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)

A New Backing Track For “Mist Covered Mountain”

Here's an Irish Jig called, “Mist Covered Mountain.” Also known as, “Mist On The Mountain” and “Misty Mountain.” Dave Hum recorded this tune on 5-string banjo using the Sawmill tuning (gDGCD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for key of A. I've made backing tracks for you in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Mist Covered Mountain (key of A, normal)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of A, slower)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of A, slow)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of A, woodshed)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of G, normal)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of G, slower)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of G, slow)
• Mist Covered Mountain (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. Real audio tambourine. This track was a bit difficult since it has a more complicated rhythm pattern. I did my best to recreate Dave's backing track. I also added a real audio guiro, which I think sounds nice.

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

A New Backing Track For “The Mathematician”

This is a Scottish hornpipe composed by one of Scotland's greatest fiddle composers, James Scott Skinner (1843-1927). Dave Hum did an amazing job recording the tune in the key of G, using the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD). I have made backing tracks at various tempos in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• The Mathematician (key of A, normal)
• The Mathematician (key of A, slower)
• The Mathematician (key of A, slow)
• The Mathematician (key of A, very slow)
• The Mathematician (key of A, woodshed)
• The Mathematician (key of G, normal)
• The Mathematician (key of G, slower)
• The Mathematician (key of G, slow)
• The Mathematician (key of G, very slow)
• The Mathematician (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano parts. On this song, I used both a bass and low piano notes to double the bass tones, which is what Dave Hum did for his backing track. Good stuff! I encourage everyone to purchase Dave's original backing tracks from his family, which are superior to mine, and the money goes to help Dave's family. God bless them!

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

Here's Some Helpful Banjo Resources

I just wanted to share some nice helpful things I recently found with everyone.

First, go check out this really great YouTube channel at:

Bluegrass Backing Tracks!
(169 free backing Track videos)

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Second, I love this free Transpose Extension for your Chrome browser. The classic version is totally free and allows you to change the key, pitch and tempo of any YouTube video. You can even loop portions of any song. This is awesome for playing along with your favorite banjo tune in a different key, slower tempo, or focusing on one section of a video to learn it.

After you install the extension, make sure to go up to the right corner in your browser and click the three vertical dots. In the drop down menu click “Extensions, Manage Extensions,” scroll down to the “Transpose” extension and select “Details.” Then make sure “Pin to toolbar” is enabled for easy access. Also, make sure that the extension is enabled. You'll see the yellow icon (with up and down arrows) in the upper right corner of your browser. This is an awesome free tool.

Free Transpose Extension

(transpose; change pitch, tempo, loop)

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Third, here are some really nice quality MP3 backing tracks made by skilled musician Curtis Jones. Here are nine free songs. He has 37 songs (193 tracks total at various tempos) available for $60. When I ordered they gave me a discount on each pack, which I'm sure you'll also receive. While checking out they asked if I wanted to also purchase the Jam Session Survival book for $5. How could I pass that up? The book contains chords for 100 top Bluegrass songs. I bought the book, so I could easily enter the chords into Band-In-A-Box, which project I plan (Lord willing) to start at some future time, to start making additional folk and Bluegrass backing tracks with BB. I have a lot of ideas for future music projects. Anyway, all toll I paid $53.75 for everything after the discounts were applied.

Bluegrass Jam Tracks

A New Backing Track For “Locust Hill”

This is a Bluegrass instrumental. I used Dave Hum's performance as a template to make my backing track. Dave uses some improvisations in the tune, which he played in the key of G, standard tuning (gDGBD - capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for key of A). I've rendered backing tracks in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Locust Hill - PDF | TEF (tablature by Robert Gulyas)
• Locust Hill (key of A, faster)
• Locust Hill (key of A, normal)
• Locust Hill (key of A, slower)
• Locust Hill (key of A, slow)
• Locust Hill (key of A, very slow)
• Locust Hill (key of A, woodshed)
• Locust Hill (key of G, faster)
• Locust Hill (key of G, normal)
• Locust Hill (key of G, slower)
• Locust Hill (key of G, slow)
• Locust Hill (key of G, very slow)
• Locust Hill (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano parts. The tambourine is a real audio loop. It's a simple backing track, but effective to accompany the 5-string banjo. 

Also, Dave's original backing tracks are available for purchase from his family. Considering that Dave spent several hundred hours making his backing tracks, I humbly think the tracks are worth much more than the family is selling them for. I haven't found any tracks available that compare to Dave's. They are simple, uncluttered and have a driving beat that inspires the banjo enthusiast to want to play the banjo. I am so thankful for Dave's backing tracks. Thank God for Dave Hum!

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

A New Backing Track For “Soldier's Joy”

This is a popular old folk tune called “Soldier's Joy,” which Dave Hum played on the 5-string banjo using the Drop C tuning (gCGBD). Also known as: “The King's Head,” “French Four” and “The Clap Dance” and “The Gower.” Make sure to lower the 4th string from down D to C. I have made backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Soldier's Joy Tablature (PDF | TEF)
• Soldier's Joy (Casey Henry explains how to play)
• Soldier's Joy (key of G, normal)
• Soldier's Joy (key of G, slower)
• Soldier's Joy (key of G, slow)
• Soldier's Joy (key of G, very slow)
• Soldier's Joy (key of G, woodshed)
• Soldier's Joy (key of A, normal)
• Soldier's Joy (key of A, slower)
• Soldier's Joy (key of A, slow)
• Soldier's Joy (key of A, very slow)
• Soldier's Joy (key of A, woodshed)

For this backing track I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. I used real audio loops for the shaker, tambourine and train rhythm.

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