Have you ever played the bluegrass classic 'Cripple Creek' on banjo, listened to Earl Scruggs or been to a jam , heard the song and thought...

"Earl Scruggs wrote this, right?"

...well

...actually

...

Welcome to the 'Happy Picking!' podcast, where in Episode 5 we dive into 'The History and Mystery of Cripple Creek', taking a long look at the origins, history and lesser known facts about 'Cripple Creek'!

Sit down, put your headphones on and discover more about the classic standard of bluegrass.LEARN TO PLAY CRIPPLE CREEK:

Cripple Creek Lesson on YouTube - CLICK HERE

FREE TAB - Cripple Creek Standard Version- Click one of the links below to get the free banjo tablature for Cripple Creek.

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FULL TAB COLLECTION - Standard + Earl Scruggs Version + 3x Versions Building Cripple Creek + Banjo Back-Up Tab

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Remember to 'Follow' the podcast and drop me a comment with anything that you would like to hear about!

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Happy Picking!

Thinking about buying a Deering banjo but not sure which model is right for you?

...or do you just want to know what goes in to choosing the right banjo?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Deering banjo lineup, from the popular Goodtime series right through to the professional-grade Sierra, Eagle II, Golden Era and Tenbrooks models.

We'll explore the history of Deering Banjos, what makes each model different, and the key features every player should understand before making a purchase.

From tone rings and resonators to neck woods, hardware and build quality, we'll explain how these components affect banjo tone, playability and value.

Whether you're looking for the best beginner banjo, upgrading to an intermediate bluegrass banjo, or considering a high-end professional instrument, this episode will help you compare Deering banjos and make an informed decision.

We'll also share our recommendations for different budgets, discuss common mistakes banjo buyers make, and look at alternative brands such as Recording King, Gold Tone, Pisgah and Ozark.

Topics covered:

• History of Deering Banjos
• Which components make the biggest difference

• Open-back vs resonator banjos
• Tone rings explained
• Best Deering banjo for beginners
• Intermediate and professional banjo options (Sierra, Boston and the Eagle II)
• What to look for when buying a banjo
• New vs used banjos
• Alternative banjo brands worth considering

If you've ever wondered "Which Deering banjo should I buy?" this episode is for you.

Thanks for joining and as always...

Happy Picking!

#DeeringBanjos #BanjoPodcast #BluegrassBanjo #BanjoBuyingGuide #GoodtimeBanjo #SierraBanjo #BanjoReviews #BanjoPlayer #BanjoLessons #OldTimeMusic #BluegrassMusic

Do you want to build better banjo breaks?

One of the most important skills in bluegrass banjo is learning to hear and find the melody.

In this episode, we'll build a banjo break from the melody of Worried Man Blues and then strip back Earl Scruggs' break on The Ballad of Jed Clampett to discover how melody forms the foundation of every great banjo arrangement.

Let's take a look at all the building blocks so that you can then build better and more suitable banjo breaks.

*Please remember to like, subscribe and get in touch to tell me how you enjoyed the show and which sort of licks you have written.

Get the full tabs for these songs in the various arrangements from melody to banjo break by clicking the links below:

Worried Man Blues:

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Ballad of Jed Clampett:

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Join me over at the YouTube page for more lesson, tips, songs and tracks!

https://www.youtube.com/@SheffieldBanjoLessons

Happy Picking!