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.
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.
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.
The inspiration for the Play It Loud exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art "Every guitar player will want to read this book twice. And even the casual music fan will find a thrilling narrative that weaves together cultural history, musical history, race, politics, business case studies, advertising, and technological discovery." —Daniel Levitin, Wall Street Journal For generations the electric guitar has been an international symbol of freedom, danger, rebellion, and hedonism. In Play It Loud, veteran music journalists Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna bring the history of this iconic instrument to roaring life. It's a story of inventors and iconoclasts, of scam artists, prodigies, and mythologizers as varied and original as the instruments they spawned. Play It Loud uses twelve landmark guitars—each of them artistic milestones in their own right—to illustrate the conflict and passion the instruments have inspired. It introduces Leo Fender, a man who couldn't play a note but whose innovations helped transform the guitar into the explosive sound machine it is today. Some of the most significant social movements of the twentieth century are indebted to the guitar: It was an essential element in the fight for racial equality in the entertainment industry; a mirror to the rise of the teenager as social force; a linchpin of punk's sound and ethos. And today the guitar has come full circle, with contemporary titans such as Jack White of The White Stripes, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent), and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys bringing some of the earliest electric guitar forms back to the limelight. Featuring interviews with Les Paul, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and dozens more players and creators, Play It Loud is the story of how a band of innovators transformed an idea into a revolution.
The Hawaiian word for slack key guitar, kī hō‛alu, means to "loosen the key" or retune some of the strings to create a harmonious sound with an open or alternate tuning. Slack key is a fingerpicking style characterized by strong alternating bass lines played with the thumb. While slack key can be played on any guitar, most players prefer a nylon- or steel-stringed acoustic instrument.This book presents 25 intermediate to advanced traditional and original tunes in the Hawaiian slack key style. Melodies are often harmonized in sixths or thirds played with or without double stops. Techniques like syncopated bass lines, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and harmonics are tastefully employed to evoke the images of ocean breezes, swaying palms, hula dancers and white sandy beaches. The author writes, "Unless you grew up playing slack key, it's hard to get from the material presented in most books and DVDs to a fluid, play-it-your-own-way style." This book seeks to reveal the insights the author has gleaned from studying and jamming with some of the giants of the slack key style, and help you develop a style all your own. Includes access to online audio tracks of all 25 relaxing but challenging Hawaiian slack key tunes.
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. Includes access to online audio.
(Music Sales America). In this book/CD pack, guitar author Mark Hanson explains the acoustic fingerstyle playing of many of the greatest slack key artists. It features note-for-note transcriptions from Ray Kane, Sonny Chillingworth, Leonard Kwan, Cyril Pahinui, Ozzie Kotani and more. The book also includes explanations of tunes and tunings, plus an instructional CD, standard notation and tablature.
Slack Key Made Easy Hawaiian Slack Key music won back to back Grammy Awards for the Hawaiian music category in 2005, 2006 and 2007. This has elevated slack key to new levels of exposure and enjoyment. As a cultural icon in Hawaii it is tied generally to the guitar. With this book David Heaukulani introduces this unique music style for `ukulele players who can now enjoy the same pleasure of Hawaiian slack key. "Uncle Dave" has incorporated technology as an improvement over earlier publications of slack key tutorials. He uses videos posted on the Internet to supplement the lessons and exercises. Slack key is fairly easy to learn and is made easier yet with pictures and video supplements. "Uncle Dave" has a degree in music and has been playing the `ukulele for fifty years. He has written many original `ukulele slack key songs, some of which are included in this publication. He teaches `ukulele slack key at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo, Hawaii and is also a lecturer at the University of Hawaii, Hilo campus. You are introduced to popular tunings: Taro Patch, Wahine F, Wahine G Major 7th, and Wahine D Major 7th, . It does not matter if your standard tuning is GCEA for soprano, concert, or tenor or DGBE for baritone. The instructions take this into account to include all `ukulele scales. Traditional as well as original songs written for the `ukulele with tablature are included.
