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FROPPE
Akahai
USA
81 Posts |
 Posted - 08/19/2005 : 5:23:49 PM
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Howdy, Everybody!
I am relatively new at guitar-playing. I have been studying mostly blues and finger-picking. I have recently begun to teach myself Hawaiian Slack Key. The guitar that I am using is a nylon-stringed Alhambra classical. My other guitars are a Fender Strat and a Taylor acoustic. I was just wondering what y'all were using, and was also curious as to using nylon strings for slack key. I love the mellow sound of the classical with nylon strings. My hands are relatively small, and I've encountered some challenges with playing slides on the nylon strings. Any comments or suggestions as to equipment would be appreciated!
Thank you, and aloha!
Froppe
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 6:14:10 PM
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Ben,
Welcome aboard. This is a well covered topic and there are a number of threads about this already, including an ongoing one in the "Da Kine Music Gear" forum. You can also use the "search" function as well. Many of the members also have their instruments posted with their profiles (and I noticed you didn't post yours).
Any guitar will work for Ki Ho`alu. Just listen to Ozzie Kotani or Keola Beamer to hear the best of nylon strings.
Me ke aloha,
Dave |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2005 : 08:28:14 AM
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Welcome to our slack key family!
There are only a handful of proficient slack key players hanging out here, so most of us are hobbyists just enjoying the process of learning and playing together.
Nylon strings are great for slack key, though most play steel strings for the sound quality and volume. Volume helps if you get in a song circle with steel string players. Some small-handed players choose a travel or miniature guitar like the Baby Taylor.
Although I haven't used many learning materials yet, I think the two most helpful things for a beginner is to listen to a lot of slack key on CD (or live, if you can) and try to internalize the sound. Secondly, I always try to remember that slack key is a feeling, as well as a guitar style, so try to get your mind in the right mood for playing: relaxed, happy and with your favorite vision of Hawai'i in your mind's eye. Some songs are upbeat, but they still have the feeling of Hawaiian music in them.
My two cents,
Jesse Tinsley |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2005 : 10:09:33 AM
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| I second Jesse's comments -- also look at the resources section - valuable stuff -- my favorite first instruction is Ozzie Kotani's book and CD -- graded lessons that build on each other, pleasant material to play - a great primer on the basics |
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slackkeymike
Lokahi
440 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2005 : 5:24:26 PM
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This may not make you very popular around the house, but the suggestion to listen to a lot of slack key is a GREAT idea. I run a lot, and I rarely go out without my i-pod. I have Ledward, Leonard, Cyril, Uncle Ray, Keola, and a bunch more in there. Listen to it all the time. Its amazing the sounds I am able to generate because I have internalized so much of it. Good luck, and visit often...lots of good folks in here!
Mike |
Aloha, Mike |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2169 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 4:24:18 PM
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| Aloha, and welcome to our world! As a friend told me as I was learning, "Can play anykine, 'long as it fit." Don't be "anal" about it, just have fun and share your aloha. Led never plays it the same way twice, so experiment and don't be afraid to make a mistake or three. That's how new tunes can come about. It's great for the blood pressure. |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 10:58:40 AM
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| Led never plays it the same way once (I offer respectfully) |
Edited by - chunky monkey on 08/24/2005 10:59:08 AM |
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FROPPE
Akahai
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 1:14:19 PM
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Thank you so much, everyone, for offering suggestions and making me feel welcome! My little kitty, Miss Molly, who will celebrate her 18th birthday on September 10, likes to sit by me when I practice. When I was learning to play the flute, she would sit on my lap and gently bite my fingers as punishment for wrong notes and bad intonation. We have not had the same issue with my slack key practice. Either my guitar playing is improving, or she is just especially fond of slack key!
Again, mahalo everyone.
Aloha!
Ben Sterling |
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