A New Backing Track For “Salty Dog Blues”

“Salty Dog Blues” is a cornerstone of early blues music, a song steeped in history and veiled in the colorful language of the American South. “Salty dog” refers to a sailor who sails the salty ocean seas. He simply desires to be a nice lady's husband. The song is played on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD). I used a performance by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs as a template to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Salty Dog Blues (a video lesson by William Nesbitt)
• Salty Dog Blues (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of A, normal)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of A, slower)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of A, slow)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of A, very slow)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of A, woodshed)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of G, normal)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of G, slower)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of G, slow)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of G, very slow)
• Salty Dog Blues (key of G, woodshed)

For this backing track I used MIDI for the drums and piano. I used IK Multimedia's MODO VST3 plugin for a realistic bass. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and shaker.

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

A New Backing Track For “Limehouse Blues”

“Limehouse Blues” is a popular British song written in 1922 by Douglas Furber (lyrics) and Philip Braham (music). The song was inspired by the Limehouse district of east London, which housed the London Chinatown of the late 19th and early 20th century (until the London West End Chinatown was established). Here's a Band-in-a-Box track I found on YouTube. I used performances by Norman Blake and Eddie Adcock to make two different backing tracks in the keys of G and A. Enjoy!

• Limehouse Blues (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Limehouse Blues (a video lesson with tabs by Eddie Collins)
• Limehouse Blues Don Reno Style (a video lesson by Jason Skinner)

This first backing track was made with a performance by Eddie Adcock...

• Limehouse Blues (key of A, normal)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, slower)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, very slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, woodshed)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, normal)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, slower)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, very slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, woodshed)

This second backing track was made with a performance by Norman Blake...

• Limehouse Blues (key of A, normal)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, slower)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, very slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of A, woodshed)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, normal)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, slower)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, very slow)
• Limehouse Blues (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the piano, keyboard and percussion. I'm using IK Multimedia's MODO VST3 plugin for a realistic bass. Real audio loops were used for the tambourine and shakers.

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

A New Backing Track For “Nine Pound Hammer”

“Nine Pound Hammer” is a Traditional song that originated among railroad laborers in the post-Civil War South, often sung to maintain a steady work rhythm. The song's lyrics reference the legendary John Henry, who was known for his strength and skill in hammering steel for railroad construction. Country singer Merle Travis popularized the song in the 1950s, who said he first heard the tune in 1939 from Texas Ruby. I used a recording by Flatt and Scruggs as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A. Enjoy!

• Nine Pound Hammer (a video lesson by William Nesbitt)
• Nine Pound Hammer Kick Off | High Break (by Jim Pankey)
• Nine Pound Hammer .PDF Tablature (by Heath Reinhard)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of A, faster)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of A, normal)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of A, slower)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of A, slow)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of A, very slow)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of A, woodshed)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of G, faster)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of G, normal)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of G, slower)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of G, slow)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of G, very slow)
• Nine Pound Hammer (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I am playing my Cort acoustic guitar. I used MIDI for the percussion, piano and pulsating keyboard. I'm using a VST3 MODO plugin by IK Multimedia for the realistic bass. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and shakers.

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

A New Backing Track For “Nashville Blues”

This classic bluegrass instrumental “Nashville Blues” is played on the 5-string banjo in D minor tuning (aDFAD tuning). The flatted F# gives you a minor D. The tune was composed by Earl Scruggs (1924-2012) and performed with Lester Flatt on their 1985 album titled, “Town and Country.” I used Dave Hum's performance to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Here are some different backing tracks from the Banjo Hangout. Enjoy!

• Nashville Blues (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Nashville Blues .PDF Tablature (by Aaron Walters)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, faster)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, normal)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, slower)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, very slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, woodshed)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, faster)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, normal)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, slower)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, very slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the piano, pulsating keyboard and percussion. I'm using a VST3 MODO plugin by IK Multimedia for the realistic bass guitar. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and shakers. I'm playing along with my Cort acoustic guitar and Eastman 505CC Mandolin.

By the way, if you ever buy an Eastman mandolin, stay away from the 300 series, because the tuning keys are very hard to turn. The 500 series are easy to turn. The ad for the 505CC reads, “The Contoured Comfort Edge is an A-style mandolin with a new contoured edge binding that is extremely inviting and comfortable to hold and play.” I am pleased with it.

Earl Scruggs
(January 6, 1924 - March 28, 2012)

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