A New Backing Track For “Miss McLeod's Reel”

This is a popular beloved Irish Reel called, “Miss McLeod's Reel.” There are an astonishing 38 different names for this popular tune. Some of the names are: The Brown Cow, Da Broon Coo, Did You Ever Meet The Devil?, Uncle Joe and The Gray Old Lady Of Raasay. Scottish in origin, this tune has become a staple of both the Irish and American musical traditions. In the excellent spirit of Dave Hum, I am looking for new tunes to make backing tracks for, to play along with on the 5-string banjo. I used this music video as a template to make my backing track, in the keys of G and A for your preference. I also made some tabs for you. Enjoy!

• Miss McLeod's Reel (I played the song so you can hear how it songs)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (Here's the same recording I made, but slower)
• Tabs for “Miss McLeod's Reel” (.pdf | .TablEdit tablature)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of A, normal)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of A, slower)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of A, slow)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of A, very slow)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of A, woodshed)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of G, normal)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of G, slower)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of G, slow)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of G, very slow)
• Miss McLeod's Reel (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and shaker. I also found this nice backing track for the tune (for copyright reasons I cannot share the edited track, but if you have MixCraft you can lengthen the song, change the tempo and change the key if you want, which is what I did). Be sure to check out these other free intriguing accompaniment tracks for Jigs, Reels & Hornpipes. As Dave Hum said: So many tunes, so little time!

Lately, I've been playing my Deering Goodtime Special banjo the most, which is a very nice banjo for $1,100. I really like the tone. Plus it's only 9 pounds. I suffer chronic neck pain because of an old injury from 1992, when I got severely rear-ended by a church bus. The lesser 3-pounds on the Goodtime Special make a BIG difference! Honestly, if my house ever burned down or thieves stole my stuff, I would just buy another Deering Goodtime Special as my only banjo. It's that good! The Goodtime Special banjo (which has a tone ring) has grown on me a lot. Granted, it is still a student model, so realistically you're getting what you pay for. I love my Deering Calico, but for practicing I usually grab the Goodtime Special. It's a fun banjo!

Having said that, I think that the high end banjos are ridiculously WAY overpriced. You cannot beat the quality of the Goodtime Special banjo for the very modest price. American made instrument prices are just getting too darn high for the average musician to afford.

I was shocked recently to see that a pedal steel guitar at Jackson Steel Guitars will now cost you $9,000 (for a single neck) to $16,000 (for a double neck); and that's not even including add-ons and tax). That's insane! No steel guitar is worth that much money!!! I only paid $11,000 for my 2013 Honda FIT in 2021. If a Chinese company ever starts building affordable quality pedal steel guitars, they'll put many of the American builders out of business!

I thank God for the 5-string banjo and other awesome musical instruments. I hope you enjoy learning this song as much as I have. Miss McLeod's Reel is listed in the top 100 favorite folk songs of history. God bless.

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

A New Backing Track For “I Saw The Light”

This is a popular gospel favorite which plays well on the 5-string banjo. “I Saw the Light” is a country gospel song written by Hank Williams Sr. (1923-1953). Few people know that Hank Williams Sr. died at only age 29. Williams was inspired to write the song while returning from a concert by a remark his mother made while they were arriving in Montgomery, Alabama. I used a recording by Bill Anderson to make my backing track. You can listen to how he arranged the song, so that my backing track will make sense. Bill did the tune in the key of G#, but I have made backing tracks at various speeds in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• I Saw The Light (key of G, faster)
• I Saw The Light (key of G, normal)
• I Saw The Light (key of G, slower)
• I Saw The Light (key of G, slow)
• I Saw The Light (key of G, woodshed)
• I Saw The Light (key of A, faster)
• I Saw The Light (key of A, normal)
• I Saw The Light (key of A, slower)
• I Saw The Light (key of A, slow)
• I Saw The Light (key of A, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I'm playing along with my Cort acoustic guitar. The shaker and tambourine are real audio files.

Hank William's Sr. wrote many beautiful songs, including: Cold, Cold, Heart, I Saw The Light, Hey Good Lookin', I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Your Cheatin' Heart, There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight, Jesus Died For Me and Jesus Remembered Me. Hank Williams Sr. had a remarkable musical career for a man who died so early in life at only age 29, like Dave Hum also died at only age 46 of cancer. I am so thankful for Dave Hum's musical legacy that he left to all of us through his beautiful majestic recordings. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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

A New Backing Track For “Over The Waterfall”

Here's an Old Time fiddle tune called, “Over The Waterfall.” Dave Hum recording this tune in Standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret for key of A. I've made backing tracks in both keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Over The Waterfall Tablature (.PDF | .TEF)
• Over The Waterfall (key of A, normal)
• Over The Waterfall (key of A, slower)
• Over The Waterfall (key of A, slow)
• Over The Waterfall (key of A, very slow)
• Over The Waterfall (key of A, woodshed)
• Over The Waterfall (key of G, normal)
• Over The Waterfall (key of G, slower)
• Over The Waterfall (key of G, slow)
• Over The Waterfall (key of G, very slow)
• Over The Waterfall (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I used real audio loops for the tambourine, Cajon and shaker. And as always. I use “MixCraft Studio Pro” to make all my backing tracks.

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

Check Out All These Banjo Albums

If you haven't visited “Take's Bluegrass Album Channel” on YouTube yet, by all means please do so friend. I searched for “banjo” today and all of these banjo albums came up. Nice! Listening to banjo music is a great way to be inspired to learn new songs and ideas. Lord willing, I plan to make backing tracks for some of these songs below, like “Foggy Mountain Top” and “Banjo Signal.” Gotta love the banjo!

Here's just a few songs that I like and wanted to share...

Foggy Mountain Top
Bluegrass Banjo Pickin' [1963] - The Mountaineers

Song For Susan

Banjo Payer [1973] - Carl Jackson

Battle Of New Orleans

America's Most Authentic Folk Banjo [1961] - Raymond Fairchild

Chicken Reel

Smith Ridge: A Tribute To The Stanley Style Of Mountain Banjo [1996]

My Grandfather's Clock

Bluegrass Banjo Pickin' [1963] - The Mountaineers

Jim Reed's Videos

Banjo Signal

Mr. Original Banjo Man [1977] - Allen Shelton

Silver Bells (by Don Reno)

Mr. Original Banjo Man [1977] - Allen Shelton

Take's Bluegrass Banjo Albums

Earl Scruggs Instruction Album
5-String Banjo Instruction Album [1967] - Earl Scruggs

New Backing Track For “Waiting For The Federals”

This is an Old Time reel, “Waiting For The Federals” (also known as “Seneca Square Dance” and “Shelby's Mule”), which originated from the Midwest area of the United States. It was first recorded in 1926 by Sam Long (1876-1931). The Southern U.S. name for the tune, “Waiting For The Federals,” is likely a reference to an event in the American Civil War. Dave Hum recorded the song on the 5-string banjo using the Standard tuning (gDGBD), in the key of G. I have made backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Waiting For The Federals (key of G, faster)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of G, normal)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of G, slower)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of G, slow)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of G, woodshed)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of A, faster)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of A, normal)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of A, slower)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of A, slow)
• Waiting For The Federals (key of A, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. I used audio loops for the Cajon box, cymbal, shaker and tambourine. Dave Hum's family has tabs available for this song on their website, and an original backing track as well.

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

A New Backing Track For “Red Haired Boy”

This is an Old Traditional Irish reel called, “Red Haired Boy,” also known as “Little Beggar Boy” and “Red Headed Lad.” Dave Hum recorded the tune on his 5-string banjo in standard tuning (gDGBD); capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret, for key of A. I've made backing tracks in the keys of A and G for your preference. Enjoy!

• Red Haired Boy (key of A, normal)
• Red Haired Boy (key of A, slower)
• Red Haired Boy (key of A, slow)
• Red Haired Boy (key of A, very slow)
• Red Haired Boy (key of A, woodshed)
• Red Haired Boy (key of G, normal)
• Red Haired Boy (key of G, slower)
• Red Haired Boy (key of G, slow)
• Red Haired Boy (key of G, very slow)
• Red Haired Boy (key of G, woodshed)

I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. I'm playing my Cort acoustic guitar and Eastman 505CC/TV mandolin. I used real audio loops for the tambourine and shakers.

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

I Added My Pedal Steel To “Just Over Yonder”

I found a nice Gospel song on Facebook a few days ago by David Johnson. He's singing and playing acoustic guitar. I thought it would be fun to add a MIDI bass, kick drum and tambourine (I used MixCraft Pro Studio 10.1 software). And then I added my pedal steel guitar playing to it, which I humbly think came out okay. It's not perfect but I had fun making it. ...

1. Just Over Yonder (original song)
2. Just Over Yonder (added bass and percussion, no steel guitar)
3. Just Over Yonder (with pedal steel guitar)

I used my black Rittenberry S-10 pedal steel guitar. I play from my steel guitar, to the volume pedal, to a BOSS DD-3 delay, to my Evans FET-15 amp (I bought it back in 1992), out the "pre amp" output in back to a Scarlett solo interface box, to my computer. I didn't use any effects except my DD-3 pedal (I use a long delay with one repeat). It's not bad for a cheap home recording studio. I use a BJS bar for playing my steel. The decorative birthstone fell out years ago at the tip. The bar works fine, so I just use it as is. I changed out my stock pickup last year and replaced it with a Bill Lawrence 710. I'm happy with it.

I learned years ago that many steel guitar players also play the 5-string banjo, because both instruments share some of the same skills, use the same finger picks, and both use rolls. So, there is some overlap. If you can play pedal steel guitar, you can easily learn to play the banjo. I also think the reverse is true. I also think it would be quite easier for a banjo player to learn to play pedal steel guitar, which I have played as a hobby since 1992. There is a steep learning curve to learn pedal steel, but once you pass that initial hurdle it is downhill for the rest of your life. The steel guitar has been the joy of my life. Pedal steel will always be my first musical love. Lap steel steel guitar is second, which I play Hawaiian music on. Hawaiian music is a style, not a guitar, although it is usually played on a non-pedal steel guitar.

I also love the 5-string Banjo. I found Dave Hum's YouTube channel and amazing music in 2018 and my love of the banjo was rekindled. My passion for the banjo remains strong. I wish they weren't so darn overpriced and expensive, but that is a separate issue. As of August 2025, you can still buy a Show-Pro single neck pedal steel guitar for $3,895 from the Sho-Pro company in Nashville, Tennessee. Emmons charges about $12,000!!!

Last year, I bought two expensive Deering banjos from Fuller Guitars in Houston, Texas, at a 15% discount: a Calico for $4,430, and a Golden Wreath for $4,130. I'm not rich, but I had saved money for a long time. I am a firm believer in saving first and paying cash. I hate owing anybody a dime. There's a wonderful joy that comes from diligently saving money and waiting to buy to acquire something; as versus going into debt first and despising what you purchased on credit.

The Calico and Golden Wreath are both nice quality banjos, but I personally like the sound and tone of the Calico better. My Golden Wreath is sitting in its case now. I play the Calico. I also bought an inexpensive Goodtime Special for $1,099 on Amazon. To be quiet honest, I love and play the Goodtime Special more than any other of my banjos, because I love the clear unfinished wood on the neck, and that the banjo only weighs 9.3 pounds (over 3 pounds lighter than my other banjos), and the tone is excellent.

If someone were to break into my home and steal all my stuff (I don't trust crooked insurance companies, and they're all thieves, so I don't have insurance), I'd likely only buy a Goodtime Special. In hindsight, I regret buying two high end Deering banjos (which are definitely way overpriced without question). I am in the same boat as nearly all other banjo players, in that I simply haven't had the opportunity to play a bunch of different high end banjos to pick the one that fits me best. I've never played a Gibson, Yates, Stelling, OMG, ODE, or other top name builders, but I sure would like to. All I know is the ones I have bought.

I also own a Recording King Elite 85 with a maple body and neck, that I paid $1,895 for from Ross Nickerson in 2018, plus $225 shipping when I lived on Guam. Ouch! The Elite 85 has a 27 3/8" scale neck, which is a bit awkward since it is noticeably larger than the standard 26 1/4" length neck. It definitely has a bigger sound. But to be honest, it lacks the resonance that I love in a banjo. My Calico has resonance. Even the Goodtime Special resonates better than my Elite 85. That being said, the Calico does resonate a little better than the Goodtime Special. I just love and enjoy playing the Goodtime Special, which has a tone ring inside. It is a student banjo, but it's my favorite banjo to play. Go figure! The Goodtime Special just has a great feel to it!

Obviously, I am not a professional banjo player. I am just giving my honest opinion as a banjo hobbyist. Dave Hum (1966-2012) is one my musical hero on the banjo. For pedal steel guitar my hero is Lloyd Green (born 1937). For Hawaiian steel guitar my hero is Jerry Byrd (1920-2005). Those are my three musical mentors.

I have two Pro-II Sho-Bud D-10 pedal steels that I bought used. I bought my first one in 1993 for $1,200. I bought the other one around 2011, but I cannot remember what I paid for it. I'm guessing I paid about $1,800.  I bought my Rittenberry S-10 about 14 years ago new for $3,000. I only play the Rittenberry today, because mechanically it can do things (pedal and knee lever changes) that my other used steels cannot do. I also have an old cable Fender 1000 that I haven't played in years. It's an amazing instrument. Jimmy Day used a Fender 1000 on his 'Steel and Strings' and 'Golden Steel Guitar Hits' albums.

My Pro-II Sho-Buds weigh 85 pounds each in their cases, dinosaurs. They have a sweeter tone than my Rittenberry (which weighs 42 pounds in the case), but the Rittenberry is much more modern in design (built 40 years later). If anyone is interest in playing pedal steel, I recommend buying a new guitar from Show-Pro. You can't beat the price and workmanship, and a used pedal steel guitar on the Steel Guitar Forum will cost you just as much (you have to become a member to see the “For Sale” advertisements). I strongly advise you NOT to buy an old used pedal steel, unless you want to inherit a bunch of mechanical problems.

It was the beautiful 1970's country music that drew me to learn to play the pedal steel guitar. Country music is dead today, sadly. What is being produced in Nashville today is a mixture of rock, rap and country, which isn't real music in my humble opinion.

That all being said, I love the 5-string banjo and for the past few years have spent most of my time learning to play Dave Hum's awesome style. I already have backing tracks completed and scheduled to upload every Friday until December 26th, 2025. Thank you for your continued interest in my music blog. I don't make any money and don't accept donations for my work, I just love music and want to be a blessing to others. I thank God for Dave Hum and regularly pray for his family. I encourage you to purchase Dave's albums, backing tracks and tablature, which financially helps his family. God bless.

Are you going to Heaven dear friend?

Above: I'm playing my other Sho-Bud D-10 pedal steel, about 14 years ago

Above: Me with my Pro-II Sho-Bud D-10 pedal steel, about 30 years ago