Exploring Backup With Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek is usually one of the first songs aspiring banjo players learn the melody to so I figure it's a good place to start looking at some backup concepts.

This video demonstrates walking bass notes, vamp chords, fill licks and chord substitutions. If you're new to the concept of chord substitution Google can supply you with plenty of exhaustive insights into it; If you prefer to pick more and read less think of it this way:

Chord substitutions are nothing more than harmonies or chords that share similar notes. In this example I play an Am chord over, or instead of, a D7 chord.

D7 = D A F# C
Am = A C E

I do this so I can keep the bass line going (B-A-G) and since the notes are played so dry and fast you can easily get away with this type of substitution. You could play a D7 chord at the 5th fret with the A in the bass but I find that cumbersome and unnecessary when playing the song up tempo.

Tab available at http://www.seanray.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• earl
• scruggs
• cripple
• creek
• banjo
• bluegrass
• lesson
• sean
• ray

[OSCAR82AA]

Where is the Am chord in cripple creek?

[ludwigtrap]

The Am is a substitution for the D7 in this particular example.

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

hey where'd ya get the fifth string hook? i've been wanting one for a while.

[ludwigtrap]

Funny you should ask since I removed it , and installed spikes, shortly after this video was shot. It's a Shubb 5th string capo and you can find them online or I'll sell you mine dirt cheap.

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

Oh, and would it fit a Deering Goodtime?

[ludwigtrap]

I would recommend going with spikes but I'll sell you my Shubb for $20 shipped.

And yes it will fit on any banjo.

[frozenhell98]

at the beginning after the slide from 2-5 you dont have to put your middle finger on the fourth when you play that part.

[theretheirtheyre]

thank you thank you thank you!

[shodobe1]

Very nice backup part. Your video helped me learn to pick out Cripple Creek on the Mando. !!

THANKS!

[OSCAR82AA]

Shows what I know.

Thanks for the nice back up work.

[1radstallion]

did you write this yourself?

[duftnich03]

what's the average size of a banjo top skin?

[bigdjindustriez]

Good video man. Would you be able to make a video solely about backup for any song instead of a specific song. Theres no good videos out there for backup banjo, however it's one of the most important parts of playing with a band or another musician.

[traildust32]

One fine sounding banjo you have there, I really like it.