This book is considered the first in-depth method book ever published for learning to play the 5-string banjo. First appearing in 1858, Phil Rice’s 1858 Method for the Banjo was written in standard notation in the tuning (eAEG#B). Kyle Gray Young has meticulously transcribed 64 solos from the original keys and notation to clear, easy-to-read tablature in modern C tuning; 15 of these solos also appear in G tuning. Since the intervals between strings are the same in the C or A tunings, these tablature editions are also playable on replica banjos in the 19th-century tuning.
In addition to its 64 solos, this Mel Bay edition features a complete transcription of the original step-by-step method on how to play stroke-style banjo as it was presented in 1858, but again—in modern tablature with online audio.
Some of these wonderful melodies haven’t been heard since the Civil War era. It’s time to bring them back to life!
Song List:
Introduction
Exercises & Lessons.
Juba, a Jig Dance
Where Did You Come From?
Do Mr. Boker Do
Hurrah for Hard Times
Green Corn
Rattlesnake Jig or Hoop De Dooden Doo
Jump into the Wagon
Oh, Come Along John
Buckley’s Banjo Jig
To the Other Side of Jordan
Hear Him, Johnny, Hear Him!
Oh, Sally Is the Gal for Me
Rob Ridley
Root Hog or Die
Down in Alabama
Gettin’ Up Stairs
Picayune Butler’s Comin’ to Town
Bobbin’ Around
White Cat or Black Cat
Hannah, Hannah, Where You Going?
I’m Off for Nicaragua
Machine Poetry
United States, It Is the Place
Oh, the Law Gals
Oh, What’s the Matter Suse Ann?
Somebody’s In the House with Dinah
So Glad Dinah Left Me
Don’t Mind Steven
The Ole Grey Goose
Oh, Jenny Get Your Hoe Cake Done
Darling Nelly Gray
Oh, Ladies All!
That’s So and You’d Better Believe It
Sandy Boy
Hi! Ho! The Charleston Gals
Go Away, Jenny
Get Away, Gumbo, Sound Your Horn
Where’s That Man?
Sam Johnson’s Reel
Devil’s Dream
What’s Going On?
Phil Rice’s Excelsior Jig
Come Shine Out, Peggy
Whoop Jamboree
Oh John, Did You Ever See My Daughter Sally?
The Old Gander
Rise Old Napper
Mrs McCloud’s Reel
Set ‘Em Up John
Come Day, Go Day
Power of Music, as Executed by Tom Briggs
John Diamond Walk Around
Grape Vine Twist
Oh, Bring Along the Gal
Old Virginny Jig
Mr. Brown
Snap, Flip, Toodleum, Dee
The Lady’s Jig
Buckley’s Walk Round
Essence of Old Virginia Dance
Dick Sliter’s Reel
Buckley’s Best Reel
Unsworth’s New Jig
Walk Around
Alternate Solos in G Tuning:
To the Other Side of Jordan
Oh, Sally Is the Gal for Me
Bobbin’ Around
White Cat or Black Cat
Hannah, Hannah, Where You Going?
I’m Off for Nicaragua
United States, It Is the Place
Sandy Boy
Sam Johnson’s Reel
Come Shine Out Peggy
Whoop Jamboree
Oh John, Did You Ever See My Daughter Sally?
Oh, Bring Along the Gal
Essence of Old Virginia Dance
Unsworth’s New Jig