Slack Key - Nanea Ko Maka I Ka Leala

[RickAHyatt]

Nice, Nice. If I am not mistaken, I was sitting in my taxi, waiting for a fare to come out of Lahaina Broiler or the like, and watched you play this song.

Talk about Karma!

[Bnjolly]

Absolutely lovely!

[franguidry]

@Bnjolly I'm so glad you enjoyed the clip. I have another version of "Nanea Ko Maka" in my collection as well with better video and audio.

Fran

[garyrs1]

Very Nice!

[Billnn54]

Beautiful, Fran. Very nice job.

[jammyb90]

This is wonderful :) Hearing you play is heavenly. Thank you for posting.

[ukuleleuniverse]

Maika`i no!  Joyce

[sipmeistah]

this maybe my fave song thus far

im thinking of taking hawaiian slack key up us young hawaiian now more then ever need to perpetuate the culture do u have any pointers for me

[franguidry]

My first recommendation would be to use either the book or video by Ozzie Kotani to get started in slack key. Then to seek out a teacher, there are many fine players now sharing their knowledge.

[zippychip2005]

Fran

You do such a good job on this song. I have been learning it lately and thought I would revisit this video. I gotta work on it a little more I guess :)

Haole_boy on tpatch

[kaleo4444yahoo]

I don't know how I found this video but I'm glad I found it. This is the Slack Key Sound that I love. I listen to this and look through my photos from Hawaii. Biggest Mahalos from your newest fans in Chicago!

[franguidry]

I'm glad you found it too.

[alisterhrae]

Just found this fantastic video, what lovely playing. Is 'slack key' in open G tuning?

Must be something with the Scot's love of melody?

Big Al in Scotland

[franguidry]

Aloha, Big Al, most of my slack key is done in open G. We call it "taropatch" tuning. The slack key (or ki ho`alu) style is based on altered tunings and includes about 50 documented tunings, with unknown numbers lost in the 175 years or so since the Hawaiian cowboys originated the style.

[samarks]

Imagine my surprise searching here on YouTube for slack key music after discovering this great music working out a lesson in Acoustic Guitar by a guy named Fran Guidry to find this amazing video ALSO from a guy named Fran Guidry. I mean what are the odds of that?

Thanks for the introduction to Slack Key and the great AG lesson. I am really digging it. You have tab for this one?

[franguidry]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm honored that my efforts helped you discover this music.

I don't have tab for any of my tunes. However, you're in luck with regard to this song, it's tabbed in a terrific book, "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key" by Mark Hanson. The book has many well known pieces, nice clear tab, and a CD of slow and full speed performances. I really recommend this for players who are beyond the basics.

[pifarrell]

Aloha from Scotland.

Until about two weeks ago I didn't even know this wonderful music existed! As a traditional musician for over 30 years I use open D & G to play Scots and Irish songs and tunes and I've just started to learn slack key. Although the music is simpler it's more difficult to play and I'm struggling a little. By the way I think you're excellent. you have a very relaxed style of playing which I love.

Peter

[franguidry]

Thanks for the comments. My constant recommendation for people trying to learn the style is the Ozzie Kotani book. It's one of the most effective instructional books I've ever encountered. Other than that, relax and keep it legato (nahenahe).

[pifarrell]

Thanks for that, I've seen it on Amazon. The main problem is, there's very little on slack key available in the UK. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Peter

[franguidry]

Peter, I hope you pick up this response. I just posted a video of a tune called "Salomila" and we concentrated on catching the fingers on this one. It's a fairly straightforward tune that's a standard among slack key players. I hope this one will help you with your interest in playing slack key.

Fran

[mahiola]

Mahalo, for nahenahe in the rat race, it's healing to the heart.

Aloha nui

[sfbaldbear]

Sweet!

[lennyjudd123]

Aloha, This is by far my favorite that Uncle Raymond Kane would play for us and that I still dance to with my children.

[franguidry]

Wow, you sure know how to give a guitar player chicken skin, thanks for the kind comment.

[12ph]

Fran,

This is a very nice tune!

Go on with your music!

[A Dutch greeting!]