A New Backing Track For “Big Sciota”

I enjoy playing this Popular Old Time fiddle tune called, “Big Sciota,” on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD), key of G. It is pronounced “Sigh-Oh-Tuh.” The song is sometimes spelled “Scioty” or “Scioto, named after The Scioto River which flows 231 miles through central Ohio. I used Dave Hum's performance to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. I really like when the bass kicks in after the banjo intro. The best thing to do is first watch and listen to how Dave plays it, so you'll have an idea of the timing. Enjoy!

• Big Sciota .PDF Tablature | TEF (I tabbed these out for you)
• Big Sciota (a video lesson by Mike Hedding with tabs)
• Big Sciota (a video lesson by Bennett Sullivan)
• Big Sciota (key of A, normal)
• Big Sciota (key of A, slower)
• Big Sciota (key of A, slow)
• Big Sciota (key of A, very slow)
• Big Sciota (key of A, woodshed)
• Big Sciota (key of G, normal)
• Big Sciota (key of G, slower)
• Big Sciota (key of G, slow)
• Big Sciota (key of G, very slow)
• Big Sciota (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing tracks I used MIDI for the percussion and keyboard. I used a VST3 MODO bass plugin by IK Multimedia for the realistic bass. I used real audio loops for the shaker, tambourine and drums.

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

A New Backing Track For “Cherokee Shuffle”

“Cherokee Shuffle” (also known as “Lost Indian”) is a popular Bluegrass tune for the banjo, played on the 5-string banjo in the Standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, and 7th fret of fifth string for key of A. I used Dave Hum's performance (with his improvisations) as a template to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. John Kuhn also does a great job playing this tune. Enjoy!

• Cherokee Shuffle (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Cherokee Shuffle Tablature (PDF and TEF by Richard Jordan)
• Cherokee Shuffle (a funky version taught by Ricky Mier)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, normal)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, slower)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, very slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, woodshed)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, normal)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, slower)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, very slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the percussion, piano and keyboard. I bought some MODO VST3 plug-ins to use with MixCraft. VST (Virtual Studio Technology) and VST3 are different versions of audio plugin formats used in digital audio workstations (DAWs). VST3 offers improved CPU efficiency, better automation, and additional features like multiple audio inputs and outputs, making it generally more advanced than the older VST format.

You can hear the new bass and drum sounds in this backing track. I'm looking into buying more VST plug-ins. I'm trying to improve the quality of future backing tracks.

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

A New Backing Track For “Reuben”

Here's a popular classic Earl Scruggs tune called “Reuben.” This was the first tune that Earl Scruggs (when he was about 10 years old) played with 3-fingers (up to that time he had been a 2-finger style picker). The song is also known as “Reuben's Train,” “Train 45” and “Lonesome Reuben” and is usually played on the 5-string banjo in D tuning (f#DF#AD). You can also use an A for the fifth string. If you have mechanical detuners for strings 2 and 3, simply lower them both and leave them lowered. And then lower the fifth string a half tone to F#. I have 'Cheat-A-Key' and 'Keith D' tuners on different banjos. Both have pros and cons. I used Dave Hum's performance to make a backing track in the key of D. Enjoy!

• Reuben (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Reuben One, Part Two, Part Three (video lessons by Bill Nesbitt)
• Reuben (a video lesson by John Moore)
• Reuben (key of D, faster)
• Reuben (key of D, normal)
• Reuben (key of D, slower)
• Reuben (key of D, slow)
• Reuben (key of D, very slow)
• Reuben (key of D, woodshed)
• Reuben (key of E, faster)
• Reuben (key of E, normal)
• Reuben (key of E, slower)
• Reuben (key of E, slow)
• Reuben (key of E, very slow)
• Reuben (key of E, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the percussion and piano. I used real audio loops for the tambourine, shaker and djembe. I just bought some VST3 plug-ins from IK Multimedia, their 'MODO Bass 2' and their 'MODO 1.5 Drums.' The bass plugin comes with 22 different quality basses. I haven't uploaded any backing tracks yet using the new plugins. So, anyway, I am using MODO VST3 plugins for the bass and drums on Reuben for better quality.

That being said, I was so frustrated when I purchased these plugins. I purchased their 'Upright Bass' plugin for $49, but then a few minutes later realized that I could buy all 22 bass plugins (which includes the Upright Bass) and Drums 1.5 (with 13 drum sets) for $99, so I did. I wasted $49. Arrggh! I hate the way IK Multimedia packages their products, but the quality of the sounds are impressive. I also learned that I can use MODO plugins with BIAB, which I haven't tried yet.

In the following photo, you can see that there is no fret inlay on the first fret position. This is Dave's Chinese-made MB-200 Epiphone banjo. Dave widow told me that he eventually sold the Baldwin ODE. You can differentiate his three banjos by their fret markings in this video.

Dave Hum Busking With His Chinese-Made Epiphone Banjo

A New Backing Track For “Last Night's Fun”

This tune is an Irish reel titled, “Last Night's Fun,” played on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, and 7th fret on fifth string, for the key of A . This tune is also known as “Joe Cooley's No. 1” and “Killoran's Reel.” I used Dave Hum's performance in the key of A as a template to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Last Night's Fun (key of A, faster)
• Last Night's Fun (key of A, normal)
• Last Night's Fun (key of A, slower)
• Last Night's Fun (key of A, slow)
• Last Night's Fun (key of A, very slow)
• Last Night's Fun (key of A, woodshed)
• Last Night's Fun (key of G, faster)
• Last Night's Fun (key of G, normal)
• Last Night's Fun (key of G, slower)
• Last Night's Fun (key of G, slow)
• Last Night's Fun (key of G, very slow)
• Last Night's Fun (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, percussion, piano and keyboard. I'm using real audio loops for the tambourine, shaker and drums. I use MixCraft Pro Studio to make my backing tracks.

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

A New Backing Track For “Pony Express”

This fun Traditional Bluegrass tune is called “Pony Express,” played on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD). The song was released in 1972 on the famous album, “Dueling Banjos,” composed by banjo player Eric Weissberg (1939-2020). I used a recording by the 'Blueridge Mountain Bluegrass Band' to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A. Enjoy!

• Pony Express .PDF Tablature (by Chris Athey)
• Pony Express (a video lesson by Doub Pearce)
• Pony Express (key of A, normal)
• Pony Express (key of A, slower)
• Pony Express (key of A, slow)
• Pony Express (key of A, very slow)
• Pony Express (key of A, woodshed)
• Pony Express (key of G, normal)
• Pony Express (key of G, slower)
• Pony Express (key of G, slow)
• Pony Express (key of G, very slow)
• Pony Express (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the percussion, bass, piano and keyboard. I used real audio files for the drums, tambourine and shakers.

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

A New Backing Track For “Cumberland Gap”

This tune “Cumberland Gap” is an Appalachian folk song that was first recorded in 1924. 'Cumberland Gap' is a pass through the Cumberland Mountains in the Appalachians, near the tripoint of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Dave Hum recorded the song on his “Celtic And Bluegrass - Volume I” album using standard tuning (gDGBD), in the key of G. I have made backing tracks by using Dave's song as a template. I've made tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Sean Ray also has some tabs and a great backing track available for this song. Enjoy!

• Cumberland Gap (a video lesson by William Nesbitt)
• Cumberland Gap (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Cumberland Gap Tablature (from Banjo Hangout)
• Cumberland Gap (key of A, faster)
• Cumberland Gap (key of A, normal)
• Cumberland Gap (key of A, slower)
• Cumberland Gap (key of A, slow)
• Cumberland Gap (key of A, very slow)
• Cumberland Gap (key of A, woodshed)
• Cumberland Gap (key of G, faster)
• Cumberland Gap (key of G, normal)
• Cumberland Gap (key of G, slower)
• Cumberland Gap (key of G, slow)
• Cumberland Gap (key of G, very slow)
• Cumberland Gap (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I strummed along with my Cort acoustic guitar. I also overdubbed the guitar to add some acoustic padding. I'm using a real audio tambourine and Cajon. Toward the end I added a stick in the drums, and then stopped the tambourine completely, as a heads-up that the end is coming. I humbly think the track came out fairly well. The Cumberland Gap is a great song to jam with and have fun!

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

49 Great Endings By Eli Gilbert

I was having fun learning some great new ending licks today by Eli Gilbert. Good stuff!

49 Bluegrass Banjo Endings!