Cripple Creek Banjo Tab

There's a reason why Cripple Creek is one of the first songs every banjo player learns. It's the perfect 3-beer song—simple enough to pick up fast, but catchy enough to impress your friends at a BBQ.

It's easy to learn, sounds great and you're gonna play it a million times. It's the perfect song for when you're hanging out with your friends and want to show off what you've been learning.

So let's dive right in! We'll explore the history of Cripple Creek, discover some unique variations, and get you playing a basic version in no time. And for those of you hungry for more, we've got advanced tabs ready for download too.

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Dive Deeper: The History of "Cripple Creek"

Let's take a trip back in time to where it all started. Picture this: you're in the Appalachian mountains, around the turn of the 20th century. Among the local musicians, a tune begins to take shape. This tune is none other than "Cripple Creek."

Now, some say the song was named after the mining town of Cripple Creek in Virginia. Others reckon it was inspired by Cripple Creek, Colorado, known for its gold rush back in the day. Who's right? No one knows, and that's part of the song's charm.

Fast forward to 1924, and this catchy tune gets its first recording, courtesy of Stovepipe No. 1, a one-man band. Little did he know, he was setting a trend. In no time, musicians from all over started to put their own spin on "Cripple Creek."

Year after year, the song spread. From the Appalachian mountains to the world stage, "Cripple Creek" found its way into the hearts of music legends, including the great Earl Scruggs. His banjo version of the song set a new standard, and now it's a must-know for all banjo players.

But here's the thing about "Cripple Creek": it's a bit of a chameleon. It's been played fast, slow, with different lyrics, different keys. It's like the song has a life of its own, changing and growing with each performance.

And that's the beauty of "Cripple Creek." It's not just a great tune, it's a piece of living history. It's a song that welcomes change and invites creativity, all while staying true to its roots. No matter how you play it, "Cripple Creek" remains a classic, always ready to get your toes tapping. I'm excited for you to learn it!

Step #1: Make Sure You Know What "Cripple Creek" sounds like

The first thing you want to do is make sure you know the song. There's plenty of examples on YouTube - I particularly like this version by Tracy Newman from 1965.

Here's our beginner level Cripple Creek banjo tab

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Page and tab written by Jack - lead instructor at BanjoSkills.com