More 'Band-in-a-Box' Backing Tracks

Here's a handful of songs I made this week with Band-in-a-Box (BIAB). They have a different vibe to them, which I enjoy playing along with. I left in the melody line for 'Mason's Apron,' because it sounds nice and goes well with the banjo. BIAB doesn't generate great intros for Bluegrass, they're all for Jazz or Pop, so I need to work at making better intros. I'm surprised that BIAB doesn't offer Country and Bluegrass intros. BIAB's intros work, they just don't always fit the songs. I think 'My Grandfather's Clock' came out nice. Enjoy! ...

• My Grandfather's Clock (80 bpm, key of A)
• My Grandfather's Clock (95 bpm, key of A)
• My Grandfather's Clock (110 bpm, key of A)
• Mason's Apron (65 bpm, key of A)
• Mason's Apron (80 bpm, key of A)
• Mason's Apron (95 bpm, key of A)
• Mason's Apron (110 bpm, key of A)
• Devil's Dream (85 bpm, key of G)
• Devil's Dream (95 bpm, key of G)

I can't get enough of the 5-string banjo, which sure brightens every day in this crazy world. God made music for us to enjoy it. I've been watching Jim Pankey's video banjo lessons. Jim sure is a great teacher and a blessing. Music makes the world a better place.

Here's Dave Hum's three banjos. In his YouTube videos, I can always identify Dave's Epiphone MB-250 made in China, because there's no fret marker at the first fret position. He plays it just as brilliantly as his Gibson, which just goes to prove that the sound is mostly in the musician's hands. The headstocks are quite different between the Gibson and the Baldwin ODE.

Dave Hum's Banjo Collection

A New Backing Track For “Banjo In The Hollow”

This fun tune is called “Banjo In The Holler” or “Banjer In The Hollow” for you mountain pickers. In 1964, The Dillard's debut album “Back Porch Bluegrass” stunned the national Bluegrass community. Douglas Flint Dillard (1937-2012), the banjo player in the group, brought a new sound to Bluegrass banjo with his hard-driving, yet melodically original playing. Here's a very cool album by Doug Dillard titled, 'You Don't Need A Reason To Sing' [1974] with Buddy Emmons (The Big E) on pedal steel guitar. They don't make music like they used to!

I have always loved “Band-in-a-Box” (BIAB) software and just upgraded to their “Audiophile 2025” complete package (which I ordered on a hard drive), which I got at a discount since I had previously purchased their 2022 Audiophile package (also on a hardrive). I couldn't believe how small the latest hardrives are, essentially a large USB thumb-drive. Nice. Since trying to navigate through the tons of different products on PG Music's website can feel overwhelming, I just keep it simple by purchasing the entire package every few years.

That being said, one of the reasons why I started this banjo blog is to get away from BIAB type tracks, which lack the simplicity of Dave Hum's tracks. So, don't worry, I won't stop making Dave Hum style tracks. I just wanted to share with you other things I've been working on as well. Eventually I'll run out of new songs to make. That is, songs that play well on the banjo. When that happens, I'll figure out my next music project for my blog. I could just spend the rest of my life learning to play the tunes that Dave Hum recorded and I'd be grateful and happy. We can never have enough backing tracks, right.

Lord willing, I will be continuing to make Dave Hum style backing tracks with MixCraft, and every so often add some Band-in-a-Box backing tracks as well. I'm always looking for new ways to make better backing tracks. BIAB tracks use Real audio files, not MIDI, so you are hearing actual musicians playing the music. Just in case you also have Band-in-a-Box (BIAB), I have included the names of the styles that I used.

The following BIAB backing tracks were made using Bluegrass style “_BIG_BAND.STY.” ...

• Banjo In The Hollow - Part One | Part Two (videos lesions by Jim Pankey)
• Banjo In The Hollow (a video lesson by Mason Crone)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of A, 85 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of G, 85 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of A, 100 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of G, 100 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of A, 115 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of G, 115 bpm)

The following BIAB backing tracks were made using Bluegrass style “_NORFOLK.STY.” ...

• Banjo In The Hollow (key of A, 85 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of G, 85 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of A, 100 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of G, 100 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of A, 115 bpm)
• Banjo In The Hollow (key of G, 115 bpm)

Backing tracks are invaluable. I'm still learning to use BIAB. I learned that if you enter a chord and two dots after it; for example, “G..”, you've created a “shot,” which you can hear several times in all of these tracks I've made, which produces a brief pause in the music. I love adding shots! Adding three dots; for example, “G...” causes the chord to strum and sustain for the remainder of the bar. Just using one dot, “G.” silences the note completely for one bar. BIAB is powerful software if you know how to use it.

I have a few dozen very nice Dave Hum style backing tracks already in the works, which God willing I'll be uploaded every Friday throughout 2026. So, please stop by at least once a week to see what's new. I've got tunes galore on the way! “Banjo Signal” will uploading sometime around the latter part of January, which is one of my favorite tunes to play. Here is a listing of all the BACKING TRACKS I've made so far, which I will update each week. At present there are 91 Backing Tracks, including today's new addition. I hope you enjoy it.

I Had This Cool T-Shirt Made On Amazon
For $20 With One Of Dave's Photos

A New Backing Track For “Black Mountain Rag”

This is a traditional old fiddle tune made popular by flatpicking guitar wizard Doc Watson. The tune is called, “Black Mountain Rag.” Dave Hum recorded the song on the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for key of A. I've made backing tracks in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Jim Pankey Teaches How To Play “Black Mountain Rag”
• Black Mountain Rag (key of A, faster)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of A, normal)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of A, slower)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of A, slow)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of A, woodshed)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of G, faster)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of G, normal)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of G, slower)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of G, slow)
• Black Mountain Rag (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano parts. Real audio for the cymbals, tambourine, Cajon and shakers.

Dave Hum
(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “Sportsman's Hornpipe”

This is an English hornpipe fiddle tune called, “Sportsman's Hornpipe.” Also known as: “Oldham Sportsman” or “The Sportsman.” Dave Hum plays this tune on 5-string banjo using the Sawmill tuning (gDGCD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for key of A minor. I've made backing tracks at various speeds in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Sportsman's Hornpipe PDF Tablature | TEF
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of A, normal)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of A, slower)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of A, slow)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of A, very slow)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of A, woodshed)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of G, normal)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of G, slower)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of G, slow)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of G, very slow)
• Sportsman's Hornpipe (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drum, synthesizer and piano parts. Real Audio loops for the cymbal, shaker and tambourine.

Dave Hum performing with the Huckleberries

A Cool Technique I Noticed In 'Southern Flavor'

I was working on one of my favorite songs today, 'Southern Flavour.' Dave Hum has 5 different recordings on YouTube of Southern Flavour. He must have really liked the tune, as I do too. At 1:28 time in the video, you can see Dave mute (with his third finger) the first string at the second fret to kick off his run. The muted note happens so fast that it is very easy to overlook. I suggest slowing the video down in the YouTube “Settings” to half or quarter speed, so you can see what Dave is doing. You can use this helpful technique elsewhere.

At first I couldn't figure out what Dave was doing, but then noticed that he doesn't actually play the note, he mutes it to create a cool effect. I made this brief audio clip, so you can hear the muted note. Guitar and steel guitar players call this technique, 'Chicken Pickin.' To create the effect, simply gently place the tip of your third finger on the string to mute it. If you hear the note sound, you pressed too hard. Watch the video (slow it down to clearly see and hear what he's doing).

I learned a very long time ago as a musician that any time you cannot recreate what another musician is playing, it is simply because your technique (the way something is done) is wrong. Dave is amazing, doing little techniques that we often overlook. Those little things are what separate his playing from the rest of us. Another musical hero of mine, pedal steel guitar artist Lloyd Green (born 1937) is a master of incorporating little techniques into his playing. Lloyd and Dave are masters of timing, which only comes with years of playing.

In the aforementioned video 'Southern Flavor,' at about 1:30 time, I took this screenshot of Dave's cool skull tuner on the fifth string. Love it! This is his 1992 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard (ESS) banjo.

Screenshot From 'Southern Flavour' Video

A New Backing Track For “The Crow”

This fun tune to play, “The Crow,” was composed by banjo virtuoso Steve Martin (born 1945), played on the 5-string banjo in Double C tuning (gCGCD). I was delighted to learn that Steve Martin's favorite choice of banjo is the Deering Calico. I bought one last year and am very pleased with it. The Calico has plenty of resonance and it has beautiful aesthetics. I bought mine at a 15% discount from Fuller Guitars in Houston, Texas. I used Dave Hum's recording as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of C and D for your preference. Enjoy!

• The Crow Tablature | TEF (accurate tabs as played by Steve Martin; Good stuff!)
• The Crow (key of C, normal)
• The Crow (key of C, slower)
• The Crow (key of C, slow)
• The Crow (key of C, very slow)
• The Crow (key of C, woodshed)
• The Crow (key of C, slack dog)
• The Crow (key of D, normal)
• The Crow (key of D, slower)
• The Crow (key of D, slow)
• The Crow (key of D, very slow)
• The Crow (key of D, woodshed)
• The Crow (key of D, slack dog)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums, piano and keyboard. I'm using real audio loops for the percussion, shakers and tambourine. I used MixCraft Pro Studio software to make this track. This is a really great song to learn and play in the Double C tuning.

Earl Scruggs (1924-2012) And Steve Martin

A New Backing Track For “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”

This is a popular Bluegrass favorite titled, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” by Earl Scruggs (1924-2012). Dave Hum recorded the tune in the key of G in standard tuning (gDGBD) on the 5 string banjo. I have made backing tracks at various speeds in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Foggy Mountain Breakdown PDF Tablature
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (Bill Nesbitt explains how to play)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (Jim Pankey explains how to play)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (Eli Gilbert explains how to play)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of A, faster)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of A, normal)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of A, slower)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of A, slow)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of A, very slow)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of A, woodshed)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of G, faster)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of G, normal)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of G, slower)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of G, slow)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of G, very slow)
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown (key of G, woodshed)

For this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I played along with my Cort acoustic guitar, and my Eastman 505CC mandolin. I added a real audio shaker, Cajon and other percussion. The song only uses three chords: Em, G and D. There's probably not a more popular Bluegrass song than Foggy Mountain Breakdown.

Dave Hum
(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)