Lesson

This lesson covers basic chord shapes for D, G, and A7 chords in the Open D tuning (the I, IV, and V7 chords).

Tuning: DADF#AD

This lesson introduces eight vamps over D7 and G chords in the G Wahine tuning.

Tuning: DGDF#BD

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Vamps move between V and I chords (G7 and C in the key of C).  Here is a series of eight vamps that will help you get to know the Drop C tuning in various positions.

Tuning: CGDGBD

Learning vamps is a great way to get to know a new tuning and find ways to move between the I and V chords (D and A7 in the key of D).  Memorize as many of these as you can and add your own ideas.

Tuning: DADF#AD

If your are interested in more lessons like this and further development, you can become a member of the Slack Key Guitar Workshop and get access to all the materials including sheet music and tablature for each lesson.

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The CAGED system uses C, A, G, E, and D open position chord shapes to become movable shapes using barre chords.  You can play each shape for any major chord.  The pattern of shapes always follows the order of CAGED so it becomes a very valuable way to remember chord positions in any key up and down the neck.  This logic applies to open tunings as well.  First learning this in standard tuning has helped me find chords in many different tunings with some adaptations.

Here are the shapes:

This song is one of the most famous of all the slack key mele and was made popular by Gabby Pahinui who first recorded it in 1947.  This version is based on the way Sonny Chillingworth would play the song with a rolling chord introduction over G7 and C chords and a beautifully embellished accompaniment pattern.  You can start by playing the first two measures of the vamp repeatedly until you get a nice smooth rhythm.  It can be played at any tempo.  The song is most commonly played at a nice laid back medium tempo but Gabby would often play it faster.  It also works beautifully at a very slow tempo.  Start slow and work on each small phrase separately.  I arranged the melody for an instrumental version of the song.  You can sing the song by continuing the accompaniment pattern during the verses.

The lyrics can be found here.  The first five verses and the final verse are usually what is sung.  It is good to study the other verses to know the full story of the song.  The kauna or veiled meaning of the song is believed to be about a woman from Puna on Hawai’i island who has a romance with a man from Waipi’o Valley that inspires gossip amongst the “manu” (birds) in the valley.

Tuning: CGDGBD

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This mele is based on a chant by King Liholiho about a kapu or restricted beach area in Waialua on the island of O’ahu that was set to music by Charles E. King.  The first Taro Patch tuning vamp we have studied is used extensively in this lovely song. Practice keeping the alternate bass pattern steady and bring out the shifting harmonies between G and D7 chords by changing bass notes from the 5th to 6th strings.  G in on the open 5th string and D is on the open 6th string.

Tuning: DGDGBD

If your are interested in more lessons like this and further development, you can become a member of the Slack Key Guitar Workshop and get access to all the materials including sheet music and tablature for each lesson.

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This lesson will help you develop your right hand fingerstyle technique on open strings.

Tuning: DGDGBD

If your are interested in more lessons like this and further development, you can become a member of the Slack Key Guitar Workshop and get access to all the materials including sheet music and tablature for each lesson.

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