Clawhammer Dulcimer - Cripple Creek - Stephen Seifert

Stephen Seifert playing Cripple Creek (PUBLIC DOMAIN) in the clawhammer style on a Mike Clemmer Ban-Jammer / Dulcimer tuned four-equidistant DGDD. (low to high) http://stephenseifert.com/
http://myspace.com/stephenseifert/
http://www.clemmerdulcimer.com/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ban-jammer
• clawhammer
• dulcimer
• dulcimore
• delcimer
• delcimore
• epinette
• scheidtholt
• hummel
• humle
• langeleik
• langspil
• zither
• seifert
• siefert

[justinruns]

Stephen, is this not the bluegrass standard? A friend of mine and myself were having an argument about what the first bluegrass/old time song is most people learn. I said Cripple Creek. Please, I need your expert assistance to win this argument!

[stephenseifert]

@justinruns I think it's a standard but I'm no Bluegrass expert. Don't know what the Old-Time crowd would say.

[RHRandle]

Steve, how about a teaching session video on clawhammer technique on the dulcimer? I've always wanted to learn how to do that on my banjimer. Great playing!

Ruth

[stephenseifert]

It's in the works. Thanks, Ruth!

[davidsummerford]

am I correct in assuming your thumb has turned the high D into a G for the sound of a banjo's fifth string and then you are using the other strings for the melody??? It sounded great!

[stephenseifert]

Correct, when in DGDD, my left thumb frets the G just about the whole time. When in DADD, my left thumb frets the A. If it wasn't for all the other uses I have for this instrument, I'd figure out how to put in one of those model railroad spikes or some kind of capo. It's also cool as it is to have different notes on the drone string depending on the current chord. Clawhammer with rootless Jazz voicings sounds really insane this way.

[LovingMyMonster]

I think cripple creek is the smoke on the water of banjo, haha.

I personally learned some tunes like Old Joe Clark and some more modern songs first on banjo.

[kungzhudude1]

That's cool! Never seen a banjo like that.

[MyDeadFretts]

this brought a smile to my face! first time seeing a banjo-dulcimer!! xD

[talinandrew]

thank you !!!

[toothandsticks]

@justinruns Boil that cabbage down is a must for all bluegrass and fiddle players.

[lwalkup2]

@justinruns Having learned Old-Time music (which has to be recognized as being different than bluegrass unless you want your teacher to box your ears) I would concede that Cripple Creek is among the first songs learned. For me and fellow students of Old-Time music here in West Virginia, I think the ultimate standard is Boil them Cabbage.  After that, you have tunes like Cripple Creek, Shortnin' Bread, and Skip to My Lou.

However, I think it ultimately depends on the preference of your teacher.

[bpitsenb]

the sound of that instrument makes me smile....

[tfiddler]

Wow! where'd you come from! You're now my favorite musician in the new find catagory of my life. Great playing. Was listening and saving a few of your videos here. Makes me want to go practice my fiddle.

[JustDulci]

This is totally awesome!!! Did you ever finish the teaching session video? I have a banjammer and would LOVE to learn to play like this!

[NEILAALIEN]

Awesome! This is the first time I've seen a banjo dulcimer, cool! Nice Post.

[senderti]

sick