{"id":1773,"date":"2018-05-16T21:56:25","date_gmt":"2018-05-17T03:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplymandolin.com\/?p=1773"},"modified":"2023-01-28T10:52:32","modified_gmt":"2023-01-28T16:52:32","slug":"cripple-creek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplymandolin.com\/flekd\/cripple-creek\/","title":{"rendered":"Cripple Creek"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Just a creek somewhere…<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cripple Creek<\/strong>, <\/strong>without a doubt, has got to be the most recognizable bluegrass tune<\/strong> ever written. It seems like everyone that has even briefly explored the genre is familiar with the melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the first solo I learned to pick<\/strong> on the 5-string banjo in Scruggs-style was Cripple Creek. And later, when I was trying to learn melodic banjo, I believe it was probably the first solo I learned in that style as well. There are a lot of bluegrass books and instructional media that feature this simple melody for beginners. It seems like it’s everybody’s first bluegrass tune. Yet, I’ve got to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever tried to play it on the mandolin before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newsletter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Tune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tab I’ve put together here is probably not exactly a beginner’s version, but it is a simple tune and shouldn’t present too many problems. As with any tune, learn it measure by measure and go slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to “Cripple Creek” for mandolin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mandolin tab & music for the bluegrass tune “Cripple Creek”.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Downloads:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/a>Tab & Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/a>Just the Tab<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/a>Just the Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Make<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Moveable Patterns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cripple Creek – revisited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I received an email from a mandolin player visiting the site. He didn\u2019t tell me where he was from, but he did say he would like to see a \u2018closed-position\u2019 version of Cripple Creek. So, I decided to rework this post<\/strong> a little. Thanks for the suggestion Harold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original version shown above on this page is played in first position, using open strings<\/strong> in some places. Its a good sound, and it offers a little more sustain to the notes. But, if you wanted to shift it to a different key, it could take a while to figure out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can play the same thing up the neck<\/strong> in a closed position (not using any open strings). As a result, we end up with a recognizable pattern that we can move to other keys. The new arrangement may differ slightly from the original, because a few changes have been made to accommodate the new position.<\/em> Let\u2019s take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The version you learned above is in the key of A, and the very first note is a slide to the \u2018A-note\u2019 on the 5th fret of the first string.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Closed Position<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That very same A-note can be found on the 12th fret of the second string. Therefore, we can do almost the same thing by sliding into that high A-note on the second string. If we don\u2019t use any open strings, the first phrase might look something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First phrase – Cripple Creek – Key of A<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Play this first phrase several times, and get the pattern under your fingers.<\/strong> Then, move it up two frets by sliding into the \u2018B\u2019 at the 14th fret, and play the exact same pattern<\/strong>, only 2 frets higher. You’ll use the same fingers, on the same strings (just 2 frets higher up the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First phrase – Cripple Creek – Key of B<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve just transposed the tune from A Major to B Major<\/strong>, but the fingering pattern remains exactly the same!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key of G?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So now, 2 frets down from our \u201812th fret A\u2019<\/strong> (towards the peg head), we have a \u2018G\u2019 (10th fret, second string). If we slide into that G-note and play the same pattern in that new position, then we\u2019ll be playing the tune in the Key of G.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cripple Creek – Key of G<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Necessary Changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is often necessary to make simple changes to any pattern to accommodate for position. As an example, let\u2019s say we want to play in a higher key that starts on the first string,<\/strong> like \u2018D\u2019. We don\u2019t have another string to move to for that following note, like we did in the previous examples. But, if we slide into that \u2018D\u2019 (first string 10th fret) with our ring finger, we can find that \u2018E note\u2019 two frets higher, with our pinky finger. The rest of the pattern remains exactly the same (one string over).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First phrase of Cripple Creek – Key of D<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, we\u2019ve looked at a \u2018closed-position\u2019 pattern for the first phrase of Cripple Creek, and moved it from the key of A, to G, B and D.<\/strong> The rest of the melody is tabbed out for you in the download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

cripplecreek-clsd-a<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Working phrase by phrase, learn the entire pattern in the key of \u2018A\u2019. Then, try moving it around to other keys. Or, you can move it phrase by phrase. Try mixing it up – playing the first phrase up the neck, and the second phrase in open position,<\/strong> etc..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope this gives you some options to work on. Let me know what you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cy\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Don’t Miss a Beat!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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