Guitar Playing Hawaiian Style

Written by a master of Hawaiian slack-key guitar, this text teaches the history,tunings, and other techniques found in slack-key guitar music. Because of the altered tunings in slack-key guitar music, all of the examples and exercises in this text have been written in tab only. Topics discussed are: right and left hand technique, alternating bass, slides, pull-offs, hammering, harmonics, and other slack-key related topics. Recordings of nine exercises from the book which demonstrates these techniques (with tunings) are provided on an accompanying audio online. Beautiful black and white photos of native Hawaiian musicians are scattered throughout the text

Hawaiian slack key guitar (Ki Ho'alu) is one of the world's great acoustic guitar traditions. This tradition includes virtuoso guitar pieces, but the majority of songs played slack key are classic Hawaiian melodies either played as instrumentals or as accompaniment to vocals with instrumental breaks between the verses. the term slack key does not refer to a type of guitar, but rather to any guitar played in the slack key style, that is, in alternate tunings with slacked strings and fingerstyle technique. Acknowledged slack key master Keola Beamer is a member of a family known for its musical artistry for generations. We are fortunate to have him writing in conjunction with veteran Mel Bay author, educator and multi-instrumentalist Mark Nelson, who simply followed his love of the music to the Islands. Written in standard notation and tablature to accommodate numerous alternate tunings, this book is presented in four sections: 1) the most common tuning introduced by fairly easy songs; 2) Illustrations of how to build your own arrangements; 3) A presentation of various slack key tunings; and 4) A selection of duets in the slack key style. Historical and cultural insights are offered throughout in the spirit of aloha, producing an informative, musically enlightening book with soul and humor. the companion CD features tuning tracks and informal introductions of the audio content by the authors, plus some beautiful slack key music.

(Fretted). The term "steel guitar" can refer to instruments with multiple tunings, 6 to 14 strings, and even multiple fretboards. To add even more confusion, the term "Hawaiian guitar" refers to an instrument played flat on the lap with a steel bar outside of Hawaii, but in Hawaii, it is the early term for the slack key guitar. Lorene Ruymar clears up the confusion in her new book that takes a look at Hawaiian music; the origin of the steel guitar and its spread throughout the world; Hawaiian playing styles, techniques and tunings; and more. Includes hundreds of photos, a foreword by Jerry Byrd, and a bibliography and suggested reading list.

This book is an excellent study of the history and unique musical stylings of the Hawaiian guitar. Stacy Phillips successfully pinpoints the characteristics of Hawaiian guitar solos. A special feature is the inclusion of a superb historical survey of Hawaiian music. Written in tablature only, G tuning. DeWitt Scott comments: There are two types of Hawaiian music, the 'authentic' style and the 'tourist' style. Stacy is presenting the 'authentic' style and this is much needed to keep the Hawaiian music alive.

Volume 2 continues the exploration of the classic Hawaiian guitar solos from the Golden Age of Hawaiian music that began in Volume One of the Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar. Contained here are precise transcriptions and playing hints of classic tunes like 'Hula Girl' and 'Kaala', by the greatest players like Sol Hoopii, the Genial Hawaiians, and many others. Together with the accompanying CD, this book is a great tool for learning this exquisite slide guitar style. Easy to use by both acoustic, resonator and electric slide players. A whole chapter of Hawaiian turnarounds is an added bonus. Most of the tunes are in major tuning but there are several in B minor and C6.

Hawaiian slack key guitar is one of the world’s great guitar traditions. Called ki ho‘alu in Hawaiian, it developed in the 19th century. Legend has it the first guitars were brought by cowboys imported from Alta California to deal with wild cattle. By day, the paniolo taught the Hawaiians to rope and ride, by night they serenaded them with the soft sounds of Spanish guitars... Written in tablature and standard musical notation, Old-Time Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar features 24 of the essential instrumentals every aspiring slack key player should know. These are the classic melodies–with a couple originals–played just as you’d hear them in a backyard party kani kapila–full of interesting twists and turns, sometimes richly complex, but always nahenahe–as natural and refreshing as an ocean breeze. Mark Kailana Nelson is an entertainer, musician and educator. His love for slack key guitar led him to travel to Hawai‘i and study with many of the masters of the art. Along with Keola Beamer, he is the author of Mel Bay’s Learn to Play Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, the first widely-available slack key instruction manual. Famed Hawaiian educator Aunty Nona Beamer gave him the Hawaiian name Kailana–Gently Floating on the Sea–and encouraged Mark to continue to teach Hawaiian music to all who wish to learn. Includes: • Tablature and standard notation • Notes on tunings, reading music and tablature • Newly revised and correction transcriptions Learn to play: Pua Lena/Kealoha/E Huli Ho’i Mai/Hula O Makee, Mauna Loa/Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua, Kowali, Paniolo Slack Key, Ku’u Lei Awapuhi Melemele (My Yellow Ginger Lei), Ahe Lau Makani, Nanea Kou Maka i ka Le’ale’a, Moloka’i Waltz, Moana Chimes, Old Timer’s Hula/Slack Key Hula, Hula Blues, Taro Patch Blues, Tiare Tahiti, Kaulana Na Pua, Playful Popoki, ‘Ulupalakua, Kanaka Waiwai, Kimo’s Slack Key, Papakolea Suitable for intermediate guitarists. Includes access to online audio.

Since the nineteenth century, the distinct tones of k&299;k&257; kila, the Hawaiian steel guitar, have defined the island sound. Here historian and steel guitarist John W. Troutman offers the instrument's definitive history, from its discovery by a young Hawaiian royalist named Joseph Kekuku to its revolutionary influence on American and world music. During the early twentieth century, Hawaiian musicians traveled the globe, from tent shows in the Mississippi Delta, where they shaped the new sounds of country and the blues, to regal theaters and vaudeville stages in New York, Berlin, Kolkata, and beyond. In the process, Hawaiian guitarists recast the role of the guitar in modern life. But as Troutman explains, by the 1970s the instrument's embrace and adoption overseas also worked to challenge its cultural legitimacy in the eyes of a new generation of Hawaiian musicians. As a consequence, the indigenous instrument nearly disappeared in its homeland. Using rich musical and historical sources, including interviews with musicians and their descendants, Troutman provides the complete story of how this Native Hawaiian instrument transformed not only American music but the sounds of modern music throughout the world.