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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
 Posted - 03/06/2003 : 6:36:52 PM
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As I mentioned in another thread, there have been quite a few new members in the past weeks, most of whom haven't had a chance to post yet. I'm starting this thread as an opportunity (and invitation) for any of our members to say hello and introduce themselves without feeling like they have to be a slack-key expert to contribute to the forums.
Suggestions: Who are you? Where are you? What brought you here? What kind of interest do you have in slack key? Do you play guitar or just enjoy listening? Etc.
I'll kick things off. I live in the San Diego area and first heard OF slack key during a visit to a local guitar shop where I saw Mark Hanson's book. It was another month or two before I actually heard the music itself (I think it was either Keola Beamer or Ray Kane) and fell in love with it. I first started playing guitar about eleven years ago and was just starting to move beyond the beginner level when I got married and had to choose between my wife and my guitar. I chose poorly...my wife left me a year ago. I started playing again after the divorce and found slack key a few months later and TaroPatch.net shortly after that during a Web search.
Don't let my recording of Kani Ki Ho`alu at SoundClick fool you...it took me 6-8 hours of playing to get a decent take and I still had to edit out some mistakes with the computer. I'm still an advanced beginner when it comes to playing due to a limited amount of practice time, but I don't care...I love making beautiful noise!
My knowledge of slack key is far greater than my ability to play it...I've had far more time to listen, research, and read over the past 10 months than I've had to practice. That's one of the great things about slack key though...it's very accessible at this point in it's history, as are its players.
If you're new to TaroPatch.net, you'll find that accessibility very nicely reflected in the people who hang out here. It's a true `ohana (family) in every sense of the word.
Craig
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2003 : 11:12:40 PM
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Welcome and mahalo to all those who have joined our online `ohana recently and previously. To date 146 of 239 members have posted which is roughly 60/40. The more people sharing their experiences, knowledge, aloha, etc. - the more fun of a place this is - so please join in.
I know a lot of you out there have been telling others about this site and I thank you. Many recent members are from Hawai`i so I thank the Honolulu Advertiser for the blurb, but most of all thanks to Peter Medeiros.
I know a decent amount about slack key (I think) for a guy in NJ but I'm sure you'll teach me more. C'mon, what do you think I'm in this for, the money?!?!  Looking forward to all your posts. |
Andy |
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Mainkaukau
Lokahi
USA
245 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2003 : 11:48:05 PM
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Aloha nui you all, My name is Eric. I started playing guitar back in the 70's. I first learned how to play by listening to records, yes LPs, over and over again. Some of the mainstream guitarist that influenced me at that time were Jimi Hendrix, (it took me a year to learn to play voodo child:) Stevey Ray Vaughn, Jonnny Winter(The albino guy), Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Harvey Mandel, Robert Fripp, Carlos Santana, and countless classical guitarists because my girlfriend at the time was a music major at the University of Hawaii.(I think she graduated with Peter M.) Hawaiian/Local guitarist that I learned from in LP 101 were Peter Moon, Gabby Pahinui, Atta Issacs, Keola and Kapono Beamer, Lennard Kwan, Raymond Kane and Nedward/Ledward Kalapana to name those I can recall at the moment. In retrospect, I think the best way to learn Slack-Key is from an instructor. Although, for what it's worth, I've been told I sound like a little bit of everyone when I perform. Here's an interesting story about how I switch from rock and roll to Slack-Key.
One night at a Roosevelt High School gathering I was playing Led Zepplen's "Stairway to Heaven". After I finished, a young Japanese stranger asked to borrow my guitar and I agreed. He retuned(to my not to happy surprise) and started to play Keola Beamer's rendition of "Kaulana Na Pua". I was fascinated, amazed by the fullness of sound, the bass, the harmony, the sweetness. The rest is history. That night I started my long endeavor to learn and embrace Slack Key. Years later, I found out that the stranger who unknowingly changed my musical outlook was Mr. Ozzie Kotani. Thanks Ozzie.
I'm presently traveling as a musician with the Hawaii Visitors Bureau promoting tourism and spreading Slack-Key and Aloha throughout the world. Basically, I love to play guitar and if I'm ever where you are I'll be happy to share. Thank you for your time. Alooooooha! |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 02:22:02 AM
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Wow Eric...what a great background. Welcome to the online `ohana. If you ever work out a slack key version of "Stairway to Heaven," let me know! And please let me know if you're ever in the San Diego area.
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Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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slackkey
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 05:23:35 AM
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Aloha Eric! My name's slackkey (Bill Pellazar), and welcome to the relm (I like that word...) of "Kiho'alu Stylings". I use to be a drummer for a band called "Purple Haze" (around 1968/1969) I too grew up listening to, and known at the time as 'Acid Rock', Heavy Metal! Just so happen we made Jimi's song Purple Haze our Band's theme song.
Remember artists like "Blind Faith" (Well alright), Blood Sweat and Tears, Jefferson Airplane, Grandfunk Railroad, Iron Butterfly, Led Zepplin and all the other past greats? Of course you do....you're about same age as me it seems! I could go on and on! But that was then, and this is now...."KIHO'ALU". Major transition eh!
What Slack Key tuning do you use? I started with taropatch (open G). It's still my favorite tho. I also use the Drop-C tuning. For the really nice songs like "Kamakani Ka'ili Aloha", Ku'uipo I Ka He'e Pue One and a few others....being i'm just in the begining stages of that sweet tuning. Most songs I usually play them in taropatch. The pa'anis are alot easier for me.
How long have you been away from the Islands? I was Over Seas in the 70's for a 4-year Tour in Europe. At the time, the only instrument I played was my ukulele. Da rest of da Bruddah's played the kika. I only began kiho'alu about 5 years or so ago. But been lovin it ever since. Kiho'alu is my passion....and really great way to get the edge off a bad day at the office. When I'm there, I just bus-out da kika strum the strings, and in a matter of seconds.....in the zone of kiho'alu.
BTW! I come from the Valley Isle, and live along the northshore. Just a short walk to the beach and my favorite diving grounds. Well, time now to moi moi.....You take care! Maybe we'll all cross paths one day.
In the meantime let's keep perpetuating "Hawaiian Slack Key" wherever we live...From Paia, Tahiti, California to Jersey! A Hui Hou!
slackkey (Bill Pellazar)   |
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Mainkaukau
Lokahi
USA
245 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 1:48:38 PM
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Thank you for the acknowledgements my Slack-Key cohorts. Slack-Key version of "Stairway to Heaven"? Hmmmmm? Maybe sung in Hawaiian? Hummmm? and (major flashback) the Iron Butterfly, Bill? You mean that group that did that song "In a da da go vima" "En a go da ivi da" "In a me da go ga ga" you know the one with the first long drum solo. Man, you're old!
I play and sing all my Hawaiian and Hapa Haole music in the Taro Patch tuning. I have learned to modulate to other keys while in the low "G" depending on what song I'm singing. |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 2:05:53 PM
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Thanks a lot Bill...now I have You've Made Me So Very Happy stuck in my head.
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Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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slackkey
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 6:52:02 PM
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Eh Craig! That was Blood Sweat and Tears right! Side-2 No. 2 "I'm so glad you came into my life" One of my favorites! Eric! that was "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"! Ron Bushy was my Idle, and his drum solo, during that song was my favorite. I would do my similar drum solo, almost exact with improvisions of my own. While I get into the ZONE, The rest of the guys in our Band would leave the stage one by one... mingle w/ girlfriends, talk to other friends, smoke, eat, relax, take a nice long break and watch me create a drummers FRENZY! My solo would go on for 40-45 minutes! Even longer if I'm eally getting down. Until give them the signal. Then as they left one by one from the stage, they would return to their instruments like a chain reaction....I think you guys know the drill. Man! Just reminicing gets my adrenalin all pumped-up! Whew! What-a-rush! But that was then, and "Kiho'alu is now....Thanks for bringing back memories! laters!
slackkey (Bill Pellazar) |
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slackkey
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2003 : 01:55:29 AM
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Wasssssssup Eric! Yeah I guess i'm pretty old! Ha! ha! ha! But those were the days! And when I realized you and Craig had similar connections back during that same era. Man!....I began having SUPER MAJOR FLASH-BACKS going at HYPER-SPEED! Funny how we all began our experiences growing up during that really wild era of maximum-volume music, and have now transformed ourselves to the Slackey Guitar Player we are today. When I told my kids about our Band during the late 60s, they couldn't believe it! Until I showed them a black and white 8x10 picture of us...All 5 of us!
Imagine this.....our wardrobe with bright florescent colors, long sleeved Ne-ru Jackets (Guru Style)....Strobe-lights flashing! Four 48" Black-light Fixtures....Get the picture? To top it off! liquid nitrogen engulfing us in cool white mist. Pretty KEWL huh? Hey, I hope you enjoyed that trip back in time with me! Keep up with that taropatch tuning, and keep perpetuating "Kiho'alu"...Some day we'll all cross-paths with one another and "Kanikapila". A Hui Hou!
slackkey (Bill Pellazar) |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2003 : 10:12:15 PM
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Eric, welcome to the fold. Or as Slackkey says, welcome to the realm.
Nice to see you aboard. You are the kind of person we like. One day you see a new moniker, and the next thing you know that person is posting again and again. That is what keeps this site alive.
For you lurkers out there, drop a line and say hi. Its always fun to see new folks and see where they live. Never a more open or welcome forum will you find. You need not play any instrument, just say hi. We love that here. Makes us all feel big time!
Slackkey, day glow polyester? Say it isnt so! You rock! We so need to party when I get to the islands. ")
Craig, beautiful noise? Let me tell you something. When I was in Hilo last year at that place in the jungle in mid August, oh ya, the Aloha Camp! Anyway, Keola Beamer decided a bunch of us should play Hialawe, for the Hula on the last night. As a result, a lot of us were sittin around practicing his version of. Did I mention it rains a lot in the south eastern part of that island? Im sitting about 9 at night, pouring rain, in the screened in upstairs lanai, playing that song. I had completely forgotten about that. As you may know, his version of that song is quite similar to your version of Kani Kiho'alu. Some very similar runs.
Long story shorter.......Im sitting home last week and your song is playing on my computer.
BLAMMO.....I was transported back to that beautiful night in Hawaii last year listening to you play.
I got all stressed last Friday about something at work. When I was quiet with myself at home that evening...I played your piece. I was put into a very nice and happy place listening to you play. Music is personal to everyone who hears it. Yours strikes a chord that runs deep. Because it is personal to me. So many of us never think our work measures up to our own expectations. But understand well, when it is produced with aloha, that aloha will come out to who needs it the most. That is what being a musician is really about. Thank you for that Craig.
You needed to know that.
That my friend, is kiho'alu. |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2003 : 02:59:53 AM
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Now that brought me back to the 60's! Picture me, (little old lady now) in a suede miniskirt, satin blouse, knee high boots, beads a-janglin', playing my tambourine and keyboard on stage at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds, just before Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company came on. (I still remember their whole name.) I actually think we played "Ina gagadada vida."
Also played "To love somebody" by the BeeGees while watching our drummer and his tied-together-drumset disappear between two stage sections which had separated. Right in the middle of the drum solo! Yikes. Now that was memorable. I can still see his eyes bulging and his sticks flailing up in the air.
I switched in the 70's to Hawaiian music, Gabby, Olomana, Keola, Homegrown. So why am I trying to learn to play Ki Ho'alu now? It's more my speed...
Aloha, Julie |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2003 : 12:22:31 PM
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cmdrpiffle wrote:
quote:
Anyway, Keola Beamer decided a bunch of us should play Hialawe, for the Hula on the last night.
Hey Mike, can you still play the little solo we learned? I can't seem to dredge it up. |
Dusty |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2003 : 01:12:19 AM
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Hey Dusty,
Aloha to you and Sheila. Yep, funny you bring that up. I dropped the old G to an F sharp, (its dark, and I dont know which key has the pound sign for the sharp)...the other day. I played the thing note for note after a few tries. It all came back. I'll work out a progression I can send you in a few days. Pretty dirt simple. (red dirt of course) Progressions on the high d and b string fifth fret, harmonics on the b string 12 fret, the main run, then the same progression moving to the 7th fret, and dropping the bass to the low D instead of the G. Confused yet? My instruction usually entails such.
Anyway, I eventually mixed the main run of Ray Kane's Punahele with the progression of Keola Beamers Hialawe....awesome! I'll put it on my website and let you take a listen. Hell, I was impressed anyway.
Mike |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2003 : 01:15:07 AM
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Hey, I just noticed that I am a Lokahi! I am so pleased with myself. No, really!
Sarah........HELP
Mike |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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slackkey
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2003 : 3:10:51 PM
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Aloha Julie!
Your last name....really close to Jimi's! Hey what Band did you play for during the moment back in time? Julie it's not hard for me to picture you all dressed-up as you described. Wow! you guys (gals) opened-up for Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Company? Man! That must've been awesome! We were called "Purple Haze". I was the youngest member. But boy did I have a great time! I don't play the drums anymore....but have a whole lot of memories! It's nice to be able to GO back in time....even if for just a moment....I close my eyes, and see us during opening nite of a dance we sponsered.
Here's my Drummer's story...Short version. During our closing song that nite at our Dance, and while on the highest level of the stage...I totally trashed my mine during a drum solo...AND THE CROWD WENT WILD!!!
I began my appreciation of Hawaiian Music after Rock & Roll. You know, as I got older, I realized how much I had taken for granted Hawaiian Music. Although in grade school (year 1968), we did play songs like Pearly Shells, Tiny Bubbles, Ele ka lei lei (spelling). That was as the Kupuna's (elders) would say, pilau song (nasty song!)
But we had a really fun time winning the Talent Contest with it! First Prize: A whole Box of Hershey's candy bars! Of couse before we could do the song we had to ask permission. Well it was a Night-Club kind of song. And we were just in the eigth grade! ha! ha! ha!
But there is a old saying..... that it never is too late to change and learn something new. Being in the Army stationed in Berlin, Germany, thousands of miles and Oceans away from Hawaii, being surrounded by other "Bruddah's and Sistah's from the Hawaiian Island Chain, and whole lot of Hawaiian Music. I couldn't help but play it! We even had a "Hawaiian Club"! Luaus with all the trimmings from home but da pua'a
(pig) in one imu on German soil.
Julie! keep-up with the "Kiho'alu Stylings"! Never give up!....let us all continue to perpetuate this really Beautiful, sweet, nahenahe way of the "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar". Let's keep it ALIVE AND WELL!
A Hui Hou! Malama Pono....
slackkey (Bill Pellazar)
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Guinness OHagan
Aloha
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2003 : 02:52:16 AM
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Hi Craig and everyone! I signed up on Taropatch forum a few months ago when I started to take lessons, and this is the first time I've posted.
I'm a Navy officer (submariner), originally from NJ, and have been stationed at Pearl Harbor for about 11 years (off and on). I married a local girl and now as I'm approaching retirement from the Navy, I intend to make Hawaii my permanent home.
My wife has been encouraging me to get a hobby for a long time, and last fall she saw an advertisement in Midweek magazine for slack key lessons. I've never played the guitar, but always wanted to learn, so at age 42 I started. I was hooked immediately, and wished I'd started years earlier.
I'm learning from Ray Sowders, who performs locally and studied with Ray Kane and Ozzie Kotani. So far, everything I've learned is in Taro Patch tuning.
Craig, I listened to your version of Kani Ki Ho'alu on the Soundclick site. Very impressive! I started with that as my first song. My version doesn't sound anywhere near as clean as yours, though, (plenty mistakes!).
I'd love to be able to email my family back on the mainland some mp3s of my playing. Can you tell me how you recorded your music? Especially the part about editing out the mistakes -- I'm gonna need that . Do you have a cable and software to enable you to record directly via the sound card in your PC?
Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to participating more actively in the forum, now that the "ice is broken".
Cheers!,
Guinness
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