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azpaul
Aloha
4 Posts |
 Posted - 03/15/2012 : 08:36:21 AM
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I'm new to the forum and didn't find much on the topic using the search function so I thought I'd post. I've tried a couple of DVDs and attended a Patrick Landeza slack key guitar workshop a year ago but am making no progress. I tend to keep playing the same thing over and over. Has anyone had any experience, good or bad, with lessons via Skype? Any recommendations for reasonably priced instruction? I'm in the Scottsdale, AZ area which is not exactly a hotbed of Hawaiian music so I'm exploring learning alternatives to the old DVD route, which isn't working for me.
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2012 : 08:46:01 AM
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| Curious: in what way do the DVD's not work for you? |
Bob |
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GuitarVlog
Akahai
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2012 : 09:50:22 AM
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I've experimented with a couple of Skype guitar lessons but not for slack-key. IMHO, its effectiveness depends on the skill and experience of the teacher, the resolution and proper placement of your webcam, the quality of your microphone, and the active interaction between the teacher and the student. A good teacher will be able to see and hear issues with technique and style if your webcam is set-up properly, and an experienced and intelligent student will be able understand and execute the teacher's instructions; but Skype still won't compare favorably to in-person lessons.
But each student has different needs. Maybe you just want to learn simple variations from the written music? Maybe you just need someone to hear if you've got the right tempos? Skype is usually enough for things like these. |
- Keo |
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azpaul
Aloha
4 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2012 : 06:01:08 AM
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The problem I've had with DVDs is that no matter what question you ask the instructor, you get the same answer over and over. In other words, they're static. I'm not a natural musician so I probably don't pick up the nuances that those with more natural talent do. If something doesn't work for me one way, I'd like to be able to ask about trying another way. You can't ask a DVD. Also, I've found that with many DVDs the first song to learn is directly related to the basics and exercises that precede it on the DVD. When you get to the next song, it's not related to the previous exercises and at a much higher difficulty level, not just a step up. Most DVDs have as their goal to get you to play a song. Once I learn that song I'd like to learn how to apply what I've learned to other songs. A DVD doesn't do that.
I play 'ukulele and learn through meetups and kanikapila with other uke players. I'd like to do something similar with slack key guitar. Since there are no slack key meetups in the Phoenix area I thought I'd see if Skype was a viable alternative. |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2012 : 4:03:10 PM
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In my experience, three things work best with DVDs.
The first is to really know the tuning. Not just the basics of parallel sixths and thirds and basic chords. Pick a tuning, like Open G, and study it on your guitar. Find all the places to play every chord and note in that tuning. It helps if you have some music theory, and that can be learned from a zillion free websites.
It will help you get through the "what's another way to play that"
Second, it helps to know the performer who is doing the playing on the DVD; specifically, what kind of stuff does he or she like to do. There are good instructors and not so good instructors. The folks on this forum can point you to the winners.
Third, in the beginning, you have to play a song until you almost can't stand it. It's tempting to try to learn several at one time. Concentrate on one until it's yours. With the internet and Youtube, you can probably find lots of examples of players doing that song.
Check out Wanda's links to all the videos that are available.
A couple of the guys on this forum have some excellent stuff out there that you can watch endlessly. It's not a substitute for 1-1 instruction, but over time it will help you decide how to play certain songs. Again, knowing the tuning will help a lot when watching. There is software available, usually free, that lets you take that video and slow it down, so that you can watch every chord change or single note. I use that technique a lot studying Gabe's Youtube videos because he does a lot of interesting chord substitutions and fingerings that I haven't mastered. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help from this forum with a specific technique or song. THESE folks ARE the slack key experts, although they won't admit to it. I can't imagine a question that wouldn't elicit a helpful response.
From personal experience, I had the best luck with Ozzie's and John Keawe's instructional DVDs. Good luck and stick with it; it's worth the effort. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2012 : 07:06:55 AM
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| Alan Akaka gives lessons via skype. He says it works pretty well for him. He primarily teaches steel guitar. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2012 : 6:49:28 PM
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| I take Skype lessons from Alan. The only problem is that Skype is half duplex, so no duets are possible - one at a time. That's the only drawback. Of course, I'll be around for a whole month of lessons starting April 5. |
keaka |
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Ambrosius
Lokahi
132 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:05:45 AM
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A most interesting thread.
quote:
I'm not a natural musician
Who is? Finding music interesting and fascinating enough to put endless hours into learning, listening and playing, just have to do for me.
quote:
keep playing the same thing over and over
Been there. It's the parlor musician's grave danger, I suppose. Lack of inspiration and lack of interactions. The internet with foras like this and the tube with all good recordings makes it possible for a man like me to pick up the guitar again after so many years.
The way out of it? On piano, the way out of it for me, was to be aware at all time what chord I were in, and the belonging scales. By that giving me a path to freedom greater than reading from the sheets.
By now, approaching (slack key) guitar, my first priority is to learn the fret-board, the chords and the scales. That's why for me it's right to stick to one tuning. I choose the Taro Patch or Open G.
I've put down on paper four fret-boards, in G, in D, in C and in F. First I plotted the pentatonic scales, but decided that was too much for my head. Reduced it to the root, III and V. Not to mug up all the time, I reward myself fiddling around with tunes I like in particular, but always in Taro Patch. Pretending to be one of the big boys, you know.
Well, that's my take on it. |
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Ambrosius
Lokahi
132 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:12:47 AM
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quote:
There is software available, usually free, that lets you take that video and slow it down, so that you can watch every chord change or single note. I use that technique a lot studying Gabe's Youtube videos because he does a lot of interesting chord substitutions and fingerings that I haven't mastered.
Any hints on what software that might be? Thanks for the pointer to Gabe. |
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Ambrosius
Lokahi
132 Posts |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 06:49:41 AM
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| Bob did a great job. Alternate tunings have been around since instruments were made. "Taropatch" was documented in German lute tablature 400 years ago. |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 07:42:59 AM
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| Re software, I was referring to Windows Media Maker (WMM). I still run a Windows XP machine and it came with the OS. I think Windows 7 machines have a different setup. Anyway, there are freeware programs available to convert DVD formats and YouTube formats (flash) to something that WMM can import. Inside WMM, you can single step through frames and watch chord changes and fingerings. For example, recently I downloaded Kawika Kahiapo playing "East Side Slack" and loaded it into WMM where I could watch some of his single note and double stop playing. After a few passes, I was able to decipher stuff that I could never have figured out in real time or without 1-1 instruction. I've done the same with videos that I took with my camera at performances. I'm sure that others on this forum have similar techniques. |
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Ambrosius
Lokahi
132 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 10:11:37 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by chunky monkey
Re software, I was referring to Windows Media Maker (WMM). I still run a Windows XP machine and it came with the OS. I think Windows 7 machines have a different setup. Anyway, there are freeware programs available to convert DVD formats and YouTube formats (flash) to something that WMM can import. Inside WMM, you can single step through frames and watch chord changes and fingerings. For example, recently I downloaded Kawika Kahiapo playing "East Side Slack" and loaded it into WMM where I could watch some of his single note and double stop playing. After a few passes, I was able to decipher stuff that I could never have figured out in real time or without 1-1 instruction. I've done the same with videos that I took with my camera at performances. I'm sure that others on this forum have similar techniques.
I need to update myself on this. I see it will be absolute useful. I run XP myself. I find Windows Movie Maker, would that be the same? |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:53:54 PM
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| Windows Movie Maker - yes |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 03:39:57 AM
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Thanks for citing my Bach video Ambrosius. I play a few different styles to keep things fresh and to stay in a learning mode. I have several Slack videos as well.
I started expressing and playing beautiful music on guitar only after taking up slack key. What I have learned from slack key carries on through all the music I play.
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fred d
Akahai
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 05:06:22 AM
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| Good morning and Aloha. This might get me some chatter here but? If you can't find a slack key instructor--- try a banjo instructor the first 4 string in taropatch (open G ) are the same and the picking ( rolls ) are also similar the main difference is the 5 -string and no 6 string I played bluegrass for years on the banjo and gitjo,and spent some time learning ukulele one day I saw a book learning to play hawiian slack key guitar since I like hawiian (much better than bluegrass) the tab was fimilar so I bought it and went home with in a few minites I was playing most of the songs my wife walked in to ask about my new CD. Since that time I have played with several bands and still play in taropatch even most of the chords are the same, If in doubt take a look at any bluegrass banjo begining book at the picking patterns and chords Best of luck fred |
fred davis |
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Topic |
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Slack Key Lessons via Skype
Videos I'd been admiring on the tube for a long time, was actually the contributors here.