Banjo Heaven: I Added A Shaker To “Whisky Before Breakfast”

Saturday, June 1, 2024

I Added A Shaker To “Whisky Before Breakfast”

I really love playing Whisky Before Breakfast the way Dave Hum beautifully plays it in Double C tuning (gCGCD). It's done in the Key of D, so you'll need to put a capo on the 2nd fret, and also on the 7th fret of the 5th string. I did my best to tab it out exactly like Dave played it on his album. I missed some of the song the first time I tabbed it, so I expanded the tabs. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have. I went back and listened to Dave's album and realized that he uses a shaker loop (.wav file), and I didn't when I made my backing track, so I added one the other day from my MixCraft library. Without further ado, here is Whisky Before Breakfast...

Whisky Before Breakfast Tabs (TablEdit tablature)
Whisky Before Breakfast (normal)
Whisky Before Breakfast (slower)
Whisky Before Breakfast (slow)
Whisky Before Breakfast (woodshed)

I made those tracks the other day. Today I was looking online for more useful loops for folk songs for MixCraft and found “Drums On Demand.” The pack that I bought for $49 was “Essential Acoustic Percussion Loops,” which includes 775 loops. Once you buy them, you can import the folder from the Library area of MixCraft. I created a new folder and named it “Drums On Demand” to store the new loops in. Then I imported that new folder into MixCraft.

I wasn't satisfied with the intro guitar parts for Whisky Before Breakfast, so I redid them. I also added loops: “Fruit Shaker_120_8” and “One ShotHits_150_816,” to the song from the new Drums On Demand loops that I bought today. Here they are. Enjoy!

I'm not anywhere near as graceful in my banjo playing as Dave is. I struggle with the single note picking at higher speeds, but in time I should become more fluent at it with experience. In particular, my pinky is weak on my left hand. On the Double C tuning, you need you're pinky to play the fifth note on the fourth string. If you watch Dave Hum play Whisky Before Breakfast, he uses his pinky on string four to play the 5th fret. That's going to take me some time to do.

I watched a helpful video yesterday by Enda Scahill (an artist on the 4-string Tenor banjo) titled, “The 7 Biggest Mistakes You're Making In Your Banjo Practice.” I recommend watching it. I like what Enda says about not tensing up while playing, which I tend to do sometimes when trying to keep up with Dave's speed. And also not to practice too long and burn out, or to play too fast too soon. Learning to play a new song at snail speed is the fastest way to get fast, because then you know exactly what you're doing.

Also, I like what Enda says: Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. If your technique is wrong, you'll never get better no matter how much time you spend playing. When you're as good as you want be, you're as good as you're going to get.

On a grateful note, Arthur Hatfield just emailed to let me know that my Buck Creek banjo is finished. Amen for that! This will be the first professional banjo I've ever owned. I don't consider my Chinese made Recording King Elite 85 a professional banjo. It doesn't stay in tune very well. I just had it setup at a local music store, but I must have done a pretty good job myself of setting it up previously, because it doesn't sound any different. Actually, they tightened up the head for me, but I think I am going to loosen it again, like Dave Hum does. If you read his comments about his banjos, Dave sets his head looser to accommodate the folk songs that he plays, but still keeps it tight enough for the Bluegrass songs.

Dave Hum states about how he sets his banjos:

“I like to set up my three main banjos so I can get a compromise between a dry snapping tight head sound associated with the Bluegrass sound and a mellower warmer tone for the Celtic, old-time and ragtime tunes. I have found that some condensed foam inside the pot helps and a combination of medium strings and a not too tight head with the tailpiece parallel to the head helps me to achieve the tone I like. Each banjo has its own character and tone and I am forever tinkering with them to see what gives - which is half the fun!” (quoted from his website)

I bought a Deering Goodtime Special (it comes with a tone ring) not too long ago for $1,099 from GearTree on Amazon (which came with a nice case, polishing cloth and a music stand), and I actually like that banjo better than my Recording King, because it stays in tune and has excellent intonation. I had to install a 3/8" Compensator Bridge on my Recording King because the intonation was off. The compensator bridge does help.

Anyway, I like my Recording King, but knowing it was made in China makes it feel cheap to me, so I don't enjoy playing it as much. Moreover, it just lacks the sound I desire. I've been enjoying the Goodtime Special more, which was made in California, but it's still not a professional banjo (which Deering will be the first to admit). Having said all that, I look forward to playing a Hatfield for the first time. If I'm not satisfied with it, then I will likely contact Banjo “Ben” Clark about possibly finding me an ESS Gibson like Dave Hum had. Dave's was a 1992 model. I realize that Dave's superb sound is 90% from his hands, but the banjo does make a difference.

Having said that, in this awesome video of Arkansas Traveller, Dave is playing his Ode banjo, which was manufactured in the 1970's in Arkansas (I think that's why he chose to play this banjo for this song...lol). By the way, Dave's family is selling this actual backing track and many more, which I think every banjo player should get. I am really hoping that Dave's family will release many more of his backing tracks, because they are superbly made. My backing tracks don't compare, but I'm trying. Dave inspired me to make this blog and my own backing tracks. I love his music and share his passion for the banjo. What a cool guy!

Dave Hum (1966-2012)

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Dave Hum's Banjo Tunings

Standard - gDGBD
Double C - gCGCD
G Modal - gDGCD
G Minor - gDG(Bb)D
Open D - aDF#AD
D Minor - aDFAD
Other D - aDGBD
Reuben's Tuning - f#DF#AD

Dave Hum shines on whatever tuning he plays, but I really enjoy his work on the "Double C tuning" (e.g., Maid Behind The Bar, Gaspe' Reel and Coleman's March.)

Dave says: “I like to set up my three main banjos so I can get a compromise between a dry snapping tight head sound associated with the Bluegrass sound and a mellower warmer tone for the Celtic, old-time and ragtime tunes. I have found that some condensed foam inside the pot helps and a combination of medium strings and a not too tight head with the tailpiece parallel to the head helps me to achieve the tone I like. Each banjo has its own character and tone and I am forever tinkering with them to see what gives - which is half the fun!” (quoted from his website)

My banjo is a Recording King Elite 85 with a maple neck. It has a longer than standard neck, at 27 3/8" verses the standard 26 1/4" neck, which I really like. It is built to exact Prewar Gibson specifications. It has a great tone, but I'd say about 80% of a Gibson. I've learned that much of the tone comes from the player's hands, and not the particular banjo brand that is being played (to an extent). Dave Hum's awesome sound comes from his skilled hands. Dave controls the banjo, masterfully, he doesn't allow the banjo to control him.

I did try the things which Dave mentioned above, like loosening my banjo head, putting a block of foam inside my banjo, setting my tailpiece parallel to the head, and putting on some heavier gauge strings (12,12,16,24,12). The result, after 3 months of playing it that way is that I very much like the foam inside, because without it I get overtones that throw off my ears while playing. The foam trick is brilliant, I think.

I prefer my head tight, so I went back up to between an F# and a G# (when you tap on the head you'll get a pitch to tune the rightness by). On my Recording King, it seems that F# is as high as I can safely get without risking over tightening the head. I kept the tailpiece parallel. My string action is as close as I can get without an annoying buzz. I actually have a very slight buzz (at times), that I don't mind, having the strings nice and close to the neck.

I am learning to pick the strings more firmly, like Dave Hum does, which makes a BIG difference in my tone overall while playing! It is important not to try to play just like Dave Hum; but rather, learn TECHNIQUES from him, and apply those skills to your own playing, and you will become more like Dave that way, than merely trying to copy him.

One thing that I have notice is that Dave KNOWS the songs he is trying to play. It is easy to wing through a song without really buckling down and getting into the nitty-gritty of the tablature, which is a mistake. Learn slow, and then work up your speed playing accurately. YouTube is an awesome tool, which allows you to slow down the speed of any video, so you can see what is going on. For many of Dave's songs, like Mason's Apron, I am still playing it at 3/4 speed, because I cannot keep up with him...lol. That is perfectly okay. Music is not a competition, which Dave Him himself once said. Enjoy!

Dave Hum's Banjos

Dave Hum's main banjo is a Gibson ESS (Earl Scruggs's Standard) banjo, a reissue of the original Gibson classic.

Gibson ESS (Earl Scruggs Standard) 1992

SET UP:

Head - Remo
Tailpiece - Fults 1934
Tuners - Keith D (strings 2 and 3) and Scruggs
Strings - D'Addario
Gauges - 12,12,16,24,12
Bridge - Snuffy Smith 5/8
Origin - Nashville, USA
All other parts standard Gibson.

Baldwin Ode Model D '70's

SET UP:

Head - Renaissance
Tailpiece - Fults 1934
Tuners - Keith D/Scruggs
Strings - D'Addario
Gauges - 10,12,16,24,10
Bridge - Moon Lightweight 1/2
Origin - Arkansas, USA
All other parts standard Ode.

Epiphone MB250 '90's

SET UP:

Head - Five Star
Tailpiece - Fults 1934
Tuners - Keith D
Strings - D'Addario
Gauges - 10,12,16,24,10
Bridge - Snuffy Smith 5/8
Origin - Made in China

All other parts standard Epiphone.

Dave uses a Compact 60 AER rechargeable acoustic amplifier, which now costs $1,999, made in Germany. The amp was MUCH cheaper 20 years ago. The amp plugs into the wall to recharge (no replaceable battery). Tommy Emmanuel uses the same amp, but using corded power. These amps were specifically designed for acoustic instruments. However, the amp weighs 29 pounds!

Here is a more affordable alternative for busking, I humbly think.

Dave mics his banjo using a Shure Beta 98D mic with A98D bracket clamp.

What NOT to buy...

NOTE: I bought a “Feather” Goose pickup for $199 and hate it. It whines continually from feedback, and has wires all over, ripping off when I forget they're attached by clip to my waist. The item comes with umpteen parts that you have to assemble, and it is not easy. Please don't waste your money on it!

I recommend using a Gold Tone ABS pickup, which includes a stompbox from Banjo "Ben" Clark.

Music truly does make the world a better place.

Banjo Has A Steep Learning Curve

Like pedal steel guitar (my favorite instrument), the banjo has a steep learning curve. That simply means the hardest part is getting started. If you can stick with it long enough to learn a couple dozen songs fluently, you'll be off to a fantastic start. I learned 5-string banjo fairly quickly, finding out that there are common picking patterns that once learned, overlap into nearly every other song. I encourage you to learn Blackberry Blossom right away, which will teach you melodic runs.

At first my picking fingers stumbled, because my brain wasn't familiar with the tabs. Friend, if you can play even one thing fast, you can play anything fast once you learn it. Also, I learned 30 years ago while learning to play pedal steel guitar, that my brain processed what I learned at night while I am sleeping. You read right! So when you are plowing away, and it seems hopeless like you'll never get it, during the night your brain will process what you've learned. It's similar to workout out in a gym. You don't build muscles at the gym. You lift heavy weights at the gym. But then during the night is when your body builds new muscle.

I also recommend learning the song, Sailor's Hornpipe, which is another great song to learn your melodic runs. After a month I was playing subconsciously, which is called "muscle memory." I didn't stumble anymore when playing melodic runs, because my fingers already knew what to do. Trust me, if you practice for at least a solid hour every day, you'll quickly advance on the banjo, but you must apply yourself to learn the tabs.

What I am about to say is IMPORTANT. Start out going very slow, to accurately pick every note in the tabs. Your speed will increase in time, as you become familiar with the song, and don't have to think what comes next. Dave Hum is a master of chords, progressions and single note scale runs. What makes Dave Hum so different than all the other banjo artists is that he simply follows the chords and does his own thing musically.

I love Dave Hum and could relate to him the first time I heard him play the banjo. The song was "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett." I cried when he started playing those triplets in the second half of the song. I had never heard anything so pretty. It took me awhile to figure out how he is doing those triplets, but it is super easy once you get it. I slowed it down using MixCraft software so I could hear exactly what he's doing. It reminds me of being on a river boat on the Mississippi River.

Friend, when you're as good as you want to be, you're as good as you're going to get! Hawaiian steel guitar legend, Jerry Byrd (1920-2005), taught me that. Anyone can play the banjo if they are willing to work at it. Talent is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration! Intellect also plays a big part, which I learned about the pedal steel guitar from my musical hero, Lloyd Green.

The best way to learn the banjo, once you have the tabs in front of you, is to study Dave Hum's YouTube videos. I downloaded all of them and converted them into mp3 files for my own use. Play along with his songs. I so much wish Dave's backing tracks were available. His backing tracks are superior to anything available on the internet that I have found. Those wonderful driving tracks are a wonderful canvas for Dave's awesome banjo artistry. I wish Dave was still with us. He sadly died of cancer at age 46 in 2012. It is quite amazing to me that he had the physical and mental strength to record so many of his greatest banjo videos—with cancer, an eye removed and part of his picking fingers amputated. I thank God for Dave Hum and his cheerful music!

I wrote these words to encourage you dear banjo enthusiast. I used to think I would sound like Dave Hum if I bought a 1995 ESS Banjo like he used. Not so! Dave had an aggressive picking style, taking charge of the banjo, and used amazing advanced techniques. TECHNIQUE is the key word (how he majestically manipulated the strings to get the sounds he wanted). You need to watch his subtleties while he's playing. If your playing doesn't sound like him, then you're not doing something the way he's doing it, and that is technique!

One thing that Dave does is he applies quite a bit of picking pressure on the strings, driving the banjo. That is why he needs to wear metal thumb picks and use Velcro to keep the picks from flying off his fingers!

Make Your Own Backing Tracks

I have purchased several hundred dollars worth of backing tracks available online, AND MOST ARE WOEFULLY LACKING ANY REAL INSPIRATION. Some tracks I've found are superb (like Jay Buckey), but there's just something about the simplicity of Dave Hum's tracks, with just a bass guitar!

If the backing track doesn't move the player, you're not going to “feel” the music! Dave's tracks are profoundly simple and have a happy energy to them, reflective of Dave himself. In my humble opinion, Band-In-A-Box is lame compared to Dave's tracks. If anyone has ever tried to make your own rhythm tracks, then you know how difficult and time consuming it is, so I wanted to share some helpful ideas.

Songs are generally composed of 16 to 32 bars. The first thing you need to do is find a song's chords. I found a helpful website which provides the chords to hundreds of oldtime songs, many of which Dave plays on YouTube. For example: Here are the chords for a jig titled, “Merrily Kiss The Quaker's Wife.” Here is Dave Hum playing the song (awesome). And here are some backing tracts that I made, which you are freely welcome to use and share. By the way, I NEVER sell anything or receive donations. IT'S ALL FREE (as it should be in my humble opinion). All my music is free, and you are encouraged to freely share my backing tracks with others! I am still learning how to make tracks, so I am progressing slowly.

If you'd like to work at making your own backing tracks, as I am doing, you'll need a bass guitar. If you can play guitar, you can definitely play bass, which is simply the four lowest strings on a guitar! Dave Hum's backing tracks are simple, usually just a bass and perhaps a tambourine for simple percussion. Many of Dave’s songs use only a bass guitar.

Buy A Shubb F5 Capo

I really like my Shubb F5 Capo, which stays on the banjo. I had purchase a cheaper Paige banjo capo for about $40, trying to save money, but I hate the thing because it falls off the banjo neck every time I loosen the tension knob. If you're going to spend $40, you might as well splurge and spend the $75. I assure you that you won't be disappointed.

When playing in the key of G, I just loosen the tension nut and slide the capo up over the nut, which works fine. Plus I like the shiny look of the Shubb F5 capo. It is small and easy to use.

I also like that the capo firmly presses the strings down, eliminating any string buzz. I had also purchased some of the cheaper clamp-on type capos for $20 and under, which are okay if that's all you can afford, but you have to play with them oftentimes to get the strings to stop buzzing.

I really like the Shubb F5 Capo!

Banjo Heaven

Saturday, June 1, 2024

I Added A Shaker To “Whisky Before Breakfast”

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5 String Banjo Instruction [1967] - Earl Scruggs

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