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mike2jb
Lokahi
USA
213 Posts |
 Posted - 08/03/2009 : 08:33:12 AM
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My thanks also to Hiram and Doug for putting together the morning and afternoon get-togethers. As a kanikapila newbie, I thought it was great getting to play my guitar with all those `ukuleles around.
Biggest eye-opener for me came when the ukes started choosing from the blue book: I only know Taropatch and Drop-C tunings on my guitar, so I'm accustomed to "G-ing" and "C-ing" my way through any tune. Had no idea there were so darn many "F-ing" songs, too ;) |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2009 : 8:10:39 PM
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Mahalo to all of you who joined us at the First Annual Taropatch Kanikapila. Based on the number of participants (no empty seats), the crowd of onlookers, and the smiling faces, it was a resounding success! Someone counted 53 participants at one point, not including the onlookers, many whom were singing along. Out of the group I’m guessing there were about a dozen Taropatchers.
The kani had the feel of a real ‘ohana-style backyard jam—everyone was welcomed and encouraged to join in, no matter what their music skills were or whether they were trying out their first ‘ukuleles that they just bought at the festival. Bruddah Hiram was an excellent facilitator, getting everyone involved and making us laugh with his kolohe sense of humor. As people were getting seated, he generated quite a bit of anxiety by announcing over the microphone, “Did everyone remember to pay their fee?” Then, after a long pause, he busted out laughing.
We made a really big circle and Taropatcher Sil da Trill, fresh off of his performances on the big stage, started us off with a rousing rendition of “Henehene Kou ‘Aka.” From there we went clockwise around the circle and each person could pick/lead a song of their choice, mostly from the “He Mele Aloha” book. I was very pleased to see how well we played together and how enthusiastic and friendly everyone was. The tent was full of aloha. After a little encouragement, we even had several hula dancers come up and dance in the middle of the circle.
One of the highlights was when Hiram spotted an older Hawaiian uncle standing way in the back and invited him to come up front and sing in the microphone. It was so nice to hear the old-style Hawaiian singing, and we had him do two hana hou’s.
Needless to say the kani felt like a big local party, and we ended up playing for almost double the one-hour time slot we were given. We probably would have kept going but most of us wanted to get back to the main festival area to watch Mark Ho’omalu’s Academy of Hawaiian Arts halau close out the festival.
After the festival, as I was walking back to my car, I ran into Joanna, the woman in charge of the workshop tents. I thanked her for letting us hold our Taropatch Kanikapila there. She mentioned how pleased she was with the large turnout, and that she wants us back next year. So congratulations everyone, there’s going to be a 2nd Annual Taropatch Kanikapila next year!
Aloha,
Doug
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2009 : 8:16:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mike2jb
My thanks also to Hiram and Doug for putting together the morning and afternoon get-togethers. As a kanikapila newbie, I thought it was great getting to play my guitar with all those `ukuleles around.
Biggest eye-opener for me came when the ukes started choosing from the blue book: I only know Taropatch and Drop-C tunings on my guitar, so I'm accustomed to "G-ing" and "C-ing" my way through any tune. Had no idea there were so darn many "F-ing" songs, too ;)
Mike, it was great seeing you at both the morning and afternoon kanikapilas. Regarding playing with uke players, now you know why many of us slackers tune to Taropatch F and bring capos  .
Aloha,
Doug |
Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 08/03/2009 8:17:27 PM |
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Pmahany
Akahai
USA
80 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 05:20:18 AM
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| Mahalo to all, great to see you all! |
Honokowai Pete |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 09:18:36 AM
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| Great turnout and photo. Hiram, thanks for putting this together and inviting Taropatchers to get together. I see lots of familiar faces. Doug, thank you too. |
Andy |
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Allen M Cary
Lokahi
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 10:46:03 AM
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A big Mahalo loa to everyone! It was really fun. Like Mike, I didn't know too many of the songs' chords, f-ing or otherwise. I have mostly played solo instrumental pieces, so it is great to get a chance to kani. By the end, I had even figured out a few more chords. BTW, that's me in the foreground of the picture in the straw hat and brown aloha shirt. Picture makes me look like I know what I'm doing--can't believe anything you see nowadays...
Aloha,
Allen |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 1:47:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by hikabe
... Thanks for the generous amount of love and music flowing from the hearts and minds of all that was present. For 2 hours we were all united in the beautiful state of aloha, one voice, one mind, one spirit. You guys are awesome. Excellent music, beautiful people. I am proud and pleased to have been a part of it. Mahalo nui loa... a hui hou... Hiram
Hiram, I agree with you 100%. The vibe was amazing, the participants were relaxed and having fun, and as a group everyone played together and sang their hearts out. No wall flowers there. The music was pretty amazing given the broad diversity of folks, many of whom never played together before and for some who never experienced a kanikapila before. Even the dancers, who were shy at first, really got into the groove and had no shame coming up again (and again).
Bruddah Hiram, you have a gift for bringing everyone together, making us feel welcomed and relaxed, and taking us all back to the backyard kanikapilas from da old days in Hawaii. Only things missing were the cases of Primo  .
Mahalo!
Doug |
Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 08/04/2009 1:59:34 PM |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 1:57:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Allen M Cary
A big Mahalo loa to everyone! It was really fun. Like Mike, I didn't know too many of the songs' chords, f-ing or otherwise. I have mostly played solo instrumental pieces, so it is great to get a chance to kani. By the end, I had even figured out a few more chords. BTW, that's me in the foreground of the picture in the straw hat and brown aloha shirt. Picture makes me look like I know what I'm doing--can't believe anything you see nowadays...
Aloha,
Allen
Allen, sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you. I was the guy in the red shirt and sunglasses near the stage and led the song "Sassy." Hope to meet you at another function soon. Us slackers are so few and far between that we need to unite !
Aloha,
Doug |
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 5:51:52 PM
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Doug and Hiram:
Thanks for organinizing the two kanikapilias they were a lot of fun. Now that I know about
taropatch F, maybe next time I will also take out my guitar.
Thanks to Fran and Hiram for their fun and informitive workshops. You both have your own style,
sense of humor and stories.
Looking forward to next year,
Les |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 09:03:00 AM
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Howzit Les,
It was great seeing you at both kanis. Next time bring your guitar too and play along where you can. You'd be surprised at how much you can learn just by watching/playing/noodling with the other slackers. FYI, I always keep one of my guitars in Taropatch F (vs. G). At the Kahumoku workshop, most guys are in Taropatch F because of the flexibility. If there are songs that are likely to be played in key of G (i.e., listed that way in "He Mele Aloha") or C (use Drop C), practice those songs with a capo to get used to playing the chords and runs higher up the neck (you'd be surprised at how capoing even one fret up can mess up your fingering if you're not accustomed to capoing).
Also, if you noticed, I always bring a guitar and a uke to kanis, just in case the uke guys get crazy and pick songs with tons of chords and modulations, or if it's too humbug to re-tune between songs. If you can't beat um, join um !
Aloha,
Doug |
Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 08/05/2009 09:09:30 AM |
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Kimoto1
Aloha
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 7:45:29 PM
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Les,
In getting that alternating bass sound which is signature to slack key, it's good to get that low bass string slackened down to the key of your song. In Taro G songs in key of C slacken your sixth "bass" string to C for Drop C tuning. In Taro F slacken to Bb. Taro F - CFCFAC.
Tons of tunings. You might like Taro F.
Ray |
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2009 : 06:04:12 AM
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Hey Doug:
The next kani I attend I will bring both, thanks for the tip.
Ray:
Thanks for the information about the tunings, I will play around with them and try to get "comfortable".
Les |
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da_joka
Lokahi
361 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2009 : 1:34:40 PM
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| Ho man, looked like you guys was having good fun! I wen bring my ukulele down dea, but we got to da Presidio late, and neva have time. Good hearing goin have one odda one nex yea! |
If can, can. If no can, no can. |
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SF Aloha Festival Taropatch Kanikapila
