Salomila (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Salomila
Mark Nelson teaches a beautiful Hawaiian slack key piece called "Salomila."
Taught by Mark Kailana Nelson in Hawaiian slack key seriesLength: 19:00Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
Chapter 2: (01:01) Lesson Introduction The tune you heard in the previous scene was "K Aloha." In this scene, Mark discusses his own personal slack key background. He studied slack key guitar with Raymond Kahne. Mark refers to him as "Uncle Ray." Chapter 3: (10:26) Starting This slack key tune is performed in open G, also known as Taropatch tuning. Consult the early slack key lessons for a review of this tuning.
In the jazz genre, classic tunes that the majority of musicians know are referred to as standards. One might say that “Salomila†is a standard in the slack key repertoire. This is a tune frequently played in slack key jam sessions.
Turnaround / Vamp Review
Take this time to review the turnaround that Mark taught you in the previous lesson. Remember that slack key players frequently call turnarounds vamps. Since turnarounds/vamps are so prevalent in the slack key style, it is important that you learn and memorize a few of them.
An important part of slack key guitar performance is playing how you feel at a given moment in time. For example, you may feel like performing this turnaround with a very strict eighth note pulse. On a different day, you may want to play the same turnaround with a lazy swing feel. Mark demonstrates the turnaround in both styles. Pay careful attention to the differences between the two options. When applying a light swing rhythm, the first note in each pair of eighth notes should be held slightly longer than the second eighth note.
Pull-Offs
"Salomila" features several pull-offs. If you started your guitar journey with JamPlay's Phase 1 lessons, you are already familiar with this technique. The pull-off in this tune is played between the 9th fret of the high string and its corresponding open pitch (D). It is recommended that you perform this pull-off with your index finger. Remember to pull the index finger straight down towards the floor. Isolate the first measure to ensure that you are performing the pull-off clearly. It occurs after the second thumb stroke.
Playing "Salomila"
At this point in the lesson, pause the video and begin practicing the tune at a very slow tempo.
Note: Open the Supplemental Content tab for a transcription of this tune.
Once you feel comfortable playing the song, practice playing it along with Mark at 9:00.
Chapter 4: (01:13) Ending "Salomila" You can play the basic turnaround that Mark demonstrated to end this tune. Or, you can end the turnaround by playing some harmonics. Play natural harmonics on the 12th fret of the treble strings. These three notes, G, B, and D, form a G major triad, which is the tonic chord of the key.
Chapter 5: (05:04) Fun Intro to Song and Lesson Wrap-Up The turnaround lick that you applied to the ending can also be used as an introduction. Adding the turnaround to the beginning and ending of the song creates strong compositional unity. It also gives the song a very catchy sound. Play the turnaround twice, then proceed to the main bulk of the tune.
Mark closes this lesson by playing another slack key tune. Like he mentions, many licks such as the turnaround you have learned appear in multiple tunes. Make note of where these repeated licks occur.
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Hawaiian slack key
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsHawaiian slack key is a beautiful style of guitar that originated in Hawaii. By blending relaxing melodies with intricate fingerstyle playing, this traditional genre of music is sure to please.
Lesson 1
Intro to Slack Key
Mark Nelson introduces Hawaiian slack key guitar and welcomes you to his lesson series.
Length: 9:11 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Basic Slack Key
Mark delves into the world of slack key guitar. He discusses basic concepts such as open tunings and chords.
Length: 34:24 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Bradda John
In this lesson, Mark teaches a slack key arrangement of the classic song "Brother John."
Length: 14:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Old Style Slack
Mark Nelson teaches a beautiful Hawaiian piece that he calls "Old Style Slack."
Length: 30:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Vamps and Turnarounds
Turnarounds are very important to the slack key genre. Mark explains what they are and how they are used in this lesson.
Length: 22:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Salomila
Mark Nelson teaches a beautiful Hawaiian slack key piece called "Salomila."
Length: 19:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Double Stops in Slack Key
Mark Nelson demonstrates how double stops are used in Hawaiian slack key guitar.
Length: 22:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Ki Ho'Alu Slide
Mark Nelson teaches a beautiful piece of music he calls "Ki Ho'Alu Slide."
Length: 15:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
More Turnarounds
Mark Nelson teaches a few more turnarounds. He demonstrates how you can link two turnarounds together.
Length: 9:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Return to Salomila
Mark Nelson returns to the song "Salomila." Learn an altered version of this song that will put your slack key skills to the test.
Length: 14:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Building Blocks
Mark Nelson provides you with more slack key building blocks. He demonstrates some new turnarounds that involve playing double stops in sixths.
Length: 23:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Return to Old Style Slack
Mark Nelson returns to the song "Old Style Slack." In this lesson, he teaches a more advanced arrangement of the song.
Length: 23:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Double Stops and Chords
Mark demonstrates some additional double stops and discusses common slack key chords.
Length: 18:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Taropatch Blues
Mark Nelson teaches an original song called "Taropatch Blues." He also explains how improvisation is used in the slack key genre.
Length: 19:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Series Review
Mark Nelson reviews the lesson series up to this point and discusses its future.
Length: 16:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Aunty Style Slack
Mark Nelson introduces the G Wahine tuning, also known as double slack. He teaches a song in this tuning called "Aunty Style Slack."
Length: 21:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Clave Bass Studies
Mark introduces the concept of the clave rhythm. He explains what the clave is and provides some fun Hawaiian themed exercises to play.
Length: 15:56 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Malasadas
Mark Nelson will teaches a slack key piece called "Malasadas." This lesson applies the clave bass pattern from lesson 17.
Length: 14:17 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Double Stops and Chords
Mark expands your knowledge of double slack tuning. He introduces some common chords and double stops in this tuning.
Length: 13:57 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Playful Popoki
Mark Nelson teaches a beautiful Hawaiian slack key song entitled "Playful Popoki."
Length: 23:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Playful Popoki Part 2
Mark teaches another version of "Playful Popoki."
Length: 25:17 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
C Wahine Tuning
Mark Nelson introduces C Wahine tuning.
Length: 10:54 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Expanding the Tuning
Mark Nelson expands on Drop C / C Wahine tuning. He explains how familiar chords and double stops can be played in this tuning.
Length: 15:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Hi`ilawe
Mark Nelson teaches a classic Hawaiian slack key piece entitled "Hi`ilawe."
Length: 18:12 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
C Wahine Chords
Mark "Kailana" Nelson covers the Drop C / C Wahine tuning again in this lesson. This time around he introduces more chords and variations.
Length: 10:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Molokai Waltz
Mark Nelson teaches a beautiful piece entitled "Molokai Waltz" in this lesson. This song demonstrates how you can play melody out of chord shapes.
Length: 13:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Kowali
Mark Nelson teaches a Hawaiian slack key piece entitled "Kowali" in this lesson.
Length: 13:42 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Kowali Modulation
Mark Nelson returns to the song "Kowali" and introduces the concept of modulation in this lesson.
Length: 11:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sanoe
Mark Nelson returns to the world of Hawaiian slack key with a beautiful piece entitled "Sanoe."
Length: 17:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Sanoe Modulation
Mark revisits the beautiful song "Sanoe." He explains how the song modulates in this lesson.
Length: 11:31 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Catching up & Moving on
Mark Nelson returns with more slack key! Find out what Mark plans to teach in upcoming lessons and learn his approach to fingerpicking technique.
Length: 14:00 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
F Wahine Tuning
Mark Nelson explores the wonders of the beautiful F Wahine tuning.
Length: 29:37 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
My Yellow Ginger Lei
Mark Nelson shares his rendition of the beautiful slack key song "My Yellow Ginger Lei."
Length: 14:55 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Mauna Loa Part 1
Mark Nelson teaches a basic version of the song "Mauna Loa."
Length: 10:26 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Mauna Loa Part 2
Mark teaches a more elaborate version of "Mauna Loa."
Length: 12:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Kawohikukapulani
Mark Nelson teaches a song called "Kawohikukapulani" and discusses the history behind it.
Length: 9:19 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
My Yellow Ginger Lei Variations
Mark Nelson talks about discovering your own style as he plays and improvises "My Yellow Ginger Lei" in F Wahine tuning.
Length: 27:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
He Aloha No'o Honolulu
Mark Nelson shares his rendition of the song "He Aloha No'o Honolulu" in F Wahine tuning.
Length: 11:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
He Aloha No'o Honolulu Part 2
Mark Nelson covers an extended version of "He Aloha No'o Honolulu" and continues to touch on the subject of creating your own style.
Length: 20:17 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Makee Ailana
Mark Nelson shares his beautiful rendition of the song "Makee Ailana" in this lesson.
Length: 22:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tiare Tahiti
Mark Nelson shares his rendition of "Tiare Tahiti," a lovely song named after the sweet Tahitian Tiare flower.
Length: 20:22 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Tiare Tahiti Part 2
Mark continues his discussion on the song "Tiare Tahiti" in this lesson.
Length: 17:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Series Wrap-up Part 1
Mark Nelson begins his series wrap-up with a lesson about the similarities and differences between tunings. The song "Sanoe" is used as an example.
Length: 12:27 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Series Wrap-up Part 2
Mark continues his series wrap-up with another great lesson filled with information on tunings.
Length: 21:23 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Series Wrap-up Part 3
Mark Nelson concludes his series wrap-up with a lesson on "My Yellow Ginger Lei" in Taropatch tuning. He also shares tips and advice to continue on your own until he returns to JamPlay with more lessons.
Length: 19:51 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Bring Back the Slack!
Mark Kailana Nelson is back by popular demand with more amazing slack key guitar! In this series reintroduction, he talks about what he will be teaching in his new set of lessons.
Length: 10:27 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Nanea Kou Maka i ka Le‘ale‘a
Mark Nelson continues his Slack Key series with another song called "Nanea Kou Maka i ka Le‘ale‘a." Mark lays out the basics of the song and talks a little about making it your own.
Length: 24:38 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Intros and Outros
Mark Nelson talks about intros and outros using the tune, "Nanea Kou Maka i ka Le‘ale‘a" as an example to work from.
Length: 19:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 49
'Ulupalakua Part 1
Mark Nelson introduces "'Ulupalakua," a song he will be using to teach different skills and techniques. In this lesson, he explains the tune and asks that you get it under your belt before moving on.
Length: 6:42 Difficulty: 2.0 FREE
'Ulupalakua Part 2: Singing
Mark Nelson touches on singing and backing up a singer in this lesson. He uses the song "'Ulupalakua" as an example and explains the lyrics.
Length: 25:02 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
'Ulupalakua Part 3: Variations
Mark Nelson demonstrates some fun variations to spice up your playing using the song "Ulupalakua" as an example.
Length: 29:23 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
'Ulupalakua Part 4: Three Songs
Mark Nelson wraps up this tune by demonstrating two similar songs you may play now that you have "Ulupalakua" under your belt.
Length: 8:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Hula Blues Part 1
Mark Nelson introduces the catchy "Hula Blues" in this lesson. He asks that you get the song under your belt before moving on to the lessons to follow.
Length: 20:22 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Hula Blues Part 2: Variations
Mark Nelson continues his instruction on the catchy tune "Hula Blues" with some fun variations.
Length: 23:33 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Hula Blues Part 3: Singing
Mark Nelson continues the "Hula Blues" with a lesson on lyrics and singing. Mark demonstrates some useful tips and tricks to get you going.
Length: 15:53 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
‘Opihi Mo‘emo‘e Part 1
Mark Nelson introduces a new slack key tune called "‘Opihi Mo‘emo‘e" in this lesson. As usual, Mark starts off by going over each section of the song and asks that you to get it down before moving...
Length: 23:41 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
‘Opihi Mo‘emo‘e Part 2
Mark Nelson shows off some fun variations for the catchy slack key tune "‘Opihi Mo‘emo‘e." His primary goal for this lesson is to help make this song unique to your personal style.
Length: 13:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
‘Opihi Mo‘emo‘e Part 3
Mark Nelson wraps up the tune "Opihi Mo‘emo‘e" in this lesson, providing full tab and discussing song structure.
Length: 11:50 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Mark's Slack Key Blues
In this short miniseries wrap-up, Mark Nelson slides into his own version of the blues, slack key style.
Length: 5:00 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
B Flat Tuning Part 1
Mark Nelson introduces and explains an open Bb major tuning in this miniseries introduction.
Length: 14:09 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
B Flat Tuning Part 2: Green Rose Hula
Mark Nelson goes over a tune called "Green Rose Hula" in the beautiful B flat tuning.
Length: 12:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
B Flat Tuning Part 3: Pua Lilia
In this lesson, Mark Nelson takes a look at more complex harmonies while teaching the beautiful song "Pua Lilia".
Length: 12:57 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
B Flat Tuning Part 4: ‘Ulupalakua
Mark Nelson wraps up his open Bb tuning miniseries with a look at a song you might recognize from previous lessons, "‘Ulupalakua".
Length: 10:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Mark Kailana Nelson
View Full Biography
Ki Ho `alu, or slack key guitar, is a uniquely Hawaiian music. Legend has it that Spanish cowboys hired to teach cattle handling in the 1830's brought the first guitars the Polynesians had seen. Until very recently, slack key
was almost unknown outside of the Islands.
Mark's lifelong interest in slack key led him to write "Learn to Play Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" (Mel Bay Publications), with legendary Hawaiian musician Keola Beamer – the first widely available instruction method for this
gentle art. Keola and Mark co-host the Aloha Music Camp – an immersion into the music and culture of Hawaii held each summer in the Hawaiian Islands.
Mark's 2004 CD, "The Water is Wide," brings together the nahenahe sounds of slack key guitar with the sweet sounds of the dulcimer. In 2006 he released "Old Time Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar," nineteen classic Hawaiian songs recorded live in the studio. A book of note-for-note transcriptions in Tab and standard notation facilitates learning the songs.. His most recent book and CD set, "Ke Kukima Polinahe," is the first-ever recording of
traditional slack key music arranged for the dulcimer.
Mark began playing guitar and bass professionally at the not-so-tender age of 12. Over the years he's added a number of instruments, including mandolin, `ukulele, bodhran and the Appalachian dulcimer and its European kin.
In the early 1970's Mark was one of a handful of free-spirited musicians who created a whole new vocabulary for the Appalachian dulcimer and guitar. He created a driving flatpicking dulcimer style, playing the instrument
with a force and passion seldom heard before. A first place win at the National Mountain Dulcimer Championships in Winfield, Kansas in 1979 led to appearances at festivals, colleges and coffeehouses across North America
and Europe, and a recording career spanning over 25 years.
He's an engaging performer, artfully weaving stories and humor with heartfelt music to transport the audience. Mark has performed just about everywhere from Barrow to Boston; Sligo to San Diego. He's shared the stage with
performers as diverse as Grover Washington, Jr.; Norton Buffalo; Phoebe Snow, Doc Watson, George Winston and many others. He once worked as a banjo playing gorilla in Dublin, but that's another story...
"Nelson is a musician who possesses that rare combination of insight and talent necessary to successfully transcend conventional concepts of genre and culture."
John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin
"Every once in a while a musician comes along who can make an instrument speak in tongues"
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
"Mark Nelson seems to be on to something new and sweet with his marriage of Appalachian dulcimer and Hawaiian slack key guitar. Drizzle is one of the most achingly beautiful slack key numbers heard in years."
Danny Carnahan, Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"It's my sunset-have-a-martini-on-the-lanai soundtrack every night!"
Duke Walls, Hana, Maui
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Eve Goldberg
Eve talks about the boom-chuck strum pattern. This strum pattern will completely change the sound of your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
David Isaacs
JamPlay welcomes David Isaacs to our teacher roster. With his first lesson Dave explains his approach to playing guitar with...
Free LessonSeries Details
Steve Eulberg
Steve Eulberg does a quick review of this lesson series and talks about moving on.
Free LessonSeries Details
Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
Free LessonSeries Details
Calum Graham
Award winning, Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Calum Graham introduces his Jamplay Artist Series, which aims to transform...
Free LessonSeries Details
Amber Russell
Playing fingerstyle requires the ability to play different techniques at the same time. This of course, is not always an...
Free LessonSeries Details
Mike Tolle
Free LessonSeries Details
Trevor Gordon Hall
Fingerstyle guitar is a broad term that can incorporate percussive elements of playing as well as Chet Atkins/Jerry Reed...
Free LessonSeries Details
Jessica Baron
Jessica kindly introduces herself, her background, and her approach to this series.
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Horace Bray
Horace provides a short etude on how to practice connecting the different shapes of the G Major open triads. This helps you...
Free LessonSeries Details
Chris Liepe
Chris brings his ingenuity to this lesson on the American folk song called "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Also known as...
Free LessonSeries Details
Dennis Hodges
Learn a variety of essential techniques commonly used in the metal genre, including palm muting, string slides, and chord...
Free LessonSeries Details
Michael Palmisano
Michael kicks off his course and explains what to expect from the course, as well as who this course is designed for.
Free LessonSeries Details
Eric Madis
In this lesson Eric talks about playing basic lead in the Memphis Blues style.
Free LessonSeries Details
Will Ripley
Join Will Ripley as he gives us all the details of his series, "Rock Guitar for Beginners". You'll be playing cool rock riffs...
Free LessonSeries Details
Sarah Longfield
Free LessonSeries Details
John DeServio
JD teaches the pentatonic and blues scales and explains where and when you can apply them.
Free LessonSeries Details
Brent Mason
Learn Nashville style country guitar from one of the most recorded guitarists in history. Check out rhythm grooves, solos,...
Free LessonSeries DetailsJoin over 512815 guitarists who have learned how to play in weeks... not years!
Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
Unlimited Lesson Viewing
A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.Live Lessons
Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.Interactive Community
Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.Chord Library
Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.Scale Library
Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.Custom Chord Sheets
At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.Backing Tracks
Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.Interactive Games
We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.Beginners Welcome.. and Up
Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.Take a minute to compare JamPlay to other traditional and new methods of learning guitar. Our estimates for "In-Person" lessons below are based on a weekly face-to-face lesson for $40 per hour.
 |
||||
| Price Per Lesson | < $0.01 | $4 - $5 | $30 - $50 | Free |
| Money Back Guarantee | Sometimes | n/a | ||
| Number of Instructors | 126 | 1 – 3 | 1 | Zillions |
| Interaction with Instructors | Daily Webcam Sessions | Weekly | ||
| Professional Instructors | Luck of the Draw | Luck of the Draw | ||
| New Lessons | Daily | Weekly | Minutely | |
| Structured Lessons | ||||
| Learn Any Style | Sorta | |||
| Track Progress | ||||
| HD Video | - | Sometimes | ||
| Multiple Camera Angles | Sometimes | - | Sometimes | |
| Accurate Tabs | Maybe | Maybe | ||
| Scale/Chord Libraries | ||||
| Custom JamTracks | ||||
| Interactive Games | ||||
| Community | ||||
| Learn in Sweatpants | Socially Unacceptable | |||
| Gasoline Needed | $0.00 | $0.00 | ~$4 / gallon! | $0.00 |
Mike H.
"I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar!"
I am 66 years young and I still got it! I would have never known this if it had not been for Jamplay! I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar! Ha! I cannot express enough how great you're website is! It is for beginners and advanced pickers! I am an advanced picker and thought I had lost it but thanks to you all, I found it again! Even though I only play by ear, I have been a member a whopping whole two weeks now and have already got Brent's country shuffle and country blues down and of course with embellishments. Thank you all for your wonderful program!
Greg J.
"With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace"
I'm a fifty eight year old newbie who owns a guitar which has been sitting untouched in a corner for about seven years now. Last weekend I got inspired to pick it up and finally learn how to play after watching an amazing Spanish guitarist on TV. So, here I am. I'm starting at the beginning with Steve Eulberg and I couldn't be happier (except for the sore fingers :) Some day I'm going to play like Steve! I'm self employed with a hectic schedule. With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace, rewinding and replaying the videos until I get it. This is a very enjoyable diversion from my work yet I still feel like I'm accomplishing something worthwhile. Thanks a lot, Greg
Bill
"I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students."
I am commenting here to tell you and everyone at JamPlay that I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students. I truly enjoy learning to play the guitar on JamPlay.com. Yes, I said the words, ""enjoy learning."" It is by far the best deal for the money.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Hi Mark, I didn't realize who you were until you mentioned Matt's Bound in your very first introduction - I have your book, it's my slack key bible! Fell in love with slack key years ago listening to Ray Kane, then discovered Keola Beamer, which led me to the book you and he did together. So excited to be going through your slack key series on JamPlay - thank you so much!
Mark, I'm loving this! I've played classical and finger style guitar for many years, and have always been interested in learning slack key. This is just what I've been looking for. My brother lives in Hilo, and the next time I visit I'll be able to wow him with a little slack key.
Mark, I'm loving this! I've played classical and finger style guitar for many years, and have always been interested in learning slack key. This is just what I've been looking for. My brother lives in Hilo, and the next time I visit I'll be able to wow him with a little slack key.
Mark - I watched very carefully your fingers, and I find that where your fingers are on the tabs does not fully correspond to the sheet music - - THAT is what has been throwing me off. I can play the melody, but the tabs in some cases, that I am using, do not correspond with the same notations in the sheet music - - it is the sheet music which does not align with some of what I am seeing your finger positions to be. Yes, I can take the time to print off tab sheets and go thru the process of re-writing the tab positions to get the melody you are playing, but it will not look quite like what you have in your sheet music. I think your sheet music is the problem because it does really need to check this out - - - have better and more complete sheet music with all the finger positions included.
Mark - I have been trying to get the melody down as you play it, but , perhaps I am missing something, but the notes on the sheet music, when I try to play them don't quite sound like what you are playing. I am hearing you playing the 10 th fret after the 9th fret, then, then picking 3rd and 4th fret??? Yet, I don't see this pattern in the first part of the sheet music??? So, I can play the sheet music, but it does not sound exactly like what you are playing. AND, it would help if you slowed way down so I could see exactly what you are plucking in slow sequence. After 3 days of watching this section, and not being able to play it the way you do, I am wondering if I should continue with this??? ?
could you please send me the words. I would love to sing along.
Thanks Mark. What an amazing way to play the guitar. I've learned old style slack and ki ho alu and I am hooked.
Mark, I am really enjoying these lessons. the Hawaiian music is really putting me into a great mood with the beautiful melodies. I've just started the lessons, and am looking forward to learning much more.
Great lesson, Mark. I'm coming here from your workshop at Lark, and I can't wait to get into the rest of the series. It feels like I'm in Hawaii already.
i dont get the picking pattern?
Hi - Not sure what you mean by "picking pattern." Essentially, the thumb keeps up a steady quarter note pulse & you grab melody notes with your fingers. Unlike some 60's era folkie pattern picking, every measure is unique. Take it slow & it'll make sense. If you need review, go back to the Bradda John lesson. good luck!
having lots of fun. my thumb is starting to gain it's independance.
Glad to hear you are progressing. There really is no shortcut to getting your thumb & fingers to work independently--you just have to keep drilling. But once you have it, everything else is EZ.
E kala mai (Sorry)! It looks like our pal who helping with the written parts of the lesson hasn't been to Hawai`i! It's Ray Kane. Also, the first song is "Kealoha." The one I play at the end is "Taro Patch Blues;" something I made up. Hope you like it! Mark
Is the proper spelling of Ray's last name Kahne?
Pretty song! I like the name, too :)