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)

A New Backing Track For “Sally Goodin”

This is an old time popular Bluegrass tune, “Sally Goodin,” played on the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD). Capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret, for key of A. I followed Dave Hum's recording to make this backing track, which he based on Earl Scruggs' arrangement. I've made backing tracks in both keys of A and G for your preference.

Just to note, Dave Hum wrote some tabs for this song, available in his 41-tab bundle at his website. Dave's original backing track is also available for this song. If you haven't purchased any of Dave's backing tracks yet, you are really missing out. The money helps Dave's family. Those tracks won't always be available. My backing tracks are inferior to his, humbly said. I am so thankful to Dave for making and sharing all his videos with the world, and to his wife Mel for making his backing tracks available. I cherish Dave's music!

• Sally Goodin (key of A, faster)
• Sally Goodin (key of A, normal)
• Sally Goodin (key of A, slower)
• Sally Goodin (key of A, slow)
• Sally Goodin (key of A, woodshed)
• Sally Goodin (key of G, faster)
• Sally Goodin (key of G, normal)
• Sally Goodin (key of G, slower)
• Sally Goodin (key of G, slow)
• Sally Goodin (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, piano parts and drums. I used real audio loops for the tambourine, cymbals and shakers. Dave cranked up his bass and kick drum, so I did too, to give the backing track a nice driving beat. Also, Sean Ray has tabs and a nice backing track available for “Sally Goodin” on his website. If you buy Sean's 'THE SESSION BOOK,' you'll get all the tabs and backing tracks for 26 songs, which is a super-duper deal for just $45!

By the way, if you have any special requests, either for a backing track you'd like for me to make (just send me a song that I can use as a template), or you want me to change something in an existing backing track I've already made, just email me and I'll be glad to do so (pending my health). I never want any money, and I kindly wouldn't take it even if you graciously offered. So, please don't hesitate to ask. It is my privilege to be a servant. I love making backing tracks to share with everyone freely. Music makes the world a better place! Enjoy!

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

A New Backing Track For “Fergal O' Gara”

I enjoy playing this Irish reel “Fergal O' Gara” on the Double C tuning (gCGCD), which is what Dave Hum used to record the tune. The tune i  played with a hornpipe lilt on the 5-string banjo; capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret, for key of D. The tune is also known as: “The Falcarragh,” “Faral O'Gara,” “Fearghal O'Hara” and “Hewletts.” I've made backing tracks at various speeds for both the keys of C and D for your preference. I also tabbed out the melody for you in the Double C tuning. Enjoy!

• Fergal O' Gara Tablature (.pdf)
• Fergal O' Gara Tablature (.tef, TablEdit)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of D, normal)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of D, slower)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of D, slow)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of D, woodshed)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of D, caveman)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of C, normal)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of C, slower)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of C, slow)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of C, woodshed)
• Fergal O'Gara (key of C, caveman)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano parts. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and some of the percussive sounds.

Google Blogspot does not allow me to upload audio files, so I had to store them all on my SteelC6th.com website. If something were to happen to me, dying for example, my SteelC6th website would disappear after the next April (which is the month each year when I renew my annual hosting plan). All of these backing tracks would be gone forever! So, I strongly encourage you to download all my backing tracks to your own computer. You are more than welcome to share and even post my backing tracks on your own blog, website, social media, et cetera. I made them to share freely with everyone. No credit need be given. I just love music and want to be a blessing to other musicians. These are YOUR backing tracks! So enjoy them my friends.

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