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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
 Posted - 09/04/2014 : 01:30:29 AM
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Just curious to know if those still visiting Taropatch.Net regularly are still studying ki ho'alu.( This could apply equally to uke, steel guitar, Hawaiian bass, hula etc....) Or as with the inactivity of this website, has your interest in slack key(above mentioned) waned?
Here's a few questions out of pure curiosity:
Are you still as passionate about learning ________ as ever?
Are you studying with a kumu?
Do you have jam buddies to share mana'o with & do you pursue kanikapila?
What are you studying or working on?
How are you investing in your study (workshops, kumus etc...)
Do you have mana'o or learning resource tips to share?
Are you playing out or sharing with others to entertain?
Let's get a discussion going here.
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Hoof Hearted?...Was it you Stu Pedaso? |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 05:49:33 AM
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Yes - that is a good way to put it - I am still "studying" (and crazy) after all these years (apologies to Paul Simon).
Mostly Kihoalu, but also some Blues and Bossa Nova.
The last Blues tune was taught to me by Jeff Peterson, who is (I guess) my main Kumu these daze, even though I get lessons from him only once a year. The big challenge was Bossa Nova with MANY more (and more complicated) chords and more complex timing. Ozzie was my first and still remains my most influential teacher.
I do not play or rehearse as much as I used to. So many other things are displacing my time (by my own choosing of course), but I still love the music and I still enjoy checking in at Taropatch.
Thanks for stating a new thread. That is one of the current problems, too many people just want to sit back and read (and possibly react) to something already posted (judging by the number of READS on most posts), rather than think up a new post.
As I have mentioned before, I do not do Facebook, Twitter or other social media besides Taropatch. Andy did not require me to agree to a long legal agreement giving him all rights to my personal information (as those others do). I also do not post naked selfies into "the cloud" (how silly and stupid to not expect it to "rain"), so Taropatch is my main Hawaiian music information site and I expect anyone in the world is able to read my posts.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 06:05:33 AM
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| Eh, Duke! As you well know, always something new to learn. Always a new way to play one old kine tune. Learning to play back up for singers is different from playing back up for one 'noddah guitar. Learning to play while listening and listen while playing. Being less self conscious. Too many tunes, no moa nuff time. |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
524 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 07:32:21 AM
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Hey, Duke! Mahalos for starting the thread.
I am still working ki ho'alu tunes from my library of books, DVD's and other sources, plus some JamPlay lessons by Mark Nelson. My accumulated library is large enough that I probably won't ever run out of new tunes to learn. There is no local kumu to study with here in Idaho, but I sure wish there was. Travel is an issue these days, but I would dearly love to get back to AMC again or go to George's camp.
My latest self-directed learning project is reworking tunes that I have learned in taro patch to play them in F Wahine tuning. I need more excuses to make the switch between tunings, so I try to accumulate at least a half dozen or more songs in each slack tuning.
Most of my time is spent these days not on learning new material but keeping all the old songs in playable condition. When you get an hour's worth of slack-key and two hours worth of ragtime and Piedmont blues on your play list, maintenance becomes an issue. Many of these are complex enough that if you don't keep them fresh they can go away entirely with a few months of neglect.
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 09:04:33 AM
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Hey Duke! Great topic. My interest in slack key guitar has not waned. I am the forever student trying to learn more and play better. It is indeed a long-term process.
Now to your questions.
Are you still as passionate about learning ________ as ever?
YES! For me, it's slack key guitar and ukulele. Sometimes, I pick up the guitar everyday and play a few minutes. Other times, a week goes by without touching an instrument.
Are you studying with a kumu?
Being on the East Coast, the simple answer is no.
I have been blessed to have many slack key kumu share with me when I visit Hawaii though. With three young children, my focus recently has been on family. That is, I spend more time at the beach and at the Honolulu Zoo than chasing down guitar teachers.
Do you have jam buddies to share mana'o with & do you pursue kanikapila?
In the New York area, there are a handful of us. We occasionally get together to play for fun but not often enough. Life gets in the way, you know?
What are you studying or working on?
Generally, I need to build repertoire but it's slow. Specifically, I've been exploring Uncle Dennis' C Mauna Loa tuning. Just playing around so that I am more familiar.
How are you investing in your study (workshops, kumus etc...)
Sadly, I have not attended a workshop in more than 10 years. I did attend New York classes... one taught by Keola Beamer and another by Cyril Pahinui.
For the past few years, most of my money has gone into gear. PA, amps, microphones.
Do you have mana'o or learning resource tips to share?
IMHO, in order of preference, there is no substitute for doing it the old fashioned way - apprentice under a master. Take private lessons. Attend workshops. DVDs. Books.
Then, play with people because music should be social and fun. Try not to make bad sounds. 
Are you playing out or sharing with others to entertain?
I tell people that I never aspired to play outside my living room. Things and circumstances change so it's been pretty crazy. This summer, I played for Kumu Vicky Holt Takamine's halau in New York. I opened for HAPA and jammed with them in NYC. I played a couple of weddings and private parties.
BTW, I have a small cameo singing and playing the ukulele in the movie "The Little Tin Man." Time Warner Cable (so I think Oceanic) has it on video on demand this month. Check it out if you can. |
Andy |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 09:23:25 AM
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| AS you know, Duke, for me it's kika kila, aka steel guitar. I am constantly working on sounding more Hawaiian. I have weekly lessons with Alan Akaka, mostly via Skype, and in person when I'm in Hawaii. I go to steel guitar festivals and performances as much as I can. I try to stay aware of what's going on in the slack key world, too, and secretly play some ki ho'alu. |
keaka |
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John
`Olu`olu
656 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 11:06:39 AM
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Sort of... the mind's willing, but the body's weak.
No.
No.
Nothing.
No new investing.
I used to watch my kiho'alu concerts and copy techniques, timing, etc.
No. |
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salmonella
Lokahi
240 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 12:28:01 PM
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Kihoalu is still a great passion for me. For the last year or so my life has been taken over by a house remodel and guitar has taken a back seat. I have missed it. I estimate it will take about two years to get my playing back to the level it was last year. Ah well, life happens to us all and my excuse is certainly a positive one so no complaints.
I do work on new stuff. Some easier, some more challenging. Playing out is not a big part of my playing but I hope it to be in the future.
Kanikapila etc are on hold for now but will be back when I have some spare time.
I have sought out various kumu, and will again, but I don't think it is fair (respectful if you prefer) to seek out a kumu unless I have time to work on what I am taught. So that is waiting also.
Long story short. No change in my plans or passion, just a temporary detour for other positive priorities.
Dave |
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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 12:46:06 PM
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That's sad to hear "John" I really hope you reacquire that passion for playing ki ho'alu & get inspired again to learn more. My motto (Stolen from Ozzie) "I will always be a ki ho'alu haumana."
I've only learned a handful of ki ho'alu pieces over the past couple of years. Sonny's simple piece "Slack Key #2 aka Mahina's Trot" Ozzie's "Kani Kipaipai" ('Song of inspiration' honoring Sonny) Ledward's "E Liliu 'E" and Gabby's "Ki ho'alu" But.............every other song already in my repertoire has been evolving steadily as usual. Since the beginning of my slack key journey nearly 40 years ago, songs like "Opihi Moemoe", "Radio Hula" & "Ku'uipo Onaona" continue to evolve and is in constant upgrade mode(Hopefully hahahaha). Every time I watch a video of or see Led live I walk away with a new variation, chop or riff. Even more so with Ozzie because it's more up close & personal. Always walk away with something.
Luckily for me, living in Hawaii I have access to an abundance of slackers both amateur & professionals alike whom I can acquire more ki ho'alu mana'o from. Great part about it is that I can also share my mana'o with them.
I have 4 haumana that all come on different days of the week, so I more than make my quota for playing slack key. Teaching has some fringe benefits in that by breaking down the mele to make it more easily digestible for my students I also reinforce my fundamentals. I can't play as well as I once could because of nerve damage to my hands caused by peripheral neuropathy due to type 2 diabetes but at least it doesn't compromise my ability to teach......And for me, teaching is even more rewarding than an appreciative audience when I perform. |
Hoof Hearted?...Was it you Stu Pedaso? |
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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 12:56:22 PM
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Life always gets in the way, right Dave? But like you said, it's a positive detour so it's all good. Great that your passion has not waned & a goal of playing out is in your plans.
Judging by the responses so far, it's good to hear that the inactivity here on taropatch.net doesn't necessarily equate to people losing interest. I'm happy for that. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2014 : 1:19:07 PM
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| I check da 'patch every day. Kanikapila are relatively frequent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Life does get in the way, too much work, not enough sleep, and never enough music. I whistle a lot on the job, usually harmony to what I hear in my head. It can drive some customers nuts, but Ae No Kea. Jus' press. |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2014 : 8:40:58 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by sirduke58
Just curious to know if those still visiting Taropatch.Net regularly are still studying ki ho'alu.( This could apply equally to uke, steel guitar, Hawaiian bass, hula etc....) Or as with the inactivity of this website, has your interest in slack key(above mentioned) waned?
Here's a few questions out of pure curiosity:
Are you still as passionate about learning ________ as ever?
Possibly more passionate than ever in trying to learn slack key.
quote:
Are you studying with a kumu?
I'm lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Ledward.
quote:
Do you have jam buddies to share mana'o with & do you pursue kanikapila?
We have friends over to play music at least once a week when we're in California. When we're in Hawai`i there's a jam nearly every day.
quote:
What are you studying or working on?
Leonard Kwan's book and the accompanying recordings, Uncle Thomas Kamahaku's version of "`Ahulili," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDw_1F-g-JI , D wahine tuning, a new CD.
quote:
How are you investing in your study (workshops, kumus etc...)
Trips to `Oahu so I can hang out with Ledward.
quote:
Do you have mana'o or learning resource tips to share?
Ozzie, his website, his DVDs, his books, his recordings. This wonderful video of Uncle Ray Kane: http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36 My best tip: slack key started as vocal accompaniment, learn lots of Hawaiian songs, play with singers, kanikapila.
quote:
Are you playing out or sharing with others to entertain?
I do some private party background music, have worked with Bread and Roses for a few years now, play for dancers on occasion, and am incredibly lucky to open for Ledward when he does solo tours around NorCal. I'll be playing at the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival later this month.
Duke, thanks for stirring the pot. Checking TP is part of my breakfast internet ritual and it's a pleasure to find your posts.
Fran
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2014 : 06:26:49 AM
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Don't think I'd dignify what I do as "studying," though I do often run through my handful of slack key phrases and fragments when I pick up a guitar. If I had a playing partner who was interested in the tradition, I'd probably spend more focused time. Maybe I need to work up a couple tunes to add to our duo/trio repertory--my partners are good enough to tag along, even if we wound up sounding like slack-key-and-water. (Cut us some slack--it's Minnesota.) Or I could go back to work on the book (85% finished), which would have the effect of getting me to play what I'm writing about. Like Fran, I check this board every day, like the morning paper, so slack key is never entirely out of my attention space.
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neeej
`Olu`olu
USA
643 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2014 : 06:30:23 AM
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quote:
Are you still as passionate about learning ________ as ever?
Somewhat less, but still at it...memory & hands not what dey usta was :-(
quote:
Are you studying with a kumu?
Ya, still going to ki ho`oalu classes with Sheryl Akaka. Sometimes they're more like a kanikapila than a class, but fun
quote:
Do you have jam buddies to share mana'o with & do you pursue kanikapila?
We have kani at my place twice a month...it's a play-along-wid-singin' kine, though it did start as an offshoot of Mark Nelson's workshops at Dusty Strings
quote:
What are you studying or working on?
Whole bunch of small-stuffs, that never get really intensive work nowadays :-/
quote:
How are you investing in your study (workshops, kumus etc...)
The aforementioned class with Sheryl, some workshops with visiting kumu (usually at my house <G>), and the always-delightful Aloha Music Camp.
quote:
Are you playing out or sharing with others to entertain?
Occasionally |
--Jean S |
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kihoaluatl
Akahai
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2014 : 10:09:34 AM
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Are you still as passionate about learning ________ as ever?
Yes, the passion is still there but lacking the time.
Are you studying with a kumu?
No, not much going on over on this side of the country, Atlanta.
Do you have jam buddies to share mana'o with & do you pursue kanikapila?
Yes, a small group of work buddies get together twice a month, mostly blues and rock.
What are you studying or working on?
Trying to learn Atta C for variety over taropatch which is what I have been practicing for a few years.
How are you investing in your study (workshops, kumus etc...)
Have almost every book that I could find about kihoalu and watching a lot of Youtube videos and listening to old CDs.
Do you have mana'o or learning resource tips to share?
Just keep playing, better with friends but even alone, it gets harder as you get older so trying to hold on to the feeling as long as I can.
Are you playing out or sharing with others to entertain?
Usually play a tune or two during our monthly blues jams, always gets people asking what I am playing. |
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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2014 : 3:47:40 PM
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@ Fran.....A fellow 'Patcher (who wants to remain anonymous) tabbed out Thomas Kamahaku's YouTube rendition of "Ahulili" Just say the word & I'll send you the MP4 of the 'Patcher playing along with the PDF of the tabs. BTW the offer is good for anyone else here who is interested. Just email me at "dukedoming58 at yahoo dot com" with an email address that allows attachments & it's yours. @ Andy....I don't recall the tab sharing policy here & hope I'm not breaking the rules.
@ Tom.......Atta's C is a great sounding tuning. Don't forget to noodle with C6th Maunaloa (my fav) which is only different in that the 2nd string is tuned down to an A instead of the C in Atta's C C6th is an easy transition from Taropatch because it has a similar "open/close" (or parallels)pattern. Taro is on the 1st & 3rd strings as follows: 4/5--5/7--7/9--9/10--11/12--12/14 & 2/4 sometimes. In C6th the equivalent is on the 1st & 2nd strings as follows:7/8--8/10--10/12--12/13--14/15--15/17. Then you can go the opposite direction 5/7--3/5--2/3--01. You can rapidly brush the 3 treble strings on the bottom & move through all the positions for some very cool phrasings. Then you have another scale on the 1st & 3rd strings that are exactly like the "side by side/ over-under" shapes common to Drop C's 2nd & 4th string pattern.........Don't forget Gabby's "C Hi'ilawe" since you're in the neighborhood. I heard a guy named Andy Llanos jam this tuning & he conjures up a lot of Gabby licks with it. Only difference is that the B string stays at B. |
Hoof Hearted?...Was it you Stu Pedaso? |
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Are you still studying ki ho'alu?
