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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
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Volcano
Akahai
USA
89 Posts |
 Posted - 09/06/2010 : 04:46:45 AM
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| Does anyone know for sure the tuning Cyril Pahinui uses for Hi'ilawe? I do it with the second string tuned to A and also as a B. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2010 : 05:00:26 AM
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| Low to High: CGEGCE, last time I checked. You could also use CGEGBD. The "hook" is the hammer-on on the 1st fret of the lower E string. |
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Volcano
Akahai
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2010 : 05:55:28 AM
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Thanks Thumbstuck. That's what I thought. But when I looked up Gabby's "Hi'ilawe" tuning it has the second string as "B." Makes more sense as "C."
To my ear, the hook in his arrangement is the turnaround. I love his playing. Before the Emerald in Hilo closed, he would come in once in a while and play with Ben Kaili's group on Tuesday nights. Those were good times. Wish they hadn't closed. Bummahz. |
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Hookani
Lokahi
232 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2010 : 11:37:55 AM
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quote:
“Puamana” by some gentlemen at Ala Moana
These guys are all Uncle Ron's friends. |
Ke Kani Nahe
YouTube
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Peter Medeiros
`Olu`olu
546 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2010 : 12:17:32 PM
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E Kory and Volcano,
For your further edumacation on dese tunings. When we compare Gabby and Cyril, father and son, (which really isn't a fair comparison) there is very little difference in the interpretation of Hi'ilawe. There are just minute differences in the playing technique. I have a transcription of the music on pages 202-203 in my book.
We have to keep in mind that modern slack key begins with Gabby's 1946 recording and arrangement of Hi'ilawe. Gabby set the standard. His interpretations are more than just lyrics sung over a kinetic pattern (simple finger picking). Gabby's interpretation of Hi'ilawe in his early recordings had an intimacy and intensity that was missing from other recordings of slack key from this era. His many recordings of this song are refined arrangements that use subtlety and sophistication to tell the story -- they indicate a definite line of aesthetic growth. Whereas other performing artists' slack key songs were very predictable and boring.
Gabby played the C Wahine (CGEGBE); Cyril Plays the Open C (CGEGCE). The difference between the two tunings is that Gabby's C Wahine CGEGBE is a ho'opa'a tuning -- the root chord has to be held (ho'opa'a). Furthermore, it is a wahine tuning -- these tunings are noted for their simplicity and are all tuned to a major 7th chord.
Gabby makes use of two leading tones on the fourth and second strings of his guitar. The "hook" E to F on the fourth string marks the G7 chord. The phrase is completed using the habanera rhythm when Gabby uses the B -- a leading tone -- to hammer into the C on the first fret of the second string. Thus announcing the change from the V7 chord to the I chord (G7 to C) in the chord progression. This is a typical move in Wahine tunings.
The C tuning Cyril and Atta Issacs play, CGEGCE, is a ho'oku'u tuning -- an open tuning where the C major chord does not have to be held. Because of the fingering involved, Cyril does not use a second hammer-on to the C chord. Instead, he will likely play the initial leading tone and then embellish it while it is still in G7 and then go directly to the C Chord (which is open). He may or may not use the habanera on the C chord.
The Pahinui arrangement of Hi'ilawe is timeless. It is still a very special song after all of these years.
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2010 : 2:12:39 PM
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Great set, as usual.
One thing: The vid marked Lark Music Camp, while interesting, actually has very little footage shot at Lark.
In case that matters to anyone... |
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Volcano
Akahai
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2010 : 2:20:49 PM
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Peter, Many thanks for the info. This is exactly what I wanted to know. Hi'ilawe is indeed a very special song about a very, very special place. I am going to order your book.
Mahalo,
Larry |
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You Tube, week of 5 Sep 2010
