The Eclectic Banjo - Posted - 06/05/2026:  08:45:55

Context: I have a lyrical version of Cripple Creek that I was hoping to play and sing to at a recent beginner-oriented jam in the key of G and AABB format, and the jam leaders talked me out of it.

Reasoning: they said Cripple Creek and other fiddle tunes usually follow a certain format (AABB) and with keys that should be changed sparingly, if at all. When people sing to a fiddle tune, changes in the format and key are often made which can overly confuse the circle and bust the jam.

My thoughts are that if I followed the key and the format and since most beginner bluegrass jammers know CC, it would be considered safe, but maybe I'm wrong. Any input from seasoned jammers?

chuckv97 - Posted - 06/05/2026:  08:48:48

We did CC in A at our jam ystrdy and the leader played one round and also sang a verse, no problem

tomd7 - Posted - 06/05/2026:  08:54:08

I've found that beginner non-banjo bluegrass players don't actually KNOW Cripple Creek. I've tried to play it in my beginner/intermediate level jam a couple times and it didn't go well so I stopped calling it.

pinenut - Posted - 06/05/2026:  08:58:25

Cripple Creek is usually in 'A' and a two fret capo is a nothing-burger on the banjo.  People might grumble, a little, about 'G', but, that should be fine too.

Cripple Creek is a fundamental tune for bluegrass and old time; by definition, it can't be a jam buster.

Edited by - pinenut on 06/05/2026 08:58:59

RB3 - Posted - 06/05/2026:  09:10:20

In a jam session, the acceptability of song choices should be determined through negotiation with all of the participants. If a jam session has a leader who exercises authority, it's really not a jam session.

Edited by - RB3 on 06/05/2026 09:15:51

chuckv97 - Posted - 06/05/2026:  10:21:15

Whoever’s turn to do a tune is up they always ask how many people know such-&-such a song/tune,, if there are at least 3 we do it,, the others can learn it by listening & watching guitarists’ chord changes.

BruceS2 - Posted - 06/05/2026:  11:33:14

I have seen this problem specifically with Cripple Creek and beginnerish jams. Many beginners just don't know much bluegrass yet and don't know the song. So calling it as a fast fiddle song just won't work. Playing slower and singing it is a great way to introduce it and with some practice the group will learn it and then you try it faster. I tend to call more fiddle songs because I don't sing:(, which is problem for me if the group is mostly beginner level.

davidppp - Posted - 06/05/2026:  11:35:47

I learned it off a record I bought in the 1960's.  This is a much later performance, same artist: youtube.com/watch?v=NvyzbZttFBE .  It's all I hear when I or someone else plays it. 

davidppp - Posted - 06/05/2026:  11:55:23

...and I should have added a link to an essay usually attributed to Steve Martin that I think of any time anyone talks about learning banjo.  Here is a transcription that was posted years ago on BHO: banjohangout.org/forum/archive...ID=133140 .

stanleytone - Posted - 06/05/2026:  12:00:02

C.C. is one of the first songs most  banjo players learn. Speed may be the only obstacle that might be an issue. I say go for it.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 06/05/2026:  12:50:23

Classic song. First one I learned well over 50 years ago.

Go for it. That song is so old that I’m sure at this point there are folks than never heard it.

Only thing that matters is that you are playing music and everyone enjoys themselves.

Randy Escobedo - Posted - 06/05/2026:  13:39:00

Not a jam buster at all. A great tune. I often pick Earl tunes from the 1970s and 1980s at jams. 9 to 5 is a favorite. Only one way to learn. Have fun.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 06/05/2026:  14:16:22

Wasn't a jam buster in any of the jams I went go. Unless you're in a beginner group, then go for it. Most jammers will go with what the song/tune leader is doing.

banjoak - Posted - 06/05/2026:  15:29:35

quote:

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Originally posted by The Eclectic Banjo

Reasoning: they said Cripple Creek and other fiddle tunes usually follow a certain format (AABB) and with keys that should be changed sparingly, if at all. When people sing to a fiddle tune, changes in the format and key are often made which can overly confuse the circle and bust the jam.

 

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What???? 

That's a nonsensical response and reasoning.

It's basic form, structure, phrasing is very simple, thus easy for beginners to follow, and fun to play... and works in BG, OT, or generic folkie jams... about the opposite of a jam buster. 

There is no inherent key change in Cripple Creek. While like any song/tune, possible to make an arrangement that does modulate; typically folks don't... especially at jams... and just stick to the one key they started. (G is pretty standard, but many play in A; capo 2)

Most typically when folks sing words to Cripple Creek, tune still follows it's AABB format. (as is most often case when singing words to other fiddle tunes).

It seems like the jam leader is the one that's maybe more a beginner, and would be confused?

The Eclectic Banjo - Posted - 06/05/2026:  16:10:49

I was pretty annoyed by their response since it was the first song I learned on the banjo and I thought everyone knew it. It's a singing oriented jam too so I was expecting encouragement. But I didn't want to be a negative nancy. I just played something else and did fine.

eric fuls - Posted - 06/05/2026:  17:16:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Eclectic Banjo

Context: I have a lyrical version of Cripple Creek that I was hoping to play and sing to at a recent beginner-oriented jam in the key of G and AABB format, and the jam leaders talked me out of it.



Reasoning: they said Cripple Creek and other fiddle tunes usually follow a certain format (AABB) and with keys that should be changed sparingly, if at all. When people sing to a fiddle tune, changes in the format and key are often made which can overly confuse the circle and bust the jam.



My thoughts are that if I followed the key and the format and since most beginner bluegrass jammers know CC, it would be considered safe, but maybe I'm wrong. Any input from seasoned jammers?

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eric fuls - Posted - 06/05/2026:  17:23:16

Insist on playing it at the next jam. If someone else wants to sing let them. Are there any beginner fiddle players in this jam? If anything c.c. is a song that when worked on together would help everyone play better. Start slowly and get it down and then build up to it.

Bronx banjo - Posted - 06/05/2026:  19:42:11

I’ve read the so- called jam leaders reasoning for not playing CC several times and it makes no sense to me. It doesn’t sound like a very democratic jam. CC should be an ideal choice especially for a beginner’s jam.

randybartlett - Posted - 06/06/2026:  07:27:32

It is played as the warmup song at one jam I go to. Everyone knows it.

pinenut - Posted - 06/07/2026:  06:50:34

quote:

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Originally posted by The Eclectic Banjo

I was pretty annoyed by their response since it was the first song I learned on the banjo and I thought everyone knew it.  I just played something else and did fine.

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Hi Dan,

What tune did you call?

What are a few of the stock tunes at that jam?

The Eclectic Banjo - Posted - 06/07/2026:  19:28:24

I did Crying Holy Unto the Lord and then I'll Fly Away, both in G. It's a guided beginner jam so it's a heavily controlled environment, not at all a regular jam. They did do Angeline the Baker as a fiddle tune later on though, AABB format. I think I'd be fine playing it at any other jam.

They play most beginner friendly songs and the occasional tune there but entertain others with fairly straightforward progressions.

pinenut - Posted - 06/08/2026:  07:10:16

quote:

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Originally posted by The Eclectic Banjo

I did Crying Holy Unto the Lord and then I'll Fly Away, both in G. It's a guided beginner jam so it's a heavily controlled environment, not at all a regular jam. They did do Angeline the Baker as a fiddle tune later on though, AABB format. I think I'd be fine playing it at any other jam.



They play most beginner friendly songs and the occasional tune there but entertain others with fairly straightforward progressions.

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Guessing, this jam is at a church?  Or is run by a religious group/individual?

Edited by - pinenut on 06/08/2026 07:11:59