I Added My Pedal Steel To “Just Over Yonder” (I fixed the dead links)

I found a nice Gospel song on Facebook a few days ago by David Johnson. He's singing and playing acoustic guitar. I thought it would be fun to add a MIDI bass, kick drum and tambourine (I used MixCraft Pro Studio 10.1 software). And then I added my pedal steel guitar playing to it, which I humbly think came out okay. It's not perfect but I had fun making it. ...

1. Just Over Yonder (original song)
2. Just Over Yonder (added bass and percussion, no steel guitar)
3. Just Over Yonder (with pedal steel guitar)

I used my black Rittenberry S-10 pedal steel guitar. I play from my steel guitar, to the volume pedal, to a BOSS DD-3 delay, to my Evans FET-15 amp (I bought it back in 1992), out the "pre amp" output in back to a Scarlett solo interface box, to my computer. I didn't use any effects except my DD-3 pedal (I use a long delay with one repeat). It's not bad for a cheap home recording studio. I use a BJS bar for playing my steel. The decorative birthstone fell out years ago at the tip. The bar works fine, so I just use it as is. I changed out my stock pickup last year and replaced it with a Bill Lawrence 710. I'm happy with it.

I learned years ago that many steel guitar players also play the 5-string banjo, because both instruments share some of the same skills, use the same finger picks, and both use rolls. So, there is some overlap. If you can play pedal steel guitar, you can easily learn to play the banjo. I also think the reverse is true. I also think it would be quite easier for a banjo player to learn to play pedal steel guitar, which I have played as a hobby since 1992. There is a steep learning curve to learn pedal steel, but once you pass that initial hurdle it is downhill for the rest of your life. The steel guitar has been the joy of my life. Pedal steel will always be my first musical love. Lap steel steel guitar is second, which I play Hawaiian music on. Hawaiian music is a style, not a guitar, although it is usually played on a non-pedal steel guitar.

I also love the 5-string Banjo. I found Dave Hum's YouTube channel and amazing music in 2018 and my love of the banjo was rekindled. My passion for the banjo remains strong. I wish they weren't so darn overpriced and expensive, but that is a separate issue. As of August 2025, you can still buy a Show-Pro single neck pedal steel guitar for $3,895 from the Sho-Pro company in Nashville, Tennessee. Emmons charges about $12,000!!!

Last year, I bought two expensive Deering banjos from Fuller Guitars in Houston, Texas, at a 15% discount: a Calico for $4,430, and a Golden Wreath for $4,130. I'm not rich, but I had saved money for a long time. I am a firm believer in saving first and paying cash. I hate owing anybody a dime. There's a wonderful joy that comes from diligently saving money and waiting to buy to acquire something; as versus going into debt first and despising what you purchased on credit.

The Calico and Golden Wreath are both nice quality banjos, but I personally like the sound and tone of the Calico better. My Golden Wreath is sitting in its case now. I play the Calico. I also bought an inexpensive Goodtime Special for $1,099 on Amazon. To be quiet honest, I love and play the Goodtime Special more than any other of my banjos, because I love the clear unfinished wood on the neck, and that the banjo only weighs 9.3 pounds (over 3 pounds lighter than my other banjos), and the tone is excellent.

If someone were to break into my home and steal all my stuff (I don't trust crooked insurance companies, and they're all thieves, so I don't have insurance), I'd likely only buy a Goodtime Special. In hindsight, I regret buying two high end Deering banjos (which are definitely way overpriced without question). I am in the same boat as nearly all other banjo players, in that I simply haven't had the opportunity to play a bunch of different high end banjos to pick the one that fits me best. I've never played a Gibson, Yates, Stelling, OMG, ODE, or other top name builders, but I sure would like to. All I know is the ones I have bought.

I also own a Recording King Elite 85 with a maple body and neck, that I paid $1,895 for from Ross Nickerson in 2018, plus $225 shipping when I lived on Guam. Ouch! The Elite 85 has a 27 3/8" scale neck, which is a bit awkward since it is noticeably larger than the standard 26 1/4" length neck. It definitely has a bigger sound. But to be honest, it lacks the resonance that I love in a banjo. My Calico has resonance. Even the Goodtime Special resonates better than my Elite 85. That being said, the Calico does resonate a little better than the Goodtime Special. I just love and enjoy playing the Goodtime Special, which has a tone ring inside. It is a student banjo, but it's my favorite banjo to play. Go figure! The Goodtime Special just has a great feel to it!

Obviously, I am not a professional banjo player. I am just giving my honest opinion as a banjo hobbyist. Dave Hum (1966-2012) is one my musical hero on the banjo. For pedal steel guitar my hero is Lloyd Green (born 1937). For Hawaiian steel guitar my hero is Jerry Byrd (1920-2005). Those are my three musical mentors.

I have two Pro-II Sho-Bud D-10 pedal steels that I bought used. I bought my first one in 1993 for $1,200. I bought the other one around 2011, but I cannot remember what I paid for it. I'm guessing I paid about $1,800.  I bought my Rittenberry S-10 about 14 years ago new for $3,000. I only play the Rittenberry today, because mechanically it can do things (pedal and knee lever changes) that my other used steels cannot do. I also have an old cable Fender 1000 that I haven't played in years. It's an amazing instrument. Jimmy Day used a Fender 1000 on his 'Steel and Strings' and 'Golden Steel Guitar Hits' albums.

My Pro-II Sho-Buds weigh 85 pounds each in their cases, dinosaurs. They have a sweeter tone than my Rittenberry (which weighs 42 pounds in the case), but the Rittenberry is much more modern in design (built 40 years later). If anyone is interest in playing pedal steel, I recommend buying a new guitar from Show-Pro. You can't beat the price and workmanship, and a used pedal steel guitar on the Steel Guitar Forum will cost you just as much (you have to become a member to see the “For Sale” advertisements). I strongly advise you NOT to buy an old used pedal steel, unless you want to inherit a bunch of mechanical problems.

It was the beautiful 1970's country music that drew me to learn to play the pedal steel guitar. Country music is dead today, sadly. What is being produced in Nashville today is a mixture of rock, rap and country, which isn't real music in my humble opinion.

That all being said, I love the 5-string banjo and for the past few years have spent most of my time learning to play Dave Hum's awesome style. I already have backing tracks completed and scheduled to upload every Friday until December 26th, 2025. Thank you for your continued interest in my music blog. I don't make any money and don't accept donations for my work, I just love music and want to be a blessing to others. I thank God for Dave Hum and regularly pray for his family. I encourage you to purchase Dave's albums, backing tracks and tablature, which financially helps his family. God bless.

Are you going to Heaven dear friend?

Above: I'm playing my other Sho-Bud D-10 pedal steel, about 14 years ago

Above: Me with my Pro-II Sho-Bud D-10 pedal steel, about 30 years ago

A New Backing Track For “Third Man Theme”

This is a fun instrumental to learn and play, “Third Man Theme.” Dave Hum plays a wonderful arrangement on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD). The tune first appeared in the 1949 film, “The Third Man” (sometimes known as The Harry Lime Theme). Upon release the theme proved popular, spending eleven weeks at number one on the Billboard charts in the United States. The original song was played on a Zither. Dave Hum recorded the song in the key of G, but I have made backing tracks for both keys of G and A at various speeds for your preference. I encourage you to watch Dave's hands and learn how he does vibrato on individual strings. Those little nuances make a big difference in the tone. Enjoy!

• Third Man Theme (key of G, normal)
• Third Man Theme (key of G, slower)
• Third Man Theme (key of G, slow)
• Third Man Theme (key of G, very slow)
• Third Man Theme (key of G, woodshed)
• Third Man Theme (key of A, normal)
• Third Man Theme (key of A, slower)
• Third Man Theme (key of A, slow)
• Third Man Theme (key of A, very slow)
• Third Man Theme (key of A, woodshed)

Tablature and the original backing track are available from Dave Hum's store.

For my backing track, I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I am playing my Cort acoustic guitar and Eastman 505CCTV mandolin. I used a real audio loop for the tambourine. I use “MixCraft Studio Pro” to make all my backing tracks. Thank you for reading my music blog.

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

A New Backing Track For “The Wabash Cannonball”

This is a very popular 19th Century American folk tune, popularized in the 1930s by the Carter Family and Roy Acuff. I used a recording by Boxcar Willie. The tune was first recorded in the 1880s. The song has become an important part of American culture and is commonly heard at sporting events. The song is about a fictional train that operates on the Great Rock Island Route. I've made backing tracks in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• The Wabash Cannonball (key of A, faster)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of A, normal)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of A, slower)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of A, slow)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of A, woodshed)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of G, faster)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of G, normal)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of G, slower)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of G, slow)
• The Wabash Cannonball (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I used real audio loops for the train rhythm, cymbals, shakers, tambourine and djembes.

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

A New Track For “Old Spinning Wheel”

This is one of my very favorite tunes, an Old Time mountain song, played on the 5-string banjo. Dave Hum recorded it in standard tuning (gDGBD) in the key of C using improvisations. I've made backing tracks at various speed in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Tabs For Old Spinning Wheel (from the BanjoHangout; More detailed tabs)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of A, faster)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of A, normal)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of A, slower)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of A, slow)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of A, very slow)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of A, woodshed)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of G, faster)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of G, normal)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of G, slower)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of G, slow)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of G, very slow)
• Old Spinning Wheel (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano and keyboard parts. Real audio loops were used for the tambourines, shakers, djembes and cymbals.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

Some Tips On Playing Like Dave Hum

First, let me say that I humbly don't think I can play like Dave Hum and I never will. That is not my goal. My goal is to learn his techniques and implement them into my own playing.

Dave is such an amazing and intriguing musician. I don't think I will ever fully grasp why he plays ghost notes, which he does quite often. That is where he extends his left hand several frets up the neck to make it look like he is picking a note up there, but he's not. He is picking an open string instead, creating an optical illusion, but it looks so cool. I have no desire to do this as a means of artistic expression. I understand what Dave is doing, but I cannot figure out why. I wish I had the passion like Dave did to play ghost notes, but I just don't and I don't know any other banjo player that does. Dave was truly one of a kind! I sincerely don't think Dave played ghost notes to impress others; but rather, he enjoyed doing it. In this song, 'Behind The Haystack,' you can see Dave playing several obvious ghost notes.

Dave Hum is excellent at Pick Blocking and he uses this technique at times. I first learned how to do pick blocking on the pedal steel guitar. I learned from Jeff Newman (1942-2004), in his 'Woodshed Workshop' series of pedal steel guitar courses. Here is a pedal steel guitar website that explains pick blocking. Picking blocking is often used with Double Stops in music. A “Double Stop” is playing two notes simultaneously on a musical instrument.

Here are some audio examples that I made of using pick blocking on the banjo, using the patterns that I have tabbed for you....

1. Pick Blocking Example 1
2. Pick Blocking Example 2
3. Pick Blocking Example 3

I'm sure many of you have already been doing Pick Blocking and Double Stops and perhaps didn't even realize it. It's a bit tricky to learn at first, but a very simple and rewarding technique. You simply pick a note and then use the same pick to block that note while you pick another note, creating an alternating note picking pattern.

These are some of the basic chord patterns they Dave uses (.pdf). Here is the .tef version. In these tabs you will see Double Stop PATERNS 1, 2 and 3. If you have a good ear for music, then you can hear the chords as you play these patterns that I've tabbed, so that you don't even need the tabs. You should commit these patterns to memory, so that you know them fluently. Only then can you be free to ad lib and improvise on the banjo as a true professional musician. In these tabs you're essentially paying a complete musical scale using Double Stops (i.e., your playing the scale by using two notes). The reason why Dave sounds so uniquely different than other banjo artists is because he does a lot of improvising, using scales to express himself musically. You can easily do this too, if you'll learn these scale patterns and implement them into your playing.

Dave uses Double Stops quite often. In the song 'Tobin's Jig' (Double C Tuning) Dave Hum uses Double Stops. He's not using pick blocking here. Also, in the song Mason's Apron (Standard Tuning) he is using pattern one above. I enjoy using Double Stops often. In Raggle Taggle Gipsy (Standard Tuning), Dave also uses Double Stops.

In Dave's video, 'Speed The Plough,' at 1:47 time he uses the first chord pattern that I shared with you, improvising. In this clip Dave is playing strings 1 and 3 in combination with using Double Stops. A “Double Stop” is playing two notes simultaneously on a musical instrument. If you pay attention to Dave's videos, you will notice that he often uses Double Stops with strings 1 and 3 and at other times strings 2 and 4. In the same song, 'Speed The Plough,' Dave uses Double Stops for the introduction on strings 2 and 4. If you use the third chord pattern in the tabs that I shared with you, you'll be able to figure out what Dave is doing.

There are no exact notes that you must play. If it sounds good, you've got the right chord. I have studied Dave Hum's playing probably more than any banjo enthusiast. I have learned that he simply sticks to the chord patterns (mostly the one's I showed you). There's no magic to Dave's playing. He well understands the tunings that he uses. Every musical instrument and tuning has a specific chord pattern to it. For example: I love the 'Double C Tuning' (gCGCD) on the banjo, but it has a very different chord pattern than 'Standard Open G Tuning' (gDGBD). I am familiar with the Double C Tuning. If you've never tried Double C, you are missing out. In 'Maid Behind The Bar' (Double C Tuning), you can hear Dave employ Double Stops very well.

I love Dave Hum's banjo playing. He was a great man, having done something that no one else did musically. I love Dave's backing tracks and am so thankful to his family for making them available for everyone. The banjo is such a happy instrument. Music makes the world a better place.

Dave Hum (1966-2012)

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)