Cripple Creek Revisited (Video 1 of 2): Bluegrass Banjo Lesson

Hear this tune played with guitar rhythm backup (slow, medium, fast) starting at 12:25.
Guitar chords are provided on-screen at 10:12.
I teach an introduction to the tune at 11:11.
This is video 1 of 2 -- Here I revisit the two "Regular" parts of Cripple Creek (as on Page 1 of my tab sheet) with split screen and on-screen tab (My original Cripple Creek video was uploaded before I had those capabilities.
NOTE: During the video I refer to the fact that both parts repeat. On the printed sheet, they also repeat, but I wrote in the repeated parts, rather than using repeat signs and first and second endings, which can be confusing to beginners.
On Video 2, I teach variations to both the A and B parts of the tune, plus an ending lick. Find it here: • Cripple Creek Variatio...
Free tab sheets (PDF) and play-along tracks (MP3) for this and many other tunes are available at my website, www.littlerockbanjo.com.
Hope you enjoy.
I have posted this teaching video for instructional purposes only and, in my opinion, it constitutes fair use:
"The fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright."

[@marlonjohnfreyburger6242]

Merci, super méthode, BravoX1000

[@Finn_Lawless]

Dual camera thing is way more helpful for beginners like me. Lots of YT instructors keep on showing the same shit without properly revealing finger positions which leaves you trying to guess from a recording. And/or looking up tabs that don't necessarily correspond.

[@patrickharper1680]

Just discovered this, thank you so much! The slow progression and trying to play along with you is so helpful.

[@kidsundance3970]

Thank you for sharing your lessons for free. I live in Bolivia and no banjo teachers here. I'm learning thanks to you

[@BolanKeith]

Best Cripple Creek tutorial I've seen yet (and I've seen about 100) . cheers

[@thomas7johns]

Always fun to watch your vids. I play CC as my banjo warm-up song. Thanks so much for posting, your version gives me a little more to work with. You are an inspiration.

[@ajkauthen]

Best video ive seen so far as far as teaching goes. Really like how you break down the picking pattern, then add the left hand fingerings. Very much appreciated!!!

[@zachkelly89]

Thanks for still adding stuff just found your channel this was the first song I ever learned on banjo Ive only been playing little under a year working on your old joe Clark right now

[@jeffsimslmt]

Thank you Bill. Your teaching methods are top notch... helpful. There seem to be very many variations on Cripple Creek.

[@jeffsimslmt]

To follow up... did you know that Earl Scruggs’ tab (from his book) for the “Slide Lick” slides from the second to the fourth fret? In contrast, you’re teaching sliding from the second to the third fret. They both sound good, but I wonder if you were aware of this. Another thought... you make the point of using the index and ring finger of the left hand on the “C Slide”. You mention it’s less of a stretch on the ring finger, but it also seems natural. You’re referring to it as a C Chord and while the fourth string may not need to be fretted, it seems like a good habit which results in using the ring finger on the first string.

[@regismontvernay3369]

Thank you Bill from FRANCE . I bought my banjo a few weeks ago and I am learning cripple creek with your tuto. In France to have a prof of BANJO is hard. They are so rare. So I have no choice to learn like that but it's so well explained. Thank you again.

[@user-zo3rc7zo9c]

It's 3:08 in the morning and here I am... Drinking mtn dew (Code red) and picking a banjo that i named Jon Ban Jovi Jo Banjay. Life's great!

[@toms1341]

Thank you Bill, great tune, outstanding tutorial....Best wishes from Germany

[@richtfingers]

Another first class tutorial, Bill - thanks!

[@ryancopeman1962]

I cant thank you for you teachings to be passed onto me and my family i got no one else to teach me here in rural PA

[@joearhart]

Excellent! Love your teaching style. The tabs are extremely helpful.

[@graingercountyboys]

Great man, I’m actually learning how to play thanks to this video, Thank You Bill

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

Learned my first song with this video!!!

[@kellymccance1962]

Dam! I really wish I didn't learn to play Cripple the way my instructor taught because it was WRONG! Great video!

[@raymatthew9886]

Sir I cannot express how Grateful I am that I found your channel ! I am BRAND NEW to the Banjo and I bought my first Banjo 2 weeks ago and so far your videos are the easiest ones for me to follow. The part I’m having a hard time with is my Left hand Finer placement while trying to play notes. I’m sure this just comes with Practice but do you think you could do a video about this for me please? I do not know anyone who plays a string instrument personally to get some tips from or to watch how they put their fingers down to not touch the other strings. Thank you again sir have a good day

[@prolocknkey]

This explains a lot I was getting confused on the intro part I was Starting song with the high part thank you for the explanation

[@williammackay1474]

Great teaching style , thank you

[@doncarpenter916]

Your lessons are great it's really helped me

[@zanetillinghast8489]

Really solid video, thanks!

[@a20dmd]

Thankyou, i'm a beginner and had been playing it slightly wrong until I found this video!!

[@busman5429]

Bill I'm 65 years old back 35 year ago i picked up a banjo had a few lesson..how to hold the bajo and some basic rolls. Life took over had to stop lesson and put the banjo away. Now due to health issue i need to find another hobby other than restoring old vw soon will need to stop. Pulled out the bano put new strings on it and found this video. Thanks you there hope after love the way you break down the song and show

[@TheGhost5600]

Thank Bill...Another good one. You've been a tremendous help with all your instructional videos. Any chance of teaching Groundspeed?

[@williamanesbitt]

Love me some Groundspeed! It's on my list.

[@thecountrypressley5265]

Yes thank you this lesson actually showed me how to play it

[@JoseloGomezEA20101944]

Hi Bill,...Great Professor!!!, like ever , one big and easy explication,!!, thank you very much, an God Bless you, my friend, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, you most far student ,(of 73 springs), in our common home América!!!hahaha!!, (sorry my bad english, because no use translator!!!). José Luis.

[@williamanesbitt]

No need for a translator, José! Much love to you and your family from southern North América! Keep on pickin'!

[@JoseloGomezEA20101944]

Thank you for your kind response, Bill, great hug for you, and protection of the Lord to your family, José Luis.

[@elvispresley9273]

Спасибо большое за очень хороший урок, big thank to you mister, respect from Russia

[@Taylor0816]

The greatest banjo teacher thanks a lot my first song

[@aritravanbaskomz5858]

Waowwww.. awesome.. i will try for practise.. thankyou for tablatur.. very helpful

[@MrJTDuke]

Hey Bill , I'm about to cry over how good this tutorial is , hope you take paypal

[@williamanesbitt]

I do. Go to littlerockbanjo.com and look for my email link. Email me and I'll send you a paypal link where you can "order" a banjo lesson.

[@smr6482]

Thanks for your video , very helpful ! Would you have any advice on finger picks? I believe I made the mistake of starting out without them and now I'm trying to incorporate them into my playing but I can't seem to get use to them since I'm use to my fingers touching the strings. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[@dock82]

thank you!

[@legreenfallbackbase206]

Merci pour ce Tuto

[@oneman49instruments]

Thanks!

[@JamesBond-lk2jv]

I’m having trouble going from the pull off lick to the hamer on my timing just fells off

[@atodaso378]

incredibly frustrating, trying my best to stick with it. thanks for your time.

[@hughjantic-pantz3996]

learn the basic roll as the very first thing. You are hitting the drum at first, so it takes a while, I would say 10 1-hour session of only trying to do the roll, when you stop for a break and come back, is when you get better. Learn that first, and the rest is really fun

[@googlemustdie]

This is beautiful but I have a question. The fingering and picking is quite different from Scruggs published instruction manual, but the arrangement appears to be the same. is this because you are g-tuned and not using a capo and 5th-syring-capo as Scruggs suggests in his book in order to play this the way he and flatt played it?

[@williamanesbitt]

I don't own a Scruggs book. Never have. I've flipped through other peoples' copies a few times, but I didn't learn this tune from the book, but from listening to the record and watching others play it over the years. I do it in G because it's a good starter tune, but I would rather wait awhile before training people to use a capo. If I do use a capo, it will be on the second fret because it's a key-of-A fiddle tune, and I want to keep my fiddle-playing buddies happy.

[@googlemustdie]

williamanesbitt thank you so much. I love your videos and your work and have learned so much from you. You are amazing and very generous.

[@ElsieDIY]

12:24 practice

[@jackvalentine566]

What banjo is this? Thank you

[@joshuacope6039]

Is it possible for you to upload the tabs?

[@charlie.b1303]

9:00

[@KidNoah2012]

Where do I send money?

[@williamanesbitt]

You can go here www.williamanesbitt.com/skype-lesson-payment.htm and pretend like you're buying a banjo lesson (or two or three).

[@ElsieDIY]

6:23

[@ElsieDIY]

6:41

[@ElsieDIY]

6:58

[@ElsieDIY]

8:58

[@ElsieDIY]

10:00

[@dalegribble60]

*puts banjo away @ **14:05*