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Uncle Mahi
Aloha
USA
12 Posts |
 Posted - 04/11/2006 : 11:55:40 PM
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To: Ralph Lowe,Mark, Peter Medieros,
Remarks on Hula Medley posted 1/19/06 & 1/20/06
Hula Medley is actually the name of a slack key piece intoduced by Gabby on early Radio back during the early to mid 1940's. Gabby's Version which became popular and a "mustlearn" among early slack key players pre-1950's. This was my first slack key melody that I learned in 1946-47. Although Dancing Cats reflects two hula medley's in their "History of Slack key album", there is some kind of error there. I can remember vividly there was only one Hula medley named and played everyone then knew that.
Gabby's Hula Medley and Henry Kaalekahi's "Hooki pa pa ka" was the first two slack key pieces ever played on radio. Henry Kaalekahi is from the island of Molokai and his entire family are true slack key masters who settled on Molokai from Kona.
His nephew Roland and I were classmates and we also learned the true "Wahine slack key" in "D" from his mother the first woman slack key master I've ever met. This "D" tuning rarely played today by new slack key players. To me new, means anyone learning slackkey after 1960.
Sonny Chillingsworth and I along with our friends all learned slack key together during the mid to latter 1940's from the same people.
Hula medley happens to be the first melody I always teach new students, because it contains most all of the slackkey movements, back and forward slides some hammers, forward and reverse picking and changeups, and changeups in timing, ideal for the learning student.
This I have on what I call "Kiho Alu Tableture", much easier to understand than regular tableture..
To Jeff of Huntington beach, give me another month and I'll have your Maui chimes on Tableture, will contact you soon.
My 1st time on TP hope I did it right.
Any questions on the Ukulele and Slack key I'll be glad to answer them. Been playing the uke activley since 42, watch for my CDs.
Did not give out my email because at present my time is very tight. However my students will bring it to my attention as they have here, or from time to time I also read the stuff on TP.
Glad to Help,
Mahalo,
Charles (chuck, uncle mahi) Kaimikaua Jr.
You may contact me at:
P.O. Box 4064
Redondo Beach California, 90277-9998
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Charles M Kaimikaua Jr |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 03:07:49 AM
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WooHoo!!
Welcome to Taropatch Uncle!!!!! It's good to see you here.
And to all taropatchers: You now have an awesome source for your old-time questions - Russel, are you listening?
And let me mention too that Uncle Chuck is a "Saffery", as is Uncle Kevin. It's a big big family.
If you are anywhere near los angeles, Uncle is an excellent teacher, especially for learning the old ways and old songs.
mahalo nui for joining us here!!
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 04:34:15 AM
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chuck! it's so great to hear from you!
keith
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 04:41:31 AM
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Uncle Mahi,
Welcome to the 'patch. Hope to read your posts more in the future! |
Andy |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 06:03:05 AM
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Welcome, Chuck! It's about time you joined. |
Dusty |
Edited by - wdf on 04/12/2006 06:04:31 AM |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 06:28:29 AM
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Uncle (finally, an uncle who's actually older than I am!)--
I would love to hear your story--in fact, I'd say that my book would be much the poorer without it. My e-mail address is available here--please contact me so we can arrange a time for a phone conversation or e-mail correspondence.
That D-wahine you mention--would that be the same as the one that George Kahumoku uses, DADF#AC#? If I recall correctly, he says it's one he learned from his dad, and I wonder if it might be the same one you learned long ago.
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 08:14:46 AM
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Hula Medley tidbits from the Dancing Cat website:
"Gabby Pahinui recorded his very influential Hula Medley (with the songs Nani Wale Lihu’e /Wai’alae / Halona), on THE HISTORY OF SLACK KEY GUITAR (Hana Ola Records); and a similar medley with the title Slack-Key Medley (Hula Medley): Nani Wale Lihu’e / Ka `I`iwi Polena / Silver Threads Among the Gold / Nani Wali Lihu’e (march tempo) / Wai’alae, on his recording PURE GABBY (Hula Records);
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Sonny Chillingworth also recorded Gabby Pahinui’s arrangement Hula Medley (with the songs Nani Wale Lihu’e /Wai’alae / Halona) on his recording SONNY SOLO (Dancing Cat Records)." |
Dusty |
Edited by - wdf on 04/12/2006 08:15:24 AM |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 09:12:51 AM
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Mahalo, Uncle!
Looking forward to learning more from you.
I'm curious about that D wahine tuning, too. Back when I was first trying to figure this stuff out from listening to the few Gabby records that were around at the time, I somehow got it in my head that I could play a few of his arrangements using a D tuning of some type. Don't recall exactly what I notes came up with, but it did get me on the path at least.
cheers!
Mark |
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Peter Medeiros
`Olu`olu
546 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 10:57:20 AM
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Aloha Chuck,
Well, looks like Mark has replied, so I guess I have to address this.
I have never met you, but I look forward to that time when we will meet. We are very fortunate to have another kanaka voice joining this forum -- not to mention the fact that you are teaching, so that definitely puts you in another category.
There are many contributors from all over each with a deep interest in slack key and passionate about it. However, as I have been reading through TP over the years and making a few contributions when I can, I could not help but notice that there are surprisingly few Hawaiians adding their mana`o -- and it's not like Hawaiians don't have computers or internet service. For the most part I would say we do not take the initiative to come out and say what it is we are thinking or feeling about something or someone. It is good that you are finally here. And as Dusty says "…it's about time you joined."
I am responding because I believe you want some feedback from me concerning my brief comments on Gabby's "Hula Medley". I am aware that "Hula Medley" is the actual name of an arrangement of songs that Gabby recorded for either Bell or Aloha Records. And I know the arrangement well and have transcribed it for teaching purposes and written documentation of the arrangement. Although nomenclature and tablature are a convenient means of teaching a piece I really prefer teaching one on one by rote -- that is how I was taught, "…sit down boy and watch. Now, you try play." In this type of learning you see things differently, there is no abstract thinking involved.
My comments on this medley not being a hula were both serious and in jest or half serious. Let's start with the half serious part first. On a literal level, this is a piece in which would be very hard to do the hula. One it's an instrumental -- no vocals, no words the usual context in which hulas are performed. Two, it's done in a rubato style. Which means the rhythm is arbitrary or dependent upon the guitarist's feeling at the moment -- which is a good way to get your head cracked by the dancer's ipu heke. Three, a couple of the pieces are in 3/4 time, so the choreography changes from hula to waltz. So although this piece is named "Hula Medley", play it for any kumu hula and you are going to get a real funny look.
Gabby's "Hula Medley" is comprised of public domain pieces so it doesn't fall into an issue of copyright infringement on the original components. However, because he arranged the piece as it is, he contributed and created a new work which should have been copyrighted. Under the 1909 Act, once the song was published or put out for distribution without going throug the formalities, it was immediately kicked into the public domain, which meant no copyright royalties for Gabby. In addition, medleys are sometimes used as a means to avoid paying copyright royalties to songwriters, thru the omission of song titles or duration of the component pieces within the arrangement.
What I did not make apparent in my comments was that I have a genuine dislike of record companies who do not pay or have no intention of paying the recording artists and songwriters (thru their publishing companies if they even have one). It does not matter whether or not they were the original producers of the work or assumed title to the masters; they are ripping off the artists and the artists' families. Hopefully, if there is a written instrument, a contract, for consideration than there maybe a remedy. If there is no written contract than it is costly and difficult to come up with an equitable solution. Although we are not alone in this matter, the failure to pay residual earnings -- recording artist royalties and copyright (publishing) royalties -- is an ongoing problem here in Hawaii and I seem to get a lot of calls for help. This is simply my thinking on this issue, I have no doubts that record companies take the opposite point of view -- that it's there for the taking.
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Edited by - Peter Medeiros on 04/12/2006 11:08:56 AM |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 12:22:06 PM
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Boy I wish someone would record some videos of Peter and Uncle Chuck for teaching Ki ho'alu. That way they could make a few $$$ for teaching more students.
Welcome Aboard Uncle Chuck!
Thank you Peter for keeping us informed.
quote:
which is a good way to get your head cracked by the dancer's ipu heke
LOL!!  |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 3:35:38 PM
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Well, when i first re4ad this thread i said to myhself "Man, why didn't i think of that piece to play at the upcoming polynesian dance festival???" Then Peter says i might get yet another lump on my head from the whole hula halou (8 or 10 lumps, as they all have ipos).
Maybe is hould stick to the tunes i already had picked. But then again, nobody will be trying to dance to my playing, either......hmmmmm.
So, Nancy, this is your wonderful teacher, then?
Welcome, Uncle CHuck. I am the farthest out (no, that might be Kiwini, on the mental scale, or maybe Comdr Piff) on the patch, at least the farthest north. It is nice to hear another experienced knowledgable person join and share in the history of what is for most of us, a new area of interest. I hope you continue to stay in touch. |
Karl
Frozen North |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 6:04:03 PM
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Aloha Karl,
Yup, the one and only - he is so o patient with me and so much fun! And he knows everything. And he plays really neat stuff... And i try to learn - next time you're in town, you'll have to meet him. Check out the thread of the kanikapila when mags and Kiwini came down. So he already met Kiwini (Steve Corioso) There is a picture of Uncle Chuck, and at least one of his gorgeous sweetheart Iolana. And when you see her picture, keep in mind they celebrated their 50th anniversary last summer!
I'm going to put my name top on the list for his first CD!!!
Aloha no
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2006 : 8:40:24 PM
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Sounds like we should get Uncle Chuck and Bruce Lamb together. Bruce is in San Diego, can do vidoes and is a great friend. Sounds like Uncle Chuck has untold wonderful things worth sharing with us.
Personally, I am very interested in this tablature that is easier to understand than "regular" tablature. This from the perpetual slack key beginner. Welcome to the TaroPatch Ohana, Uncle.
Me ke aloha, Julie
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