SLACK KEY GUITAR TUNING HOW TO
SLACK KEY GUITAR TUNING PATCH

You should also view, print, and study the supplied materials. Remember, the easiest pieces are listed first. We recommend that you start by selecting an individual piece and listening to the audio file of Keola performing it. You’ll discover a world of different musical flavors that will add variety to your music. Each solo guitar piece has specific techniques and ideas that will enhance and improve your playing. They are some of his students’ favorites. Keola has chosen these pieces from his Aloha Music Camp lessons over the years and workshops and classes around the world. Keola Beamer’s study notes that clearly explain specific guitar techniques and Hawaiian insights into the music.The tablature you’ll need to play it (PDF).Keola Beamer’s solo recording of the piece.Keola Beamer’s recording of the Hawaiian slack key guitar tuning.This level of instruction consists of “repertoire pieces” or a selection of guitar pieces that are listed by their level of difficulty. Retuning lower, the neck may relax, so notes may need tweaking a bit to sound right.Aloha and welcome to our Intermediate Level Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Lessons. Lower the 1st string to match the tone when you fret the 2nd string at the 3rd fret. Lower the 5th string to match the tone when you fret the 6th string at the 5th fret. From Standard tuning, lower the 6th string, (the big fat one) so that when you put your finger on it at the 7th fret and play the string, it sounds the same as the open 5th string.

SLACK KEY GUITAR TUNING HOW TO

Here’s how to arrive at Open G from Standard tuning.ġ. Open G tuning has been expanded well here!Īs with many tunings, its only limitations are the ones that each guitarist decides to impose. Originality, beauty and sparks lurk in ways the theft is adapted and built on. There’s no greater bunch of idea thieves on the planet than guitar players, so I doubt the Hawaiians are any different. Especially since the folk and blues resurgence of the 1960’s, guitar players everywhere have looked for ways to enhance and expand their repertoires. Likely it happened the other way around as well. Hawaiian slack key has also had an influence on today’s fingerstyle music worldwide. An added dimension is that many feel this style and individuality reflects the true spirit of Hawaii. They continue to create many exquisite tunes with different individual approaches using this style. The name is taken from a Hawaiian word meaning to loosen or slacken the string.

Hawaiians refer to open tunings as slack key tunings and the style in general as slack key.

SLACK KEY GUITAR TUNING PATCH

As noted above it’s known as Taro Patch in Hawaii and it’s the most common alternate tuning in that area. It's also a favorite of many great Hawaiian guitarists. Open G is also used a lot in country blues. There are many modern players who keep the powerful Delta blues sound just as compelling today as when it first evolved. Lowering the B (2nd) string just one fret to Bb gives you a G Minor tuning and a whole new universe of possibilities.ĭelta blues players used Open G tuning for fingerstyle, slide and a combination of both.

Like many open tunings, it's easy to turn into an open minor. Whether you prefer blues, country, rock, or sounds from Hawaii, Open G will take you there! It came from a banjo tuning and that may account for its bright quality. This tuning has a sweet sound that can be driven just about anywhere you want it to go. In Open G the 1, 5, 1 moves to the 5th, 4th and 3rd strings. in D tunings is on the 6th, 5th and 4th strings. He just eliminated the 6th string on his guitar altogether! Normally the tuning, low to high is DGDGBD. No worries for Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. If you like having the tonic bass on the 6th string, it can take some getting used to but it's more than worth it. Now that's out of the way let's talk a bit about Open G tuning without that other guy along! Open G ( also called Spanish - or Taro Patch slack key in Hawaii) has the open string bass note on the 5th - rather than the 6th string. It's used in rock, folk, country and even new age. With the exception of Standard, more blues have probably been written and played in these two than all other tunings combined. It's near impossible to discuss Delta blues, country blues, or slide guitar and mention only one of these two great tunings. Open G tuning shares the title for Boss Blues Tuning with Open D.

Slack key guitar tuning