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Haolenuke
Lokahi
USA
117 Posts |
 Posted - 12/13/2009 : 06:41:12 AM
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| I just received my copy of Leonard Kwan's Red Book and I couldn't keep myself from pitting my inexperience at attempting baritone and tenor ukulele arrangements of Manini. Instead of following Mark's recommendation of leaving off the bass line, I basically raised it an octave and then fixed what sounded broken. The TABs contain a lot of text as I haven't found a way to signify simultaneous notes of differing duration in Power Tab Editor. It is likely that there also input errors in the TABs. Would any of you experienced slackers/ukers, that own Leonard Kwan's book, be willing to look these TABs over and let me know if I have committed sacrilege or done something useful? If so, please let me know where to email the TABs. |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2009 : 08:26:25 AM
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| Post it here in the patch!! |
Stay Tuned... |
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Haolenuke
Lokahi
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2009 : 09:43:10 AM
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Aloha hikabe,
If I am reading the site FAQ correctly, I am not supposed to post copyrighted material on Taropatch. Leonard Kwan copyrighted Manini in 1975, so the copyright holds until 70 years after his passing. My TABs may not accurately convey Manini, but that is not for lack of trying. I have no idea how to learn who currently holds the copyright, so that I can ask for permission to post my ukulele adaptations on Taropatch.
I suspect, perhaps incorrectly, that it is not illegal to share adaptations of Manini among those that have already purchased the red book, or some other legitimate source of Manini. Unless I'm told that my assumption regarding the legality of sharing versions of copyrighted material among current owners of that material is false, I would be happy to email a copy of the TABs to those that have the red book. I have been culling errors out of the TABs for some time, so there are probably many errors still in the TABs. |
Edited by - Haolenuke on 12/13/2009 3:21:31 PM |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2009 : 10:12:10 AM
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quote:
I suspect, perhaps incorrectly, that it is not illegal to share adaptations of Manini among those that have already purchased the red book, or some other legitimate source of Manini
I applaud your honor in refusing to share copyrighted work without permission.
However, at the risk of opening another can o' worms, here's my $.02: with all respects to Leonard Kwan and his obvious genius, "Manini" is, for the most part, simply a bunch of standard variations to a common type of slack key guitar piece.
Not withstanding the instantly recognizable Leaonard Kwan touch, huge chunks of "Manini" are virtually identical to sections of a host of other tunes: Ozzie's "Kani Kihoalu," Sonny Chillingworth's "Whee Ha Swing," Ray Kane's "Punahlele"... and yes, my "Matt's Bounce."
In fact, I've already tabbed out something very similar for ukulele under the title "Ukulele Slack Key #1." (Clever title, eh?)
My point? I'd say that, in this case at least, you may be on solid ground if you were to share your arrangement... as long as you a) added some of your own bits into it, and b) didn't call it "Manini."
I'd suggest listening to, and absorbing, as many similar pieces as you can so you can learn how the style works, and how each individual puts his or her soul into the music. That way you will understand how to create you own variations, and, ultimately. how to make the tune your own.
Of course, I may be full of it (well, duh!). I'd be curious to hear from others on this subject.
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2009 : 3:05:02 PM
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I'm not touching that exit line! The retort is much to easy and obvious!
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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Haolenuke
Lokahi
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2009 : 4:00:23 PM
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Aloha Mark,
Thank you for your $0.02. I'm not sure how to share this TAB. Taropatch does not allow you to attach files to a post. I doubt that I could cut and paste an ASCII file of the TABs into a reply window and get anything readable. One of the real values of the Power Tab Editor program is that it lets you play this funky synthesizer version of the TAB to check for gross errors. Thus the only viable means of offering the TAB that I can think of is to email it to those that request it. I have already made some changes in the files to fit the music into the pitch ranges of tenor and baritone ukuleles, and modified the titles slightly. I don't know enough to add anything to this song, or assess whether or not I've taken too much from it.
My interest is doing this TAB is to try to come up with slack key ukulele material to work with. My interest in getting feedback from the Taropatch group is that I don't have the experience to assess whether or not the song this TAB represents is true to the spirit on Leonard Kwan's work or if the modifications made are in poor taste. Even if you folks give this thing a thumbs up, or help me tweak it into something tolerable, I won't be able to play it myself for several months.
I do listen to the slack key material that I can find, but I am at the baby step stage. I'm looking for material to work with while I gain understanding. Much of the discussion of instilling heart and soul into one's slack key work makes me feel like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Right now I just want to know where to pres. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2009 : 08:17:42 AM
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quote:
Much of the discussion of instilling heart and soul into one's slack key work makes me feel like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.
....and, if you recall, what he learned was that he had a heart all along. All the Wizard did was give him a Testimonial.
And, so, by the power invested in me by the Royal Order of Doofus, I hereby award you this Testimonial for your loving and heartfelt efforts in learning the `ukulele.
You'll have to buy you own clock, though.
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2009 : 08:29:44 AM
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Mike,
This song is a simple two chord (I & V7) song in the key of G Major. It is in the hula ku'i (or simple chorus) tradition repeated with variations. The chorus is a "ten-bar" chorus which includes the standard Hawaiian vamp of G-D7-G. An accompanying ukulele can strum G////D7///G/D7/G/ (each / is a 4/4 bar).
Send me a PM (personal message).
Mike |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
Edited by - Mika ele on 12/14/2009 1:45:39 PM |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 12:56:03 PM
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Mike,
I hope the emails and returned edited Powertab files help. Essentially, you can set up the ukulele (either baritone or tenor) to have the same relative tuning as the slack key guitar (top four strings) and you can play away.
However, you need to make sure the alternating bass pattern on the ukulele can match the chords you are playing in the melody (top strings). This is where you need to be careful and inventive.
For Taropatch songs, keep the baritone ukulele in a G tuning and lower the first string from E to D (D-G-B-D) . Keep the tenor ukulele in a C tuning and lower the top string from A to G (G-C-E-G). If you want to sing (or play) in the key of G use the baritone ukulele and play away. If you want to play (or sing) in the key of C use the tenor and play away. The same tablature (magically) will work on both instruments -- word for the day __ SCORDATURA!
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E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Haolenuke
Lokahi
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 09:08:33 AM
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Aloha Mika ela,
Thank you very much for all the help! I have learned quite a bit and will be busy adapting many of the slack key guitar tabs that I have for ukulele. I will need to ask you Taropatchers to subject the results to a sniff test for some time.
I think that the supply of Leonard Kwan's, "Slack Key Instruction Book" have dried up. My copy is an overpriced former library book. Is there anyone working on trying to get it republished? A version with an appendix providing the songs in current tablature might prove popular. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with Dennis Ladd's tablature any more than there was anything wrong with Betamax recorders. I Googled several variations of, "Tradewinds-Recording Publications" and basically came up with a blank. I was able to locate Dennis Ladd via Mandolin Cafe Message Board (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/member.php?u=7949), but I don't yet have the instant messaging software on my computer to contact him. Leonard Kwan had several children that I was unable to locate, but Zaba Search located a Melvin Kwan in Honolulu, that I presume is Leonard's brother. Does anyone know who currently holds the copyright? |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 2:19:06 PM
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Mike,
I was able to purchase my hard copy from a friend that had two. However, I have been able to purchase other similar items on eBay. You just have to be persistent in constantly checking or searching to see if it is listed. I purchased a very old LK LP this way.
The subject (of republishing) has creeped in and out of this forum before and the general consensus was that it would not be republished. If you have a specific song request PM me and I might be of some assistance. I did not "align" with Dennis Ladd's method of tablature and have entered some of the book into Sibelius G7 tablature software. I still, however, often rereference the original hard copy and always find that a page between my fingers satisfies better than a computer screen.
CAPT Mike |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Haolenuke
Lokahi
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2009 : 1:31:42 PM
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Mika ela,
Regarding republishing Leonard Kwan's "Slack Key Instruction Book," I thought that if the copyright holder could be located, they might relinquish the copyright for some nominal fee. If so, the book could be published privately, with an appendix containing updated tabs. The proceeds could be donated to some slack key centric nonprofit, perhaps Taropatch, perhaps something else. This is likely just wishful thinking, but maybe not. I have made no progress trying to contact Dennis Ladd. He is accessible via AOL instant messaging, but AOL instant messaging keeps thanking me for downloading their software even though the download fails.
Could you, or others, suggest beginning slack key songs that don't use the middle strings much and might be amenable to adapting for ukulele by raising the base line an octave and adjusting it to match to song chords?
I have searched the site for discussion of tabbing software and I haven't really found any consensus about what works best. Sibelius G7 Kontact and TablEdit sound like they are the most popular, but I haven't read about what advantages they offer over the free Power Tab Editor. I think that I want the capability of breaking a slack key guitar song up into the melody line for ukulele and a bass line for guitar or acoustic bass. This can be done with two individual tabs in Power Tab Editor, but I am wondering if there would be an advantage of showing both the melody and bass line in the same tab for two instruments like the melody and harmony are divided in a piano score. This might provide the player of the bass line with more information with which to improvise on or embellish the song. |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2009 : 02:05:44 AM
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The other day I tuned the uke many different ways, slacking and tightening strings. I found tunings for all 12 keys. I can now explain how to get different open keys and combinations that make certain kinds of music easier and fun to play because of the fingerings invovled. Try it, you'll learn something.
The closest tuning to Guitar/Taropatch-G is what I call Ukulele/Dogpound-C. It's tuned with a low G string (of course) and spelt GCEG, which is a 5135 inversion.
If you drop the bass G down to E you get a ECEG/3135 inversion, a great tuning to get bass runs going. Fiddle with it if you haven't already.
No need pc, use paper and pencil to tab. |
Stay Tuned... |
Edited by - hikabe on 12/19/2009 02:11:04 AM |
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abrigoohana
Lokahi
271 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2009 : 07:26:36 AM
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Hmmm, here's an "OLD" video of Timi playing slack key ukulele. It's a little bit long, and the first part he's playing slack key guitar with his band, but then it switches to his solo performance where he plays two songs in slack, then one in standard. After this performance, Uncle Sheldon Brown was so proud of Timi's efforts that he shared his tuning with him. It was a special day for our family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU00wYW9n00 |
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Pmahany
Akahai
USA
80 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2009 : 07:41:31 AM
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| As I follow this topic I'd like to throw my two cents in. Led's comment got me thinking. Perhaps he's saying play the whatevah at hand, don't matter what it is. So, got a guitar, play that, got uke, got Sackbutt ect. (yes I did play the Sackbutt), The difficulty comes in when one tries to play something that really works well for one instrument and try to make that slippah fit the other foot. What I like to do is find tunings that enhance what the uke can do, without direct reference to the technical stuff of the slack key guitar, and get that path from the heart to the fingers to the listeners soul ect. Hiram, I play slack tommorow. |
Honokowai Pete |
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Slack key ukulele?
