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)

A New Backing Track For “Southern Flavour”

“Southern Flavour” is a classic Bill Monroe tune. I used Dave Hum's performance as a template to make this backing track. Dave added some improvised sections which are tremendous. Dave plays this song in the key of A, standard tuning, so you'll need to capo the second fret to play in his key, and capo the 5th string at the 9th fret, for the key of E minor. I also made tracks in the key of G for your preference. Here's Dave's awesome album recording of “Southern Flavour” (from his second solo album “Celtic and Bluegrass 5-String Banjo Vol. 2”). The video contains a photo montage of days when Dave busked with his banjo. Enjoy!

• Southern Flavour (key of A, normal)
• Southern Flavour (key of A, slower)
• Southern Flavour (key of A, slow)
• Southern Flavour (key of A, woodshed)
• Southern Flavour (key of G, normal)
• Southern Flavour (key of G, slower)
• Southern Flavour (key of G, slow)
• Southern Flavour (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, piano parts and drums. I used some real audio loops for the shaker, percussion and tambourine at the beginning. I have used Mixcraft Studio Pro to make all my backing tracks, which is on sale now for only $99. That's a great deal! The tracks are not difficult to make, they're just tedious and require many hours to put together. I've diligently tried to recreate Dave's tracks as closely as possible, but his tracks are superior to mine, without question. The area where I often fall short is in recreating his percussive sounds and rhythms, which he was a master of creating.

Albeit, I humbly think my backing tracks sound nice and are very good to play along with. They definitely get the job done. You are welcome to do whatever you want with all my tracks. I made my own backing tracks (following Dave Hum's style) and I freely share them with everyone:

1. To promote the majestic banjo music of Dave Hum
2. To inspire others to learn to play the 5-string banjo
3. To inspire other musicians to make your own backing tracks (it's very rewarding and fun)

Dave Hum was right that music is not a competition. It's a passionate art to be enjoyed and used as a tool to uplift the spirit of the audience. I love the 5-string banjo! Most banjo pickers never move beyond the realm of Bluegrass standard songs, but there is a whole world of jigs, reels, hornpipes, Irish and Celtic folk songs that sound amazing on the banjo. Mason's Apron is one of my favorite tunes to play (I slowed the track down a bit for my speed).

I hope you've enjoyed these backing tracks, as much as I have enjoyed making and freely sharing them. God bless you friend and thanks for reading my blog.

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

A New Backing Track For “Morrison's Jig”

This tune is an Irish Jig called, "Morrison's Jig," played on the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD); key of E minor. The song is also known as: "Cry Of the Celtic," "Stick Across The Hob" and "Maurice Carmondy's Favourite." Dave Hum recorded the song in the key of G, but I made backing tracks in both keys of G and A for your preference. I tabbed out the basic song the way Dave Hum played it. This is a fun song in a minor key to learn and play. Enjoy!

• Morrison' Jig Tabs (.pdf tablature)
• Morrison' Jig Tabs (.tef tablature)
• Morrison's Jig (key of G, normal)
• Morrison's Jig (key of G, slower)
• Morrison's Jig (key of G, slow)
• Morrison's Jig (key of G, woodshed)
• Morrison's Jig (key of A, normal)
• Morrison's Jig (key of A, slower)
• Morrison's Jig (key of A, slow)
• Morrison's Jig (key of A, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, piano, synthesizer, flute and drums. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and cymbal.

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A New Backing Track For “Star Of Munster”

This tune is an Irish reel called, "Star Of Munster," played on the 5-String banjo in the popular Sawmill tuning (gDGCD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret, for Key of A minor. Dave Hum does a remarkable job playing this tune. The song is also known as The Bright Star Of Munster, Kitty’s Wishes, Munster, Munster’s Stars, Realt Na Mumhain, Star O Munster and The Stars Of Munster. I used Dave's YouTube song as a template for my backing track. I have made backing tracks in both keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Star Of Munster (key of A, normal)
• Star Of Munster (key of A, slower)
• Star Of Munster (key of A, slow)
• Star Of Munster (key of A, woodshed)
• Star Of Munster (key of G, normal)
• Star Of Munster (key of G, slower)
• Star Of Munster (key of G, slow)
• Star Of Munster (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums, piano and synthesizer. I used real audio loops for the Cajon box, cymbal and tambourine.

Star Of Munster is a fun song to learn and play. Dave Hum made a great backing track for this song as well, which is still available. I encourage you to purchase stuff from Dave's website store, to help his family financially. Dave's original backing tracks are second to none! God bless you friend and enjoy. So many tunes, so little time!

The Huckleberries Band
(Dave Hum on banjo)