I've been working on an arrangement of Pu`uanahulu as performed by the Gabby Band. I have the intro riff and melody all worked out as well as the chord structure of the song (C, F and G7). The problem I'm having is how to structure the bass line when the song is in the key of C. Alternating bass just does not seem to work so I dropped the 6th string to C for a drop C tuning. That seems to work but it's just not totally clicking. I want to retain the Gabby Band arrangement of this tune and was wondering if any had any ideas on how to structure the bass line when the guitar is tuned to taro patch or drop C for this tune. I thought of transposing the song over the key of G but thought I'd ask for suggestions before I penciled out the melody in G.
It’s pretty simple to do in Drop C. The chord progression is I/IV/V7/C or C/G/G7/C. The bass alternation for the C Chord will be 6/5/6/5 (C chord configuration from 6th to 1st string 002012). The bass alternation for the F Chord will be 6/5/6/5 – barre at the 5th fret with the index and hold the same configuration as you would for the C chord, except you’re now at the 5th fret (F chord configure from 6th to 1st string 557567). The bass alternation for the G7 Chord will be 5/4/5/4. PM
Gabby Pahinui & George Kuo (while he was with the group Hui Aloha along with Martin Pahinui and Dennis & David Kamakahi) play Pu'uanahulu in the C6th Maunaloa tuning (C-G-E-G-A-E)The intro riff is very simple in this tuning. Fretting only the high E & A strings thusly.....3/3....8/7.....12/10(3xs)...13/12...12/10...10/8....8/7...Barre 5th fret and the rest is pretty easy to figure out. Just strum all 6 strings while fretting the above mentioned to get an idea.Note: On the 2nd of the 3-12/10s you'll have to start the apegggios..... You could use my YouTube video of it to work the rest of it out:
Once you figure out the intro & get to the chord progression of C-F-G7 then you can use the Spanish arpeggios. For the C & F pluck this sequence 6-1-2-5-1-2-4-1 and for the G7 pluck 5-1-2-4-1-2-3-1.....You'll see that you'll have a very nice alternating bassline reminiscent of Gabby...........It's possible to get a very decent rendition of Pu'uanahulu in Drop C but the bassline won't be near as good as in C6th Maunaloa tuning. The tuning makes Hi'ilawe sound authentic too.
I also have a YouTube video of Pu'uanahulu in Taropatch because it's much easier to sing it in this key for me. You could use it as an audio reference should you decide to transpose it to that key. Unfortunately the video won't be of any help because the backlighting screwed it up LOL
Thank you both for the wonderful insights. This song has long been one of my favorites and I will spend the time to get this one right. I'm heading to the Washington coast tomorrow and will be playing on the other side of the Pacific for the holiday weekend. I'm looking forward to working this tune out it drop C and C 6th Maunaloa and hearing which one clicks for me. Thanks again Peter and Duke!
First off you need the correct C tuning. It is C-G-E-G-C-E. Its not a taro patch or Drop C. We playing an open C. The tuning we play on Gabby Band. Me and Atta doing the intro.
The baseline is a C. Then by pressing all the stings the baseline will be F automatic. All 6 sings are tuned to C note. When you reach the 5th fret then it comes to be one F. All six strings. When you hit the base that will be one F.
You can give me one call anytime and I can answer this for you. 808-722-8575
Most of the Gabby Band music there are several of us playing so it is better to ask since we don't do anything like the taro patch. It is best to learn this C because you can do so much better cord work with this one.
Every time I leave one of your workshops I leave with a deeper understanding of your C tuning. I go home and play in C and then my guitar seems to gravitate back to Taropatch. Taropatch is my home base and after 5 years of playing slack key I'm getting more comfortable using other tunings. Given Taropatch is where my comfort zone is and I understand the chord/note structure I thought to transcribe Pu'uanahulu in Taropatch/drop C. The suggestions from you, Duke and Peter will now push me to deepen my ability to play outside of G and Pu'uanahulu is a tune I would love to work out on my own in an alternate tuning(s). I did work out an arrangement in drop C over the weekend and I think I can build on this in C given I now have an understanding of how the song works.
Most importantly, thank you for the nugget of knowledge as to who played to opening riff to Pu'uanahulu. For years I have listed to your dad's recording and have tried to pick out who is playing what. Your dad's 12 string simply stands out but I have always wondered if a certain line was played by you, Bla, Martin, Sonny or Atta. Sometimes the voicing stands out and other times I cannot pick out who is playing what. The layering of guitars in your father's recordings in the 70s is simply outstanding.
Mahalo for the deeper insights and I'll follow up with some questions as I work out Pu'uanahulu in C.
Pu`uanahulu
Posted - 11/21/2011 : 11:48:43 AM
Duke