A New Backing Track For “Nashville Blues”

This classic bluegrass instrumental “Nashville Blues” is played on the 5-string banjo in D minor tuning (aDFAD tuning). The flatted F# gives you a minor D. The tune was composed by Earl Scruggs (1924-2012) and performed with Lester Flatt on their 1985 album titled, “Town and Country.” I used Dave Hum's performance to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Here are some different backing tracks from the Banjo Hangout. Enjoy!

• Nashville Blues (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Nashville Blues .PDF Tablature (by Aaron Walters)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, faster)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, normal)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, slower)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, very slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of A, woodshed)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, faster)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, normal)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, slower)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, very slow)
• Nashville Blues (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the piano, pulsating keyboard and percussion. I'm using a VST3 MODO plugin by IK Multimedia for the realistic bass guitar. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and shakers. I'm playing along with my Cort acoustic guitar and Eastman 505CC Mandolin.

By the way, if you ever buy an Eastman mandolin, stay away from the 300 series, because the tuning keys are very hard to turn. The 500 series are easy to turn. The ad for the 505CC reads, “The Contoured Comfort Edge is an A-style mandolin with a new contoured edge binding that is extremely inviting and comfortable to hold and play.” I am pleased with it.

Earl Scruggs
(January 6, 1924 - March 28, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “Big Sciota”

I enjoy playing this Popular Old Time fiddle tune called, “Big Sciota,” on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD), key of G. It is pronounced “Sigh-Oh-Tuh.” The song is sometimes spelled “Scioty” or “Scioto, named after The Scioto River which flows 231 miles through central Ohio. I used Dave Hum's performance to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. I really like when the bass kicks in after the banjo intro. The best thing to do is first watch and listen to how Dave plays it, so you'll have an idea of the timing. Enjoy!

• Big Sciota .PDF Tablature | TEF (I tabbed these out for you)
• Big Sciota (a video lesson by Mike Hedding with tabs)
• Big Sciota (a video lesson by Bennett Sullivan)
• Big Sciota (key of A, normal)
• Big Sciota (key of A, slower)
• Big Sciota (key of A, slow)
• Big Sciota (key of A, very slow)
• Big Sciota (key of A, woodshed)
• Big Sciota (key of G, normal)
• Big Sciota (key of G, slower)
• Big Sciota (key of G, slow)
• Big Sciota (key of G, very slow)
• Big Sciota (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing tracks I used MIDI for the percussion and keyboard. I used a VST3 MODO bass plugin by IK Multimedia for the realistic bass. I used real audio loops for the shaker, tambourine and drums.

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

A New Backing Track For “Cherokee Shuffle”

“Cherokee Shuffle” (also known as “Lost Indian”) is a popular Bluegrass tune for the banjo, played on the 5-string banjo in the Standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, and 7th fret of fifth string for key of A. I used Dave Hum's performance (with his improvisations) as a template to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. John Kuhn also does a great job playing this tune. Enjoy!

• Cherokee Shuffle (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Cherokee Shuffle Tablature (PDF and TEF by Richard Jordan)
• Cherokee Shuffle (a funky version taught by Ricky Mier)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, normal)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, slower)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, very slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of A, woodshed)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, normal)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, slower)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, very slow)
• Cherokee Shuffle (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the percussion, piano and keyboard. I bought some MODO VST3 plug-ins to use with MixCraft. VST (Virtual Studio Technology) and VST3 are different versions of audio plugin formats used in digital audio workstations (DAWs). VST3 offers improved CPU efficiency, better automation, and additional features like multiple audio inputs and outputs, making it generally more advanced than the older VST format.

You can hear the new bass and drum sounds in this backing track. I'm looking into buying more VST plug-ins. I'm trying to improve the quality of future backing tracks.

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