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!

A New Backing Track For “Stony Mountain Twist”

This is a popular Bluegrass tune called “Stony Mountain Twist,” a song by Earl Taylor and The Stoney Mountain Boys, released on Rebel Records. Standard tuning (gDGBD). This song sounds a bit like “Salty Dog Blues” to me. I used a 1986 recording by 'J.D. Crowe and The New South' to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Stony Mountain Twist PDF Tablature | TEF (by Michael Corcoran)
• Stony Mountain Twist (a video lesson by Tom Adams)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, fast)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, faster)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, normal)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, slower)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, very slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, woodshed)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, fast)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, faster)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, normal)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, slower)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, very slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums, keyboard and piano. I have been very pleased with the quality achieved through using MIDI. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is only computer data that contains no music. The computer's sound card converts the MIDI data into actual sound, which I record in my backing tracks. Still, the finished quality is impressive for making backing tracks.

Dave Hum had a certain style that he used to make his backing tracts, which I have tried to emulate to make my own tracks. Dave never recorded Stony Mountain Twist, but I'm sure if he had been given more time on earth, he would have. His surreal YouTube banjo recordings are a continual source of musical inspiration for me. I thank God for Dave Hum.

In contrast to MIDI data, audio loops are actual recordings of musical instruments performed by various different musicians. I buy the ready made loops to incorporate into my songs. Just like Dave Hum did, I have my favorite Go-to loops that I like to use. My backing tracks pale in comparison to Dave's. Many songs, like John Henry, John Hardy and Stony Mountain Twist, Dave never recorded or made backing tracks for. By God's grace, I'm continuing the tradition that he started, making my own backing tracks. It is my joy to freely share them with others.

Thank you friend for reading my music blog.

J.D. Crowe

(August 27, 1937 – December 24, 2021)

A New Backing Track For “John Hardy”

This is a fun Traditional American tune titled, “John Hardy” or “Old John Hardy.” The song is based on the life of a West Virginian railroad worker living in McDowell County in the Spring of 1893. The song was first recorded and released by Eva Davis in 1924. It was covered by Mother Maybelle Carter, Brian Peters and other artists. The tune is played on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD). I used a performance by Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• John Hardy Tablature | TEF (by Michael Corcoran in Standard tuning, key of G)
• John Hardy (a video lesson by Bill Nesbitt with tabs in the key of G)
• John Hardy (a video lesson by Jim Pankey in the key of G; additional licks)
• John Hardy (a video lesson by Mason Crone with tabs in the key of G)
• John Hardy (key of A, faster)
• John Hardy (key of A, normal)
• John Hardy (key of A, slower)
• John Hardy (key of A, slow)
• John Hardy (key of A, very slow)
• John Hardy (key of A, woodshed)
• John Hardy (key of G, faster)
• John Hardy (key of G, normal)
• John Hardy (key of G, slower)
• John Hardy (key of G, slow)
• John Hardy (key of G, very slow)
• John Hardy (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. I'm using real audio loops for the tambourine and shakers.

The picture below shows Dave playing his “Ode” banjo made in Arkansas during the 1970's. His wife told me that Dave later sold this banjo. I love that 'Flying Eagle' inlay, which Jason Skinner and Sean Ray also have on their “Neat” brand banjos.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)