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CSKPlayer
Aloha
USA
12 Posts |
 Posted - 02/26/2009 : 09:18:04 AM
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Aloha to the ohana,
It's me-the Beginner!! I have made some progress with my slack key, but still need to move my fingers alot more faster.
I've been trying to obtain Leanard Kwan's book but have been unsuccessful. I would like to learn his classic "Opihi Moemoe". I've heard some great arrangements on you-tube, and particularly like
sirduke58's jam with accompanying uke.
Anyone know how I can obatin the Tab for Ophi Moe Moe or purchase a copy of Leonard Kwan's book.
Appreciate any kokua.
-CSKPlayer
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2009 : 3:13:05 PM
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The tab in Leonard's Red book is difficult to follow anyway. You can find an easier version in
Keola Beamer's First Method for Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Book
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E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2009 : 3:50:37 PM
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The problem with the tab is that it doesn't use the "line system" we are used to. It actually puts the notes on the spaces. I just rewrote the tab "on the lines" and it's right on.
CSK - Don't worry about speed. First of all, most slack key is played in a slower, more laid back style. Most of us find the "nahenahe" style very pleasing and attractive. Secondly, speed will come with practice. You don;t have to go out of your way to push it. The more you are accustomed to the slack key style, then you can slowly, bit by bit, add some speed. When I first learned Opihi I played it at about 50 - 60% of its typical tempo, and people loved it. |
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Claudia
Lokahi
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2009 : 4:40:55 PM
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RJS is right! The tab is fine, it's just with notes on the spaces instead of the lines.
I bought the Leonard Kwan Red Book a couple of years ago on Ebay. A certain lovely and generous Taropatcher alerted me to the impending auction (you know who you are and MAHALO!) It was worth every penny.
I rewrote the first two pages of the Leonard's tab of Opihi Moemoe into regular tab. I found the process so annoying, I decided to see if I could learn it as it was written (old style Tab - notes on the spaces). Well, the eyes really do adjust and I learned the rest of the piece directly from the tab. |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2009 : 2:26:11 PM
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Y'all are right. Dennis Ladd did a terrific job of documenting what Leonard Kwan played for him. Dennis states in the book; quote:
The key word is listen. To know -- first hand -- Leonard's music requires hearing him. While he himself is not generally available to listen to, his recorded music is. Listen to it.
The instructional notes in the "Leonard Kwan Slack Key Instruction Book" are excellent. There are chord pictures in Open G (taropatch). And if you read music, the musical notation is written out above the tablature.
However, most tablature you find nowadays is pretty much standardized and we get used to reading it that way. Dennis wrote the notes in the spaces and used some notations that are unique but explained at the front of the book. This is why I said it is hard to follow.
The best part of the book, for me at least, is the way Dennis broke down the repeating sections and showed where the variations occur on top of the basic pattern or repeated bars. This makes remembering and performing the music much easier. I much prefer to play/perform songs that I can remember  (duuuuhhhhh)
Finally, there are many slack key guitar players that have added their own licks and variations to the original. Once you have the basics from the tablature and you watch and listen to these excellent musicians, you can pick up what they did -- imitation IS a form of flattery.
Just as a stage performer must read and memorize the script before he goes on stage -- I much prefer the actual live performance of the play. Even Shakespeare becomes a joy to behold.  (my wife is an English teacher)
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Arnett, send me an email. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
Edited by - Mika ele on 02/27/2009 2:26:44 PM |
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