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lvslack
Aloha
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 08/23/2004 : 12:19:21 AM
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Hope someone can help me. I'm looking to buy a ukulele to learn slack key,but not sure what to buy tenor 4string or 6 string and then theres baritone size. what do most pros play like Robi,Martin pahinui. I dont know how to play any instrument,but do like the sound of ukulele and guitar. would 6 string uke be more versital.
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sheila Adley |
Edited by - lvslack on 08/23/2004 12:26:00 AM |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2004 : 02:27:45 AM
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| Aloha Sheila...welcome to TaroPatch.net! Slack key is traditionally played with a guitar, although there is a style of ukulele playing called "slack key ukulele" that imitates the guitar style. If you want to learn slack key you'll want to get a guitar. Ukulele is easier to learn, however, and can play accompaniment to slack key guitar. It may be a better starting instrument for you, although there are plenty of people here who never played an instrument until they first heard slack key! |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2004 : 03:04:26 AM
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When it comes to learning slack key, the guitar is the instrument it's based on. If you really want to sound like your favorite slack key player, you'll have to buy a guitar and sit down with good teaching books or DVDs and practice.
But a lot of us love ukes, too, and the most popular size of uke among Hawaiian musicians is the tenor, though you'll find people playing sopranos, concerts and baritones, too.
The tenor is easy to hold and there's space for fat fingers, like mine, on the fretboard. Iz Kamakawiwo'ole played a Martin tenor, but also a baritone at times.
A six-string uke has double strings on the first and third strings, so it won't sound more like a guitar than a four-string, just a little more "full" when strumming. If you're starting out, I'd suggest a four-string because they're easier tune and fingerpick.
Strum as many ukes as you can before buying and you'll make a better purchase.
And most of all, have fun!
Jesse Tinsley |
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enr1co
Aloha
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2004 : 03:27:32 AM
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Aloha Sheila,
Should you decide on a guitar for slack key you may want
to pick up Patrick Landeza's instructional DVD- he
provides an inviting introduction and progressively
challenging material to playing slack key. You may
want to get a koa guitar like Patricks after seeing it
If you go the ukulele route, I would also vote for the tenor size
also than a concert due to the larger fretboard plability.
The traditional four string configuration would also be a good start
until you develop your finger strength and dexterity.
best of luck with your decision!
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2004 : 1:55:57 PM
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I started guitar and slack key at the same time, so I can make a few recommendations from my experience.
I still think the best starting place is Ozzie Kotani's book -- really set up well for beginners with very well integrated progression of lessons. Nice songs, too, that get you playing something that sounds good fairly quickly. I personally also like Keoki Kahumoku's DVD, as well as Patrick's.
However, I very strongly urge you to get a few lessons from a good guitar teacher - just some basics -- you want to make sure your "mechanics" are both healthy for your body and conducive to easy playing. Then you make a basic choice -- if you want to play slack key as accompanyment to singing -- you really just have to focus on chords and a few picking patterns -- again, you can learn a few basics, even in "standsard tuning" and that will help you get into slack key faster -- or you may want to play primarily melody based -- more like Ozzie Kotani, in which case you really have to learn the "open/closed" positions VERY well, and later expand on that. -- I've recommended to some folks, who said they were glad I did, 2 or 3 lessons with a good classical style teacher to learn some of the basics of how to play -- then go on to slack key. (Of course, having a good slack key teacher right off the bat can cut through that for you) Keola's introductory on line lessons are good too, but don't be discouraged if you don't sound like Keola for some time. (understatement)I have some tapes available that try to build on Ozzie's approach -- take you the next step.
I don't want to be discouraging -- however slack key sounds simple, but is not that easy to play -- like anything worthwhile -- it takes time and practice -- the "masters" we hear on recordings have mostly been playing all of their lives, and not just 10 minutes a day. However, it is a very approachable art form, and if you do put some serious time into it, you can progress pretty fast. There's nothing like it, and welcome to the "club."
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 06:02:38 AM
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Aloha Sheila,
I agree that a tenor ukulele is probably the better choice.
Also, post your interest on the "Ukulele" enthusiast side of this Taropatch forum, just in case they miss a post on this "General" forum.
A higher quality tenor is a bit more expensive, but will be easier to handle, and have a nicer, bigger tone--although there's some nice soprano's. Anything with moderate playability will allow you to learn, but a nicer instrument makes it "mo betta".
Also, check in your community. There's folk music communities all over the place...if there's not obvious, immediate interest in your Hawaiian music interests, keep searchin'...
and pickin'!
Gordo
P.S. If you have a guitar, hang on to it. You may want it to try a little slack key guitar after a little time on the ukulele. They're complimentary!
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launie
Aloha
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2004 : 12:24:47 AM
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Aloha Sheila,
Finally I have a neighbor! Slack key spreads through south central Pa and maybe one day we'll even have our own area slack key kanikapila going here like they do over there in California. Whatever instrument you decide to take up, get in touch sometime and we can chat about music and learning how to play this stuff.
Jamie
ps - is anyone else out there in the Harrisburg area? |
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lvslack
Aloha
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 11:52:19 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by launie
Aloha Sheila,
Finally I have a neighbor! Slack key spreads through south central Pa and maybe one day we'll even have our own area slack key kanikapila going here like they do over there in California. Whatever instrument you decide to take up, get in touch sometime and we can chat about music and learning how to play this stuff.
Jamie
ps - is anyone else out there in the Harrisburg area?
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sheila Adley |
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lvslack
Aloha
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2004 : 10:30:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by enr1co
Aloha Sheila,
Should you decide on a guitar for slack key you may want
to pick up Patrick Landeza's instructional DVD- he
provides an inviting introduction and progressively
challenging material to playing slack key. You may
want to get a koa guitar like Patricks after seeing it
If you go the ukulele route, I would also vote for the tenor size
also than a concert due to the larger fretboard plability.
The traditional four string configuration would also be a good start
until you develop your finger strength and dexterity.
best of luck with your decision!
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sheila Adley |
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slkho
`Olu`olu
740 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2004 : 4:02:13 PM
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Sheila,
For first a first timer you have bold aspirations...that's great.
For Slack Key guitar, I agree that Ozzies instructional booklet/CD is a great first exposure. His instructions are simple and easy to follow, plus he shows you step-by-step instructions on how to read tab and finger positioning measure-by-measure. Your first guitar should be simple and somewhat inexpensive. Get yourself a Yamaha 335 ($129.00 @ Guitar center) its a good starter. Later when you get better, invest in a better quality guitar.
There are books out there for Slack Ukulele, you can find it at Border's. Your first Ukulele exposure should be the same as the guitar. Purchasing a Fluke ukulele, ( i know, i know guys, but c'mon, she's just starting out) is good sounding Uke. Jim Belof's instructional booklet is very good for beginers. A 4-stringer will be enough to start, tenors are nice. Trust me, if your desire is there, you'll advance and move up to better level instruments later on. No reason to invest a lot of $$$ from the start. Most players follow this path.
Okay now Sheila, run, don't walk to the nearest music store and jump into it. I started the same way as you...absolutely no musical background as well.
-slkho |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2004 : 6:31:26 PM
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| Sheila, if you do end up buying a guitar get the best one you can afford...it will be easier to play, sound better (which will inspire you to play more), and have a better resale value if you decide down the road that you'd rather play ukulele. Also, not matter how much (or how little) you spend, have a local guitar shop set it up for you with the action as low as possible (have them set it up for open G tuning). This will make fingering notes and chords a lot less painful and less frustrating. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2004 : 01:25:34 AM
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Don't ignore the used market --
I bought my first from a private person through want adds in newspaper -- since I didn't know anything about guitars, I asked the seller to agree to my taking the guitar to a reputable guitar repair person to check it out.
I ended up with a great instrument for a very good price. |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2004 : 6:44:56 PM
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| Raymond makes a very good point. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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sandman
Lokahi
USA
181 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2004 : 11:26:11 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by slkho
Sheila,
There are books out there for Slack Ukulele, you can find it at Border's.
slkho, good post. I'm especially interested in your quote above. So far, I've only been able to find Heeday's publication. I've looked through the various search machines, plus Amazon, etc. and can't come up with anything else. I would appreciate any direction you can give me.
Mahalo,
Sandy |
Leap into the boundless and make it your home.
Zhuang-zi |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2004 : 11:59:44 PM
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| The only slack key ukulele books I've seen are Heeday's. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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