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DennisC
Aloha
USA
27 Posts |
 Posted - 05/16/2012 : 09:04:45 AM
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I've had no luck finding slack key activity in my area. Even the local Polynesian dance group has to use a C/W guitar player! So I'm stuck with learning by long distance.
I'm an intermediate classical player and I read music. I have a background in finger-style. I'm looking for a good slack key instructional book for my situation. There are a lot of books out there from well known artists, but I know that musicianship and skill don't always transfer to solid instructional books. I'd also like to have std notation along with tabs. The guys at the guitar shops give me a blank stare when I ask about slack key books.
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guitar yogi
Akahai
Kiribati
67 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 09:29:25 AM
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| Ozzie Kotani's "Guitar Playing Hawaiian Style" is an excellent book for beginners, although since you have classical experience, you might also look at "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" by Mark Hanson, with some really great songs (that are a bit more challenging). "Learn to Play Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar" by Keola Beamer & Mark Nelson, has a lot of beginning/ intermediate songs and there are some nice duets to jam with on the CD. "Hawaiian Slack Key: A Lifetime of Study", by Peter Medeiros, is a "college" level text that covers a lot of songs, tunings, chords, theory, history, bass lines and this book also has lyrics for many of the songs. This book also covers tunings that are not in the other books, although it might be hard to find some of the songs in the book. There is also a separate section on this website with reviews about these books and more. (Just click on the blue "learn" box at the top of this page for more info.) Good luck! |
Edited by - guitar yogi on 05/16/2012 09:32:38 AM |
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Ambrosius
Lokahi
132 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 10:03:29 AM
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Dennis, I was recommended Ozzie Kotani's 'Guitar Playing Hawaiians Style' as well and can confirm it is an excellent book. However, it lacks std notation, but Ozzie Kotani is regarded as an excellent teacher and that reflects on his writing as well.
After a while I came across 'Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar' by a Mark Hanson. That book got std. notation and chord notation. It might be that you'll find that more in your lane, as being an intermediate guitarist already. Besides, the latter has many of the 'standards' like 'Radio Hula' and 'Hula Blues' etc.
An other thing is that this forum got many experienced players always ready to give you advise. You'll learn a lot from them, and not at least look them up on the tube. For ex. look for Fran Guidry, Kory Tideman (thumbstuck on the forum) and not at least SirDuke58
http://www.youtube.com/user/franguidry
http://www.youtube.com/user/thumbstruck
http://www.youtube.com/user/sirduke58
Also brows older threads, highly recommended. Especially I find Fran's word to be patient and good for beginners like me.
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Edited by - Ambrosius on 05/16/2012 10:07:45 AM |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 4:38:14 PM
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You live in Ventura -
Lots of Southern Cal players
This art is best learned from another person |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 04:19:13 AM
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Hey, great to see RJS dropping in for a visit!
All good comments. Do not forget to check the books forum. |
Andy |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 06:51:07 AM
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I'm going to stick my neck out and suggest that, in a folk-based, improvisation-heavy tradition, standard notation is not as useful as listening (and, if possible, watching). Of course, I don't read standard*, so in decades of absorbing all kinds of guitar music, it has been the ear-fingers (and sometimes eyeballs) connection that has led me along--helped enormously by tablature, which tells me where to put the fingers. But in slack key, as in, say, Piedmont fingerpicking, the syncopation and swing that give the tunes life is only approximated by standard notation. While I kind of understand the notion of, say, dotted rhythms, my ear understands them to a degree that a score doesn't render.
But then, I can't abide practicing with a metronome, either (standard advice from teachers in a range of traditions), so what do I know.
So Ozzie's book is probably the one I'd suggest to, say, someone who can already play "Freight Train" or entry-level John Hurt, with a strong recommendation to overlap study of it with Peter Medeiros' book, which provides broad and deep musical and cultural context along with the techniques and tunes.
*I can painfully decode it, but not fast enough to do more than get an idea of how a phrase might be played.
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DennisC
Aloha
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 08:53:59 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Russell Letson
I'm going to stick my neck out and suggest that, in a folk-based, improvisation-heavy tradition, standard notation is not as useful as listening...
I don't disagree, and I'd like to use books with std notation mainly for the familiar structure that will help me get oriented more quickly. I've never used tabs much, and it seems every time I have, they're a different format. Notation is a musical rosetta stone. |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 09:49:32 AM
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I think of tabs as a cross between how-to instructions and archival records--I never expect to read tab the way a good sight-reader absorbs standard. And given the extensions needed to render guitar fingerings, the learning/effort curve for standard is just too steep for me. (I have established at least a half-dozen times over the last 55 years that standard-notation reading, like quick arithmetic computation, is not a talent I possess.) In fact, the only graphical representation of music I can use in anything like real time is chord frames and charts that lay out structure and changes. And in slack key (where none of the grips I've learned for, say, swing apply) I tend to fly by memory and the seat of my pants, except when working out a particular tune, which I will then proceed to simplify to match my considerable technical limitations. If I had a different neurological setup (or the opportunity to start over at age 10 or 12), I would certainly want to learn to read standard. But then, I'd also like to be taller and smarter and immortal, and none of that's gonna happen either.
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cyril
Lokahi
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 10:53:40 AM
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| If you like to learn my )Atta's) C let me know and I will be glad to send you info and also working online classes for next year. This is the best way to learn if not in person since you get the heart and feeling that cannot come from a book. |
Cyril Pahinui
cyril.cyrilpahinui.com |
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DennisC
Aloha
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 05:16:31 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by cyril
If you like to learn my )Atta's) C let me know and I will be glad to send you info and also working online classes for next year. This is the best way to learn if not in person since you get the heart and feeling that cannot come from a book.
I will happily accept anything you wish to send my way. Right now, the variety of tunings are mind boggling for me, but the only way to change that will be to jump in. |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2012 : 12:11:19 PM
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| What Andy said. Howzit RJS? |
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DennisC
Aloha
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2012 : 5:43:04 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by RJS
You live in Ventura -
Lots of Southern Cal players
This art is best learned from another person
I met some slack key layers today at a kanikapila in LA that I was invited to by a member here. Had a great time, but I hope to find players closer than 75 miles. |
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kihoaluatl
Akahai
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2012 : 12:53:19 PM
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| At least you have something you can easily drive to. I have been looking for kanikapila in the southeast but so far nothing in the 5 years since I started learning slack key. The closest concert I have seen recently was a 6 hour drive (one way). |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 07:56:53 AM
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some thoughts,
I too like seeing the layout, shape of melodies and form in melody and bass-- and like being able to clearly see rhythms, and "hear" (what's SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!) when I see/tackle a page.
of course, you'll have to consider WHERE a note is "RELOCATED" on the changed strings when reading in a tuning!
Taropatch (open G) all notes on lowered strings 6,5,and 1 will be 2 frets higher than "normal" to achieve the written concert pitch.
also, may want to check out some of Keola Beamer's stuff -- (he has books and on-line music available with music/tab, since one of his favorite tunings is:
C,G,D,G,B,E...(believe he calls it Keola's C)
this is pretty friendly to classical based players.
He and Mark Hanson like this tuning for many of the tunes they arrange (or write), when not in taropatch or other tunings, so the only adaption in "reading" is the 2 lowest strings for bass notes.
he also likes his F tunings,( I'd have to review the F tunings to compare those), so not now.
and for basic watching to learn, (when no one live near by),
I think Keoki's Beginning DVD and others are good way to "watch, listen and learn", with lots of 2nd chances.
His Beginner slack key guitar dvd is pretty much what you would do sitting under Keoki's tent, some morning on Maui, for the one hour sessions at slack key camp. (save your money!) At George Kahumoku's Slack and Ukulele etc. camp, in June!
slack key scale, alternating bass etc.- basic, but good beginner dvd.
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Edited by - Kapila Kane on 05/22/2012 08:06:39 AM |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2012 : 08:38:31 AM
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Perhaps we've gotten Dennis started.
For others, we have kani ka pilas in SoCal, but they aren't the standard jam sessions, but more sharing, learning etc. For others, please contact me if you're interested in Slack Key.
Also, if you are traveling to this area, if you let me know enough ahead, we can plan a kani and snag whoever's available. This last Saturday, Chuck and Iolana Ka'imikaua were here. Iolana is a Kumu Hula and Chuck teaches both slack key and ukulele. Our library is a fun venue every couple months for a Hawaiian performance, and there are choices of local Hawaiian joints and restaurants with local excellent Hawaiian music. Henry and Liz Kamae come when not otherwise involved, though Henry no long plays the guitar we have terrific singing.
nancy |
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Best beginner books?
