played in the Hamb-Jam at Clifftop, so it’s got a special place in my heart. I think it also is just a really good example of what this collection has to offer. It’s crooked, it’s kind of trancy, and it’s just a really beautiful melody.
The class will be online as you are living in Minneapolis these days, and you’re quite active in that city’s old-time scene. What’s happening out there that you’re excited about?
There’s all kinds of things happening out here, but here are a couple things I’m looking forward to in early 2026: I’m really excited to check out Woolsock this year, which is a weekend festival that happens right around New Years and takes place in a YMCA camp where the attendees stay in winter cabins or camp (if you’re so brave). It’s named as such because of the policy for no wet shoes in the dance area, and folks dancing in their wool socks. Another big thing that’s happening in April is the second annual Twin Town Old Time Festival. I went to this last year and it’s put on by some really great people and is sure to have some great acts (both local and national) and events the whole weekend (April 17-20, 2026).
Is there anything you’d like to add?
So I mentioned an interesting backstory to the Hamblen Collection. I recommend checking out Howard Rains and Tricia Spencer’s Tune Talk on the subject. It’s really silly but also informative, and it’s a little bit easier to follow than reading all these names and how they’re related. Also if you’re not sold on it yet check out Jason Cade’s playlist on YouTube where he’s working his way through playing the whole collection (not all of them have banjo representation, but they’re all pretty cool!)
Thanks Caleb!
REGISTER NOW: Hamblen Collection for Clawhammer Banjo with Caleb James Hall