Cripple Creek Part 1
Learn to Play The Low Melody
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The Low Melody is the most important part of Cripple Creek, you play it after the High Part to make the verse, and after the Roll to make the chorus.
Here’s The Tab For The Low Melody
The Low Melody section is played in Thumb Lead style, which means that the melody is played with the right hand thumb, which is always on the beat.
In this free video you will see the structure of the song first, then you will learn how to play simple Thumb Lead melodies using right and left hands together. You will be playing on the 3rd and 4th strings of the banjo, and using just two easy left hand fingerings.
Left hand fingerings for chorus of Cripple Creek on 5-string banjo.
Once you’ve got comfortable with the basic fretting and picking techniques in the first five minutes of this free video, you will progress towards playing the low melody part of Cripple Creek which includes doubling up the speed by picking extra notes with the right hand fingers. Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than you might think!
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Get tablature for the complete beginners version of Cripple Creek in Scruggs (Bluegrass) style.
Next Steps
Once you can play the Low Melody, move onto the next free video and learn the Square Roll. Put this in front of the Low Melody you’ve already learnt on this page and you will be able to play the chorus of Cripple Creek!
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Check out Academy member Bryn Reeves
Bryn had only been playing for a few weeks when he recorded this video. You can see he's just practicing the Low Melody part round and round in loop, which is a great way to learn part 1 on this page before you move onto adding the Roll.
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Thumb Lead
The chorus of Cripple Creek (Low Melody + Roll) is played entirely in Thumb Lead style. This is one of the oldest and most authentic styles of playing and it’s also the easiest way for a beginner to start playing the banjo because the Thumb is always on the beat.
In the Banjo Academy there are five songs played in Thumb Lead style. These five songs have been carefully selected to give you the best possible experience of this wonderful banjo style. All of these songs use the same basic right hand picking techniques and simple left hand fingering positions, but each song is unique and will give you a different musical learning experience.
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