Buckley's New Banjo Method - 1860: is this $10 stack worth it for Music & Sound Design?
Quick answer
| Best for | Ukulele players who want authentic 19th-century banjo repertoire in a playable format, or historians curious about the banjo-to-uke transition. |
| Skip if | You play standard low-G ukulele (these are arranged specifically for re-entrant tuning) or you’re looking for modern pop/folk chords. |
| Price | $10 |
| Format | 44-page PDF + 30 MP3 audio files |
| One-line take | A meticulously transcribed bridge between 1860 banjo technique and modern ukulele playing, complete with audio references. |
What you’re actually buying
Most ukulele players hit a wall after mastering basic chords and a few strumming patterns. You want something with more character, something that feels like it has a history behind it. That’s exactly where Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860 (ukulele tablature) comes in. Kyle Gray Young took 30 instrumental solos from James Buckley’s 1860 banjo instruction book and meticulously transcribed them for re-entrant ukulele. This isn’t a simple chord chart; it’s a full tablature arrangement that accounts for the specific string tuning of traditional ukuleles (where the G string is higher than the C string, not lower).
The package includes a 44-page PDF that doesn’t just list the music. It opens with an 11-page introduction covering James Buckley, a brief history of the banjo, and the transcriber’s personal observations from researching the project. You get the complete original instructions for playing the banjo, which adds a layer of historical context that most modern method books skip. Then you get the meat of the product: 30 solos ranging from jigs like Leavitt’s Jig and The Bell Jig to reels like Buckley’s Copenhagen Reel and Money Musk Reel. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
The real value, however, is the inclusion of 30 MP3 files. For a $10 price point, having audio references for every single piece is a significant advantage. It allows you to hear the intended rhythm and phrasing, which is crucial when translating banjo technique to ukulele. Whether you’re a soprano, concert, or tenor player, these arrangements are designed to work with your instrument’s default re-entrant setup, saving you the hassle of buying special low-G strings just to play these tunes. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
Why it’s on our radar
This product stands out because it solves a very specific niche problem: finding historically accurate, intermediate-to-advanced ukulele music that isn’t just a port of a guitar song. The banjo and the ukulele share a re-entrant tuning philosophy, which makes this transcription technically logical and musically authentic. For players tired of the same 100 ukulele songs, this collection of 1860 solos offers a fresh palette of old-timey, percussive melodies that fit the instrument’s natural voice.
The specificity of the deliverable is also impressive. It’s not a vague “method book” that might just be theory. It’s 30 named, playable pieces with audio. The fact that the seller included the original banjo instructions and a historical introduction shows a level of care that goes beyond just copying notes. It’s a curated experience for the player who wants to understand why the music sounds the way it does. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
What actually matters
Before you buy, confirm your ukulele’s tuning. This product is explicitly arranged for re-entrant tuning. If you play a low-G ukulele (where the G string is lower than the C string), these tabulations will not work correctly without significant re-arrangement. The listing is clear about this, but it’s the primary filter for who this is for. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
Check your comfort level with tablature. While the PDF includes standard notation context, the primary learning tool here is tab. If you’re strictly a chord-chart player, you might find the transition to reading tab for 30 different pieces a bit of a hurdle, though the MP3s will help bridge that gap. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
Consider your repertoire goals. These are 19th-century instrumental solos. They are not songs with lyrics, and they are not modern pop standards. If you’re looking to play at a wedding or a casual campfire, this might not be the right vibe. But if you’re into old-time music, folk history, or want to develop more intricate fingerpicking skills on the ukulele, these 30 solos are a perfect fit.
Mid-check
If you’re a re-entrant ukulele player looking for unique, historically grounded music with audio support, this is a strong value. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
FAQ
Is this suitable for beginners? It’s best for intermediate players. The introduction provides historical context, but the solos themselves are instrumental and require some familiarity with reading tablature and basic ukulele technique. The MP3s help, but you should be comfortable with standard uke playing before diving in. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
Do I need to buy special strings? No. In fact, the listing emphasizes that you do not need low-G strings. These arrangements are specifically designed for the default re-entrant tuning found on most soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles. If you have low-G strings, you would actually need to switch back to standard re-entrant strings to play these pieces as intended. (Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860)
What is the difference between this and a standard ukulele method book? Standard method books usually focus on modern chords, strumming patterns, and contemporary songs. Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860 focuses on historical banjo repertoire translated to ukulele. It’s a niche, historically focused product that offers a different musical flavor and technical approach than typical uke instruction materials.
Bottom line
If you play a re-entrant ukulele and you’re ready to explore music with a bit more history and character, Buckley’s New Banjo Method - 1860 (ukulele tablature) is a fantastic $10 investment. You get 30 playable solos, audio references, and a deep dive into the history of the banjo. It’s a unique piece of the ukulele world that bridges the gap between 19th-century tradition and modern playing.