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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
535 Posts |
 Posted - 05/23/2025 : 6:11:52 PM
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This has been on my list for a long time, and I finally committed to pursue it. I have tab from Mark Nelson and Jeff Peterson, and video for both. The normal tuning used by most players is CGDGCd, or taro patch with a lowered C for bass. This is often called Drop C or sometimes also known as Leonard's C after Mister Kwan. I don't play anything else in this tuning at the moment.
However, when working on this the other day it occurred to me that I could also use Keola's C [CGDGBe] and maybe simplify some fingerings. I play several other songs in that tuning already, so that makes a certain amount of sense. I actually did that with "Namaka's Mele" from the Ozzie Kotani book, probably by accident.
For those of you that have Hi'ilawe already, am I going down the wrong road by using Keola's tuning?
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rleach
Akahai
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2025 : 04:05:35 AM
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| Earl. Nothing wrong with trying that and see what you come up with. So many people experiment with different tunings for the same song. Personally I have not tried it though. Good luck. |
Ron Leach |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1582 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2025 : 06:17:45 AM
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Ray Kane used the drop C with high E for his "Hi`ilawe" on his Wa`ahila album but he tuned down a whole step to Bflat.
https://www.dancingcat.com/liner-notes-waahila
If you're handy with an audio editor like REAPER you can adjust the pitch rather than retuning your guitar. It's pretty handy to be able to adjust the tempo too.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key on YouTube
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
535 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2025 : 04:47:29 AM
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Mahalo guys. 
I will proceed as planned with the "e" on top. If somewhere down the road it does not work out well.... that won't be the first time. I always like to work within a tuning and develop a family of songs. There is something new to be learned from each one, and soon I find the licks & tricks migrating over to the others, making them my own.
For the festival performance in late July, I will concentrate on playing and let my Hawaiian friend sing the lyrics. Two months to get both parts stage-ready is a little tight. |
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learning Hi'ilawe
