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Bau
Lokahi
USA
226 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2011 : 5:07:48 PM
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I've been observing different styles and approches players take to playing certain songs solo and how they are performed with a vocal, also combining slack key renditions with other instruments.
Would anyone care to offer some opinions on solo kiho'alu vs playing with a duet or ensemble?
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Allen M Cary
Lokahi
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2011 : 12:51:41 PM
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I think that it isn't much different from any other style of guitar. A fingerstyle soloist, aka ki ho'alu solist, is carrying the whole piece, creating a melody and accompaniment. In a duet or ensemble the guitarist is part of the whole, providing accompaniment and briefly soloing to enhance the overall piece. It is important in this case not to walk all over the others and to share the music. Stylistically the ensemble approach has more of a rhythmic bent with the the essential elements being vamps and turnarounds, rather than carrying the melody, which is generally handled by the vocals. Solos can then be played in the breaks, but kept short.
I almost exclusively play solo, so when I do get to a kani or play with others the differences are quite striking. It is a real joy to be able to share.
Aloha
Allen |
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cyril
Lokahi
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 11:32:11 AM
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Aloha,
For me would be playing by yourself is a lot more dependent on the skills of the artist. You especially have to cover the bass. That is one of the main differences from other styles of playing. Keeping a strong bass going is important. I love to play by myself. I depend on my masters (my dad Gabby, Uncle Sonny and Uncle Atta styles and then put their style of music into my music to keep it interesting. I just close my eyes and listen to what I heard as a child. Things just come back from my memory of them and their kind of playing. Then you can just play how you feel. Every time the song is different since you have different feelings and memories.
If you want to learn this kind of style then you should take classes from people you like their music and then draw on that feeling you experience when you play solo. This is what we call playing from the heart. Old kine hula is danced this way too. Once you know the song/story then just tell it with motions that show how you feel at the time.
When you kani with others you just create around them. Each one can take a solo paani and then you can build on what they do. This can be done as two guys panai together so they go off each other. Or one guy/instrument goes and then it is a little more competitive to out do the last guy with your own feelings/licks. If there is a bass then the bass can cover the low ends and you can get a lot more fancy with your picking and plucking like that. I love to play with other musicians too. Especially a steel guitar. The better they are the more exciting the music can get. One guy I love to play with is Ledward since he is very good and creative and pushes me to be more creative and not just rely on my standard licks. We just start having fun and challenging each other with each paani. |
Cyril Pahinui
cyril.cyrilpahinui.com |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2011 : 09:18:00 AM
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| I learned ki ho'alu while jamming. I practice by myself, so jamming with others is far more enjoyable and, like Cyril said, helps to push you. |
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Iakonu
Akahai
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2011 : 12:36:51 PM
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| If you're Cyril you can make your guitar sound like two kine guitars for accompaniment. Now that's a challenge for any mortal to keep up with. |
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Topic |
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solo slack key vs duet and group performance
