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greenT
Aloha
2 Posts |
 Posted - 07/13/2010 : 07:34:23 AM
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Hi Everyone, I'm pretty new to playing Hawaiian music though I've been playing rhythm guitar for a while. I'm interested in the strum patterns in Hawaiian music, but unfortunately I really can't find anything on Hawaiian rhythm guitar online because it's all about slack key, steel, or uke.
I read that the Olapa strum is like the auana counterpart of the ipu heke in kahiko. To me, the ipu heke does "down, up, down, up, up." Is that what the guitar strum is supposed to do? Also, are rhythm guitar and ukulele strum patterns basically the same in Hawaiian music? Thanks in advance for any help!
T
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Iakonu
Akahai
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 08:52:59 AM
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Welcome to the Patch! To me perfect examples of "Hawaiian rhythm" can be found on Auntie Genoa Keawe's Party Hulas. The album is a must have and contains 12 classic hulas (with excellent liner notes) all set to Swiss Watch precise rhythms (great for the dancers heh?). Specifically, "Ahulili and Na Ka Pueo have lock solid rhythm lines. Learn the rhythms from these tunes and you'll likely be strumming Hawaiian style in no time at all. I remember (hopefully correctly) Dennis Kamakahi explaining that most Hawaiian music breaks down into a 1, 2, 3 and 4, and 1, 2, 3 and 4 rhythm and that seems to be true for many meles.
http://www.mele.com/music/artist/genoa+keawe/party+hulas/ |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 10:55:02 AM
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The olapa rhythms are covered in Peter Medeiros book, Hawaiian Slack Key: A Lifetime Of Study. The book does focus on slack key, so the rhythm section is not a large portion of the book. You may find an Ukulele book to cover rhythm more completely. There are several strums, which do come from Hula. Your best source may be a Kumu Hula, if there is a halau near you. You might wait a bit for some more answers here. There are a lot of ukulele and guitar players who play a lot more rhythm style than slack key. There are several ways the ipu players break up the beats,such as 1,2,3&,4,or 1,2&,3,4&,or 1,2,3&,4&a, and others as well. When each is used may be up to the player, if no hula is involved. If used to accompany hula, there may be other factors such as tradition, or the intent of the Kumu who choreographed the hula. Again,watch here for more informed answers than mine. I'm still beginning to learn. I think of the numbers as down beats, and the &'s as upbeats.
Welcome to the 'Patch.
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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greenT
Aloha
2 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2010 : 09:19:23 AM
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Thank you both - your suggestions were very helpful! I listened to Auntie Genoa's Party Hulas and it was great because I could hear the rhythm guitar very distinctly. I'll also look into ukulele strumming. I appreciate your help, and am still open to other suggestions.
T |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 4:49:32 PM
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Also, all the albums by Na Palapalai are fabulous resources, especially their most recent one, "Nanea." I have copied various strumming patterns from listening to one of the group's members, Kuana Torres Kahele. Thank you Kuana!
Also check out their youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/napalapalaimusic |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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Olapa strum
