The artist playing is Kawika Kahiapo

Well I guess it's time

to tell you something about Slack Key...

Kiho'alu

Kiho'alu, or Slack key, is a uniquely Hawaiian style

of music. It has been called Hawaii's

back porch music, folk music, and soul music.

Slack key guitar is melodious, intimate and relaxing.

This beautiful music expresses love for magical island

places and evokes images of the surf on wet sand,

a waterfall, a misty valley, or a sacred chant.

The mellow, full sound of slack key is accomplished

by loosening or "slackening" the guitar strings

to create more open chords. The specialized

tuning allows for continuous bass accompaniment,

on the loosened bass strings, while the melody

is picked on the treble strings.

Slack key guitar found its roots in Hawai'i

around 1830 when Spanish cowboys were brought

to the islands, from Mexico, by King Kamehameha 111,

to help control wild cattle on the big island of Hawai'i.

Along with their saddles and lariats, the cowboys

brought their guitars.

The cowboys were only on the island a short time,

but they left the Hawaiian Paniolos (Cowboys)

with an interest in music as well as several

of their guitars. Not knowing how to tune the guitars,

each family developed their own special tunings

and songs. They played a finger-picking style

similar to Spanish guitar, often with a steady rhythm

to accompany singing and hula dancing.

The Hawaiians quickly adopted the guitar into their

culture, blending it with their own rich tradition - the

songs and rhythms - to make a sound uniquely their own.

Today, slack key's popularity is spreading world-wide

and an increasing number of people, of all races,

are becoming fascinated with this beautiful music.

Luckily, a number of slack key masters

have started to formally teach this unique style

of music and, now, slack key guitar's beautiful

rhythms and magical way of capturing the Aloha Spirit

can be learned by all.

An Indian Wish

May the spirits watch over you,

as long as the grass grows and the river flows.

Slack key guitar artists home pages

Keola Beamer

John Keawe

Awards

Mahalo to all who gave this site these special treasures.

My First Award which holds a special place

in my heart - Mahalo Nui Loa Lara

Mahalo Nui Loa Teman

Mahalo Nui Loa Kristi

Mahalo Nui Loa Dave

Web Rings

[ Prev | Skip It | Next 5 | Random ] [ Next | Index | Join ]

This Heartland Select Member site is owned by Jack Larkins. Are you interested in being a member of Heartland Select? Follow the link to find out how! |Previous |Next |Next 5 Sites| List Sites