Friday, October 24, 2025

A New Backing Track For “The Crow”

This fun tune to play, “The Crow,” was composed by banjo virtuoso Steve Martin (born 1945), played on the 5-string banjo in Double C tuning (gCGCD). I was delighted to learn that Steve Martin's favorite choice of banjo is the Deering Calico. I bought one last year and am very pleased with it. The Calico has plenty of resonance and it has beautiful aesthetics. I bought mine at a 15% discount from Fuller Guitars in Houston, Texas. I used Dave Hum's recording as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of C and D for your preference. Enjoy!
To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums, piano and keyboard. I'm using real audio loops for the percussion, shakers and tambourine. I used MixCraft Pro Studio software to make this track. This is a really great song to learn and play in the Double C tuning.

Earl Scruggs (1924-2012) And Steve Martin

Friday, October 17, 2025

A New Backing Track For “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”

This is a popular Bluegrass favorite titled, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” by Earl Scruggs (1924-2012). Dave Hum recorded the tune in the key of G in standard tuning (gDGBD) on the 5 string banjo. I have made backing tracks at various speeds in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!
For this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I played along with my Cort acoustic guitar, and my Eastman 505CC mandolin. I added a real audio shaker, Cajon and other percussion. The song only uses three chords: Em, G and D. There's probably not a more popular Bluegrass song than Foggy Mountain Breakdown.

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

Friday, October 10, 2025

A New Backing Track For “Mist Covered Mountain”

Here's an Irish Jig called, “Mist Covered Mountain.” Also known as, “Mist On The Mountain” and “Misty Mountain.” Dave Hum recorded this tune on 5-string banjo using the Sawmill tuning (gDGCD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for key of A. I've made backing tracks for you in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!
I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. Real audio tambourine. This track was a bit difficult since it has a more complicated rhythm pattern. I did my best to recreate Dave's backing track. I also added a real audio guiro, which I think sounds nice.

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

Friday, October 3, 2025

A New Backing Track For “The Mathematician”

This is a Scottish hornpipe composed by one of Scotland's greatest fiddle composers, James Scott Skinner (1843-1927). Dave Hum did an amazing job recording the tune in the key of G, using the 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD). I have made backing tracks at various tempos in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!
I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano parts. On this song, I used both a bass and low piano notes to double the bass tones, which is what Dave Hum did for his backing track. Good stuff! I encourage everyone to purchase Dave's original backing tracks from his family, which are superior to mine, and the money goes to help Dave's family. God bless them!

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

5 String Banjo Instruction [1967] - Earl Scruggs

5 String Banjo Instruction Album [1967] - Earl Scruggs