A New Backing Track For “Rocky Top”

The popular tune “Rocky Top” was written by Felice & Boudleaux Bryant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 1967 and recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year. The song is a city dweller's lamentation over the loss of a simpler and freer existence in the hills of Tennessee. Dave Hum played it in standard tuning (gDGBD); capo the 4th fret, 5th string capo 9th fret, for the key of B. I've made backing tracks in the keys of A, B and G for your preference. This is a fun song to learn and play on the banjo! Enjoy!

• Rocky Top (key of A, faster)
• Rocky Top (key of A, normal)
• Rocky Top (key of A, slower)
• Rocky Top (key of A, slow)
• Rocky Top (key of A, very slow)
• Rocky Top (key of A, woodshed)
• Rocky Top (key of B, faster)
• Rocky Top (key of B, normal)
• Rocky Top (key of B, slower)
• Rocky Top (key of B, slow)
• Rocky Top (key of B, very slow)
• Rocky Top (key of B, woodshed)
• Rocky Top (key of G, faster)
• Rocky Top (key of G, normal)
• Rocky Top (key of G, slower)
• Rocky Top (key of G, slow)
• Rocky Top (key of G, very slow)
• Rocky Top (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I used real audio for the shaker, djembe and tambourine. I use Mixcraft Studio Pro to make all my backing tracks, which costs $149. It is often on sale for $99. With the Studio Pro version, you get over 5000 audio loops to work with.

I just had another Dave Hum T-shirt made. You can order the shirts for about $20 on Amazon. I use GIMP (a free open source program to feather and remove the image edges). You can find videos on YouTube how to use GIMP. I uploaded the exact second image below to have the following T-shirt made.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “Shenandoah Breakdown”

This popular Bluegrass instrumental tune, “Shenandoah Breakdown,” was written by Bill Monroe (1911-1996) and first recorded and released by Bill Monroe in 1964. Also known as “Shenandoah Valley Breakdown,” a traditional American folk tune hailing from Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The tune is played on the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret, for key of A.

Dave Hum does a tremendous job playing this tune. He must have really enjoyed this song, because he uploaded three different recordings to YouTube. Contrary to what many banjo instructors teach, Dave DOESN'T anchor his right-hand pinky on the banjo head while playing. His hand is freely floating, which you will see in these videos. I love it! ...

• Shenandoah Breakdown
• Shenandoah Breakdown (2)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (3)

I've made various backing tracks at different speeds in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Tablature For Shenandoah Breakdown By Bill Keith (TablEdit Tabs)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, normal)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, slower)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, slow)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, very slow)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, woodshed)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of G, normal)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of G, slower)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of G, slow)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of G, very slow)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drum and piano parts. This is a fairly simple track. David didn't use any cymbals, shakers, djembe or a Cajon box, so neither did I.

Just for fun, I also made a few different tracks using the drum track for Andy Gibb's popular 1975 song, “Jive Talking,” which works well I humbly think. I also used this same track for my backing track, “Temperance Reel.” For this backing track, I just made a few in the key of A. ...

• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, normal)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, slower)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, slow)
• Shenandoah Breakdown (key of A, very slow)

I hope you enjoy playing along with these backing tracks as much as I did making them. Dave Hum's birthday was this past Friday, April 11th. He would have turned 59. God bless his family.

Thankfully, Dave's music lives on in the hearts and minds of thousands of people like me. I hear musicians all the time who can play very fast and are highly skilled, but their music isn't worth listening to because it lacks timbre, rhythm and style. Dave's banjo playing along with his superb driving backing tracks are nothing short of amazing! I've been watching some YouTube videos of so-called top banjo artists, who can't hold a candle to Dave Hum. 

Ultimately, it doesn't matter how good you can play an instrument if you don't sound exceptional while performing. Dave didn't just play the banjo, he created something beautiful and thankfully recorded it for us to enjoy and cherish for a lifetime.

Finally, I have done my best for the past couple years to recreate Dave's backing tracks, to freely share with other banjo and music enthusiasts like me. But my tracks pale in comparison to Dave's. He was a seasoned musician who exceled at making his own backing tracks.

Therefore, I highly recommend purchasing Dave's backing tracks, which are still available from his family. Considering that Dave invested several hundred hours making the 115 tracks that are available, they are worth every penny! Every penny goes to help Dave's family. When Dave passed away in 2012, the bank foreclosed on their home in Salisbury, England, and refused to give his wife time to come up with the next mortgage payment. So, the wicked bank took their home without mercy. I hate the ungodly greedy banks! Anyway, my heart goes out to the family. I've already bought all 115 tracks and they are one of my most prized possessions.

Thank you for reading my blog. So many tunes, so little time!

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

A New Backing Track For, “Shove That Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire”

This Old Time fiddle tune is called, “Shove That Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire.” Some websites refer to the song as: “Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire.” I'm not sure which titled is the official name, but I like “that” better than “the.” Dave Hum actually calls the tune by both names in his video description. The song is played on the 5-string banjo in standard Open G tuning (gDGBD).

A ‘pig’s foot’ is a blacksmith’s tool that somewhat resembles a crowbar or poker, used to manipulate pieces of pig iron in a forge. The tune was originally recorded by a western North Carolina fiddler named Martin Marcus, on an LP where he played it as a duet with his son Wayne. Marcus also recorded it for the Library of Congress in the 1940's. Also known as “Ruby With The Dancing Eyes.” I used Dave Hum's performance to make a backing track's in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of G, faster)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of G, normal)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of G, slower)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of G, slow)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of G, very slow)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of G, woodshed)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of A, faster)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of A, normal)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of A, slower)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of A, slow)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of A, very slow)
• Shove The Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire (key of A, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano parts. I used real audio loops for the djembe, tambourine and shaker. I use 'MixCraft Studio Pro' to make all my backing tracks. All audio workstation software has its own pros and cons, but I really like MixCraft because it is very user friendly and doesn't have any problems loading or processing. When I tried Ableton's trial version it kept crashing. I wrote a review of 'Ableton Live' in this blog. You can't beat MixCraft for the affordable price. It does what I need it to do to make nice backing tracks.

“Shove That Pig's Foot A Little Closer To The Fire” is a fun song to play. It's fairly simple to learn. If you don't already know, you can go into the settings (right hand corner) icon for any YouTube video and slow it down as much as you want. I slow Dave's recordings down to 25% to 50% to learn his tune's note for note, which makes learning a lot easier.

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

A New Backing Track For, “Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine”

Here's an Old Time fiddle tune called, “Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine,” played on the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for the key of A. I love that song title! I enjoyed making this backing track. It is a great song to learn and play. I have also tabbed out the basic melody and chorus as played by Dave Hum (in both .pdf and TablEdit formats). I've made backing tracks in the keys of A and G for your preference, as always. Enjoy!

• Tabs For, Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (.pdf tablature)
• Tabs For, Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (TablEdit tablature)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of A, normal)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of A, slower)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of A, slow)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of A, very slow)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of A, woodshed)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of G, normal)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of G, slower)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of G, slow)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of G, very slow)
• Grasshopper Sitting On A Sweet Potato Vine (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano parts. I used real audio loops for the cymbal, shaker, Cajon and tambourine. I generally add some effects to the finger bass, to give it some warmth and smoothness. I also add an effect to make the drums more punchy. The effects all come with MixCraft Studio Pro and are simple to add with the click of mouse. I am careful not to go overboard with effects though. I am pleased with the way this backing track came out.

Thank you for reading my music blog.

Dave Hum (1966-2012)

A New Backing Track For “Foggy Mountain Special”

In 1954, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs released the Bluegrass classic, “Foggy Mountain Special.” Dave Hum plays it on the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD) in the key of G. I used Dave's performance as a template to make my backing track. I love the video of Dave playing, with admirers all around mesmerized by his artistry on the banjo. I have made backing tracks in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Foggy Mountain Special (key of G, normal)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of G, slower)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of G, slow)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of G, woodshed)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of A, normal)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of A, slower)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of A, slow)
• Foggy Mountain Special (key of A, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass and piano. I'm using real audio loops for the percussive rhythm, cymbal and tambourine.

Sean Ray also has a nice backing track available with tablature for this song. You can hear Sean play the song on YouTube. What a great song to learn and play!!!

Here's another free backing track I found from 'Bluegrass Unlimited' for the song, “Foggy Mountain Special.”

Dave Hum (1966-2012)

A New Backing Track For “Pike County Breakdown”

In 1952, Bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe (1911-1996) wrote this tune, "Pike County Breakdown." Dave Hum plays it masterfully on the 5-string banjo, standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capoed 7th fret for key of A. I've made backing tracks for the keys of G and A for your preference.

• Pike County Breakdown (key of A, faster)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of A, normal)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of A, slower)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of A, slow)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of A, woodshed)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of G, faster)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of G, normal)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of G, slower)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of G, slow)
• Pike County Breakdown (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. I'm using real audio loops for the shaker, bongo, guiro, tambourine and rattleshake tambourine at the end. As always, I use MixCraft Studio Pro to make all my backing tracks.

Dave Hum's family has an original backing track available for “Pike County Breakdown” on their website. When you consider all the several hundred hours of diligent work that Dave invested into making his backing tracks, they truly are priceless! Plus, all of the money goes to help Dave's family. I haven't found any backing tracks of equal quality on the internet. Most tracks are cluttered with other instruments. Dave's backing tracks are simple, clean and have a driving beat to them, which makes playing the banjo much more fun and inspiring. I can really get into his backing tracks!

Also, Sean Ray has a great backing track available for “Pike County Breakdown” along with 5-string banjo tabs in “The Session Book.” You get 26 songs for $45, which includes separate tracks for all the songs (with the banjo and another without the banjo), along with .tef (TablEdit) and .pdf tablature, which is a super deal.

Dave Hum (1966-2012)

A New Backing Track For “Monaghan's Jig”

This is an Irish Jig called, "Monaghan's Jig." I used Dave Hum's recording to make a backing track. Dave's version is a slower tempo played on the 5-string banjo, standard tuning (gDGBD). Also known as: "The Clay Pipe" and  "Coleman's Jig." I've made backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Monaghan's Jig (key of A, normal)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of A, slower)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of A, slow)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of A, very slow)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of A, woodshed)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of A, caveman)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of G, normal)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of G, slower)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of G, slow)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of G, very slow)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of G, woodshed)
• Monaghan's Jig (key of G, caveman)

I used MIDI for the bass and piano. I'm using a real audio drum loop for the percussion. I'm playing along on my Cort acoustic guitar.

Dave Hum (1966-2012)