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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
 Posted - 09/30/2011 : 04:08:00 AM
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Aloha.
Total newcomer here so please excuse the ignorance... In much instructional material on slack key I see excellent tabs and excellent information on how to play the fingerstyle tune. From Keola Beamer's site, for instance, I've learned how to play his Auntie Alice's Slack Key beginner piece.
What I'm missing is the notation of what chords underly the tune. I would assume that while a person plays the tune, others might strum chords to accompany. Where do I find chords designated or is it something I need to pick up by ear or am I just missing something obvious?
Mahalo.
Terry
Olympia, WA
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Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 04:50:30 AM
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Most of the tunes we would play as slack-key are failry simply musically, using the I - IV - V or even just the I - V chords. In taro patch tuning, if you are using the fifth and fourth strings for alternating bass, you are most likely playing a G chord, possibly a C chord. If you are using the sixth and fourth strings for the alternating bass, it is some flavor of D chord.
An over-simplification, but not a bad basic rule. |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 05:07:02 AM
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Go to the "Learn" Section (toolbar) and find the tuning/chord charts
http://www.taropatch.net/tunings.htm
fixed spelling :) |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 09/30/2011 06:35:05 AM |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 06:13:35 AM
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The easiest way to get chords for specific songs is to look on an ukulele web site. A lot of ukulele players strum back up either for singing, hula, or slack key and steel players. After you play awhile, your ear will start telling you what chords are implied in the melody. There are some sets of chord changes that Hawaiian songs follow fairly often, such as G/D7/G/G7/E7/A7/D7/G/ This one is common to several songs, such as Ulupalakua, Halema`uma`u, Ko`ula, Nawiliwili, and a number of others. The alternate dominant/II major chord is a common one also, in a few different sets of changes. You are right to ask about chords, as most players will want to switch to a more chord based accompaniment while someone else plays a lead break. Especially in jams with a number of players. Take the lead when it's your turn but leave space for other players turns.
You will find that older Hawaiian songs, and newer songs inspired by the older song writers, tend towards simpler changes, seldom more than 3 or 4 chords, while jazz age songs often have more intricate harmonic structures.
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
Edited by - rendesvous1840 on 09/30/2011 11:58:55 AM |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 10:50:59 AM
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Paul, Bob, Earl:
Thanks for the ideas. I'll work on applying some of the info in the future.
Paul: Are there specific ukulele web sites you'd recommend? Any as good as Taro Patch?
Mahalo.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2011 : 5:45:52 PM
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Most song in G Taropatch tuning are in the key of G Major. A combination of strings with no fingering produces the G Major chord -- the root chord of most songs in this tuning. If you bar the fifth fret you play a C Major chord (which just so happens to the the IV Chord). Then if you bar the 7th fret you have a D Major chord (the V Chord). Adding a finger here and there gives the D7th (or V7) chord. With these three you can play 80% of the hawaiian songs and that is your chord structure. There are, of course "open" chord at the nut for C Major and D7th.
Your "turnaround" in slack key is just the D7th to G major transitions and resolution. And . . lots of slack key songs are just a form of D7 and G major back and forth. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2011 : 03:30:51 AM
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Michael:
Thanks for the explanation. I'll play with that some. I think a lot of this will be just getting the sounds in my ears. There's lots of trial and experimenting ahead.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2177 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2011 : 09:46:37 AM
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| G taropatch tuning is also good for playing in C. Some songs are actually easier to play in C in G tuning. Again, what Unko Paul said about ukulele players goes in spades. If I need to find chords, da ukulele players usually have'm. |
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Peter Medeiros
`Olu`olu
546 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2011 : 10:37:55 AM
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| So what Kory, is it lederhosen time again? |
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Topic |
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Malahini Question: Chords in Ki ho 'alu
