Banjo Heaven: January 2026

Friday, January 16, 2026

A New Improved Backing Track For “Smoke Behind The Clouds”

This is a fun song to learn and play. The picking pattern is addictive. I used Dave Hum's performance of “Smoke Behind The Clouds” as a template. Here is my original backing track that I made in 2024. Dave recorded the song in the key of G. I had only made backing tracks in the key of G for the first one, but for this new one I have made backing tracks in both keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

Tablature For Smoke Behind The Clouds (.PDF | .TEF)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (faster, key of A)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (normal, key of A)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (slower, key of A)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (slow, key of A)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (very slow, key of A)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (woodshed, key of A)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (faster, key of G)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (normal, key of G)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (slower, key of G)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (slow, key of G)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (very slow, key of G)
Smoke Behind The Clouds (woodshed, key of G)

I used MIDI for the bass, keyboard padding and piano. I'm using Real Audio loops for the drums, shaker, tambourines and Cajon. I use MixCraft Pro Studio to make all my backing tracks and recordings. It's very user friendly and I haven't had any technical issues with the software. Plus, the program costs only a fraction of other audio workstations.

The original backing track for this song and 113 more are available at Dave Hum's website. I encourage you to buy them. My backing tracks pale in comparison to Dave's. I am so thankful for his music and backing tracks, and to Dave's family for making them available to everyone. God bless.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

Friday, January 9, 2026

A New Backing Track For “Forked Deer”

This is an Old Time fiddle tune called, “Forked Deer,” played on the 5-string banjo in the Standard tuning (gDGBD tuning); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret, for key of A. Here is some information about the song. I have made backing tracks at various speeds in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

Forked Deer (a video lesson by Eli Gilbert)
Forked Deer (a video lesson by Mike Hedding)
Forked Deer .PDF Tablature (by Jack Beuthin)
Forked Deer (key of A, normal)
Forked Deer (key of A, slower)
Forked Deer (key of A, slow)
Forked Deer (key of A, very slow)
Forked Deer (key of A, woodshed)
Forked Deer (key of G, normal)
Forked Deer (key of G, slower)
Forked Deer (key of G, slow)
Forked Deer (key of G, very slow)
Forked Deer (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass, flute, keyboard and piano parts. Real audio was used for the tambourine and Cajon box.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Banjo Intros And Endings

Here's some helpful banjo resources...

49 Bluegrass Banjo Endings!

(by Eli Gilbert)

13 Cool Intros For Banjo

(by Eddie Collins)

Roy Clark Style Endings For Bluegrass Banjo

(by Jim Pankey)

I use this next ending quite often...

Easy 'Shave And A Haircut' Ending Banjo Lick

(by Richie Dotson)

Shave and a Haircut Two Bits - A Fun Song Ending for Bluegrass Banjo

(by Jim Pankey)

Jim Pankey is a tremendous banjoist and a really nice guy...

Learn to Play Bluegrass Banjo - Lesson 1
(by Jim Pankey)

Jim Pankey's Beginner Bluegrass Banjo Lessons

Enjoy!

Friday, January 2, 2026

A New Improved Backing Track For “Maid Behind The Bar”

I redid the backing track for “Maid Behind The Bar,” which is one of my favorite tunes to play using the 'Double C' tuning. It is such a peaceful song. This track is a bit brighter. Here is the original backing track that I made in May of 2024. In the original recording I missed some timing with the guitar strums, which I have tried to fix in this newer track. Dave recorded the tune in the key of D; capo the 2nd fret, and the 7th fret on the fifth string. I used Dave Hum's performance as a template. I have made backing tracks in both keys of C and D for your preference. I also made additional tracks with a mandolin down this webpage. Enjoy!

Tablature For The Maid Behind The Bar in 'Double C Tuning' (.PDF | .TEF)
Maid Behind The Bar (faster, key of D)
Maid Behind The Bar (normal, key of D)
Maid Behind The Bar (slower, key of D)
Maid Behind The Bar (slow, key of D)
Maid Behind The Bar (very slow, key of D)
Maid Behind The Bar (woodshed, key of D)
Maid Behind The Bar (faster, key of C)
Maid Behind The Bar (normal, key of C)
Maid Behind The Bar (slower, key of C)
Maid Behind The Bar (slow, key of C)
Maid Behind The Bar (very slow, key of C)
Maid Behind The Bar (woodshed, key of C)
Maid Behind The Bar | Slower (a backing track by Anurakt Scheepers)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. I am playing my Cort acoustic guitar, which is the nicest sounding and natural feeling guitar I've ever owned (for just $130 at Guitar Center).

Sadly, my guitar strap twisted its way off a couple years ago and cracked the body of the guitar. Yikes! I put Duck tape over it. Thankfully the guitar still sounds just as pleasant, but since that mishap I am now using (and I highly recommend that you do the same) Guitar Strap Locks (only $4.99 for 4 of them at Amazon). I have these locks on all my instruments where there's a risk of the strap working its way off.

The original backing track for this song and 114 more are available at Dave Hum's website. I encourage you to buy them. My backing tracks pale in comparison to Dave's. I am so thankful for his music and backing tracks, and to Dave's family for making them available to everyone. God bless and keep on pickin'.

I added a mandolin to this next track in January of 2026, trying different things to make a better backing track. Also, I am using a bass MODO plugin by IK Multimedia for a realistic bass and percussion as well. I am always trying to improve my backing tracks. Some tracks come out better than others, but all sound nice. I am confident that you will enjoy playing along with these newest backing tracks...

Maid Behind The Bar (key of C, faster)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of C, normal)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of C, slower)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of C, slow)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of C, very slow)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of C, woodshed)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of D, faster)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of D, normal)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of D, slower)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of D, slow)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of D, very slow)
Maid Behind The Bar (key of D, woodshed)

Of all Dave Hum's precious recordings, this tune is arguably one of his greatest masterpieces. Dave took each song and made it his own, putting his own touch upon it while bringing the song alive with his masterful banjo articulation. Each song tells a story, taking the listener on a musical journey. I have no doubt that when other banjoists here Dave Hum play a song, they think the same thing I do: “Now that's how the song is supposed to be played!”

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Free Banjo Backup Tracks By Sean Ray

Sean Ray Videos

I enjoy learning from Sean Ray and playing along with his quality-made backing tracks. If you haven't purchased his 'THE SESSION BOOK' yet for $50, I highly recommend it.

Sean's website says...

The Session eBook features 26 of the finest Scruggs-style banjo instrumentals ever played.

This Package includes 147 page PDF eBook/52 track MP3 download as well as 26 TablEdit files.

MP3 Play-Along files features full arrangements, played by real musicians. These are not your typical, generic MIDI, BIAB backing tracks.

I purchased 'The Session Book' last year and am sure glad that I did. Great stuff!

Sean Ray Studios

Gotta love banjos!

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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'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 sound is in his hands, not the banjo! Dave uses his 1992 ESS Gibson in nearly all of his YouTube videos, but as you will see in this awesome song, “Arkansas Traveller (3),” he is using his ODE banjo. Dave's beautiful sound comes from using proper picking TECHNIQUE, not from using any particular banjo brand. By the way, Dave's ODE banjo was made in Arkansas in the 1970's. No doubt he intentionally used the ODE made in Arkansas on the song “Arkansas Traveller.” Dave's widow told me that he later sold the ODE. Gotta love banjos!

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.

BUY 115 OF DAVE HUM'S ORIGINAL BACKING TRACKS

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

Friday, January 16, 2026

A New Improved Backing Track For “Smoke Behind The Clouds”

Friday, January 9, 2026

A New Backing Track For “Forked Deer”

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Banjo Intros And Endings

Friday, January 2, 2026

A New Improved Backing Track For “Maid Behind The Bar”

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Free Banjo Backup Tracks By Sean Ray

5 String Banjo Instruction [1967] - Earl Scruggs

Wikipedia

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